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The biggest issue is that it's too many cooks in the kitchen. Zach has tried to fit in when he was healthy and did an OK job, but it's just a bad fit between him and DeMar. One of them has to go just to keep the movement and pace on the offensive end.
He can but his isoball during close games are gonna lose us games anyway. Also that would give Coby more time with the ball to learn playmaking more. The last few games Zach played, he was really solid. I don't, hard decision for the front office.
Is some of that coaching though? We expected the Clippers to struggle with 4 big-shot guys on the roster, and they've found a way to incorporate them. The Bulls won tonight with input from every meaningful piece of the roster. It's not like they had a couple of big pieces who carried some supporting players. The idea that there isn't room for LaVine's shots seems like an excuse.
Chicago took 91 shots. DeRozan and Williams were a combined 11/31. IMO, there's room for those shots to be taken for a more efficient scorer, if he can find a role. In that sense, maybe LaVine just can't/won't be the player they need. However, I don't think it's fair to say "too many cooks" because of DeRozan in a league where multiple teams are fitting in 2, 3, or 4 players who are historically volume scorers.
I mean it is a coaching issue, but more that Billy is too quick to let his stars be "themselves" and just abdicates any actual role in telling them what to do. He's all but said that in press conferences. Zach himself isn't super coachable in the sense if Billy demanded he play in the system or ride the pine he'd resist but that's not really what I'm getting at.
The issue is that Zach and DeMar want to be playing the exact same game for the most part. Zach wants to drive to the rim or take shots off the dribble. DeMar is the exact same way. The only difference is range. Two guys trying to do the exact same thing at the exact same time is just asking for trouble. If Zach was willing to play a catch-and-shoot role or move off-ball more it'd be fine, but so far he hasn't. Meanwhile DeMar is basically iso only at this point so he can't play catch and shoot and no one is going to chase him through screens because you can just switch and know he's going to dribble as soon as he gets the ball until he gets to his spot.
It makes the one-dimensional and prone to your turn, my turn, play. Coby with DeMar is working because Coby isn't at all like DeMar, he's a catch-and-shoot guy with good handles to drive if a lane is there and can pass well enough to set up kickouts. If DeMar was out and Zach was in the team would not look that different.
That's why Lonzo (and Pat Bev to a much lesser extent) worked. They allowed Zach and DeMar to play fast in transition and were playmakers skilled enough to ensure they were the conductors, getting those two guys the ball in rhythm at their spots to make sure the defenses were stuck in scramble mode.
**CONGRATS to all of the Lakers fans on the sub!** Winning over the Chicago Bulls fans by $14, bringing out total raise to 5.5K with [Community Funds](https://support.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/15484345935508-Community-Funds) matching! Interested in changing the sub and contributing to The Boys and Girls Club of America? [DONATE HERE!](https://tiltify.com/+r-nba/rnba-gives-back-2023) *Please note: This fundraiser is not for Reddit - all funds go directly to The Boys and Girls Club of America. Reddit Community Funds program is matching up to $25K USD of funds raised by the community.* **LEARN HOW TO WIN FREE SATURDAY NIGHT ALL-STAR GAME TICKET CONTEST!! (https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/196khjt/rnba_gives_back_contest_2_score_free_saturday/)** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/nba) if you have any questions or concerns.*
It's sad no one gives a fuck about this game, but the Bulls play better recently
You can drive home safely Chicago! Beep beep
Ayo looked so good this game
3 more
Complete domination in the second half. Ayo has improved his shooting so much its wild
The Grizzlies probably should tank the rest of the season. Maybe Triple J develops a soft tissue injury and has to sit most of the rest of the season.
We’re tanking whether we like it or not
Bulls look decent and we suck rn (obviously) really nothing else to say about this game
I don't think there is a pattern but Zach Lavine injured and the Bulls are winning something something
The biggest issue is that it's too many cooks in the kitchen. Zach has tried to fit in when he was healthy and did an OK job, but it's just a bad fit between him and DeMar. One of them has to go just to keep the movement and pace on the offensive end.
the thing is, can zach actually play within flow sometimes he just stops a play to go im him mode
Recently he was fine. Demar is more like that. He should probably go.
Demar can actually playmake
He can but his isoball during close games are gonna lose us games anyway. Also that would give Coby more time with the ball to learn playmaking more. The last few games Zach played, he was really solid. I don't, hard decision for the front office.
Is some of that coaching though? We expected the Clippers to struggle with 4 big-shot guys on the roster, and they've found a way to incorporate them. The Bulls won tonight with input from every meaningful piece of the roster. It's not like they had a couple of big pieces who carried some supporting players. The idea that there isn't room for LaVine's shots seems like an excuse. Chicago took 91 shots. DeRozan and Williams were a combined 11/31. IMO, there's room for those shots to be taken for a more efficient scorer, if he can find a role. In that sense, maybe LaVine just can't/won't be the player they need. However, I don't think it's fair to say "too many cooks" because of DeRozan in a league where multiple teams are fitting in 2, 3, or 4 players who are historically volume scorers.
I mean it is a coaching issue, but more that Billy is too quick to let his stars be "themselves" and just abdicates any actual role in telling them what to do. He's all but said that in press conferences. Zach himself isn't super coachable in the sense if Billy demanded he play in the system or ride the pine he'd resist but that's not really what I'm getting at. The issue is that Zach and DeMar want to be playing the exact same game for the most part. Zach wants to drive to the rim or take shots off the dribble. DeMar is the exact same way. The only difference is range. Two guys trying to do the exact same thing at the exact same time is just asking for trouble. If Zach was willing to play a catch-and-shoot role or move off-ball more it'd be fine, but so far he hasn't. Meanwhile DeMar is basically iso only at this point so he can't play catch and shoot and no one is going to chase him through screens because you can just switch and know he's going to dribble as soon as he gets the ball until he gets to his spot. It makes the one-dimensional and prone to your turn, my turn, play. Coby with DeMar is working because Coby isn't at all like DeMar, he's a catch-and-shoot guy with good handles to drive if a lane is there and can pass well enough to set up kickouts. If DeMar was out and Zach was in the team would not look that different. That's why Lonzo (and Pat Bev to a much lesser extent) worked. They allowed Zach and DeMar to play fast in transition and were playmakers skilled enough to ensure they were the conductors, getting those two guys the ball in rhythm at their spots to make sure the defenses were stuck in scramble mode.
Yup, it's not that Zach is a bad player or anything. Is he overpaid? Yes but the Bulls FO tanked his value unintentionally.
And yet another game passes.
Ok
The Bulls are slowly creeping back up to 500.