Has the bench really improved that much?

[WindyCityBorn]

People are sleeping on Hutch. We can all agree he was disappointing as a rook but if you deep dive in the numbers, he was still a decently positive player when on the court. Now factor in a little improvement and he should be a solid bench player at the worst.

I might make a thread on him if I get the time at work....

Hutch looks like Tarzan, but plays like Jane. It's still early in his career, but plays softer than I expected. Summer league didn't show much of change. He has ALL of the physical tools to be a really good player. We'll see.

[FriedRise]

Yes, easily.

[2018C3]

We still have a few useless players, but that is normal for every team.

Our bench is much better this year, and i'm not yet sure it is much different than the starters, This year our problem will be with the starters, as I don't think the bench is a huge leap behind. Hopefully a few guys are able to step up to prove they belong as a starter.

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Historically from 04 -05 we made a 24 game leap. (Skiles, Deng . Duhon, Gordon. Nocioni) Were all added. This was one of the largest jumps in our history. (This is very unusual), and Paxons best year to date. Key additions were (Scott Skiles, Deng, Gordon, Nocioni)

After fizzeling out the year earlier the organization made another leap with the 2010-11 season, with a 21 game increase with the newly hired Tom Thibodeau and a rookie Asik. Taj Gibson now had one year of experiance, and Derrick Rose was now entering his third season and on a mission. (Key additions were (Thibs, and Asik)

In 96 MJ came back from retirement, and got us a 25 game increase to the prior year. (But That what happens when you are able to add the best player in the league).

The only other big jump made was in 1976 with a 20 game inprovement, and that was before my time as a fan, so I can't really break down why this happened.

Drafting Mj the first time around only got this team 11 more wins.

Last year this team won just 22 games, if we win 32 this year I will be surprised despite a improved bench.

Next season we will miss the playoffs once again. Unfortunately this next season will be another struggle, and unless something really special happens, it will most likely be another development year.

30-52 Thats my prediction. (The fan in me wants to predict a much higher win total, the historian supersedes my expectations back down to a reasonable level). I don't think the organization did anything special this off season, and special results that only happened a few times in history should not be expected this time around.

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On the other hand we are do for atleast a 10 game jump up on the previous season, as they usually happen at least once every decade, and we have not had one here now for about 10 years.

Dumb Luck is statistically on our side.

[aramada]

We are used to see Dunn struggling as a starter on offense. As a bench player away from Zach I expect him to be much more productive. Dunn + Young are a major upgrade for our bench

[NDave79]

If we stay relatively healthy are top 8 or 9 man rotation should be significantly better imo.

If we don't add another wing and neither Hutch or Denzel are prepared to contribute, I wonder if we could try and stagger Sato's and Otto's minutes a bit (Assuming Sato is the starter).

I was thinking something like sub out Sato around the 6 minute mark for Coby, Arch or Dunn and then maybe around the 2 minute mark of the 1st quarter bring back Sato for Otto to defend the opposing 3 (and still sharing PG duties) until maybe the 8, 7 or 6 minute mark in the second when Otto comes back in the game. Then maybe give Sato a breather and let whoever has it going on at PG finish the last 3 or 4 minutes of the half.

I'd prefer not to rely on a strategy like this and that one of Hutch or Denzel is ready to be a valuable contributor, but it was just a thought if they aren't ready.

[kulaz3000]

People are sleeping on Hutch. We can all agree he was disappointing as a rook but if you deep dive in the numbers, he was still a decently positive player when on the court. Now factor in a little improvement and he should be a solid bench player at the worst.

I might make a thread on him if I get the time at work....

Hutch looks like Tarzan, but plays like Jane. It's still early in his career, but plays softer than I expected. Summer league didn't show much of change. He has ALL of the physical tools to be a really good player. We'll see.

I like Chandler also, and though he had an underwhelming rookie season, and expect him to be better this season, I'd feel a lot better if he wasn't already 23 years old.

[2018C3]

Picks in the Hutch range have a 65 % chance to be a deep bench player, and only a 15 % chance to be a role player. We should not expext much, but I am happy with were he is at now as he not failed expectations, and still has a decent chance to play a role.

https://www.82games.com/nbadraftpicks.htm

[Indomitable]

We have still have bunch of useless players like Valentine, Lemon, Dunn, Blakeney, and Sherk.

Even the guys we've add are just solid players, and one's a rookie that might challenge for 6th man of the year.

I think SF and SG we have depth issues, and we have too many PGs. And this team has history of injury problems!

Are we still a ways to go still?

We only have one player who has to guard pg . RYAN.
The Warrior use to play a line up with 4 pg types. Livingston, igudola, Draymont, and Curry. I am not saying we are the Warriors.

The Bulls have a solid starting 5.
Wendell
Lauri
OTTO
Zach
Tomas

You have 5 guys with the smallest being 6`5
This is excellent in the bigger conference

You have Philly, Toronto, Indy, all going big. I have heard the RAPTORS board talking about Serge being placed back in the starting lineup.

I like Thad, Shaq, Arch, Dunn if used the right way. The center from the Knicks has value with his shot and rim protection. Gafford and White will grow during the year. Valentine, and Hutch have skills to offer.

I look at the bench and I see pro's. Last year we had injuries and played complete scrubs.

Blakeney and Shrek are a waste to evaluate.

If you cannot see bring in Otto, Tomas, and Thad will help. Then you obviously do not understand basketball. They are 3 Luol Deny types. Otto maybe can be more. Still glue guys matter and keep the team going.


The future and any hope of being special is to sign a star. There is also the hope one of Wendell, Zach, White , or Lauri can become one.

Most NBA teams try to get 10 pro's. We have that. It is up to the young guys to make us better.

[Indomitable]

Relying on Hutch and Valentine to step up and stay healthy is a lot to ask for!

You expect Val to hit an opennshot and Hutch to run the floor.

What else? You want this team to become a factor?

Then it falls to Lavine, Wendell, Otto,Lauri to be the big playmakers. You are building around Hutch or Val. Hutch may have potential but he is not being depended on to be more then a defender.

[donaldtrump_00]

We have still have bunch of useless players like Valentine, Lemon, Dunn, Blakeney, and Sherk.

Even the guys we've add are just solid players, and one's a rookie that might challenge for 6th man of the year.

I think SF and SG we have depth issues, and we have too many PGs. And this team has history of injury problems!

Are we still a ways to go still?

We have a bunch of useless posters

[kulaz3000]

We have still have bunch of useless players like Valentine, Lemon, Dunn, Blakeney, and Sherk.

Even the guys we've add are just solid players, and one's a rookie that might challenge for 6th man of the year.

I think SF and SG we have depth issues, and we have too many PGs. And this team has history of injury problems!

Are we still a ways to go still?

We have a bunch of useless posters

An absolutely unneccasary comment.

Consider this a formal warning.

[PrimzyBulls81]

If the Bulls want to maximize wins, then the starters will be Sato, LaVine, OPJ, Thad and Lauri. That leaves Coby, Arci, Kornet and WCJ as the primary bench, with Val/Hutch/Gafford sprinkling in. They are an upgrade over last year's bunch, but still a lot of uncertainty.

I have very little confidence that Hutch will be good enough, or Val will be healthy enough, to be a reliable contributor.

Lauri wont play starting 5,thats WCJ spot. Thad will be our bench leader..

Bench with Dunn, Arci, White, Harrison, Hutch, Valentine, Mokoka, Young, Gafford, Kornet can be pretty solid.. I expect some DNP among PG as all cant get minutes, with Sato of course starting.

Can Mokoka be that 3&D player if Hutch or Val fail??

[rtblues]

Relying on Hutch and Valentine to step up and stay healthy is a lot to ask for!

Relying on Hutch and Valentine to be good NBA rotation players is a lot to ask for!

The Stans can go after me but, not a believer in either of those guys longer term.

[JimmyJammer]

We have still have bunch of useless players like Valentine, Lemon, Dunn, Blakeney, and Sherk.

Even the guys we've add are just solid players, and one's a rookie that might challenge for 6th man of the year.

I think SF and SG we have depth issues, and we have too many PGs. And this team has history of injury problems!

Are we still a ways to go still?

We have a bunch of useless posters

An absolutely unneccasary comment.

Consider this a formal warning.

Typical Donald Trump, always throwing tantrums.

[Bandit King]

Mokoka has a chance to be better then hutch or valentine.

[ArtMorte]

If Young hasn't lost his motivation and isn't going on a cool-down mode in his career, he alone makes the bench better than last season.

I wouldn't label Valentine as a bad bench player until we see what's his level after a 2-3 months of NBA basketball.

I'm only worried about the center spot, really, the top centers in the league might have a few field days against us.

[johnnyvann840]

People are sleeping on Hutch. We can all agree he was disappointing as a rook but if you deep dive in the numbers, he was still a decently positive player when on the court. Now factor in a little improvement and he should be a solid bench player at the worst.

I might make a thread on him if I get the time at work....

He was one of the few Bulls players that were actually a net positive on the defensive end of the floor. Definitely a difference maker on that end. He was rusty in Summer League and looked really bad but hopefully he comes back with a better J. It looks like he has a stronger frame and spent some time in the weight room while out. He is kind of an X factor for this team this season. Because of how thin the team is at the SF spot, he needs to step up as a reliable bench player.

[johnnyvann840]

We have a bunch of useless posters

[PaKii94]

People are sleeping on Hutch. We can all agree he was disappointing as a rook but if you deep dive in the numbers, he was still a decently positive player when on the court. Now factor in a little improvement and he should be a solid bench player at the worst.

I might make a thread on him if I get the time at work....

He was one of the few Bulls players that were actually a net positive on the defensive end of the floor. Definitely a difference maker on that end. He was rusty in Summer League and looked really bad but hopefully he comes back with a better J. It looks like he has a stronger frame and spent some time in the weight room while out. He is kind of an X factor for this team this season. Because of how thin the team is at the SF spot, he needs to step up as a reliable bench player.

Yeah I didn't realize the numbers showed it until recently but for me the eye test did show a stabilizing player (similar to OPJ). He did have his offensive struggles but generally he was a net positive on the floor. My main concern with him was lack of strength but he did seem to have the frame. I am happy he does look stronger and bigger this offseason. It should help his offense. I do think he can be a viable defensive specialist and make plays on the open court. Any other improvements on offense is gravy.

Also, I think summer league did him dirty. The non spacing and bogged down offense is completely the opposite of his game. He was the #1 - #2 option on the floor for SL. He needs to be the 4-5th option and he can excel. He's the type of player who won't hurt you while on the floor (unlike blakeney) but provide beneficial minutes (ala archi). With the spacing provided by the starting players along with kornet/val/white on the bench, I think he can be a valuable bench player.

[madvillian]

People are sleeping on Hutch. We can all agree he was disappointing as a rook but if you deep dive in the numbers, he was still a decently positive player when on the court. Now factor in a little improvement and he should be a solid bench player at the worst.

I might make a thread on him if I get the time at work....

He was one of the few Bulls players that were actually a net positive on the defensive end of the floor. Definitely a difference maker on that end. He was rusty in Summer League and looked really bad but hopefully he comes back with a better J. It looks like he has a stronger frame and spent some time in the weight room while out. He is kind of an X factor for this team this season. Because of how thin the team is at the SF spot, he needs to step up as a reliable bench player.

My concern with Hutch is that while he's a positive defensively on the other side he's a total question mark and without two shooters and a scorer/creator on the floor with him the Bulls will be seriously lacking offensive firepower in the 2nd unit.

I'd feel ALOT better about the rotation if Hutch was the 9th man instead of the 7th man. But because Val can't be relied upon that's looking like the case. Here's hoping Hutch takes a big step forward this year.