Stratmaster wrote:NZB2323 wrote:Chicago Bulls in the last 15 games: 10-5
Sacramento Kings in the last 15 games: 4-11.
Kings when Zach Lavine scores 20+: 10-6 with 2 of the losses being in overtime.
When he scores under 20: 2-10
Kings when Lavine takes at least 14 shots: 9-8
Kings when he takes less than 14 shots: 3-8
Since Lavine joined the Kings:
Kings when DDR scores 20+ points: 9-13
When he scores under 20: 3-3
When DDR takes at least 14+ shots: 8-11
When he takes less than 14: 4-5
Now there are a lot of factors so I am not drawing any direct causation here. Just interesting numbers that at first glance might indicate the Kings need more of Lavine, and less of Derozan?
As far as the Bulls, Giddey's emergence and Coby's hot streak are the main reasons for the wins. It might indicate that Lavine was indeed holding back a couple of players from showing their full game. Of course, that would be like saying MJ held back Pippen. Was it true? Absolutely. So what? In Coby's case, he has had hot streaks before. I am hoping the confidence he gets from this end of season run carries over to where he actually plays a full season at a high level. He has had a magnificent 18 game run, with the exception of 1 game. His usage rate has been just under 30%. That's Zach Lavine before he had Vuc or DDR on the floor with him level.
During that time Giddey's usage has been just under 26%, he has averaged (rounded) 20/10/9 . He has had 5 triple-doubles and 4 double-doubles in 13 games played during that same 18 game stretch. Chicken or egg? Either way, Giddey seems to be the guy you could make a case for being held back by Lavine...which makes...absolutely no sense in a vacuum. Another head scratching "where was the head coach" situation.
The real Bulls question: Is winning with Coby and Giddey accounting for 55% of your offense sustainable against quality teams during tough stretches of schedule?
The one that concerns me is Coby. We have seen him go on heaters before and just . . . stop.
Giddey is basically doing what he always has when he plays PG with a marginally improved 3p shot and a little better defensive awareness. Its easy to say that this Giddey is what you would have expected with maturity and experience.
As far as the record, the Bulls have been playing terrible teams who are frequently intentionally trying to lose. I think people are losing sight of that.