chicago_suntimes
For the Chicago Bulls, every offensive possession appears to be a struggle, and the numbers confirm it. Under head coach Tiago Splitter, the team heads into Sunday afternoon's matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers boasting the third-worst offensive efficiency in the NBA, the second-lowest field goal percentage (41.2%), and the league's worst three-point percentage (27.2%).
There is one area where the Bulls lead the league: pace. But that distinction only highlights the problem—Splitter's roster is simply playing fast while taking poor shots. As a result, individual players are beginning to prioritize their own stats. Veteran Norman Powell addressed his coach's public criticism of some of his early-shot-clock three-point attempts. "My game is in transition so I'm going to take occasional transition threes just to see what it's like, but really it's just working the game and trying to be aggressive, pick my spots and try to get everyone involved," Powell said. "I don't see myself shooting on like five-straight possessions. That's not good basketball either. If I'm getting downhill, getting to the basket, getting the shots we want, it's fine."
Even rookie Caleb Wilson, the No. 4 overall pick, expressed a desire for more touches after enduring the worst game of his young career—a 2-for-12, five-point showing in a loss to the New York Knicks. Wilson was benched for a stretch in the third quarter by Splitter. "Against the Knicks, I didn't really get the ball much to start the game so I couldn't really do anything to be aggressive, but when I get the chance to, hopefully I can be aggressive and start opportunities for myself and the others," Wilson said, choosing his words carefully.
So what are the immediate solutions for a Bulls offense that looks broken? The first step is improved defense. Despite the offensive struggles, Chicago owns the worst defensive efficiency in the league through eight games. It's difficult to play up-tempo when the team is constantly inbounding the ball after made baskets. "It's hard when we're taking the ball out of the basket every possession, having to play in the halfcourt and try and manufacture things that way," Powell explained. "We need to get stops, get in transition and find easy ways to put the ball in the basket."
Key Analysis: Lineup Changes Could Spark Turnaround
Splitter may need to reconsider his starting lineup. Nic Claxton, sidelined by a hamstring injury since early in training camp, is set to make his season debut on Sunday. Claxton provides another rim protector—more effective than Jalen Smith in that role—but he doesn't stretch the floor like Smith and offers little difference on the boards. Splitter has been staggering Josh Giddey with the second unit and giving Tre Jones more minutes recently, which has produced some positive moments but hasn't resolved the starters' issues.
The most logical adjustment would be to start Isaac Okoro alongside Claxton, Wilson, Powell, and Giddey, moving Matas Buzelis to the bench. Okoro would bolster the defense, but more importantly, the change would allow Buzelis to become a primary scorer with the reserves, returning to actions—specifically pick-and-rolls—that were frequently run for him last season but have now been given to Wilson. For most NBA players, closing games is a higher priority, and Splitter can determine his closing group on a game-by-game basis. Additionally, the move might help Buzelis find a rhythm and get into a much-needed flow.
Whatever Splitter decides, he may want to act quickly. The Bulls' offense feels like it has hit rock bottom—but could it get even worse?
Originally reported by chicago_suntimes.