Billy Donovan Admits Chicago’s Biggest Flaw The Last Two Years
Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan and vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas recently sat down with the local Chicago radio station 670 The Score to address some of the fan’s concerns, the outlook for the 2024-25 season, and the flurry of changes throughout the organization this offseason. This includes adding a few young core pieces, the departure of a few irreplaceable veterans, and the shift in offensive focus this year. Donovan highlighted one area where the Bulls have failed in the past few years and are dedicated to correcting moving forward. What glaring issue does Chicago’s head coach see in the franchise, and how did they address it this summer?
Finally Addressing The Analytics
The metrics and calculations for any sport have their place, in some more than others. In the NBA, it doesn’t take much digging to know that three-point shooting has dramatically increased throughout the sport’s existence, and with each passing season, the quantity and quality of three-point shooting improves. Many attribute the changing of basketball and how it is played to Stephen Curry; his deep range and never-before-seen threat from beyond the arc completely altered how teams operate, play, and develop talent.
In recent memory, the Bulls were a bit late to the party, partially due to injuries but primarily due to personnel. In the last three years, Chicago has finished 26th, 30th, and 30th out of 30 teams in three-point shot attempts per game. The last time they were in the league’s top half was five seasons ago, and they haven’t scratched the top ten in that category in seven seasons. Is there any correlation between one playoff appearance and only one playoff victory during that span? Donovan is starting to think so.
Fixing The Problem
Step one is addressing the issue, which it would seem that Karnisovas and Donovan have finally done. Next, they are tasked with correcting it. Many of the Bulls’ offensive issues, three-point shooting woes included, have stemmed from not having a true point guard at the helm for the better portion of the last decade. Lonzo Ball’s brief stint before injury was the closest they have come to a true facilitator in command, at which time Chicago was in the top ranks of fast break points and three-point shooting and sat atop the Eastern Conference standings.
To replicate that roster construction, Karnisovas has brought in Josh Giddey. Averaging nearly six assists per game over his three-year career in Oklahoma City, the 22-year-old will bring a pass-first guard back into the fold. This returns Zach LaVine to his preferred off-ball role and sends Coby White to an off-ball role too. With two shooters who have surpassed 38.5% from deep at least one season of their careers while attempting more than six three-point shots per game, this could unlock a new arsenal of snipers for Chicago.
Will Chicago finally find a new identity that matches the modern style of successful NBA teams or return to the depths of the three-point shooting ranks?