Bulls fans and media alike have often blamed their fifth-year head coach, Billy Donovan. While his lack of playoff success—one appearance with a 1-4 record—speaks for itself and is a closing argument to many, the overall body of work is not as bad as it seems. Of coaches in Chicago’s illustrious history who have coached 200 or more games, he’s fifth out of nine in winning percentage. The recent turnaround with a complete hodgepodge of roster pieces and newcomers is strong evidence that coaching has not been the main issue within the organization. Ditching the top-scoring face of the franchise, All-Star guard Zach LaVine has resulted in an 11-12 standing. With LaVine in the lineup, the Bulls were 18-24. Improving their record after seeing a player of his caliber leave is unheard of, especially when the remaining average age on the roster is only 26. Donovan has done a masterful job with player development, lineup configuration, and assigning new roles to the latest bunch of young players.
Matas Buzelis’s Massive Development
If nothing else, Donovan deserves a nod for his development and handling of rookie forward Matas Buzelis. Although many called for this season to be a full-throttle, learn-by-trial-and-error type of year for the newcomer, Donovan demanded a high level of play on both ends of the floor before he let the rookie loose. Early in the season, Buzelis was hovering around 15 minutes per night, often sporadic and based on foul trouble, matchup assignments, and shooting inconsistencies. Over the last two months, he’s been playing over 26 minutes nightly, has started in 20 games, and is taking full advantage of the opportunity to grow. His contributions to the recent stretch of success cannot be understated. He has grown to respect and appreciate Donovan as a coach and leader.
Billy Donovan didn’t hesitate to sit Matas Buzelis against Sacramento.
He also didn’t hold back in giving him the LeBron matchup.
After a career night, the rookie explained why he benefits from this type of coaching: “Whenever he takes me out for a mistake, I get better.” pic.twitter.com/uHPXAhCYYh
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Buzelis’s offensive efficiency and three-point potency often determine Chicago’s night’s outcome. They’re a much better team when he scores at a high rate, defends at a high level, and brings the juice to a young squad. His last ten outings of ten or more points have resulted in a 7-3 standing for the Bulls.
Giddey Approves Of Donovan’s Leadership
Josh Giddey has been a consistent supporter of Donovan and his coaching tactics. Although they sometimes resulted in the point guard being on the bench down the stretch of clutch games and coming off the pine when he returned from injury, he’s riding with his head coach wholeheartedly. As a potential cornerstone point guard for the franchise, the comfortability with Donovan is essential and a promising sign moving forward.
The Bulls would deny it now, but many in the Advocate Center were down on Giddey the first few months of the season. Credit the work he’s put in, but also the way Billy Donovan has coached him on both sides of the ball. Masterful work by Donovan to save AK’s “big trade.”
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Former players of Chicago’s head coach speak highly of his work, including DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, Russell Westbrook, and Bradley Beal. The post-trade deadline era of Chicago Bulls basketball has provided clear and concise evidence that head coaching is far down the totem pole of problems to fix to bring the franchise back to former glory and relevancy.
