CHICAGO (670 The Score) – The new-look Bulls got off to a roaring start Tuesday evening, rolling past the Cavaliers in a 131-95 win at the United Center to open their preseason slate. Here are the observations of the evening.
'We're going to try to put on a show'
Before the game, Bulls coach Billy Donovan noted, "I think we are a good passing team."
His assessment was spot on, with the Bulls posting 36 assists against nine turnovers. That included a first half in which they had 20 assists and just three turnovers while the starters played normal minutes. When star Zach LaVine and new point guard Lonzo Ball checked out for good with under five minutes left in the third quarter, the Bulls had 26 assists and four turnovers at the time.
"We have a lot of smart players on this team, a lot of unselfish guys and people that are going to run," said Ball, who had eight points and five assists. "And when you have all that and put it in one, it doesn't make my job too hard.
"We understand that it's all about getting the best shot. I think gets that, one through 15. We showed that tonight."
While guard Alex Caruso's lob to LaVine will garner the most social media attention, it was the lower-profile passes that will end up being the most important in the long run. In the second quarter, Caruso made a quick look-ahead cross-court pass to LaVine to create a transition opportunity out of nothing. LaVine hit an open jumper to capitalize on the sequence.
New wing DeMar DeRozan drew a defender on a secondary transition chance and left a pass for trailing big man Nikola Vucevic for an easy dunk. If the Bulls can consistently produce those type of higher-efficiency chances, they'll have the opportunity to be one of the top offenses in the league. The Bulls' 13.6% turnover rate was tied for third-worst in the NBA last season, a number they need to improve.
Ball's new teammates had high praise for how he set the tone.
"Amazing," DeRozan said of what it's like to play with Ball. "Helluva player, talent, IQ. It's fun. He makes it easy. What's even better about it is he has the greatest, most humbling demeanor toward him too."
For his part, Ball thanked the Bulls fans and hinted at what may be to come.
"We're going to try to put a show on for them every time," Ball said.
Not tall, but long
There's a physical presence to this new-look Bulls team that just wasn't there the past few years, one you'll come to understand the more you closely watch them. Ball and DeRozan aren't high flyers like LaVine, but they add athleticism and are strong for their size.
Far too often last season, the likes of Coby White, Lauri Markkanen, Garrett Temple and Denzel Valentine were at a disadvantage from a physical standpoint. That weakness has been addressed. The Bulls will be a bit undersized when they play second-year pro Patrick Williams and DeRozan at power forward, but they'll also have a much-needed modern approach on the offensive end.
On the other side of the ball, Donovan's hope is the Bulls will make the most of a trait they do have in their toolbox.
"We have really, really good length," Donovan said. "Lonzo is a long player. Zach has really good length. DeMar has length, Javonte (Green) has length. I thought tonight we used our length. We may not be this overly big team in terms of height, but I do think we're long. And I think if we can get our length into our defense, that will help."
Also make no mistake – DeRozan is a brick. On several plays against the Cavaliers, he simply dislodged his foe with a combination of his shoulder and butt. He knows how to create space and use his body.
The Bulls had 13 steals and 11 blocks against the Cavaliers, with Ball registering three steals and two blocks.
LaVine starts hot
After following up an All-Star season with a gold medal run with Team USA in the Olympics, LaVine picked up right where he left off, scoring 25 points on 9-of-14 shooting.
And in his mind, it was an easy 25 because of his teammates.
"It's just getting easier shots," LaVine said of the difference for him with an overhauled roster. "Obviously, if I need to get the ball and take over if I get hot, those guys are going to go to me. But we're playing free basketball right now, getting up and down the floor. But for me to play off the ball, get cuts, get easy shots, get easy spot-ups, it's something I haven't had for awhile. Coming out in the third quarter, DeMar played on the ball and I was able to get some spot-up shots and just get in a rhythm real easy. I'm excited for that."
Green gets starting nod
With Williams sidelined by a severe ankle sprain and Derrick Jones Jr.'s ankle also ailing, Javonte Green got the nod – somewhat surprisingly – as the Bulls' fifth starter alongside Ball, LaVine, DeRozan and Vucevic. He rewarded Donovan with an energetic performance, posting 13 points, eight rebounds and four blocks while creating a great deal of havoc defensively.
Donovan tabbed Green to start because he has had a "really good camp" and he has "fit in well" with the other four starters given his ability to rotate well and switch defensively.
"I wouldn't read anything into it," Donovan said specifically of Green starting. "It was just more like, 'Listen, let's go with him.' We kind of know what we're going to get. We're going to get a high-motor guy who's going to defend and be active. Maybe you don't always know what's going to happen, but something is going to happen when he gets out there. He makes a lot of things happen."
Minutes staggering
In an ideal world, Donovan plans to have two of his main four players – Ball, LaVine, DeRozan and Vucevic – on the floor with his second unit as often as possible. He and his staff haven't formulated a set plan for staggering minutes yet, but it's on the to-do list after more research and discussion.
"We have to stagger these guys," Donovan said. "This is not at all like researched, studied, this is what we're doing. I just felt like we're going to have to, whether it be Lonzo and DeMar or Lonzo and Vooch or DeMar and Zach, we're going to have to, I think, come back with two of those guys in the second unit just in terms of shoring that up. And I think we're going to have to stagger those guys."
On Tuesday, Donovan subbed DeRozan out at the 5:22 mark of the first quarter, with Ball exiting at the 3:53 mark. LaVine and Vucevic played together for the most part, both leaving at the 2:08 mark of the opening quarter. DeRozan returned at that same time, then Ball re-entered the game to start the second quarter as LaVine and Vucevic continued to rest. Those latter two subbed back in together with 7:11 left in the second quarter.
Cody Westerlund is a sports editor for 670TheScore.com and covers the Bulls. Follow him on Twitter @CodyWesterlund.
