It didn’t take long for first-round pick Dalen Terry to earn the respect of his new Bulls teammates, writes Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic. In his first practice with Chicago’s Summer League squad, Terry showed why he had a reputation as a maximum-effort player at Arizona.
Second-year forward Patrick Williams singled out Terry as the strongest competitor at today’s practice. That recognition was installed by coach John Bryant, who is trying to make the Summer League experience as competitive as possible.
“It means everything,” Terry said. “I appreciate Pat for doing that. It gave me a little bit more confidence. He was a rookie last year and he’s been through what I’ve been through, obviously. For him to do that, it’s definitely a nod and respect to him. I appreciate him for saying that.”
There’s more from Chicago:
- Zach LaVine‘s new max contract was necessary for the Bulls to maintain roster stability, Mayberry contends in a separate story. While the investment could top $215MM, LaVine is a two-time All-Star who’s still in his prime at age 27 and he gives the team a foundation to build around.
- Derrick Jones Jr. wasn’t in the Bulls’ long-range plans when they acquired him from Portland last summer, but he played well enough to earn a new contract, Mayberry adds. Jones was taken as a throw-in to get a first-round pick in a three-team deal that also involved Cleveland. Injuries and COVID-19 created a chance for him to play and he proved useful as a small-ball center. The Bulls pursued Danilo Gallinari before re-signing Jones, Mayberry notes, but Gallinari decided to join the Celtics.
- The Bulls are putting together a successful offseason, but so are several other teams in the Eastern Conference playoff race, per Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. Cowley rates the offseason progress of the top nine teams in the East, giving an A to the Celtics and A-minuses to the Bucks and Hawks. Chicago gets a C, as Cowley is skeptical about the philosophy of keeping the current roster together after a quick playoff exit.
Patrick Williams was not a rookie last year, this upcoming season is his third. Young fella needs to brush up on his teammates!
He had to mean that Williams was actually technically a rookie for part of last year…Not the last season, last year..
At first, it definitely confused me also, but I’m guessing this is what he has to mean, unless he’s just not all that familiar with PW..Idk lol
Right ayo was the rook
Can we slow down a bit. It’s one practice. Candy Serna looked strong with his headband around his throat ala Walter Payton on day 1 during high school tryouts, he then got cut.
I’m not sure that last bullet point makes sense. They are putting together a “successful” offseason but then get a grade of C? That doesn’t match up.
Personally, as a Bulls fan, I would give them a D. Their only change is adding Terry and Drummond. Their #1 need was outside shooting. Their #2 need was bigger, lengthier wings that can defend. Their #3 need was stronger interior defense.
They somewhat addressed #3. It does not seem they addressed #1 and #2, though. They seem to be banking on better health with LaVine and Ball for better shooting but that seems a mistake, especially since LaVine hasn’t gotten thumb surgery yet for some reason. The reports on Ball are he may have suffered a career diminishing injury.
Terry is a big question mark too. I’m still afraid a team like the Bucks would continue to run roughshod over them. Their only hope seems to be finding a buyout guy at the deadline since they do not seem like they are going to exercise the MLE currently for fear of paying the luxury tax.
It’s two different people. The writer gave his opinion… then talked about how another writer gave them a C. I would add that they didn’t really do 3 on your list either. We needed to add rim protection and Drummond is not a rim protector. I think long term the plan is to make Terry a wing …he’s a big guard. I think it’ll take a couple years though because he’s gonna need to bulk up alot. So I definitely agree they didn’t do anything to address wings for this season. I’ve never read a comment where I literally agreed with just about everything said when it comes to basketball but I think you were spot on.
They need health. The length and shooting your talking about is a healthy Lonzo.
Really liked Terry in the draft scouting process. Reminds me of Andre Iguodala in a lot of ways, but he is raw. I’m also not sure about the fit on this roster, with them being able to bring back Derrick Jones jr. Terry needs to get stronger, improve his midrange game, and shooting consistency. Either way, their guard/wing defense should be strong again
They need help at the 4 behind Patrick Williams/besides Jones jr seeing minutes there, preferably someone that can shoot it, and a backup big that can defend pick and roll/protect the rim, which Drummond doesnt do, as well as someone that can play small ball 5 for them in certain matchups
…they still have Simonovic, right? He could potentially be a floor spacer for them at the 4, but if they’re not confident in him, Juan Hernangomez could be an interesting fit. He played well in Utah last year, or they can go with scoring 4s like TJ Warren or Jabari Parker. Obviously, Millsap would be a really strong fit, but as a Heat fan, I hope he ends up in Miami lol
Jabari is not nba talent
He has had a positive net rating/been useful multiple times the last couple of years. For him, put him on a roster with defense and preferably space around him, and use him at the 4 as a scorer off the bench, and he can still be useful…and in a playoff series, he is also useful as a half court scorer
That. Being said, I’m not saying he is the only option. There are others. He is 1 option in that realm. A scorer at the 4 off the. Ench in certain lineups
…actually now that I looked quickly at the roster, Terry can replace some of what they lost with Troy Brown as a playmaking wing/guard, although I would assume Dosunmu will get that spot
For a floor spacing, smallball 5, they could maybe look at Eric Pascahll as a potential fit?
Troy Brown? A banana could replace what Brown brought to the Bulls. Matt Thomas got more playing time than Brown. Brown, On a rating scale of 1-100 was a zero. He got a minimum salary in FA and was lucky to get that. Please spare me. Jones can play some 4 and Lewis maybe can play some 4 but the Bulls still need a reliable BIG 4 who can space the floor. Is Simonovic that guy, Or do they need a another guy? Still waiting for another move.
Maaaaan I think Ayo for everyone’s brain mixed up about what to expect from Rookies. I really liked the pick, but I wouldn’t expect much from him this year. Especially if you’re pencilling him in as a wing. I 100% agree that’s where we see him in the future but the kid is almost 50lbs lighter than KD and Giannis. 20 lbs lighter than Brown and Tatum. I think if he gets 5-8 minutes a game that should exceed what expectations for him should be for his rookie season.
A playmaking wing/guard, like a Caleb Martin, Troy Brown, Bazemore, iguodala, etc type. Normally there around shooters. He defends 1-3, and puts the ball on the floor and makes plays.
I said he needs to add strength for sure, and improve his shooting consistency
Djj played some small ball 5 last year and is actually a really good giannis defender so I really like bringing him back. Just gives good minutes.
As a Heat fan, he was someone I absolutely didnt want to lose 2 years ago