The Bulls brought in Norman Powell last summer for one clear reason: he can score like an All-Star. That part has held up. The other side of the ball has become a much bigger issue, and early this season the numbers are starting to scream about it.
Chicago’s 126-107 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Nov. 2 was a perfect example of how messy things have gotten. Head coach Tiago Splitter used 12 different players, and he got all 12 onto the floor in the first half alone. None of those combinations really found traction, but the lineups featuring Powell were the ones that stood out for the wrong reasons.
Splitter opened with Powell, Josh Giddey, Caleb Wilson, Matas Buzezlis and Jalen Smith. That group logged 10 minutes together and posted a defensive rating of 112.5.
On its own, that number doesn’t tell the whole story - Giddey has his own issues guarding anyone, Wilson is still learning on that end and Smith is giving up size - but Powell was also part of eight different rotations that played at least two minutes against Philly. Only two of those groups finished with a positive net rating, and six of them carried defensive ratings of at least 112.5.
The bigger concern is that this wasn’t just a one-night problem. Looking across the first seven games of the season, six different lineups have played at least four minutes together, and Powell shows up in two of the three worst groups by defensive rating.
One is the starting five, which has become a familiar sore spot. The other pairs Powell with Wilson, Giddey, Smith and Isaac Okoro.
There is at least one encouraging wrinkle in the numbers. Several of Chicago’s best defensive lineups, by the metrics, have included Okoro and/or Noa Essengue, even when Buddy Hield, Powell and Tre Jones are also on the floor. That’s something the Bulls can build on.
Still, the overall picture is pretty blunt. Seven games is a tiny sample, and the data will get more meaningful as the season goes on. But right now, it’s easy to see where Chicago is leaking stops, and Powell keeps showing up in those lineups.
The Bulls are already last in the league in points allowed per game at 128.9, so this is not a defense that’s about to make a dramatic leap. Powell isn’t the only reason, but he has been a major part of the problem so far. And with his team-friendly contract and trade eligibility starting Dec. 15, it’s fair to wonder how long he’ll stay in the Windy City.
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Bulls Suddenly Have Another Frontcourt Concern To Worry About
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Chicago has been leaning on Smith to help cover for injured veteran center Nic Claxton, so any setback there matters beyond one exhibition game. The Bulls do not have much room for another frontcourt issue, and with Smiths status now in question, the team will be waiting to see what comes next before it can get a clearer read on its depth. [Read more 🡒]