Aug 15, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu (12) dribbles during an NBA Summer League game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Bulls: Why Ayo Dosunmu can contribute in his rookie season
Chicago Bulls Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Why Ayo Dosunmu can contribute for the Chicago Bulls: 1. Perimeter Defense
Ayo Dosunmu is a second-round pick. That means his experience will be vastly different than players selected in the lottery. Guys who are taken with one of the first fourteen selections are normally allowed more room for error than typical rookies. If he takes a bad shot, he is yelled at from the bench but he stays in the game. The front office is more concerned with their prize possession getting as many reps as possible than they are with their head coach proving a point.
The implications for Dosunmu are that he will have to earn his stripes on defense. Before he was known as one of the best mid-range players in the NBA, Kawhi Leonard was known as the best defender in the San Antonio Spurs organization. This earned him minutes on the floor while the offensive load was carried by Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobli and Tony Parker. Ayo Dosunmu will be in a similar situation this season.
The bulk of Chicago’s scoring will come from Zach LaVine, Nikola Vučević and DeMar DeRozan. Dosunmu will be yanked out of the game immediately if he shoots a contested shot while LaVine is open. His best bet is to learn from Lonzo Ball, who is an exceptional perimeter defender. If he does that, Coach Donovan will find a way to keep him in the rotation.
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from Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan</a>, two players whose accomplishments have led them to the NBA All-Star game. However, adjustment periods are never easy for rookies, no matter how talented they are. Unlike Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons, Dosunmu will not be handed the keys to the organization when he arrives at training camp.</p>
<p>Head coach Billy Donovan is a basketball aficionado with a track record of success at both the college and pro levels. In order to get into the rotation, he must prove he can contribute while on the floor. Let’s take a closer look at the areas in which Dosunmu must excel to help this team with legitimate playoff aspirations.</p>
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took a mid-season excursion to Las Vegas</a>. Players who never left the team were struggling during a conditioning drill, meanwhile “The Worm” was running laps around everyone and seemingly the best-conditioned athlete on the court. No matter how eccentric he was, everyone on the team trusted that Dennis Rodman would be ready at all times.</p>
<p>There is no exact formula on how to gain the trust of one’s teammates. Words like “consistency” and “authenticity” are often thrown around, but those words have vague meanings in an NBA locker room. Although trust is hard to define, it is woven into the fabric of every successful team.</p>
<p>The Chicago Bulls have a talented core that should propel them to the playoff if they perform to the best of their abilities. Lonzo Ball, Zach LaVine, Nikola Vučević, and DeMar DeRozan are a savvy group of veterans who know how to play the game. Ayo Dosunmu must prove to these players that he belongs on the court and he can help the team achieve their goals.</p>
<p>With Coby White expected to miss the majority of training camp with a shoulder injury, additional minutes will be available early in the season. Dosunmu is out to prove he deserves to be in the rotation. If his award-winning performance last season at Illinois is any indicator, he will make the right moves and prove he belongs.</p>
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