Former 3-point specialists thinks Bulls have enough outside shooting
Ever since the Chicago Bulls put together their new lineup this summer, there have been forecasts that the lack of 3-point shooting will be an offense-killer.
In some ways, it's a legitimate argument. The league's elite teams in recent years have been avid long-range shooters. Golden State and Cleveland were the top two in 3-point baskets made per game last season.
ESPN analyst Jon Barry was a quality 3-point shooter during his playing days. So we asked him about the importance of long-range accuracy in today's NBA.
"I know all these teams that have won have had 3-point shooting. It is kind of the trend for a long time now," Barry said. "I think there's enough shooting on the Bulls. I think (Jimmy) Butler can get better. He has a great stroke, he's just never been a guy who's taken a lot of 3s.
"You bring in (Nikola) Mirotic and (Doug) McDermott and you've got guys that can stretch the floor. (Rajon) Rondo's crafty enough to make it work. You have guys that can penetrate the ball, that can also open things up and you have to help off."
The Bulls had a quick change of fortunes early this season. They won their first three games, then lost three in a row. They'll try to get back above .500 on Monday against Orlando at the United Center.
The Bulls rank fifth in the league in 3-point percentage at .388. They have three players shooting better than 45 percent from long range, Butler and Dwyane Wade at 47.6 percent, with McDermott at 46.2 percent.
"They have more shooting than I think people were worried about," Barry said. "These guys don't have to stay behind the line. They can find midrange shots if that's what they're best at. I'm not from the school where you have to be behind the line. No, you should be where you're good."
Volume of 3-point baskets also is important.
Last season when the Bulls missed the playoffs, they ranked third in 3-point percentage but 21st in 3-pointers made per game. There has been a slight bump in that category so far this year. The Bulls are making 8.7 per game, compared to 7.9 last season.
"They look like a cohesive group; they really get along well," Barry said. "I know (coach) Fred (Hoiberg), he wants to play that way, run and shoot, play the old Phoenix style of basketball. I don't know that they can keep that up. It's certainly been fun to watch and something that a lot of people didn't see happening."
It's tough to know what to make of the Bulls' twin three-game streaks. Realistically, it will take a month or two to really know where the Bulls are going to fall in the Eastern Conference pecking order, considering all the new faces on the team.
One trend early this season is the Bulls reacting positively to the leadership of Wade and Rondo. Barry played for eight different teams during his NBA career, so he knows about adjusting to new teammates.
"You have great championship pedigree from two new starters on your team. How often do you get that? What a luxury," Barry said. "There's not many teams that pick up two guys that won championships. I think Jimmy embraced that Wade's here. He's like, 'Show me how to do this.' He wants to win.
"Fred can kind of turn over the offense to Rondo. I think he's shown a trust factor here in the early going that he's not going to stand up and call plays; they're just going to play and flow. When you have guys that understand how to play the game and play the right way - Dwyane's doing that - guys follow that lead for sure."
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Bulls game day
Bulls vs. Orlando Magic at the United Center, 7 p.m. Monday
TV: WGN
Radio: WLS 890-AM
Outlook: The Magic (3-3) has the same record as the Bulls but did it the exact opposite way. Orlando lost its first three games, then won three in a row against the 76ers, Kings and Wizards. SG Evan Fournier is the team's top scorer at 18.2 ppg, followed by former OKC big man Serge Ibaka (14.3) and C Nikola Vucevic (12.5). New Magic coach Frank Vogel was known for strong defense in Indiana, and Orlando has allowed 93.7 points during the three-game winning streak.
Next: Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday
- Mike McGraw