Extra scoring fits into Arcidiacono's style
Ryan Arcidiacono stepped to the foul line at one point in Wednesday's loss at Milwaukee and the Bucks superfan section chanted, "Too much hair gel," at the Bulls guard.
So it was a little ironic when Arcidiacono prepared to speak to reporters after the game and a Bulls staffer warned him that his hair was sticking up. Eventually someone tossed him a Bulls stocking cap, which he wore in front of the cameras.
At the same time, the second-year guard showed he's got substance to go with the style, producing his second straight game with a career-high 22 points. Arcidiacono hit 9 of 15 shots from 3-point range in the past two contests.
It's enough to make one wonder if Arcidiacono is more than just the scrappy guy who dives on the floor and into the second row of seats at times.
"I'm always a scrappy guy," Arcidiacono said in Milwaukee. "I want to be that for our team because I think that's something we need, and I think that gives us a spark on a daily basis. I'm going to shoot it with confidence.
"Guys have been finding me. If they're going to blitz Zach (LaVine) and make us play in the pocket, we've got open passes or open looks for myself or Justin (Holiday). We'll just be ready to shoot it."
Arcidiacono had a rough night last Saturday against Minnesota point guard Jeff Teague. The former Villanova star was outscored 18-0 and it was easy to think this was just an NBA scrub getting torched by an established star. But then the next two games happened, which showed Arcidiacono is capable of stepping up his performance.
"I know I didn't play well in that game and I know he (Teague) got by me a lot and I was very frustrated with how I played on the defensive end," Arcidiacono said. "I've got to give it to us on the defensive end because I think guys look at me as that spark plug and that defender.
"I know I wanted to rebound from that, but Jeff Teague's a tough cover and I was able to respond with a few good games these last couple."
The Bulls lineup should be changing soon, with Lauri Markkanen, Kris Dunn and Bobby Portis expected back from injury during the next two weeks. But it seems safe to say Arcidiacono will remain in the rotation, at least as the backup point guard. With Dunn out, he moved ahead of Cameron Payne and became the starter Nov. 10.
Coach Fred Hoiberg has been praising Arcidiacono's toughness all season. Now he's become a reliable scoring threat, shooting 45.5 percent from 3-point range. With Arcidiacono and Holiday playing off LaVine and Jabari Parker, the Bulls have been competitive lately when their long-range shots fall.
"When he can score, he's so valuable out there on the court," Hoiberg said of Arcidiacono. "He's going to guard, he's going to do the little things. He's been working a ton on his floaters and his runners, getting them up over the glass, getting them over length. Guys are finding him, especially when he gets in the corners."
Now the Bulls just need to keep him in one piece through all the collisions he endures.
"I'm taking some bumps and bruises here and there, but I think that's just a part of the grind," Arcidiacono said. "I've just got to deal with it and live in the treatment room."
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Scouting report
Bulls vs. Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena, 6 p.m. Friday
TV: WGN
Radio: WSCR 670-AM
Outlook: The Bulls lost a close one to the Pistons in their home opener Oct. 20 as PF Blake Griffin poured in 33 points and PG Ish Smith hit the game-winning layup with 5.4 seconds left. … Detroit (11-7) has won three in a row and seven of nine. … Griffin is averaging 25.1 ppg, while C Andre Drummond leads the NBA with 16 rebounds. Drummond is averaging a career-high 18.7 points but still shooting less than 50 percent from the foul line. PG Reggie Jackson rounds out the top scorers at 16.0 ppg. … The Bulls went 0-2 last season at the Pistons' new arena.
Next: Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center, 7 p.m. Saturday
- Mike McGraw