Bulls On Tap Tasting Flight: Chicago Bulls News for Oct. 13, 2024

What's On Tap in Chicago Bulls news? Welcome to the twelfth edition of "Tasting Flight," a daily newsletter to keep fans up to date on all the latest news in Bulls Nation.

The Nuance of Josh Giddey's Offensive Impact

The Josh Giddey experience was on full display Saturday in the Bulls' preseason game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Ice-cold shooting (3/10 from the field), serviceable counting stats (seven rebounds and seven assists), and defensive miscues comprised Giddey's game in the Bulls' loss to the Grizzlies.

For Bulls fans inclined to use Giddey's assist totals as justification for his poor shooting, it's worth reviewing how Giddey acquired his seven assists on Saturday.

All but one of Giddey's assists were accomplished through transition offense situations in which the opposing defense wasn't set or a dead-ball inbound situation. Giddey's non-transition or sideline/baseline out-of-bounds play transition occurred on a drive-and-kick action that saw him pass to an open Julian Phillips in the weak-side corner.

When it comes to NBA guards, statistics are nice but game advantages are better. Giddey positively impacts an NBA offense when he can push transition offense, ideally when he has a size-disadvantaged defender guarding him. What happens to Giddey when the Bulls face an elite transition defense , like the Minnesota Timberwolves?  The Timberwolves packed up Giddey and his former Oklahoma City Thunder in six games during the 2024 NBA playoffs to refresh your memory.

More likely you'll see Giddey's transition offense advantage dwindle when the Bulls match up against Eastern Conference foes like the Miami Heat or the Milwaukee Bucks. When (not if) Giddey's transition game is taken away by a superior defense, he'll need to be able to create an offensive impact in a half-court set, and it needs to come from improved shooting. Otherwise, Giddey isn't an NBA point guard, rather he's at best a connective passer that should offensively function as a forward.

Patrick Williams' Offensive Struggles Persist

Patrick Williams also had offensive flaws on display against the Grizzlies.  Williams missed all four of his three-point attempts and was blocked twice — once by Jake LaRavia and another by Zach Edey — attempting shots at the rim.

Perhaps there's a case to be made that Williams' three-point shot may not be at full strength yet because of how long he was sidelined due to his 2023-24 season-ending foot injury . On the other hand, Williams getting blocked at the rim at a minimum should raise questions about his finishing ability or basketball judgment to attempt to take a 7-foot-4, 300-pound center off the dribble to the rim.

With each tepid offensive contribution Williams logs, the questions will only continue to grow surrounding his future as a Bulls starter in 2024-25.

Happy Birthday Matas Buzelis!

Matas Buzelis celebrates his 20th birthday on Oct. 13, 2024.

Bulls Fall 124-121 to Grizzlies in 2nd Preseason Game

In case you missed it, here's the Bulls On Tap recap of Saturday's Bulls preseason loss to the Grizzlies .

Related: Bulls Lose Home Preseason Game to Grizzlies, 124-121

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