The Ultimate NBA Cheat Sheet – Mid-Season

Hey, I have spent the past week or two compiling this massive summary of each team’s season so far. I hope that y’all find this useful. Each team has all their basic stats, a paragraph written about their 3 best players, some lineup data, their strengths and weaknesses, a rank of how fun the team is to watch, as well as how important their season is (which probably should be viewed as their need to win urgency instead), some potential trades, and a summary.

**Chicago Bulls (CHI)**

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**The Basics:**

Current Win-Loss: 23-26

Last 10: 5-5

Record Against top ten teams: 3-11

Expected Wins: 37.5

Current Pace: 38-44

Power Ranking Tier: Rest your best (D)

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**Team play:**

Offensive Rating: 113.0 (23rd)

Defensive Rating: 114.7 (14th)

Net Rating: -1.7 (21st)

Pace: 96.9 (30th)

Best lineups: With at least ⅓ time as (the most played one(Most played will be in parentheses))

3: D. DeRozan – N. Vucevic – A. Dosunmu

(3): D. DeRozan – N. Vucevic – C. White

Net Rating: 4.8

(Net Rating): -2.8

Minutes played(945): 358

4: D. DeRozan – N. Vucevic – P. Williams – A. Dosunmu

(4): D. DeRozan – N. Vucevic – A. Caruso – C. White

Net Rating: 12.6

(Net Rating): .6

Minutes played(485): 175

5: D. DeRozan – N. Vucevic – C. White – P. Williams – A. Dosunmu

(5): D. DeRozan – N. Vucevic – Z. LaVine – A. Caruso – C. White

Net Rating: 17.5

(Net Rating): -2.9

Minutes played(227): 139

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**Three best players:**

Demar DeRozan:

22 Points/ 4 Rebounds/ 5 Assists/ 2 Turnovers/ 1 Steals/ 1 Blocks 2pt%: 49.5% 3pt%: 33.6% Ft%: 84.2%

At 34, DeMar DeRozan’s current season stands out as a testament to his consistent performance. Bearing a significant load of 37 minutes per game – the league’s second-highest and just shy of his career peak a decade ago – DeRozan remarkably sustains a performance level close to that of an All-Star. This season marks a shift in his shooting dynamics, with his 3-point percentage rivaling his long 2-pointers for the first time. DeRozan remains the team’s linchpin, excelling as the primary playmaker, ball handler, and reliable clutch performer. Yet, despite his exceptional skills at his position, they fall short of anchoring the team’s entire offense. This, coupled with his less-than-ideal defensive positioning in smaller lineups, casts him as an excellent secondary or tertiary player at this point in his career.

Zach LaVine:

20 Points/ 5 Rebounds/ 4 Assists/ 2 Turnovers/ 1 Steal/ 0 Blocks 2pt%: 53.6% 3pt%: 34.9% Ft%: 85.4%

Zach LaVine’s future with the Bulls is uncertain, and his current performance intensifies these doubts. A notable drop in his 3-point percentage and volume, paired with a decline in finishing at the rim, raises concerns. Long-standing defensive issues compound the problem, diminishing the impact of his once offensive prowess and spotlighting his defensive shortcomings. This shift challenges the balance of LaVine’s contribution to the team’s dynamics. Since his primary value is scoring as he is mediocre to average as a playmaker, rebounder, and off ball mover, his reduced shooting efficiency has hampered his on court value. Yet, there’s hope considering LaVine’s historical proficiency from beyond the arc that he reverts to his mean and his rim finishing might resurface as he further recovers from his injury.

Coby White:

19 Points/ 5 Rebounds/ 5 Assists/ 2 Turnovers/ 1 Steal/ 0 Blocks 2pt%: 52.5% 3pt%: 39.1% Ft%: 81.5%

Looking under the hood statistically reveals striking similarities between Coby White’s current form and Zach LaVine’s performance from the previous season, a reflection of the crucial role White has assumed in LaVine’s absence. Despite shared traits in 3-point efficiency, volume, assists, turnovers, and defensive lapses, White’s unique approach to executing his role sets him apart, fueling excitement about his potential in the franchise’s future. White’s propensity to prioritize playmaking, coupled with his knack for off-ball movement and shot selection, distinguishes his on-court contributions. Both White and LaVine, however, encounter similar hurdles: a struggle with finishing at the rim and defensive challenges, despite evident effort. For White to solidify his standing as a key player, he needs to either make a significant offensive leap or show substantial improvement defensively.

Strengths:

The Chicago Bulls’ season, characterized by resilience and tactical adjustments, reveals a team gradually forging its identity. After overcoming an early season stumble, the Bulls have demonstrated a commendable defensive resurgence, positioning themselves among the top ten in the league. This defensive solidity is anchored in fundamental principles: assertive rebounding, judicious avoidance of fouls, and a disciplined approach leading to minimal turnovers. Offensively, while the team’s three-point shooting metrics have improved from the bottom ranks to reach league average, it’s the emergence of players like Coby White that has injected vitality into their offensive scheme. White, stepping up in Zach LaVine’s absence, has showcased his capabilities as a playmaker and an efficient off-ball presence, breathing new life into the Bulls’ offensive dynamics. This resurgence is not merely about individual performances but speaks to the team’s collective commitment to recalibrating their strategies, adapting to challenges, and maintaining a competitive edge in a fiercely contested league.

Weaknesses:

Despite signs of resurgence, the Bulls contend with glaring vulnerabilities, particularly on the offensive front, where their performance remains lackluster. Ranking in the bottom tier in various offensive metrics, the team’s scoring struggles are palpable, especially in their half-court execution and off-ball play, both of which languish among the league’s lowest. This offensive stagnation is somewhat paradoxical, considering the offensive inclinations of their key players. A deeper analysis reveals a troubling inefficiency in finishing at the rim, a deficiency all the more stark given the volume of shots attempted in this high-value zone. This discrepancy between potential and performance underscores a critical area for improvement. If the Bulls can transpose the foundational strength of their defense into their offensive play, focusing on fundamentals and enhancing efficiency, especially in finishing at the rim, they stand to redefine their narrative and emerge as a more formidable and cohesive unit in the competitive tapestry of the league.

Fun rating 1/6:

The slowest paced team, with a fundamental non flashy defense is not a great combination for exciting basketball. While Coby White, Demar DeRozan, and Zach LaVine are all capable of highlights, they play an overall boring style of basketball that makes for a mundane experience.

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**The Future:**

Importance of season 3/5:

The Bulls find themselves in a relatively favorable cap situation, offset by a modest pool of draft assets and the substantial contracts of Vucevic, LaVine, and, regrettably, Lonzo Ball. However, they possess valuable assets in players like Coby White, Alex Caruso, and possibly Ayo Dosunmu. A play-in appearance seems nearly guaranteed. In a typical scenario, the stakes of this season would demand decisive action: a teardown, a strategic retooling, or a push for contention. Yet, under the Reinsdorf ownership, there’s a notable tendency to accept mediocrity, potentially influencing the team’s direction and response to the current scenario.

Potential trades:

The current issue with Zach LaVine trades is that he is a ball dominant scorer with limited playmaking ability and below average defense.

Trade 1: Caruso to the Celtics: with 1-2 1st round picks and filler coming back, this trade allows the Bull’s to cash in on one of their few valuable contracts

Trade 2a: Zach LaVine to the Pistons: A 1 1st round pick and something like Wiseman, Ivey, Harris, this trade gets the Bull’s an interesting backcourt duo and off the alabtross the LaVine contract has become

Trade 2b: Zach LaVine to the Magic: Some combination of Johnathan Issac, Markelle Fultz, Caleb Houstan, and Gary Harris, also a 1st or 2. This trade seems more likely considering the Magic offensive hurdles but LaVine own hurdles probably detract of its likely hood. But this trade allows the Bull’s some cap flexibility, and some young talent.

Upcoming Draft situation: 2 1st Rounders, their own, and Portland’s lottery protected

Projected Tax Space: 41.1 Million

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**TLDR:**

Summary:

The Chicago Bulls’ season unfolds as a tale of resilience and challenges. The team has shown flashes of promise with a resurgence in defense, ranking in the top ten after their initial struggles, and demonstrating solid fundamentals: rebounding efficiently, avoiding fouls, and keeping turnovers low. However, the offense lags, remaining in the bottom ten for most metrics, save for league-average 3-point shooting. The contrast is stark, considering the offensive talents of DeRozan, LaVine, and White, who, despite their prowess, face difficulties in finishing at the rim, reflecting in the team’s low efficiency in close-range shots. The emergence of Coby White, alongside the consistent performances of DeRozan and LaVine, adds depth to the offense. Yet, the team’s playstyle doesn’t translate into an exhilarating viewing experience, with a slow pace and a fundamental, non-flashy defense. The Bulls’ future is at a crossroads, with a favorable cap situation contrasted by hefty contracts and modest draft capital. The decision to rebuild, retool, or contend is clouded by a tendency to accept mediocrity, a trait marked under the current ownership. As the Bulls navigate through trade possibilities and potential strategic shifts, the direction they choose will significantly shape their trajectory in the league.

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**Project Notes:**

This was a fair amount of work I ended up writing around 50,000 words and if you would like to support ongoing updates for this project you can do so here

[https://www.buymeacoffee.com/urbark](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/urbark)

Also, there is a mega compilation on my substack, with a bit of an explainer about why I chose to make this

[https://open.substack.com/pub/urbar/p/the-ultimate-nba-cheat-sheet-halfway?r=fv0lc&utm\_campaign=post&utm\_medium=web](https://open.substack.com/pub/urbar/p/the-ultimate-nba-cheat-sheet-halfway?r=fv0lc&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web)

**The future of this project:**

The goal for the next update will be right after the trade deadline, I will summarize the outlook for each, and refresh the stats, upcoming draft capital, and lineup data for the team

I also want to include a section about the various up-and-comers for each team, what I think their future development could look and discuss their evolving roles

This project also originally included storylines/notable events, random interesting stats, and various memes surrounding each team. The next update of this will hopefully include all of those. However, if I could get various suggestions for each of the categories from fans of different teams that would be a major help

**What I am looking for**

**Storylines/notable events:** A storyline/notable event should be something interesting that would otherwise forgotten when looking at this team’s particular NBA season

A storyline last year for the Hawks could’ve been John Collin’s eternal trade discussions

A notable event for the Raptors last year could’ve been Fred Van Fleet’s epic rant against Ben Taylor

A storyline/notable event for the Lakers last year could’ve been the animosity between Westbrook and Lebron, such as ignoring each other at the summer league.

**Random interesting stats:** These are just interesting stats going on for the team or particular player. They can be for the season as a whole or just a stretch

A good example of one was the Warrior’s home versus road performance last year

Another one is how Embiid is averaging more points than minutes played this year

**Memes:** These are just funny things to have happen for a particular team

Mike Brown bringing a laptop to a press conference

Pat Bev showing the Ref the camera

**Long long term goals:**

I also want to include a section about the various up-and-comers for each team, what I think their future development could look and discuss their evolving roles them interesting. But that would require a lot of film breakdown.

by DeficientFooting