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Getty Ayo Dosunmu and Javonte Green celebrate during a game between the Chicago Bulls and the Indiana Pacers.
While injuries definitely broke the Chicago Bulls’ sails last season, undermining a team that looked like a surprise title contender, things could have been a lot worse for the 46-36 club.
As much as all of the Association’s snakebite teams, the Bulls have been able to use a “next man” mentality to stay firmly rooted in the playoff framework.
For his part, DeMar DeRozan had arguably the best individual campaign for a Bulls player since Derrick Rose’s MVP year. Meanwhile, a host of support players have taken their games to the next level. Guys like Javonte Green, Derrick Jones Jr (when healthy), et al. He did things he had never done before.
That said, perhaps no player has known the moment in the face of wild circumstances like rookie Ayo Dosunmu, who could be on the verge of a big break ahead of his second season in the Windy City.
Dosunmu answered the call PlayTheft of the Draft | Highlights of Ayo Dosunmu’s NBA Rookie Season | Chicago Bulls For more exclusive videos, subscribe to our channel or visit Bulls.com – ADD US ON: INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/chicagobulls/ FACEBOOK: facebook.com/chicagobulls TWITTER: twitter.com/chicagobulls SNAPCHAT: snapchat.com/add / chicagobulls LINKEDIN: linkedin.com/company/chicagobulls2022-06-17T13:30:00Z
Lonzo Ball’s season, which ended in January with a tear in the meniscus, was a fatal blow to the Bulls’ championship hopes. The floor veteran overall had been one of the team’s most impactful players, with a net score of 3.1 (the entire team’s # 2 score in the best minutes).
And although Dosunmu was not up to his own attempt to overturn the score to such an extent, he hardly looked like a round two rookie when he was pushed into the top five when Ball came out. Instead he looked like someone who belonged to the first team.
In his last 41 appearances in 2021-22, Dosunmu averaged 11.0 points, 5.2 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game. Along the way, he connected with 52.1% of his overall basket attempts and 35.2% three-pointers.
However, it was clear from the start that the Bulls had struck something with Morgan Park’s product. After Dosunmu helped secure a stunning comeback win over the Boston Celtics in November, manager Billy Donovan was expansive in his praise for the youngster.
“She has a certain type of makeup that I think is very, very special. He’s ultra, ultra competitive, and has incredible confidence and self-confidence. But it’s not like crossing the line of arrogance, “Donovan said.” I think it’s really a difficult combination, you know, where you believe in yourself but realize you know you have all the answers.
He is not like that. He just isn’t afraid. “
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Taking it to a higher level in the second year
Dosunmu went viral over the weekend for a series of social media posts showing his shattered physique. Clearly, he’s doing what he can to make sure he builds on last season’s success in a very negative way.
That commitment to himself and his game, as well as the fearlessness described by Donovan, are attributes that bode well when it comes to a possible second leap. Plus, there’s a better-than-average chance that the Bulls will have to lean on Dosunmu more than ever next season.
Uncertainty abounds about Ball’s knee condition. The former number 2 overall may be ready for opening night, or he may still be on the sidelines, only time will tell. Furthermore, Coby White’s future with the franchise is equally uncertain and the purchase of free agent Goran Dragic is older than the hills.
At a minimum, Dosunmu will be an important part of the Bulls rotation. However, if things end up falling apart in a certain way, it might just be this year’s Tyrese Maxey.
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