3 weaknesses of the Chicago Bulls which can be used against them in the 2021-22 NBA season

Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Chicago Bulls dribbles during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on May 15, 2021
Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Chicago Bulls dribbles during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on May 15, 2021

The Chicago Bulls had a great offseason, having added talented players like Lonzo Ball, DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso to their roster. Last season, the Bulls finished 11th in the NBA Eastern Conference with a 31-41 record. The newcomers are expected to help the team win more games and possibly make it through to the playoffs.

The Chicago Bulls are perceived to have the most improved team based on players' individuality. However, they have some weaknesses that might hinder their success in the 2021-22 NBA season.


3 weaknesses that the Chicago Bulls must work on in the 2021-22 NBA season

#3 Frontcourt depth

Thaddeus Young #21 of the Chicago Bulls warms up before the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on February 29, 2020
Thaddeus Young #21 of the Chicago Bulls warms up before the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on February 29, 2020

The Chicago Bulls will have it tough up front, having traded Thaddeus Young and Al-Farouq Aminu to the San Antonio Spurs and Lauri Markkanen to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

If coach Billy Donovan doesn't develop a good lineup on the frontcourt, the Bulls might fall short even with their new additions.

Last season, Young led the Chicago Bulls in total rebounds and steals. He also ranked second in assists and blocks while ranking third in field goals. Young and Markkanen had the third and fourth highest points scored for the team, respectively.

DeRozan, who is a good replacement for Young in the power forward position, will surely be a starter for the Chicago Bulls. He will likely get lots of minutes on the floor, but what happens when he gets into foul trouble or is injured? There's no depth in the frontcourt to shoulder such a loss if that happens.

#2 Three-point shooting

Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls shoots a basket ahead of David Nwaba #2 of the Houston Rockets during the second quarter of a game at the Toyota Center on February 22, 2021
Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls shoots a basket ahead of David Nwaba #2 of the Houston Rockets during the second quarter of a game at the Toyota Center on February 22, 2021

The Chicago Bulls had poor three-point accuracy last season, and this has continually been a problem for them.

The Bulls player with the most three-point accuracy in the previous season was Zach LaVine (41.9% accuracy). The 26-year-old ranked as the 20th player with the most three-point accuracy in the league.

Their next best three-point shooter, Lauri Markkanen, was ranked 45th (40.2% accuracy), tied with Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets and CJ McCollum of the Portland Trail Blazers.

Among the new signings, Ball was ranked 98th, which shows that he's not as good beyond the arc as Markkanen.

This might affect the Chicago Bulls during the 2021-22 NBA season. Markkanen's contributions to the team will surely be felt.


#1 Free throws

Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls shoots a free throw against the Charlotte Hornets at the United Center on October 24, 2018, in Chicago, Illinois
Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls shoots a free throw against the Charlotte Hornets at the United Center on October 24, 2018, in Chicago, Illinois

One of the Chicago Bulls' biggest weaknesses is their poor free-throw conversion. Last season, the Bulls were ranked last in the league in total free throws made and attempted. They will have to make more drives into the paint and get more fouls in the upcoming NBA season.

Zach LaVine led the team in free throws made and attempted last season, netting 4.4 times out of 5.1 attempts made.

DeMar DeRozan's signing could solve this problem. The 32-year-old finished the previous season with a free-throw accuracy of 88.0%, having netted 6.3 of his 7.2 free throws attempted.

Meanwhile, Alex Caruso and Lonzo Ball will have to improve their game this season. They must work to increase their respective 2.4 and 1.2 free-throw attempts to give the team enough fighting chances.

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