Caleb Wilson Just Showed A NEW Weapon + Are We Judging Noa WRONG? Claxton Could CHANGE The Defense

Caleb Wilson’s 17 points against Denver may not have been the most important part of his performance.

On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down why Wilson’s ability to adjust when his three-point shot wasn’t falling could tell us much more about his offensive development.

Caleb finished with 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including just 1-of-4 from three, but he went 5-of-6 inside the arc while also recording five assists. Instead of allowing an inconsistent jumper to eliminate him from the offense, Wilson found production through drives, midrange opportunities and other ways to pressure Denver’s defense. Pasted text

That raises a major developmental question:

Can Caleb consistently identify what the defense is giving him before the opportunity disappears?

We also go Facts or Cap on Noa Essengue.

Noa posted eight points, six rebounds, four offensive boards and two assists against Denver. The debate is whether Chicago should already expect meaningful self-created offense from him, or whether his immediate role should focus on cutting, rebounding, screening, finishing advantages and making quick decisions while his creation develops. Pasted text

My verdict?

CAP on the idea that Noa must become a self-creator before he can help Chicago.

But patience still needs standards.

And finally, we break down Nic Claxton’s impact on the Bulls defense.

Chicago tried different ways to handle Denver’s Nikola Jokic, who finished with 22 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, while Aaron Gordon scored 25. The bigger lesson wasn’t simply whether Chicago should double. It was what happens AFTER the ball leaves Jokic’s hands. Pasted text