NBA Thread 2021-2022

#27      
Wow. Does this Bulls summer league team have a game plan? Or is it where you pass it twice and chuck up a three pointer?

Run some plays! Set some screens! Do something! Really pathetic performance. Even if you are losing by 20, run some set plays. Do something worthwhile.
 
#28      
They're just standing around when Ayo does get the ball - no screens, no movement, Ayo can only pass it so someone can throw up a trash shot. Ayo's going to have to create his own shot.
Agreed. I think he got a little annoyed by the end of it. They passed him up on open looks and forced passes (turnovers) or took bad shots.

Then did nothing when he had the ball as you mentioned.
 
#31      

blackdog

Champaign
Wow. Does this Bulls summer league team have a game plan? Or is it where you pass it twice and chuck up a three pointer?

Run some plays! Set some screens! Do something! Really pathetic performance. Even if you are losing by 20, run some set plays. Do something worthwhile.

Welcome to Summer League. These guys have played together for a week and everyone is looking to get theirs to make a roster.
 
#32      
The game plan is for PWill to get up as many shots as possible, which he did quite well. They are looking for him to make a huge jump and be a starter on a top 4 team in the east. Every other plan for summer league comes in a much further behind second.
 
#33      
Not sure why Ayo would have a leg up on a roster spot over Davon Dotson. Dotson was a 2nd rounder last year and played in the g-league all year until the end of the season.
 
#34      
Not sure why Ayo would have a leg up on a roster spot over Davon Dotson. Dotson was a 2nd rounder last year and played in the g-league all year until the end of the season.
He went undrafted last year. The Bulls probably have Ayo ahead of him currently for a roster spot. But who knows, there might be space for both.
 
#35      
He went undrafted last year. The Bulls probably have Ayo ahead of him currently for a roster spot. But who knows, there might be space for both.
Bulls are gonna need a backup true PG (i.e., not Ayo) imo -- whether that's Dotson or bringing back Arcidiacono or bringing in some other minimum player -- though perhaps they forego a true PG since they're loaded with CGs. Either way, I'd be really surprised if Ayo doesn't get a roster spot even if Dotson is also signed (though that doesn't mean he won't spend time in the G league too). Bulls social media are really taking advantage of his connection to Illinois and the hype it brings (even with their recent signings) -- gotta imagine there's value there in terms of butts in seats and jerseys being sold that would make him a worthwhile end of bench guy over some other unknown.
 
#36      
Ayo with the steals. Shutting down Wieskamp in transition had to feel good. Ayo is playing top-notch defense. The steals are creating his offense. With some confidence, he's going to shine in Summer League.
 
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#37      
they’ve been using ayo as a wing which he is not and when they put him at point they comeback. He is showing a lot defensively
 
#41      
For some reason my NBATV wasn't working for this game. But sounds like Ayo had a slightly better game.
 
#43      
Ayo did a few things that won't show up necessarily on the stat sheet tonight:
1) defense energy was up and it really helped the bulls energy tonight that led them to the win.
2). He was vocal and constantly communicating on the defensive end
3) he was excellent in transition. Showed off his skill, but I noticed he missed a couple...got muscled off a bit
4) he seems faster end to end
5) he wasn't forcing anything

He did struggle with his shot. Seems like he is rushing things a bit. Also, got beat off the dribble a few times. Lastly, I'm not liking how.the bulls are using him. They didn't set run any plays for him, like they did for Patrick. So sat out on the 3 point Iine and the kick out never came.
 
#44      
Ayo did a few things that won't show up necessarily on the stat sheet tonight:
1) defense energy was up and it really helped the bulls energy tonight that led them to the win.
2). He was vocal and constantly communicating on the defensive end
3) he was excellent in transition. Showed off his skill, but I noticed he missed a couple...got muscled off a bit
4) he seems faster end to end
5) he wasn't forcing anything

He did struggle with his shot. Seems like he is rushing things a bit. Also, got beat off the dribble a few times. Lastly, I'm not liking how.the bulls are using him. They didn't set run any plays for him, like they did for Patrick. So sat out on the 3 point Iine and the kick out never came.
He has been cast in a complimentary role. If we’re being honest, it’s probably how he will be used. If he can do those “little things”, he will have a NBA career. If not, he’s going to have to take a Spanish or Italian class…
He looks like a guy that can help, regardless of his usage. I think that’s really important for him to play with the big club this year.
I think he put some good ball on tape tonight, regardless of his shooting.
 
#48      
He has been cast in a complimentary role. If we’re being honest, it’s probably how he will be used. If he can do those “little things”, he will have a NBA career. If not, he’s going to have to take a Spanish or Italian class…
He looks like a guy that can help, regardless of his usage. I think that’s really important for him to play with the big club this year.
I think he put some good ball on tape tonight, regardless of his shooting.
^^This^^

The Bulls’ first two priorities for the summer league are to see Williams more aggressive on offense and to see Williams take a leadership role in these games. The next two are likely to see what they have with Dotson and Simonovic. As for Ayo, they’re not going to be running many plays for him on offense because he’s not going to have any run for him during the season. He is going to have to make an impact primarily on D, with hustle, and by grinding it out and making plays within the offense that isn’t catering to him.

As Illini fans sure we want to see him do well and used how he had success in college. But this ain’t college. There is a reason Ayo was picked where he was. His game last night is exactly what he is going to have to do to make an impact early on and get some minutes early in his career. And it was a great start. Maybe next year in his second summer league we’ll see the emphasis put on him as it has been this year with Williams and Dotson.
 
#49      
A good place for Ayo will be if he can have heavy minutes with the G team and multiple call ups to the big club.

A great place would be if he could break into the 10th spot and get 15 minutes at the wing or CG. Seems like 2nd/3rd year players have such an advantage. Ayo just needs to continue to develop.
 
#50      
Lastly, I'm not liking how.the bulls are using him. They didn't set run any plays for him, like they did for Patrick. So sat out on the 3 point Iine and the kick out never came.
Honestly, this may be for the best, along with him playing on the wing. If he can show he can provide value and good defense when not being the focal point (as he was for 3 years while here), I think he's much more likely to be brought on the roster. He's likely to always be the 5th option on the floor (when the real games begin) for at least the next couple years, so he's gotta show he can play in that role. I think he can. He plays good defense, makes the right pass, gets out in transition...the only thing he needs to prove is that he can hit shots and space the floor. Hopefully those shots start falling for him soon.