The Chicago Bulls have struggled to put the ball in the hoop.
Through 10 games, Chicago ranks 25th in points per game (105.4) and 26th in offensive rating (102.7), according to Basketball-Reference.
Third-year forward Lauri Markkanen is not getting post touches–instead mostly roaming on the perimeter–and he has been tremendously inefficient. Zach LaVine is scoring close to 20 points per game, but he is also averaging 3.4 turnovers per contest. Rookie guard Coby White has had his moments, but he is shooting under 35 percent from the field.
Chicago experienced another setback when it was revealed that Otto Porter Jr. would be out indefinitely due to a foot injury.
In spite of early frustrations, second-year center Wendell Carter Jr. is showing out. Carter is averaging 12.8 points and 9.5 rebounds per game while shooting 58 percent from the floor. However, the Bulls rarely run any offensive sets through their man in the middle.
Carter told K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago that he has spoken to Bulls head coach Jim Boylen about getting more involved in the offense:
Wendell Carter on having so few plays called for him: "It doesn’t really bother me. It’s just a conversation I had with Coach. I said, ‘Coach, I’m going to do what I have to do on both ends. One or two play calls is not going to hurt.’ We’ve had our conversation, so we’re good."
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) November 10, 2019
The former Duke star is excellent in pick-and-roll and carving out space around the rim, and he has the potential to become a knockdown shooter from mid range. However, Carter is averaging under 27 minutes per game in part due to foul troubles that have plagued him since his collegiate days.
The Bulls do not have many interior threats. With Markkanen playing on the perimeter and Thaddeus Young being utilized as an undersized forward, Carter is the only traditional post man on the roster.
Carter plays with infectious energy, and his development as a scorer could open up the floor for the likes of LaVine and Markkanen.
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