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

Claxton can give Tiago Splitter more options when he returns, but he cannot defend every action by himself. The guards and forwards still need to communicate, recover, recognize cutters and finish possessions with rebounds. Pasted text

🔥 Today on Chicago Bulls Central:

• Caleb Wilson finding offense when the jumper disappears
• Why Caleb’s 5-of-6 two-point shooting matters
• Caleb’s five assists and five turnovers
• How Matas Buzelis and Josh Giddey can simplify Caleb’s reads
• Facts or Cap on Noa Essengue
• Noa’s offensive rebounding and activity
• Why self-creation does NOT have to come first
• How Chicago can keep Noa involved without destroying spacing
• Nic Claxton’s defensive impact
• Why doubling creates another defensive problem
• Matas and Caleb’s responsibilities behind the help
• What Chicago must learn before facing elite Eastern Conference offenses

💬 Which development matters most right now: Caleb’s counters, Noa’s offensive role or Chicago’s defensive communication?

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Podcast Links: https://linktr.ee/BullsCentralPod

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Phone: ‪(773) 270-2799‬

Black averaged 15.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists across 64 games last season, giving Chicago plenty to evaluate if his availability ever becomes real. Pasted text

🔥 Today on Chicago Bulls Central:

• 😳 Leonard Miller’s 26-point explosion
• 🔥 Miller’s 52 points through three preseason games
• 🎯 His 4-for-6 night from three
• 🧠 What greater offensive responsibility should actually look like
• 👀 Miller beside Giddey, Caleb, Matas, Powell and Hield
• 📈 How Miller could affect future Bulls roster building
• 🤔 Josh Giddey taking only three shots
• 🎯 Why scoring pressure can make Giddey’s passing even better
• 🌟 How an aggressive Giddey could help Caleb and Matas
• 👀 Anthony Black’s contract situation in Orlando
• 🧩 Whether Black fits beside Giddey
• 💰 Restricted free agency complications
• 🔭 What Chicago should monitor throughout the season

💬 Which development matters most: giving Miller more offensive responsibility, getting Giddey to attack more, or putting Anthony Black on Chicago’s future target list?

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Podcast Links: https://linktr.ee/BullsCentralPod

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Phone: ‪(773) 270-2799‬

The Chicago Bulls suddenly have a different development problem: there are more young players worth evaluating than there are meaningful minutes to go around.

On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down what Tiago Splitter’s preseason rotations may be telling us about Dailyn Swain, Leonard Miller, Noa Essengue, Patrick Williams, Tobe Awaka, Jordan Hawkins and Jaylin Sellers.

Against Memphis, Buddy Hield and Leonard Miller were Chicago’s first substitutes, while Patrick Williams entered 11th despite several rotation players being unavailable. Dailyn Swain has also handled reserve playmaking duties with Tre Jones and Jaylin Sellers sidelined. These choices give us clues about how Splitter is distributing opportunities, but they are not yet proof of Chicago’s final regular-season rotation. Pasted text

That raises a bigger question:

Should development minutes look the same for everybody?

Caleb Wilson needs reps carrying responsibility.

Matas Buzelis needs opportunities to create, defend difficult assignments and play through mistakes.

Swain needs decisions with and without the ball.

Miller needs to prove his production fits a repeatable NBA role.

Essengue may need consistent reps more than occasional short appearances.

Patrick Williams needs to establish one dependable contribution Chicago can trust every night. Pasted text

Then we turn to the Bulls offense.

Chicago added shooting with Norman Powell, Buddy Hield and Jordan Hawkins, but movement alone does not create good shots. Screening angle, timing and contact matter. A useful screen should force the defense to change direction, switch, help or create space somewhere else on the floor. Pasted text

We break down how better screening could help:

🔥 Powell get cleaner catches

🌟 Caleb create value without dominating the ball

🧠 Josh Giddey turn the corner

🎯 Buddy Hield punish help defenders

📈 Miller, P-Will and Noa earn minutes without needing shots

And finally:

Could Isaac Okoro be more valuable to this Bulls roster than adding another scorer?

If Okoro can contain the first action, Chicago may not need to send as much emergency help. That could make life easier for Matas, Caleb and the Bulls’ centers while giving Splitter more defensive matchup options. Pasted text

🔥 Today on Chicago Bulls Central:

• 👀 What Splitter’s rotations are telling us
• 🧠 Different development plans for different young Bulls
• 📈 Leonard Miller’s path to a real role
• 🔥 Dailyn Swain’s expanded responsibilities
• 🤔 Where Patrick Williams fits
• 🏙️ Whether Noa Essengue needs Windy City reps
• 🎯 Why adding shooters isn’t enough
• 💪 The Bulls’ screening problem
• 🧩 Caleb screening for Norman Powell
• 🎯 Hield’s weak-side gravity with Giddey
• 🔒 Isaac Okoro’s potential defensive value
• 👀 How Okoro could help Matas and Caleb
• 📞 Bulls Nation voicemails

💬 Which young Bull needs guaranteed opportunities the most, and who needs a clearly defined role instead?

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🐂 Tap into Chicago Bulls Central with Haize!

Podcast Links: https://linktr.ee/BullsCentralPod

Get at us:

Email: BullsCentralPod@gmail.com

Twitter:@BullsCentralPod

Phone: ‪(773) 270-2799‬