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Good win for the Bulls last night. Felt like this is one that they would have let slip away last year, when they were constantly blowing late leads.
Some notes on what's changed:
Some notes on what's changed:
1) The Bulls were the worst clutch defense in the league last year under Boylen. Heavy blitzing worked in some aspects, but it was way too predictable by the end of the game.
Donovan mixed up the coverages twice in the past week in the last ~3 min, both leading to wins.
Donovan mixed up the coverages twice in the past week in the last ~3 min, both leading to wins.
2) Both times, he pulled Wendell Carter and went small with Thad Young at center. Looked like they were hedging pick-and-rolls against the Wizards, then switching almost everything against the Mavs.
I like seeing that flexibility and throwing different looks at opponents.
I like seeing that flexibility and throwing different looks at opponents.
3) This felt like a game the Bulls were definitely going to lose. Eight point lead shrunk to two from the 4:43 to 2:27 mark.
Donovan closed with his vets (Porter, Temple, Young), as he has before. They steadied the ship.
Donovan closed with his vets (Porter, Temple, Young), as he has before. They steadied the ship.
4) Donovan is doing an A+ job of juggling the need to develop guys with trying to win games.
The Bulls starters are not their best five man unit. Donovan is letting young guys play but trying to win at the end with his vets. He's having his cake and eating it too.
The Bulls starters are not their best five man unit. Donovan is letting young guys play but trying to win at the end with his vets. He's having his cake and eating it too.
