In the athleticism and explosion around the rim department, there’s few big men on the Bulls roster that are in the same class as Daniel Gafford.
The second-year center fully showed off that skillset in the win over Washington Thursday night, scoring 15 points in just 22 minutes of work, as well as being a constant irritant with his rim protection on the defensive end.
If only that was all that Billy Donovan was asking for from that position.
While the Bulls coach remained thrilled with the progress Gafford has been making since the new offense has been put in place, there are admitted deficiencies in Gafford’s game that will keep him behind Wendell Carter Jr. on the depth chart.
At least for now.
“Trying to put him up top, let him get into some dribble-handoffs, let him do some different things passing-wise, I think those are things he’s going to need to improve upon and get better at,’’ Donovan said of Gafford. “I think there’s a balance for me as a coach in making sure we’re trying to play into his strengths, and right now his strengths are rolling and diving to the rim offensively, but I do think he needs to build out other aspects, and we’ve been doing some of that, and he’s been great in terms of trying to find ways to learn and deal with that a little bit better because he’s never really been in the position or situation to do that in his career because he’s been so elite as a roller and his length at the basket.’’
The other big difference between Carter and Gafford is the screen game. When Carter sets a screen the defender feels it. Yes, he has a wider frame than Gafford, but he also understands the angles better, making life more difficult for the defender to get around it.
Gafford often sets the screen and then has to adjust his feet to better put a body on the defender.
The good news is all of it is fixable, and Gafford seems to be a willing student.
“Just being patient, being professional,’’ Gafford said of getting his opportunities. “Sometimes you’re not going to be able to get what you want when it comes to playing time and certain things like that. We have to make sacrifices and whatnot.’’
That’s what Donovan really likes about Gafford. He’s a second-round pick with first-round confidence, minus the ego that he’s somehow owed something.
“His attitude has been great,’’ Donovan said. “If he keeps this kind of attitude, he’s only going to get better because he works hard, he’s a great guy, and he’s a really good teammate.’’
Quiet absence
Donovan did say that while the Bulls were down four players that were in the NBA safety and health protocol in Milwaukee, the rest of the travelling party did make the trip from Washington D.C. – coaches included.
That wasn’t the case last week, as Donovan admitted that four coaches actually missed the home game against Indiana, with all four in the protocol, but testing negative.
“These are the things that are happening on a regular basis,’’ Donovan said. “But as it relates to our coaching staff here in Milwaukee, everybody on our staff is here.’’
No thanks
The last thing Donovan wants his players dwelling on is what lies in front the next few weeks.
Playing Milwaukee on Friday was a big enough challenge, but then there’s a home game with Dallas on Sunday, and then off to the West Coast to play Portland, Sacramento, and both Los Angeles teams.
“No, we’re not really talking about that,’’ Donovan said. “Everything is focused on the day in front.’’
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January 02, 2021 at 09:18AM
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Bulls big man Daniel Gafford still remains a work in progress - Chicago Sun-Times
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