Bulls add Thompson to starting lineup
The Bulls played Nikola Vucevic and Tristan Thompson together for the first time in Atlanta, and after the game coach Billy Donovan said the team wanted to see what it looked like.
Well, it went a step further Friday, as Thompson joined the starting lineup against Milwaukee, while Javonte Green came off the bench. The move was obviously designed to counter Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Before the game, Donovan had not yet revealed the starting lineup when he talked about pairing the two big men.
"There's going to be nights when we play against bigger teams where we may need some of that," Donovan said. "The possibility of being able to go to that if we need rebounding, physicality, size and strength around the basket."
According to nba.com, Vucevic and Thompson spent nine minutes on the court together against the Hawks and posted a negative-31.6 net rating. That's based on points scored and allowed per 100 possessions when both players are on the floor.
The Bulls' first substitution of the game sent the 6-foot-4 Green in for the 6-9 Thompson, giving Antetokounmpo a very different look defensively. Donovan also talked about hoping to get some practice time in order to maximize the potential of the dual-center lineup.
"He's done a great job being a veteran, right? He figures it out," Donovan said of Thompson. "But the other piece of it too is them playing together. We probably need a little bit of time on the court to build out some things offensively. Once the action starts, they'll figure out a way to play off each other."
Listening to K-Love:
Tristan Thompson suggested playing next to Vucevic should be routine, since he spent plenty of time next to Kevin Love in Cleveland. Vucevic might post up more than Love did, but both players can step out to the 3-point line.
"I've done it before at a very high level with K-Love, been to four Finals and held Larry O'Brien (trophy) doing it," Thompson said Thursday. "I can switch and guard one through five, so I think it helps us defensively. We did a good job with it when we were in there together. I think we've just got to keep building that continuity.
"Takes a lot of pressure off him with me doing kind of the dirty work and banging and setting screens and doing all the tiring things sometimes where I can keep him fresh. So that's what I'm here to do, however I can help our team and our Big Three to stay in top performance and making their job easier, that's what I'm here to do."
Bud urges calm:
Before Friday's game, Milwaukee coach Mike Budenholzer shrugged off the revenge storyline with Grayson Allen, who was ejected for a flagrant foul against Alex Caruso the last time these teams met on Jan. 21. Caruso broke his right wrist on the play.
"Just continue to be there for him, support him, encourage him," Budenholzer said. "To some degree, just ignore it. We've got to go play, he's got to go play. His maturity has always impressed us. Tonight won't be any different. He's going to go compete and play and try and help us win."
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