In the midst of the Conference Finals, we have some Bulls news to report. No, it’s not Zach Lavine going to the Lakers to play with LeBron; can you imagine? If that’s what he did, IF… then honestly, good riddance to anybody like that. Choosing a team that is on the decline, to team up with an aging superstar… if that’s what he really wants, then so be it; don’t let the door hit you. But, I don’t think that’s what he wants; lots of rumors this time of year. This piece of news about Ayo Dosunmu is not a rumor; he made the NBA All-Rookie 2nd team. Hey Yo Ayo!
He deserved it. For a while there, he was playing well enough to be on the All-Rookie 1st team. He certainly faded down the stretch; he didn’t hit as many big shots, he didn’t make the same type of impact. But, I’m not holding this against him. To come in as a 2nd round pick, to play as much as he did this year, it makes sense that he wasn’t as effective later in the year. Getting used to the NBA, the schedule, having to bring your A game all the time… With all the minutes he played, important minutes, the experience he gained in his first year was huge. I see Ayo as an important part of the future for the Bulls.
Is he a starter eventually? Good question; I don’t think it’s one that has to be answered now. He did start, 40 games to be exact. That’s not too shabby; he can do it. What is his ceiling? Again, not worried about that. Whether he starts or comes off the bench, Ayo needs to be that guy that brings the defense, the energy… a guy that helps the offense click… hitting open shots, moving the ball to the right spots… His numbers this year looked like this: 8.8 points per game, 3.3 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 0.8 steals, 0.4 blocks, shooting 52% from the field, 37.6% from 3 point land, and 67.9% from the charity stripe. Nothing that’s going to blow your mind, but a solid starting point. I think a successful year for Ayo in 2022-2023 looks like this: 12 ppg, 5 apg, 4 rpg, 1 spg, 0.5 bpg, 55%/40%/75% respectively. He’s somebody that can bring a little something in each category; kind of reminds me of like a leadoff hitter in baseball. Sets the table for success in many aspects of the game; you with me?
Who knows what the point guard position will look like, with Lonzo Ball’s future certainly up in the air. It would be a big time disappointment if he doesn’t get back on the court. The little that we did have him would have just been a tease; I’m sure nobody would be more devastated than Lonzo himself. Let’s hope he’s back. Ayo will have a role regardless. Another kid from Chicago making a good impression in his rookie season. Certainly that’s where the comparisons end between DRose and Ayo, but that doesn’t mean Ayo can’t build on this start and be an effective player in the NBA for a long time, hopefully in a Bulls uniform. He’s one roster spot that we should lock in from now until… forever? Congrats Ayo; looking forward to more great things from you. Go Bulls!!!
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