Observations: Hawks dismantle disjointed Bulls in opener

The Bulls opened the 2020-21 regular season by hosting the Atlanta Hawks, and were drubbed 124-104. It wasn’t that close. Here’s what stood out:

Discouraging defense

Look, we knew the Bulls’ defense could take a step back after losing Kris Dunn and Shaq Harrison in free agency. We knew the Hawks added considerable offensive firepower in the offseason.

But this was a wholly disastrous performance on that end. The Hawks’ 42-point first-quarter output was the most against the Bulls in a season opener. Their 83 first-half points marked the fourth-most scored in a season opener for any team ever (hat tip Jeff Mangurten for those nuggets).

In that half, the Hawks got everything they wanted off the dribble and on the interior, shooting 65.9 percent from the floor and 16-for-19 (84.2 percent) in the paint. Trae Young, who Zach LaVine assumed early defensive responsibilities on (picking up four first-half fouls), notched 27 points and five 3s. In most every facet — getting back in transition, fighting over screens, rotating timely, stymying drives — the Bulls lacked.

Then, it got worse. LaVine picked up his fifth foul in the third quarter’s opening moments. With four minutes left in that frame, the Hawks had climbed to 108 points and 68.5 percent shooting from the field. Young ended the night with 37 points, one of seven Hawks in double-figures. He toyed with the hosts.

124 points on the night. 50 in the paint, 29 off turnovers and 23 on the fastbreak. 40 percent shooting from deep. An all-encompassingly poor defensive showing.

Pleading for playmaking

The Bulls ended the night with a few fine stat lines from key contributors — including, notably, Lauri Markkanen, who rode hot long-range shooting to 21 points (6-for-9 from the field, 4-for-5 from 3), nine rebounds and four assists in 30 minutes.

Still, they appeared often disjointed on the offensive side of the ball too. A need for crisp, responsible passing stood out. Wendell Carter Jr. and Coby White, both of whom are expected to shoulder heavier playmaking responsibilities this season, combined for six turnovers — most of them unsightly — and 4-for-16 shooting. LaVine had five cough-ups too.

More connectedness across the board will be required moving forward. Their team-wide 41.4 percent field goal shooting (22.9 percent from 3) came on a night that Clint Capela and Kris Dunn were inactive.

This is a young team still adjusting to fresh coaching. But nights like Wednesday are a reminder that they’re a long way away from head coach Billy Donovan’s stated goal of consistency on both ends.

Precocious Pat

Patrick Williams appeared in 29 games as a freshman at Florida State without making a start. It took him all of zero reserve appearances to crack the Bulls’ starting five.

Williams became the youngest player in Bulls history to start in their first game of the season. As has become custom for the rook, he didn’t look it. He was one of the lone silver linings of the night, notching 16 points (5-for-11 shooting), four rebounds and an assist, steal and block apiece in 33 minutes.

His first stint of the night lasted longer than any other starter, and in all, there were enough splashed jumpers and bruising drives to continue to be encouraged by Williams’ prospects. Another benchmark cleared.

Otto Porter Jr., meanwhile, contributed 14 points off the pine. His presence is needed there, but wasn’t enough to move the needle on this night. None of the Tomáš Satoranský, Denzel Valentine and Garrett Temple trio — all of whom recently made returns to practice — logged a minute of action.

Lines of the night

Honorable mentions: Cam Reddish (15 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals) looks poised to build off his strong finish to last season, on both ends. John Collins (14 points in 18 minutes) looked in prove-it mode. The Hawks, generally, looked really good. And Williams, as mentioned, played well in his debut.

The night began with the potential to serve as a barometer of the Bulls’ standing in the Eastern Conference. Lesson learned. Next up, at home for the Indiana Pacers on Saturday. And it doesn’t get easier from there.