Don’t Neglect Ayo Dosunmu’s Brilliance With The Bulls
I’m the first to admit that I’m a math nerd.
I write the Stats Notebook for Basketball News, after all. My default homepage in my browser is the NBA Stats site, and if I have too much free time, PBP Stats, BBall Index, and other sites like these can become rabbit holes. Statistics are a chronology of events, making the past real and the future just a little bit more predictable.
Stats also don’t provide the complete picture. This year’s example might be Ayo Dosunmu.
One of my favorite players to watch so far in the 2022–23 season has been the second-year Chicago Bulls guard. Dosunmu has seen his production increase in tandem with a slight increase in minutes played, averaging 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game.
His 59.2% True Shooting percentage is down slightly from last year, though it’s still very impressive.), his assist and turnover rates have also dropped a bit, and he’s recorded a -42 plus-minus on the season despite the 6-6 Bulls’ only double-digit loss was in one game.
Those surface-level figures probably cause people to shrug when they look at them. But if you watch Dosunmu, you’ll see how his adaptability, originality, and energy leap off the screen.
Here, Dosunmu performs three significant tasks, but only one of them (the assist to Zach LaVine) is recorded in the box score. He slips past the off-ball screens to cover Jaylen Brown and take away a key component of Boston’s set. Then, with Brown positioned in a marginally advantageous position in the corner, Dosunmu aids Jayson Tatum’s drive by successfully contesting the shot, which is ultimately blocked by Patrick Williams. After grabbing the errant ball, Dosunmu quickly looks up before connecting with LaVine in transition.
Another possession from the same game is highlighted by Hoops Informatics. Beginning this clip, Dosunmu covers two players on the weak side. Dosunmu cuts off the option when he observes LaVine sag back toward his corner and spots Brown cutting into the paint. However, he continues to pursue the ball and later offers assistance once more during Tatum’s baseline drive.
Here’s one more moment — this time from Chicago’s first game against Boston, a 123-119 win:
A combination of schematic knowledge, quick thinking, and simply quick legs are required for the numerous defensive efforts in their many forms, which are amazing. Even if it occasionally causes over-revving, Dosunmu’s internal throttle is always set to the floor.
“Ayo was, basically all last year, just playing off the feel,” teammate Over the offseason, Alex Caruso spoke to Basketball News. “You don’t really understand concepts in your first year in the league. You are ignorant of coverages. You get to play against men for the first time while also watching them play. They’re showing you their best moves for the first time; they’ll probably beat you most of the time. Being able to compete on defense the way he did last year is a great sign for a player in his first year.”
Year 2 has seen Dosunmu’s knowledge base catch up.
He adapts his offensive spark to a different situation. After being selected by Chicago in the second round of the 2021 draft, he quickly established himself as a second-side driving weapon and has since thrived by attacking off the catch. Don’t be fooled by Dosunmu’s slightly lower overall rim frequency compared to last season; he’s still a force when it comes to driving to the basket.
PBP Stats show that so far, 56 players have attempted more than 40 self-created shots (when holding the ball for two seconds or longer) from within 10 feet of the basket. Dosunmu, who is currently in third place, is hitting on 55.8% of those attempts. As opposed to just 39.4% as a rookie, more than 47% of his shots have been self-created. So even though the efficiency has slightly decreased in this small sample, Dosunmu still exhibits a lot of promise.
He is skilled along the baseline, so defenders who push him there are only giving him room to attack and opportunities to hit teammates. How can a defense justify leaving LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, or Nikola Vucevic when Dosunmu almost always receives 1-on-1 situations?
However, Dosunmu can defeat individuals with an isolation drive, which is a problem for those defenders. He possesses a cunning handle, deceptive change-of-pace chops, length, and touch.
The 22-year-old also possesses a strong floater. Dosunmu used it effectively against the Charlotte Hornets despite not using it frequently; according to Cleaning the Glass, only 10% of his shots are made from close to mid-range.
Dosunmu guarantees spectators at least a handful of “This guy is flying, man!” plays every game, whether it be via a transition push-ahead, a half-court drive or a defensive rotation.
Plus-minuses and box scores can shove it; this guy is unquestionably a valuable player.
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