In the cutthroat arena of the NBA, where dynasties rise and fall on the strength of their supporting casts, the Chicago Bulls’ bench is emerging as a force that could redefine the league’s underdog narrative. Fresh off a gritty victory against the New York Knicks on Friday, the Bulls’ reserves are not just contributing—they’re dominating. Averaging a league-second 49.0 points per game (PPG), this unit is a symphony of unselfish play, relentless energy, and surgical precision in the paint. But it’s their paint scoring—clocking in at 23.4 PPG, also second-best in the NBA per NBA.com—that truly sets them apart. This isn’t random chaos; it’s orchestrated offense, a testament to teamwork and commitment that screams one message to the rest of the league: Watch your back. The Bulls’ bench is here to stay, and they’re painting the league red.
The Bulls’ bench isn’t built on star power alone; it’s fueled by a collective hunger to exploit every crack in the defense. Through constant ball movement and player rotation, they generate open looks not just from beyond the arc but deep in the restricted area. This offensive philosophy has turned what could be a liability into a weapon, allowing Chicago to punch above their weight early in the season. As the games pile up, this bench excellence isn’t a fluke—it’s a blueprint. And if opponents don’t adapt, they’ll be left scrambling in the wake of Bulls’ bench barrages.
Ayo Dosunmu: The Relentless Engine Driving the Paint Assault
At the heart of this bench renaissance is guard Ayo Dosunmu, who’s transformed from a promising talent into a bona fide sixth-man terror. Averaging 16.2 PPG on blistering efficiency—57.7% from the field and 47.6% from three—Dosunmu’s game is a masterclass in paint predation. He thrives on drives, logging 7.8 per game (third on the team), and converts them at an absurd 68% clip in the restricted area. That translates to 8.0 PPG in the paint, tying him for third on the Bulls.
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Dosunmu’s ferocity shines in both half-court sets and fast breaks. Picture this: he blows past a defender in the half-court, rising for a thunderous finish at the rim, leaving the crowd roaring. Or in transition, where he averages 3.6 possessions per game and shoots 62.5%, grabbing a rebound and sprinting coast-to-coast for another emphatic bucket. This isn’t just scoring; it’s momentum-shifting artistry. Dosunmu’s ability to collapse defenses and force rotations creates ripple effects, opening lanes for teammates. The league’s elite benches—think Denver or Golden State—better hope their bigs can handle this Chicago bulldog, or Dosunmu will feast all season.
Kevin Huerter: Cuts and Crafty Drives Carving Up Defenses
If Dosunmu is the hammer, swingman Kevin Huerter is the scalpel, slicing through defenses with intelligent movement and opportunistic drives. Sure, his three-point stroke has been ice-cold at 33.3% on 21 attempts this season—far from his career 37.5% norm—but Huerter’s redemption arc is already underway in the paint. He’s averaging 4.6 drives per game, converting at 62.5%, and his cutting game is poetry in motion.
Against the Knicks, Huerter exemplified this: after dishing to Patrick Williams on the perimeter, he ghosts to the basket for a perfectly timed layup off the return pass. Then there are his methodical drives—fading baselines for soft floaters that kiss the glass and drop. These aren’t reckless gambles; they’re calculated strikes that punish overcommitting defenders. As Huerter’s shot warms up, his paint prowess will only amplify the Bulls’ bench threat. Imagine a fully synced Huerter raining threes and dismantling interiors—it’s a nightmare scenario for any coaching staff from Boston to LA.
Patrick Williams: Screens, Seals, and Switches Fueling Interior Dominance
Forward Patrick Williams, rebounding from a forgettable 2023-24 campaign, is the glue that binds this bench’s paint attack. While his scoring leans perimeter this year, Williams’ screening wizardry unlocks the paint like a master key. By forcing switches, he isolates mismatches, sealing smaller defenders for easy buckets or drawing fouls that bleed opponents dry.
Take the Knicks game: Williams sets a blistering screen, triggers the switch, and rolls hard to seal his man for a layup. Or against Memphis, he draws Desmond Bane onto him post-switch and bulls his way inside, earning free throws before the whistle. Even when defenders hold firm—like Paolo Banchero in Orlando—Williams adapts, rolling aggressively for a highlight-reel dunk. This versatility turns routine possessions into paint opportunities, embodying the Bulls’ “next-man-up” ethos. Williams isn’t the loudest scorer, but his quiet efficiency is the sternest warning: ignore the screener at your peril.
Jalen Smith: Under-the-Radar Drives Delivering Punch
Center Jalen Smith rounds out this formidable quartet, his season starting uneven at 42.4% from the field. But when he attacks? Lights out. Averaging just 1.4 drives per game, Smith is surgical, hitting 75% on those probes. Catching on the wing, he reads the defense in a flash—driving baseline for layups or powering through contact for and-ones.
Clips from early games show Smith snaring perimeter passes and exploding to the rim, his length and burst overwhelming rotated help. He’s not a volume guy yet, but his efficiency screams untapped potential. As Smith integrates deeper into the rotation, his drives could push the Bulls’ bench paint scoring into uncharted territory, forcing rivals to double-team and opening the floor even wider.
The Bigger Picture: A Bench Built to Last, a League on Notice
The Bulls’ bench isn’t a collection of role players—it’s a ecosystem where Dosunmu’s drives, Huerter’s cuts, Williams’ screens, and Smith’s bursts converge into 23.4 PPG of paint destruction. This isn’t luck; it’s the fruit of an offensive commitment to movement, screening, and unyielding teamwork. Ranking second in bench scoring overall, Chicago’s reserves are proving that depth can be deadlier than star-studded starters.
As the season grinds on, sustaining this paint focus will be key. Chemistry like this doesn’t age—it evolves. To the NBA’s contenders: the Bulls’ bench has arrived, crafting opportunities with surgical precision and a hunger that won’t quit. Heed the warning, or get painted out of the playoffs. Chicago isn’t just competing; they’re redefining bench excellence, one rim-rattling drive at a time.