NEWSLETTER
After his rookie season was cut short after only 44 games (thumb injury), Wendell Carter Jr. has come out looking like one of the Bulls’ most complete players this season. Indeed, during a year mostly defined by frustration and disappointment, I try to remind myself of the potential and promise that rests within the Bulls lengthy and energetic big-man.
At only 20-years-old, Carter Jr. is already an above-average rim-protector and quality rebounder. In fact, as of today, he ranks 9th in total rebounds and 16th in rebounds per game throughout the NBA. And among the league’s sophomores (who’ve played at least 20 games this season), Carter Jr. has the third-highest field goal percentage.
Simply put, he’s proving not only to be of the most reliable pieces from his stacked 2018 draft class, but also arguably one of the most promising young bigs in the NBA.
Wendell Carter jr rebound, See Coby White pic.twitter.com/29Fk3XPVyo
— Gustavo Vega (@iamvega1982) December 15, 2019
For the most part, we knew Carter Jr. was capable of this sort of high-quality production, but it’s still heartening to see it realized on the court.
But even with that aside, his leadership and accountability off the court has been a genuinely pleasant and much-needed surprise (particularly for Bulls team too often caught with an apparent lack leadership in the most trying times (… of which there are many)). Throughout the team’s disastrous start to the season, Carter Jr. has continuously displayed authenticity and self-awareness, turning himself into one of the team’s prominent vocal leaders.
Wendell Carter Jr. being able to take hard coaching and guarding Montrezl Harrell. #Bulls pic.twitter.com/0kv1RaRUSo
— Tony Gill (@thetonygill) December 15, 2019
And again, Carter Jr. has been able to accomplish all he has on the court with a confident yet humble demeanor off it. And nothing demonstrates this better than K.C. Johnson’s latest at NBC Sports Chicago: “From a mental standpoint, I feel I’m a little more mature,” Carter Jr. told Johnson. “On the court, I feel better and different. I’m starting to learn players’ tendencies, so I know how to shut off certain aspects of their game. Off the court, I feel I have a voice now. So I use it.”
Good, this team needs it.
The only two frustrating elements to his game this season have been the excessive fouling (not always/entirely his fault) and the general hesitation to take open jumpers. However, Carter Jr. has identified both as targeted areas for improvement. So again, at least he’s self-aware (that really is an important characteristic). And while addressing those shortcomings would certainly take Carter Jr.’s game to another level, for now, they’re both acceptable, given his promise elsewhere.
Such as playmaking:
This pass from Wendell Carter Jr really stuck out last night. WCJ is such a talented passer & those skills are being so underutilized in this offense. He has such a knack for finding cutters. I hope the Bulls start integrating more action run through Wendell.#BullsNation pic.twitter.com/4p0sflyd9c
— Corey Tulaba (@hardwoodherald) December 15, 2019
In fact, I’d argue that Carter Jr. is still underutilized in the offensive gameplan.
We have seen him average a little under 10 field goal attempts per game over the Bulls last three contests, so hopefully, that number can become the new standard (he’s currently 5th on the team in attempts per game, behind Coby White and Thaddeus Young). The team might see him as a more important defensive/rebounding weapon right now, but with a collective last-place offensive-rating, any kind of help should be welcomed on the opposite end of the court.
As the season goes on, I have a hope and a feeling that we’ll see more of his potential realized on both ends of the court. He may have – at one time – been seen as the third piece to the Bulls puzzle (after snatching LaVine and Markkanen), but chances are, in the long-run, he could be the most important.
