The Chicago Bulls need to shore up their perimeter defense

The Chicago Bulls need better perimeter defenders; their young guys aren’t cutting it

If you were wondering why Cris Felicio has recently been languishing with the G-League Windy City Bulls for a while now, it’s reportedly because he can’t defend the paint effectively.

But Felicio’s defense works as a wall defender and a back-up shotblocker only when the opposing player driving the lane is contained. He can’t chase down any stud slasher if his first wall of defense isn’t doing his part.

The Bulls are allowing roughy 18 made baskets per game at the rim, which is good for 10th worst in the NBA. Overall, Chicago has the 21st ranked defense in the league.

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Often, it’s Jerian Grant or Denzel Valentine who are allowing free lanes to to cup, making Felicio’s and every other center’s job a lot tougher as the last line of defense. But that’s not to put the entire blame on specifically Grant or Valentine; this is generally the issue with young teams – or teams that are forcing their way through the growing pains.

With that said, it still needs to be addressed.

Perhaps more urgently than trying to ship away Robin Lopez or Nikola Mirotic – and potentially Bobby Portis – for future draft picks that may or may not pan out over the course of the next few years. Chicago is a young team, with a ton of young talent, especially on the perimeter.

Perhaps it takes time for it all to come together, especially on the defensive end. However, if this team is interested in getting better, shoring up the perimeter defense should be near or at the top of the team’s priority list.

With lights out performances from Bradley Beal, DeMar DeRozan and C.J. McCollum, the proof is in the product – the Bulls don’t have great perimeter defenders. And that needs to change sooner rather than later.

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The team has plenty of options as the NBA Trade Deadline approaches next month. They could either trade what veteran assets they have left on the roster, or they could try to improve this team and put tanking aside.