When both Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose went down during this season’s stretch run, rookie Nikola Mirotic stepped up and filled the scoring void. His numbers for the month of March numbers were exceptional.
Mirotic averaged 20.8 points per game; leading all rookies in scoring as he had eight 20+ scoring games. He achieved his first 20+ back to backs in the first two games that the Bulls were without Butler. Mirotic was also second among all rookies in rebounds and blocks.
On top of that, he also led the entire NBA in 4th quarter scoring average and total 4th quarter points scored,
“This young guy at 6’10” has the athletic ability, the three point game, the mid-range game, and then the trailer on the break to be exceptional,” said ESPN NBA analyst and Basketball Hall of Famer Hubie Brown.
Nikola Mirotic was also second among all NBA rookies in rebounds and blocks for the month. He averaged 7.6 RPG and 44% FG.
Now with Rose and Butler back, the Podgorica, Montenegro native is not being asked to do as much. Yes, Butler and Rose are guards while @Threekola is a stretch four/power forward hybrid (with the versatility to post and play multiple positions), so while they’re obviously not in direct competition with each other for minutes, there is still always a zero sum game at work in the stat sheet.
However, the Bulls aren’t just in “win now” mode; this could be the most “win now” season in franchise history. Therefore, the veterans should get priority. Veterans always take precedence on depth charts for a reason.
Mirotic has made the most of the opportunities made available to him this season, so when you think about all the young talent the Chicago Bulls could build around, start with him. On all levels of the Bulls organization, you know change is coming this off-season. Mirotic is a definitely a piece Chicago should keep in place.
“With Niko developing the way that he has, it allows us to have Niko and Taj and Jo and Pau on the floor together,” said Bulls Coach Tom Thibodeau.
“So when you’re subbing now you can go more by what the game needs, who’s got a good game going, who’s got a good match-up going.”
With five of the top ten picks in this year’s NBA Draft class missing at least half the season, it’s been a wide open race all season long for the Rookie of the Year award. Three candidates have emerged to distinguish themselves with each player building a unique case. It’s a three horse race with two co-favorites (Nikola Mirotic, Minnesota Timberwolves Forward Andrew Wiggins) and one longshot (Philadelphia 76ers Center Nerlens Noel)
If you believe the award should go to the player who has made the most important contributions to his team; on a team that’s played the most meaningful games, then Mirotic is your man.
If total minutes and scoring are the primary criterion, then Wiggins should get it. If the priority is defense, then Noel should be the choice. Here’s how the stats shape up, at this moment, for all the top rookies in the discussion.
–Andrew Wiggins, Minnesota Timberwolves, age 20, 16.4 ppg, 44% fg, #1 overall in 2014 Draft
–Nikola Mirotic, Chicago Bulls, age 24, 23rd pick in 2011, 9.9 ppg, 5 rpg
–Nerlens Noel, Philadelphia 76ers, age 20, 6th pick in 2013, 9.9 ppg, 8.1 rpg
Regardless of whether or not Nikola Mirotic wins the award, he’s established himself in this league, and he did it right off the bat. A big reason for his rapid development is the fact that he previously played overseas with Real Madrid. That’s given him the confidence to shoot big shots right away.
“He’s got a great approach to the game. He’s shown that right from the very first day. He’s got great courage to take big shots, and just having him on the floor, they respect him so much it opens up the floor for other people,” Thibodeau said.
Rookie PER since the All-Star Break: Nikola Mirotic 20.7 Nerlens Noel 20.5 Elfrid Payton 16.7 Andrew Wiggins 15.2
— Tom Haberstroh (@tomhaberstroh) April 6, 2015
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with Fox Sports Digital. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes to the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. He also appears regularly on numerous sports talk radio stations all across the country.
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