Chicago Bulls news: Which player steps up in Mike Dunleavy’s absence?

May 1, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Crawford (55) dribbles past Los Angeles Clippers forward

(32) during the second quarter in game six of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

In a recent column, I said that it was highly unlikely that recent acquisition Jordan Crawford would make the Bulls roster for the 2014-2015 season. Mike Dunleavy’s injury changes all of this.

In 24.7 minutes per game, Crawford attempted 11.2 overall shots, including 3.6 three-point field goal attempts. To put this number in perspective, let’s compare Crawford’€™s attempts per game number to other players on this Chicago Bulls roster. Center Pau Gasol averaged 14.8 field goal attempts per game last season, although those three extra attempts came in over ten minutes more playing time. Last season, Most Improved Player Award winner Jimmy Butler averaged less field goal attempts per game (14.0) in 38.7 minutes of playing time.

For an overview of how Crawford’€™s field goal attempts per game compared to other players on the Chicago Bulls, I used a simple mathematical formula to figure field goal attempts per minute to compare attempts across an even playing field. I divided field goal attempts per game by minutes played per game to determine field goal attempts per minute among the Bulls most trigger-happy shooters.

Crawford’s volume shooting isn’t ideal for a team that has several players that command a large percentage of the overall shots and touches. However, Dunleavy’s injury makes depth at the shooting guard/small forward position a potential issue.

Butler is a lock to start, and Tony Snell should start alongside Butler at one of the two wing positions. Beyond that, the Bulls have McDermott. With the injury problems that have plagued this team over the years, the Bulls need fresh bodies that they can rotate in to replace injured players. The Bulls might have to concede and give Crawford playing time this season simply out of necessity.

Next: Conclusion