Chicago Bulls Triple Threat: Three takeaways from Lakers game

Wendell Carter Jr. plays confidently, again

One of the biggest storylines coming into the season was how Wendell Carter Jr. would be utilized, and whether or not he could play a confident game. Too many games last season he looked like a fish out of water, and when he was being used, it was just as a lob threat.

Early in the season, it was still up in the air on whether or not he’d be able to ever actualize on his potential coming in as a young man from Duke.

Over this west coast road trip, and culminating on Friday night, Carter Jr. seems to have found his swagger.

Carter Jr.’s confidence hasn’t translated to an outside shot, like I thought it would, but rather dominating, all around play inside and great defense as a linchpin.

Carter Jr. had 23 points, seven rebounds and three assists. He got his points from a variety of mediums: five from the free throw line, on floaters and short shots in the paint, and of course, those two rim rattling points that were put on LeBron James’ head.

Carter Jr. has put together a few solid performances in a row, reaching back to the Portland Trailblazers win.

I think the key to Carter Jr.’s success is in his footwork. If he catches the ball square, he becomes so much more of a threat. Look for him to even out his foot placement at the top of the key when he initiates the offense.