Doug McDermott has played a strong preseason thus far which should make Fred Hoiberg’s decision to start him in place of the injured Mike Dunleavy that much easier, right? Well, it does make Hoiberg’s decision easier, but in the opposite direction. His fantastic preseason has led Hoiberg to trust McDermott to become the spark off the bench.
“That’s a role that I anticipate for Doug, is coming off the bench. He has (played well). I’ve liked (it). It will be a good role for him.” – Fred Hoiberg on Doug McDermott
“I’m completely fine with that. It has been good for me to see the game develop a little bit,” he said. “We need scoring off the bench, so I feel I can bring that.” – Doug McDermott
“I just feel a lot more comfortable, especially offensively.I have a long way to go on defense. I can’t pick up early fouls like I have the last few games, but I wanted to prove something this preseason. I feel I didn’t even play great in summer league, so this is a time where I’m really getting my swag back. It feels great.” Doug McDermott
Any minutes given to McDermott will be an upgrade from last season, but the bench role specifically can do McDermott wonders. Not only he won’t be assigned to defend the opponent’s starting small-forward, but he’ll also be “the man” off the bench instead of being overshadowed by Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler. Until Mike Dunleavy returns, it makes more sense to start Tony Snell to not only relieve Jimmy Butler on defense, but it balances the starters to the bench in terms of offense versus defense.
Doug McDermott has averaged 16.6 points per game in 31.2 minutes per game this preseason. McDermott has led the Bulls in three-pointers while shooting 16-37 in the first five preseason games.
