How The Bulls Can Turn Their High-Paced Offense Into A Real Identity

The Chicago Bulls are going to run again this season. The question is whether all that running will actually get them anywhere.

With Tiago Splitter looking to emphasize the speed and athleticism of this group, playing fast makes sense. Josh Giddey can push the ball and find teammates ahead of the defense, while Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson give Chicago athletic forwards capable of attacking the rim in the open floor.

There is a clear vision there. But having the personnel to run does not automatically make running an effective offensive identity.

The Bulls finished second in pace in both 2024-25 and 2025-26, according to Basketball Reference. They have already established their willingness to push the ball. Establishing an efficient offense has been a different story.

Too often, Chicago’s approach has looked more focused on getting another shot up than getting the best shot available.

That is where pace can become a gimmick.

An early three-pointer can be an excellent shot when it comes from an advantage. Giddey attacks an unsettled defense, a defender steps toward the paint and the ball finds Buddy Hield or Norman Powell with room to shoot.

That is purposeful basketball. The speed creates an opening and the offense takes advantage.

But racing up the floor and launching a contested three against five defenders accomplishes very little, especially when the team lacks elite shooters. The possession ends faster, but the defense has still done its job.

Splitter’s challenge is making sure Chicago understands the difference.

More possessions give the Bulls more opportunities to score, but they also give their opponents more opportunities. Increasing the number of trips up the floor does not solve an efficiency problem. If Chicago consistently gets worse shots than its opponent, playing faster can simply make that disadvantage more damaging.

The most dangerous transition opportunities often begin on defense.

A deflection disrupts a pass. A steal catches opponents moving in the wrong direction. Suddenly, Buzelis or Wilson is sprinting toward the basket with a numbers advantage instead of trying to finish through a defense waiting in the paint.

Those are the situations where Chicago’s athleticism can become a real weapon.

Last season, Bulls opponents averaged approximately 13 turnovers per game. Chicago’s willingness to run was far more apparent than its ability to consistently take the ball away.

That is why players like Isaac Okoro and rookie Dailyn Swain could matter to this identity. Their ability to pressure ball handlers and disrupt passing lanes could help create the opportunities Chicago wants on the other end. Buzelis can contribute with his length, too, provided that aggression comes within a disciplined defensive system.

The Bulls need to earn more of their fast breaks.

Pushing after rebounds and even made baskets still has value. Giddey can find an outlet before opponents recover, and quick advances can prevent a defense from organizing its matchups.

But the opening has to actually exist.

If all five defenders are already back, Chicago cannot treat the possession like a fast break simply because the ball crossed half court quickly. The Bulls need to flow into screening, movement and penetration that produce a quality shot.

Speed should help them reach an advantage. It should never become an excuse to settle for a bad shot.

For Splitter, the goal should be turning this roster’s physical tools into efficient basketball. Let Wilson and Buzelis attack space. Let Giddey reward players who sprint the floor. Let Hield and Powell benefit from defenders forced to collapse.

Then make sure the defense is creating more of those chances.

The Bulls have already proved they can play fast. This season, they need to prove that their pace has a purpose.

Otherwise, they are just rushing through the same problems.