Isaac Okoro Embraces Offensive Aggression Amid Bulls’ Tough Stretch

When Arturas Karnisovas brought Isaack Okoro to the Chicago Bulls last summer, what the team's president of operations expected from the former Cavaliers player was to elevate the team's defensive level. But things have changed for the forward as Chicago's roster has undergone a radical transformation.

Okoro knew he needed to step up his offensive play early on. Facing the Miami Heat in the rescheduled game in late January, he broke out with a second season-high 20 points as the Bulls were depleted, contributing significantly to Chicago's nail-biting 125-118 victory before the Bulls collapsed into an ongoing 10-game losing streak.

Okoro has embraced an emerging offensive role this February, averaging a higher 11.2 points. Though his three-point shooting remains mediocre at 33.9%, he's attempting more three-point shots — 4.9 per game — showing increased offensive engagement.

"Just be more aggressive. Be more attack-minded. Be more assertive," Okoro said during Wednesday's practice before the Bulls host Portland on Thursday.

As the season enters its second half, hunting more open shots becomes Okoro's offensive philosophy. This approach aligns seamlessly with Billy Donovan's system. While Donovan has stressed a similar importance of fewer contested midrange attempts and more off-ball opportunities when discussing Matas Buzelis' development, Okoro represents one of the best samples of that principle.

Breaking down his shot-tracking data reveals nearly even distribution between catch-and-shoot opportunities (42.1%) and close-range finishes (52.6%), per the NBA Database. He feels noticeably more comfortable with minimal defensive pressure, shooting 36% on wide-open attempts. He also demonstrates a clear tendency toward fewer touches and fewer dribbles before shooting — a simple approach that's actually lifted his offensive involvement.

"My game was more so just reading the game, taking open shots, attacking in transition, getting into the paint...I think I play a pretty simple offensive game, nothing too flashy or spectacular," Okoro said.

February has been chaotic for the Bulls after navigating the trade deadline. Losing offensive contributors like Nikola Vucevic, Ayo Dosunmu, Coby White and Kevin Huerter while lacking time to ponder a brand-new roster. It makes sense that Okoro, never traditionally framed as an offensive weapon for the Bulls, would need to immerse himself in expanded scoring responsibilities.

Despite the 10-game losing streak, Okoro refuses to let frustration consume him, even as the team absorbed seven newcomers following the deadline. Earlier in December, the Bulls bounced back with a three-game winning streak after a seven-game skid. Now, while getting new players on the same page, Okoro wants everyone playing the "right way" through this brutal stretch.

"We can't just be so frustrated to where we take our frustration out on the next game and start turning the ball over and making the same mistakes game after game," Okoro said. "We've got to be able to come and lock into the shootaround, coming with high hopes for the next game, knowing that you have a chance to win."