The most recent Locked On episode from the last 30 days that directly mentions Noa Essengue.
Locked OnLocked On Bulls
Oct 13, 2026Bulls Bench Might Be LOADED?! But One Offensive Problem Could Ruin Everything 👀🐂
The Chicago Bulls may have a bigger advantage than anyone expected heading into the 2026-27 NBA season: depth. 👀🐂 On today’s episode of Locked On Bulls, Haize and Pat The Designer break down whether the Bulls’ bench could become one of the strongest parts of Tiago Splitter’s roster after Chicago’s reserves outscored Denver’s bench 75-56. Leonard Miller scored 26 points, Buddy Hield added 15, Tre Jones returned to the rotation, and players like Noa Essengue and Jordan Hawkins continued getting developmental minutes. The question is no longer simply whether Miller deserves a bigger role. It is whether Chicago can consistently win the minutes when opposing stars go to the bench. A second unit built around combinations of Tre Jones, Buddy Hield, Isaac Okoro, Leonard Miller, Jalen Smith, Zach Collins, and several young players gives Splitter a lot of options. Jones provides organization. Hield provides shooting. Okoro brings perimeter defense. Miller adds athletic downhill scoring. Could Chicago’s depth become the reason this team wins more games than projected? Haize and Pat also tackle the biggest concern surrounding the Bulls offense: what happens when teams force Chicago into half-court basketball? The Bulls have looked dangerous playing fast, creating turnovers and launching threes, but the offense still has a major question when transition opportunities disappear. Who creates a quality shot with six seconds left on the shot clock? Is it Norman Powell, the most proven scorer on the roster? Can Matas Buzelis develop into that type of late-clock creator? Does Josh Giddey need to become more aggressive? Or is Chicago developing Caleb Wilson specifically because it hopes he can eventually become that offensive hub? That question may determine whether this group becomes a legitimate playoff core or simply an entertaining young team. Plus, Haize and Pat discuss why Tre Jones may be one of the most underrated players on the entire roster. Jones scored zero points in his preseason debut, but he produced five assists with zero turnovers in just 10 minutes. On a Bulls team that committed 21 turnovers, that type of control stood out. Chicago has plenty of players capable of scoring. What it may need even more is someone who can organize the second unit, put teammates in the right spots and settle the game when the pace becomes chaotic. Topics Include: - Could the Bulls bench become a major strength? - Leonard Miller’s breakout preseason - Buddy Hield’s impact on the second unit - Tre Jones returning to the rotation - Bulls bench vs. Denver’s bench - Could Chicago outperform low win projections because of depth? - The Bulls’ biggest half-court offensive weakness - Who is Chicago’s best late-clock shot creator? - Norman Powell’s importance in close games - Matas Buzelis’ development as a creator - Caleb Wilson’s long-term offensive ceiling - Tre Jones’ five assists and zero turnovers - Could Tre Jones eventually close games? - Tiago Splitter’s rotation options The Bulls may not have a traditional superstar bench scorer, but they may not need one. If Chicago can consistently win second-unit minutes, play fast, defend aggressively and get steady organization from Tre Jones, the depth of this roster could become one of the biggest surprises of the season. The bigger question is what happens when the game slows down. 🎙️ Tune in to Locked On Bulls as Haize and Pat debate whether Chicago’s bench is actually its biggest advantage, whether the half-court offense could hold the team back, and why Tre Jones may be far more important than his scoring numbers suggest. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Square Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/NBA ! #squarepod KALSHI Today's episode is brought to you by Kalshi. For a limited time, Download Kalshi and use code Locked On to get $25 when you trade $25. Kalshi. Trade what’s next. Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. FanDuel This season, FanDuel is making the excitement go beyond what happens on the field with the all-new FanDuel Rewards Club, featuring exclusive offers, surprises, and more. 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