To the surprise of most, the Chicago Bulls are off to their best regular-season start since 2021. Two of their three wins have come against Eastern Conference playoff teams from a year ago, and in all three matchups, they were underdogs. Josh Giddey and Nikola Vucevic have been the backbone of Chicago's success to begin the year; both are averaging 20 or more points per night and contributing the most to facilitating the offense and spreading the wealth. They've had at least six players in double figures each night, including eight different guys on Monday night. While the undefeated start has surpassed the expectations of the masses, there are still significant holes in the operation. Here's why the Bulls will soon crash down to earth unless these two problems are fixed.
Abysmal Paint Defense
The Chicago Bulls are 30th in the NBA in paint points allowed per night, surrendering 64 points in the paint per outing. Luckily, they have outlasted their opponents with three-point shooting, free-throw efficiency, and stiff defense down the stretch of games. It's not breaking news that Vucevic is one of the weakest rim protectors at his position and that a stable paint enforcer is not on Chicago's roster. While the perimeter defense has been stellar thanks to the leadership of Isaac Okoro and Ayo Dosunmu, the defense closest to the basket is the most pathetic leaguewide.
The Bulls deserve credit for this hot start. But this is correct. They are getting super lucky with some bad 3-point shooting.
— Elias Schuster (@Schuster_Elias) October 28, 2025
ALSO, they have allowed 64.7 points in the paint per game so far. That's the most in the NBA. Sure feels like bad rim protection will catch up to them. https://t.co/tSfycZvn1h
With one of the Association's oldest and least mobile centers, Chicago will continue to be exposed by skilled big men, as evidenced by Kristaps Porzingis's performance on Monday night. Matas Buzelis, Patrick Williams, and Julian Philips do not suffice regarding intimidating the opposition's inside scoring.
Getting Lucky With Opponents' Three-Point Shooting Woes
While some may argue that the Bulls' opponents' treacherous three-point shooting represents elite perimeter defense, the eye test tells otherwise. All three meetings have featured many open three-point attempts by the Pistons, Magic, and Hawks alike, yet none have converted at a decent rate. Chicago's opponents currently shoot 26.3% from beyond the arc, the lowest in the NBA. If teams improve to the league average of near 35% from three-point land, all three games would have resulted in losses. With a few more successful shots, the Bulls could easily be winless.
The Bulls are 3-0. But are they good?
— kev (@NBACouchside) October 28, 2025
No.
Here's why.
They have been unreal good at "Jedi 3 point defense".
Teams are shooting just 26% against them from 3. The next best opponent 3 point shooting percentage (SAC, MIA) is 31%. That's huge. And it's mostly luck.
Reviewing the three-game sample size, while Chicago's offense looks more potent and sustainable than years prior, the defense will again be its demise. Outside of Okoro, who is limiting the best guard each night, this team severely lacks consistent and imposing defenders.
