What we learned from the Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks game

Plenty to look on from the Bulls' first preseason game this year.

Though the Chicago Bulls’ first preseason game ended with a 105-102 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, it also provided insight into how the team will look and operate in the regular season, which opens a few weeks from now. Here are a couple of things we learned from the game.

Coby White and Patrick Williams start

The Bulls’ “Big 3” of DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic, and Zach LaVine are already penned in as starters, leaving two positions available. Against the Bucks, the Bulls’ Billy Donovan set Coby White and Patrick Williams as their starting guard and power forward, respectively. Though Donovan reiterated that this starting five is far from being final, having White and Williams play together makes sense.

“Keeping White and Williams paired makes sense after the chemistry they displayed last season after Williams moved to a reserve role. Plus, developing White and Williams is crucial for the future of the franchise,” NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson wrote.

More three-pointers

The team’s decision-makers stressed during media day that they are gearing up to shoot more from beyond the arc. The Bulls didn’t take long to put that into practice, as they attempted 12 threes in the first quarter alone. Apart from the frequency, the Bulls’ brain trust also spoke of ensuring they get these trifectas from forays into the paint or through transition.

“Several attempts came either in transition or off drive-and-kick after “paint attacks,” a major talking point and point of emphasis during training camp. It’s well documented that the Bulls were the only team in the NBA not to attempt at least 30 3-point attempts per game last season. Overall, the Bulls finished 13-for-35 from 3-point range,” Johnson noted.