Michael Carter-Williams was once considered one of the NBA’s most valued young commodities. Two teams and two years later, he’s being benched in the playoffs with ample minute opportunities.
The most dreaded thoughts have become reality for Chicago Bulls fans. After leading 2-0 in the first round playoff series against the Boston Celtics, the series is tied up, and momentum has shifted hands.
Contributing to the nightmare, the Bulls announced Rajon Rondo would sit out indefinitely after fracturing his thumb in Game 2. The veteran loss would result in expanded roles for young guards Jerian Grant and ex-76er Michael Carter-Williams.
This has created a serious hole in the Bulls’ offense. Even with Rondo’s visible court dictation on the bench, Grant and MCW can’t dissect the Boston defense nearly as efficiently.
As a result, MCW has played to Sixers fans’ expectations (horribly). A poor Game 3 show-out by the turnover prodigy has detracted his role back to bench warming seat cushions.
Following Game 4, his stat-line consisted of almost nothing, (not counting the assist and two turnovers) in 8 minutes of play.
His recent play has once again proved the worth of Sam Hinkie’s immovable foresight.
The Silent Treatment
After Hinkie traded the 2014 Rookie of the Year for a protected draft pick in 2015, controversy was stirred tenfold.
The silenced that followed the move to acquire the Lakers’ top three protected draft pick was definitive of the headstrong GM. His intuition was not to be challenged by the average fan, and he was willing to make whatever moves it would take to increase the chance at long term success.
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Still, “Tank!” was the accusation. The finger pointing became malicious.
And the frustration was understandable. We were already terrible at that point in the rebuild, so why would we unload a piece who restored even the slightest bit of hope?
But in hindsight, his acumen was unparalleled.
Since the days of MCW’s historic rookie performances, his numbers have declined significantly. And in addition to never finding an outside shot, his turnover-prone game has just barely improved over his four-year career.
In addition, maturity issues were a rumored conflict within the Sixers’ camp during his tenure in Philadelphia. “Prima donna” was tossed around wildly, like a pass from MCW himself. And perhaps that has resulted in his leadership questionability, and inability to improve to his potential.
Canaan-Ball! Shouts
Back to Game 4, another contributing factor to MCW’s decreased minutes emerged from the rubble. Former 76er Isaiah Canaan returned from injury to make his playoff debut.
Coming into the series, he was presumably the best defensive match to guard quick footed Isaiah Thomas outside of Rondo. He logged 34 minutes while MCW and Jerian Grant descended back to the bench.
In our perspective as Sixers fans, the irony is incredible. At the 2015 trade deadline, it was of majority consent we downgraded with the subtraction of MCW and addition of Canaan.
As we exchanged an athletic freak for a potential sniper, “Rookie of the Year” chants became Canaan-Ball! echoes throughout the Wells Fargo. Fans decided to make the best of the situation.
Fast forward to 2017, and Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg is attempting the same. Except Michael Carter-Williams has proved to be a deficient acquisition, and Isaiah Canaan has out-valued him significantly.
So to those who previously deemed Hinkie only as an analytic outsider, instead of a basketball head (cough Steven A. Smith), this adds to the conclusion that you were probably wrong.
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If nothing was transparent before, it’s transparent now. The former GM’s moves are finally beginning to make sense in the long term. Sam Hinkie needs to receive his long awaited credit for this wise maneuver.