Tiago Splitter’s first Bulls season puts development work at center court

Tiago Splitter's route to Chicago ran through several kinds of coaching work. After retiring as a player, he worked in Brooklyn's scouting and player-development operation, assisted in Houston and led Paris Basketball before taking Portland to a 42-40 season, according to El País. Chicago announced his hiring June 16.

That background gives the Bulls experience with both teaching and running a team. It also explains why the first season should be assessed through specific basketball habits, not just a broad promise of development.

Chicago finished last season 31-51 and allowed 121.5 points per game, according to the NBA's hiring report. Those figures put defensive organization near the front of the job.

The early signs will be visible possession by possession: whether players communicate through switches, finish defensive trips with rebounds and create a useful second action when the first offensive option is covered.

Young players also need enough responsibility to reveal what they can do. Splitter's challenge is to give them that room while keeping roles clear enough for the rest of the lineup to function. Training camp and preseason will begin answering how he balances those demands.