The Bulls haven’t gotten the production from their rookies like they thought they would and they need that to change soon. Forward/Center Joakim Noah was the first round pick of the Bulls and he hasn’t gotten much playing time yet to show what he can or can’t do. Noah has played in 21 games so far this season for the Bulls and he is averaging 12.4 minutes, 4.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game. Noah is only shooting 41.1% from the floor but he has made 76.9% of his shots from the free throw line. The Bulls won’t likely extend Noah’s playing time until he improves his play on the floor.

Center Aaron Gray has played decent in his limited minutes on the basketball court. Gray has played in 15 games so far this season and he is averaging 10.6 minutes, 3.9 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. He is shooting 45.3% from the floor but only 40% from the free throw line. He could see more minutes in the near future.

Guard JamesOn Curry and forward Demetrius Nichols have not played yet for the Bulls but they both have talent.

Joe Smith hasn’t shot well this month as he’s only hitting 36.7% from the floor and that will need to improve if he’s going to continue starting for the Bulls. Smith has played in 4 games (3 starts) this month and he is averaging 19.8 minutes, 7.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game. Smith better shoot better if he wants to hold off Nocioni for the starting job at power forward.

Andres Nocioni has been outstanding off of the bench in December for the Bulls. Nocioni has played in 5 games (0 starts) in December and he is averaging 27.8 minutes, 20.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.2 steals per game. The Bulls should consider starting him until some of the other Bulls start shooting better.

The Chicago Bulls are in last place in the Central Division as they are 6-12 on the season, 7 games behind the Pistons. The Bulls are shooting awful and it’s the big reason the Bulls are only averaging 89.3 points per game. The Bulls defense has been solid enough as they allow 94.4 points per game so they will start winning if they can just start shooting better.

Last season the strength of the Bulls was the shooting prowess of their guards and this season they are clanking shots and it has hurt the team bad. Ben Gordon (39%), Kirk Hinrich (35.2%) and Chris Duhon (33.3%) need to shoot better or the Bulls will be watching the playoffs on T.V. and that would be a shame based on how tough they were in the playoffs last season. These three guards are only averaging 34.3 points per game and that’s not nearly enough seeing how Luol Deng is the only other big-time offensive player on the Bulls.