Tiago WON’T Stop Shooting Threes?! Tough Love For Matas + Is Dailyn Swain Not NBA Ready?

**The Chicago Bulls cannot buy a three-pointer right now, but Tiago Splitter is not backing away from his offensive philosophy. 👀🐂**

On today’s episode of **Locked On Bulls**, Haize and Pat The Designer break down one of the biggest early-season debates surrounding Chicago: should the Bulls keep firing from three even when the shots are not falling?

Through three games, Chicago has shot **4-for-36 against Toronto, 12-for-45 against Milwaukee and 12-for-43 against Washington** from beyond the arc. Despite those struggles, Splitter continues encouraging his players to take open threes and develop the shooting necessary to punish defenses that are packing the paint.

That raises a bigger philosophical question.

**Is Tiago coaching the Bulls for October 2026, or for the team he wants them to become in 2028?**

Haize and Pat debate whether Chicago should tailor the offense to the strengths of the current roster or continue forcing young players like **Caleb Wilson and Matas Buzelis** to develop the skills they will need if the Bulls eventually want to contend.

Caleb’s huge game against Washington perfectly illustrates the issue. He finished with **30 points and 14 rebounds**, but still shot just **1-for-9 from three**. His athleticism and interior scoring already translate. If the jumper eventually becomes consistent, his ceiling changes dramatically.

The guys also dive into **Tiago Splitter’s tough-love approach with Matas Buzelis**.

After struggling through Chicago’s first two games, Matas was benched for the fourth quarter against Milwaukee. Instead of reacting negatively, he accepted the decision and responded against Washington with **21 points, five rebounds and 7-for-13 shooting**.

But there is another step Matas still needs to take.

Washington was comfortable hiding **Trae Young** on him defensively, and Buzelis did not consistently demand the basketball or punish the mismatch. Can Matas become an All-Star-level offensive player if he never develops that mentality of saying, **“Give me the ball. I have the advantage.”**

Plus, Haize and Pat discuss Chicago’s plan to send **Dailyn Swain** to the G League for significant developmental minutes.

Rather than leaving the No. 15 overall pick on the end of the NBA bench, Splitter wants Swain playing heavy minutes, handling the ball and making decisions at multiple positions with the Windy City Bulls.

Is that smart long-term development, or should Bulls fans be concerned that a first-round pick may not be ready to contribute immediately?

Chicago appears to be trying to turn Swain into something more valuable than a traditional wing: a **6-foot-7 defender and secondary playmaker** who can initiate offense.

 

The Bulls’ new regime is starting to make one thing very clear: **development will not always be comfortable.**

Chicago is willing to live with missed threes, hold one of its most important young players accountable, and send a first-round pick to the G League rather than force him into a role he may not be ready for.

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