We are not yet at the level of Matt Steigenga, NBA champion with the Bulls in 1997 out of nowhere and after playing two games in total. But Chicago found a new idol that no one saw coming, at least for one game.
Onuralp Bitim had only played five minutes and forty-four seconds in the NBA before this Wednesday evening, with the only stats being two missed shots against Boston on February 22. The Turk was, however, one of the most decisive players in his team's success against Cleveland.
Past of a “two-way contract” to a formal lease the day after his end of the match against the Celtics, Onuralp Bitim had not been on the floor since. On Wednesday, the 24-year-old played 27 minutes, the most playing time for the Bulls coming off the bench. Of course, he also benefited from the numerous absences on the wings (Zach LaVine, Torrey Craig, Patrick Williams and Alex Caruso). But he got his playing time on merit, notably playing the entirety of the two overtimes.
Arrived through the very back door in the NBA
Very good in the Turkish championship last season (18.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists with Bursaspor), the guard/winger had to go through sideways paths to obtain this opportunity.
Serious European prospect, elected in the best five major of Euro U16 2015, Onulrap Bitim made the choice last summer to try his luck across the Atlantic even though he had not been drafted. His rather successful stint with the Windy City Bulls in the G-League and his relative shooting quality (36.3% on 3-pointers at high volume) opened his way to the Bulls bench. It's no surprise then to see him score his first points in the league on Wednesday on two long-distance shots.
Present on the rebound, serious defensively, Onuralp Bitim was also decisive with two free throws to put the Bulls away in the second overtime. His 10 points and six rebounds do not say everything about his impact on the match, his +/- ratio much more: +16, the best in Chicago tied with Coby White.
“ I really can't describe what I feel. And it's not a question of English, but even in my own language »reacted the former Anadolou Efes Istanbul player. “ I had dreamed of this moment for a very long time. And I was really trying to be ready and my teammates, my coaches really helped me. I knew the opportunity was going to present itself. You never know when, you just have to be ready. As players we must always be mentally and physically ready. »
The pride of one's own
Onuralp Bitim brought a breath of fresh air, but above all a great determination to Billy Donovan's team, which was left with an inglorious defeat against the bottom of the league, the Pistons. And if everything has not yet been perfect, with an overwhelming domination on the rebound (74 to 39!) which did not really materialize in the score, Onuralp Bitim still transformed himself into a providential man with a significant success against the 2nd in the Eastern Conference.
“ OB was amazing » enthused Andre Drummond. “ He's a guy who's been playing pro for a while, he doesn't have the mentality of a rookie. He played like he was already in his place. And he is. »
“ I'm proud of him, we're all proud of him » DeMar DeRozan also appreciates. “ It's fantastic to see a guy do what he does in such an important match and finish the match too. That's crazy. We weren't able to practice much with him, so he knew our attack and had rhythm with us. So to do what he did is incredible. »
“ It means a lot to me » commented, moved, Onuralp Bitim, touched by the words of his veterans at the end of the match and after the meeting. “ I grew up watching DeMar, he was one of my idols. And now we are on the ground together. We won together. To hear these words from him, from Coby (White), Ayo (Dosunmu), Vooch (Nikola Vucevic)… It’s a huge privilege. »
Two-way contract : Designed to create a new bridge between the NBA and the G-League, this type of contract allows each team to secure the services of two or three additional players, to develop them mainly in their affiliated development league franchise but also up to 50 matches in the NBA.
