NBA Summer League reached a climactic conclusion last night when Bulls rookie Denzel Valentine did this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYvzUtBhp2Q

Valentine drilled a clutch shot with the clock expiring (for the second time of the night) to give the Bulls an 84-82 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Summer League Championship. Chicago finished with a perfect 7-0 record to give their fans a nice reprieve from the pessimism that seeped out of last season’s disastrous finish.

But what about those Bulls fans who didn’t watch the Summer League games? Whether you didn’t watch in protest of management’s wayward strategies or simply because you think July basketball has no meaning, I’m here to provide you with the needed information.

So here it is: 5 things we learned about the Bulls by watching the Summer League

#1. Denzel Valentine Has No Fear

Opinions appeared to be split among Bulls fans when the team selected Michigan State product Denzel Valentine with the 14th pick of the 2016 NBA Draft. Some applauded the pick for being a wise, safe selection. Valentine has four years of experience playing at the collegiate level. And not just any college with any random coach. He soaked up the knowledge and experience of Tom Izzo, one of the best coaches college hoops has ever seen. His basketball IQ is strong and he comes into the NBA ready to contribute more so than the typical one-and-done 19 year-old.

Others believe his four years in college is actually a detriment to his future NBA career. At 22, Valentine is already older than half of Tom Thibodeau’s Timberwolves roster. There’s also been much talk about his knees, which is a sore subject for Chicago basketball fans. Add in the fact that Denzel isn’t necessarily a premiere athlete, and plenty of Bulls supporters left draft night with rising skepticism.

Then Summer League happened.

Valentine didn’t dominate the summer games by any stretch. In fact, he struggled to find his shooting touch most of the time, averaging just 35.2% on his field goal attempts. His stroke from downtown didn’t impress either, making just 25.5% on threes.

But he hit the shots that mattered on more than one occasion.

Denzel’s Big Shots

First, he showed his poise in the quarterfinal game against the Washington Wizards. With the Bulls clinging to an 86-85 lead with six seconds left in the game, Valentine calmly stepped up to the line and knocked down two huge free throws. With a 3 point lead, Chicago defended the perimeter well on the ensuing Wizards possession and hung on for the win. We see veteran stars miss free throws in big moments because they can’t handle the pressure. (Karl Malone or John Starks, anyone?) Valentine has experience in high pressure situations from his Sparty years, and he showed the stones to deliver at the line.

In the semifinal game against the Cavaliers, Valentine didn’t shoot particularly well. But he scored 8 of his 13 points in the 4th quarter of a very close game. 3 of those 8 points came on a go-ahead three pointer with 2:24 remaining. He also came down with a key defensive rebound with 26 seconds left and the Bulls up by 3, allowing the Bulls to ice the game with free throws.

Then came his masterpiece in the Championship. You already saw his game-winner. Before the Bulls even had a chance for the overtime clincher, they needed Valentine’s help to get there. Down by 3 with 3 seconds left, he let his clutch gene shine with a game-saving bomb from downtown.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdXkknIpy8c

Go-To Guys

Before taking that shot, Denzel was 0-6 from three point range on the night. Did that linger in his head as he prepared to take the shot? Clearly not. He did have a sense of humor about getting that open look after the game.

Valentine: "I would've left me open too. I didn't make any shots during the game until that one." — K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) July 19, 2016

But he did make that one. And a few minutes later when the game was tied and the Bulls had the final possession of overtime, Valentine spoke up during the timeout. His plan? “Give me the ball.”

Valentine: "As soon as they tied it up, I went over to asst. coach Charlie (Henry) and said, ‘Give me the ball. I’m going to win this game.’ — K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) July 19, 2016

Talk about a rookie exuding confidence.

There will be lots of talk coming into next season about who takes the final shot for the Bulls if it’s do-or-die time. In fact, it’s already started.

Asked Hoiberg who gets last shot in tie game: "We'll see who has it going." Added much will depend on matchups. — K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) July 16, 2016

Jimmy Butler? Dwyane Wade? It will depend on the matchups, sure. But coach Fred Hoiberg must be pleased to know that he has another option in that department. When it comes to taking the big shots, new Bull Denzel Valentine has no fear. None.

What does he have? Plenty of these:

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