P-Dubs’ Insane Block, Devin Booker Praise, a Surprisingly Clean Game, and Other Bulls Bullets

Games Without a Win: 5

•   First things first, we need to watch this Patrick Williams block again (and then 14 more times).

https://twitter.com/BN_Bulls/status/1377455431396773890?s=20

•   I mean … like … that’s not normal. Say what you will about Deandre Ayton, but that man is a former No. 1-overall draft pick with a seven-foot-five wingspan and a pretty effortless dunking ability. Patrick Williams made him look like Wile E. Coyote running straight into the side of a boulder. People have talked about Williams’ Kawhi-like hands, and this arguably his best reflection yet. The fact that he palmed the ball, stopped Ayton’s momentum entirely, and ripped it away with one hand is enough to make even the most pessimistic Bulls fan see a flash of light at the end of the tunnel. Thaddeus Young described just how amazing it was to see that block happen from the best seat in the house.

•   The Bulls got themselves a gem, folks, but don’t take my word for it:

•   Devin Booker dropped 45 points on Patrick Williams, and he still saw plenty of promise in the rookie. He is the most recent name to add to the “big-time players who have praised Williams”  list, which is headlined by LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard (or, as I prefer to call him, the Patrick Williams wannabe). Booker and Williams are two very different players, however, I still have no question some words of advice from one of the more lethal scorers in the game can only do him some good. After all, that’s the next step many of us are looking for in Williams’ game. The presence of guys like Zach LaVine, Coby White, Lauri Markkanen, and now Nikola Vucevic have surely taken away scoring opportunities from Williams. Fortunately, he has still found a way to contribute with well-timed cuts and smooth spot-up corner 3’s, but I think we can all agree it feels like there is a lot more in his bag.

•   Williams finished with a great 16-point, 7-11 shooting performance last night. Seven of those 11 shots came 11ft from the basket, and he looked noticeably more decisive than he did over the first couple months of this season. The game was his second straight with double-digit shot attempts, and that is a streak that only happened once so far this season. I’m hoping that we continue to see things trend in this direction, because with the way he is playing and the weight he holds for the future, I’d love to see him get more of an opportunity to showcase what he can do on that end of the floor.

•   Losing to the team with the second-best record in the league by five is something I can live with, especially when we consider the Bulls were without one All-Star and two key rotational players. I think what last night’s performance showed us is that this is very much a new team, one with a deeper load of talent and an improved ability to limit their mistakes. Obviously, we’ll have to see clean and competitive performances like this continue before we get too excited, however, I’m definitely encouraged by the fact the Bulls came out on the right side of the turnover and fouls battle. Chicago tied their second-lowest turnover mark of the season with only 9 against the 5th-place Suns defense. Meanwhile, they also won the foul battle 21-20 (was a little better than that until they had to foul at the end to try to stay alive). Vucevic, Theis, and Brown (the newbies) combined for only one turnover and three fouls.

•   Vooch’s first three games look pretty good to me.

•   FWIW: It’s hard not to think the Bulls could have pulled this one out with Zach LaVine, which sucks. I’m sure it was frustrating to sit there and watch Devin Booker absolutely cook his team knowing that he could probably go toe-to-toe. Oh well, I hope one night of rest did him a lot good. And, hopefully, this game without him gave the rest of the team a chance to get a bit more comfortable with Vooch.

•   This was dope. Happy retirement, coach.

written by

Elias Schuster is the Lead Chicago Bulls writer at Bleacher Nation. He started with BN full-time in 2019 immediately after graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign with a degree in Journalism (yes, he started with the Jim Boylen Era). Since joining, Elias has been the driving force behind Bulls and NBA content for both the site and social accounts. You can follow him on Twitter/X @Schuster_Elias.

more bulls news

Enhanced Box Score: Bulls 125, Pacers 99 – March 27, 2024

I got to be honest, I'm even more upset about the Washington Wizards' loss. If the Chicago Bulls played like they did tonight, they would have beaten that depleted Wizards team by 40. This was a locked-in group from the...

Javonte Green Makes Bulls Return… Immediately Does Awesome Stuff

Javonte Green has officially made his Chicago Bulls debut ... again. The 30-year-old signed with the organization via a 10-day hardship deal on March 22. Injuries to Lonzo Ball, Zach LaVine, Patrick Williams, and Julian Phillips paved the way for...

WATCH: Alex Caruso Snatches Rookie Ben Sheppard’s Ankles

Alex Caruso will always be known for his defense capabilities, but he's showing a lot more than that this season. The veteran guard is averaging double-digit points for the first time in his career. A big part of that has...

Draymond Green Ejected Less Than 4 Minutes Into Game Against Orlando

Draymond Green was at it again on Wednesday night. Out East to take on the Orlando Magic, the Golden State Warriors watched Paolo Banchero bulldoze Andrew Wiggins to the rim early in the first quarter. As Banchero high-fived his teammates...

Pre-Gamin’: Indiana Pacers at Chicago Bulls (7:00 CT), Projected Lineups, How to Watch, More

Everything was awful on Tuesday. Be Better. https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1772971933161705610?s=20 Game Info Indiana Pacers (41-32) at Chicago Bulls (34-38) – 7:00 p.m. CT on NBC Sports Chicago (TV) and 670 The Score (Radio) Projected Starting Lineups Chicago Bulls Coby White Alex Caruso Ayo Dosunmu...

Around the Association: Caitlin Clark Gets Big(3) Offer, Knicks Getting Help, Lakers OT Thriller, More

It's hard to believe we have less than three weeks remaining in the NBA's regular season, and we should be in for some real drama down the stretch. The Knicks have plenty to play for in their remaining 11 games...

WHOA: NCAA Looking to Ban Prop Betting on All College Athletes

As the NCAA men's basketball tournament gears up for the Sweet Sixteen, the college sports world received some big news. On Wednesday morning, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that NCAA president Charlie Baker wants to officially ban prop betting on college...

NBA Playoffs Update: Several Races Are Still Undecided

The NBA season is winding down. We have some awesome races for the NBA Playoffs to keep an eye on in the final 2+ weeks of the season. The top seed in the West is still up for grabs in...

Alex Caruso’s Status in Question for Matchup with Pacers

The Chicago Bulls might be without their best defensive player against the best offensive team in the NBA. Not great! The latest injury report lists Alex Caruso as "questionable" for Wednesday night's meeting with the Indiana Pacers. Caruso has been...

Needing a Win, One More with the Pacers, Alex Caruso Guards Everyone, and Other Bulls Bullets

*scratches long, disheveled beard and grabs a piece of chalk* *crosses out another game on the cave wall* *sits back on ground, grabs knees, rocks back and forth* Nine more games. Nine more games. Nine more games. Look, I want...

Latest News

Orioles vs. Angels Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Baltimore Orioles begin their season as -192 favorites in a home tilt against the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday at 3:05 PM ET, live on BSW.Baltimore's Corbin Burnes and Los Angeles' Patrick Sandoval have been named the starters for...

Wyoming vs South Dakota Women’s College Basketball Odds and Prediction – March 29

The South Dakota Coyotes (23-12) will try to break a three-game road losing streak when they square off against the Wyoming Cowgirls (17-14) on March 29, 2024 at Arena-Auditorium.Wyoming vs. South Dakota NCAA Game InfoDate: Friday, March 29, 2024Time: 8:30...

Minnesota vs North Dakota State Women’s College Basketball Odds and Prediction – March 29

The Minnesota Golden Gophers (17-15) face the North Dakota State Bison (22-11) on March 29, 2024.Minnesota vs. North Dakota State NCAA Game InfoDate: Friday, March 29, 2024Time: 8:00 PM ETWhere: Minneapolis, MinnesotaVenue: Williams ArenaLast Game For Each TeamMinnesota enters this...

Rays vs. Blue Jays Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

The Tampa Bay Rays (0-0) and the Toronto Blue Jays (0-0) face off on Thursday at Tropicana Field for Opening Day. First pitch is at 4:10 PM ET.The Rays will call on Zach Eflin versus the Blue Jays and Jose...

Dodgers vs. Cardinals Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

The Los Angeles Dodgers (1-1) and the St. Louis Cardinals (0-0) face off at Dodger Stadium on Thursday at 4:10 PM ET, starting a four-game series.The Dodgers will look to Tyler Glasnow versus the Cardinals and Miles Mikolas.Dodgers vs. Cardinals...

Padres vs. Giants Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

The San Francisco Giants (0-0) begin a four-game series against the San Diego Padres (1-1) on Thursday at PETCO Park. First pitch is at 4:10 PM.The Padres will look to Yu Darvish versus the Giants and Logan Webb.Padres vs. Giants...

Astros vs. Yankees Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

The Houston Astros (0-0) and the New York Yankees (0-0) face off on Thursday at Minute Maid Park for Opening Day. First pitch is at 4:10 PM ET.The Astros will call on Framber Valdez against the Yankees and Nestor Cortes...

Reds vs. Nationals Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

The Cincinnati Reds (0-0) and the Washington Nationals (0-0) face off on Thursday at Great American Ball Park for Opening Day. First pitch is at 4:10 PM ET.The Reds will call on Frankie Montas against the Nationals and Josiah Gray.Reds...

Marlins vs. Pirates Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

The Miami Marlins (0-0) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (0-0) match up on Thursday at LoanDepot park for Opening Day. First pitch is at 4:10 PM ET.The Marlins will look to Jesus Luzardo versus the Pirates and Mitch Keller.Marlins vs. Pirates...

Twins vs. Royals Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

The Kansas City Royals (0-0) host the Minnesota Twins (0-0) in an Opening Day contest at 4:10 PM ET on Thursday.The Twins will call on Pablo Lopez versus the Royals and Cole Ragans.Twins vs. Royals Pitcher Matchup and Game InfoWhen:...

more bulls news