THE NBA IS BACK, BABY!
HEY, ALEXA … PLAY ROUNDBALL ROCK … OR THE NBA ON ESPN THEME … OH, OH, OR THE NBA ON TNT THEME!
I know the Bulls don’t start the season until tomorrow, but we have some solid NBA action tonight with Lakers-Clippers and Raptors-Pelicans! Nevertheless, let’s get our Bulls’ fix in with some bullets!
We are one day out from the Chicago Bulls starting their 2019-20 campaign, so it feels like a good time to remind everyone exactly what we’re dealing with.
The Bulls are the second-youngest team in the NBA and don’t you forget it. Earlier this offseason, we discussed how the team’s talent is only half the battle. Growing pains and chemistry are all too real for a team as young as these Bulls, but fortunately, the storm was weathered slightly by the acquisition of veterans like Otto Porter, Thaddeus Young, and Tomas Satoransky.
I’ll try not to linger on this throughout the season, but I do think we’ll need to be reminded just how young this team is. By no means should it be used as an excuse for poor execution; however, context matters and they may be allowed a slightly longer leash. For a time.
If you want to get unreasonably hyped for the season, check out Darnell Mayberry’s best-case scenario for the Bulls this season. In that alternate reality, the Bulls double their win total and finish with the 7th spot in the East. Ahh, sounds delightful. Then, if you want to quickly be taken back down to a state of worry and frustration, you can read Mayberry’s worst-case scenario where the team suffers injuries and shows very little improvement! Top it all of with his most-likely prediction which has the Bulls barely missing the playoffs but playing competitive basketball. Meh.
The GOAT has spoken:
To be frank, I’m not clear if Jordan is just saying this because Curry’s still in the league and it feels like a “GOAT-y” thing to say, but he has to know the man’s actually a HOFer, right? He’s proven to be the greatest shooter of all-time already and has three rings with two MVPs. I’m curious to know what an MJ HOF looks like.
Bleacher Report’s staff gave a bunch of NBA predictions for the upcoming season and a Zach LaVine’s All-Star appearance made the list! Woohoo! The predictor, Will Gottlieb, made sure to mention that LaVine’s improved defensive efforts will go a long way in securing him a spot on the roster, and I couldn’t agree more. LaVine can obviously score the basketball, but he’s going to have to prove he can do even more to help his team win games (especially after last season) to earn his keep. We certainly saw an improved LaVine on the defensive end during the preseason, but will he keep it up?
Oh, LaVine’s also a major *puts on cool shades* stealiooooo. Four-year’s, $78 million could be one of the most valuable contracts in the NBA by season’s end.
https://twitter.com/BN_Bulls/status/1186374474448420866?s=20
Do you love Jim Boylen vernacular? Are you obsessed with building your spirit, character, and soul? Well, The Athletic’s Darnell Mayberry has the perfect piece for you! Boylen has brought in a bunch of notable speakers to discuss #life with his youthful roster. The guests range from Ben Gordon to Terrell Ownes to Rudy Tomjanovich, so the team is certainly hearing from some winners. Make sure to also check out the piece for a bunch of preseason notes (it’s a good overview).
K.C. Johnson shared the Bulls will be picking team captains today in his latest column. He also walks us through the quietly positive image Boylen has grown over these past several months.
The Bulls need to protect Otto Porter at all costs.
NEWSLETTER
