LaVine and Markkanen Will Keep Their Kobe Uniform Numbers and Other Bulls Bullets

I grab myself a cup of coffee every morning.

Then, I proceeded to zone into my work and totally forget I have that cup of coffee sitting next to me. By the time I remember and give it a sip, it’s ice cold. #TheStruggleIsReal

  • According to NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson, Lauri Markkanen (No. 24) and Zach LaVine (No. 8) plan to stick with their uniform numbers in the wake of the league’s tragic Kobe Bryant loss. Many players across the NBA have chosen to individually retire Bryant’s former numbers as a way to pay tribute to the legend. Instead, Markkanen told Johnson, that while he considered switching, he wants to continue wearing it “to keep his number alive.” Meanwhile, LaVine has yet to give any public remarks on his decision but considering one main reason he already wears the number is because of Bryant, I think it’s safe to assume his reasoning will be similar to Markkanen. Either way, I completely respect and understand both decisions.
  • Last night, the Bulls shot themselves in the foot once again. How can they keep doing that? Doesn’t it hurt? The refs certainly didn’t help the cause, but the Bulls appeared to completely switch their offensive philosophy toward the end of the game and refused to score a bucket for the last 4 minutes of regulation. Now, the Bulls are 0-16 against the current top-8 teams in the Eastern Conference. Tomorrow night will offer yet another opportunity to grab their first win in that category.
  • FWIW: With the Grizzlies winning last night (now 24-24), the Bulls have 3 wins against .500 or better this season. *pops a bottle of champagne* Woohoo! *cork bounces off the wall and decks me in the eye* Ouch.
  • Full disclosure, I also thought the Bulls defensive rating would sink quickly, but somehow it’s staying afloat. Props to them, I guess?
  • In last night’s episode of “How Will Jim Boylen Ruin Things?”
  • https://twitter.com/NBCSBulls/status/1222701609135869952?s=20

  • The players can’t go on a 4-minute drought, but Boylen killed all of his own momentum with that final TO. Not to mention, he looks like a robot that is programmed to go completely nuts when it gets to the A in the YMCA song. He also kind of looks like a Dad whose daughter showed him a new Tik Tok dance and he just can’t get it right.
  • NBC Sports Insider Tomas Haberstroh thinks Zach LaVine should be an All-Star. From a numbers standpoint, I can’t say he’s wrong. I’ve said it before, LaVine has the stats to make the cut. However, there are so many other players with similar stat lines on winning teams. Anyway, the NBA will announce the reserve selections TONIGHT at 6:00 p.m. CT on TNT.
  • The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor says it’s time for teams to buy low on Denzel Valentine.
  • WE WILL ALWAYS STAN DANIEL GAFFORD.
  • When you’re laying in bed at night contemplating why the basketball gods would hurt Chicago like this, just mutter one simple phrase: “At least we’re not the Knicks.”
  • What a dummy.
  •  

    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.

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