Fun With the ’88 Dunk Contest Oral History, LaVine’s Scoring Rampage, Boylen-Induced Rage, and Other Bulls Bullets

I keep having some crazy dreams.

Last night, I kid you not, I dreamed I was in a murder mystery with Derrick Rose. The worst part, I woke up before the crime was ever solved.

All morning though I’ve been trying to think of a good title if I ever turned it into a novel. A Rose Peddle in the Wind. The Broken Rose. Murder on the Brown Line. 

Eh, I’ll think of something.

  • For my own sanity, let’s start these bullets off on the more light-hearted, positive side of Bulls basketball. NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson published an incredibly entertaining oral history on the 1988 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. The story features interviews with Dominique Wilkins, Spud Webb, and several others who were close to the action that afternoon.
  • Personally, reading about how the historic Jordan image was taken is my favorite part. Also, the fact that the media were stuck outside under a tent in the middle of winter is kind of hilarious. Overall, there is something for everyone to enjoy in there, so if you have some time, give it a read.
  • Zach LaVine refuses to take his foot off the gas. He dropped 41 points last night, which included a wild 19-point performance in the 4th quarter. He single-handedly carried the Bulls back in the game, but as we’ve grown accustomed to, it wasn’t enough.
  • Based on LaVine’s 3-point makes from last night, someone might want to improve his odds for Saturday’s 3-point shootout. If you missed it, fast forward to the end of these highlights and prepare to pick your jaw off the floor (the madness starts at 1:15).
  • https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1227422969288429569?s=20

  • At this point in the season, I think I’m ready to just sit back, relax, and look forward to whatever wild shots LaVine can knockdown. I don’t care if his performances translate to wins anymore, just go nuts.
  • Honestly, considering his workload, this is super impressive.
  • Welcome to the second half of bullets, please keep your hands and feet inside the rage machine at all times. Here we go!
  • AHHHHHH!! SOMEONE GET THIS MAN OFF MY SCREEN!
  • Jim Boylen’s response to why he chose not to play Daniel Gafford last night should be a fireable offense (among, like, everything else he’s done). The Wizards scored 62 points in the paint and the Bulls were dominated down low without any true rim-protector on the court. When Boylen was asked if Gafford’s absence had anything to do with his ankle injury, the head coach responded “Combination of a couple things. He’s working his way back. He’s available, but he’s working his way back.” He’s available … but he’s working his way back? Someone better line my wall with pillows because I’m about to throw my computer through it.
  • Even worse, Gafford has been practicing fully and seemed plenty ready to check into last night’s game. Instead, Boylen opted to give more minutes to Cristiano Felicio. In fact, he felt so confident in the Bulls fourth-string center that he put him in to close out the game, which immediately resulted in this:
  • https://twitter.com/WashWizards/status/1227413994844999680?s=20

  • I don’t blame Felicio, I blame Boylen. Example 11,456 of how Boylen fails to put his players and team in a position to succeed.
  • NBC Sports Chicago talked more about the whole Gafford fiasco after the game. Meanwhile, The Athletic’s Darnell Mayberry was hitting us with some good content from the locker room. If Gafford isn’t available, just tell us.
  • I wonder if the Bulls miss Kris Dunn?
  • Uh, wow.
  • Can Chicago claim Kevin Garnett? The Athletic wrote an awesome oral history about Garnett’s time playing high school ball in the windy city.
  • Yes, yes it is.
  • https://twitter.com/SSJreef/status/1227389808856535040?s=20

  • I appreciate the guys over at The Sky Is Falling Podcast for inviting me on! We talked a lot of Bulls’ nonsense, but it was oddly therapeutic. Give it a listen!
  • 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

    Pre-Gamin’: Chicago Bulls at Miami Heat (6:00 CT), Projected Lineups, How to Watch, More

    The Bulls and Heat go at it for the last spot in the NBA Playoffs. Let's get it. https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1781299357574213738 Game Info Miami Heat at Chicago Bulls – 6:00 p.m. CT on ESPN (TV) and 670 The Score (Radio) Chicago Bulls Coby White...

    Scottie Pippen’s Youngest Son Will Play at Michigan

    A familiar last name will be in the Big Ten next season. Scottie Pippen's kid, Justin, has committed to the University of Michigan, according to Krysten Peek of Yahoo Sports. The youngest son of the Chicago Bulls legend, Pippen started...

    Fans Aren’t the Problem, Fun With Coby White’s Big Night, Miami is Still Scary, and Other Bulls Bullets

    I was sitting at an empty table with my legs crossed sipping on some white wine. The rest of the group was up on the dance floor, sending over the increasingly frequent wave to join them. I followed up each...

    Adama Sanogo’s Great Play in the G League Led to Some Nice Recognition

    One Chicago Bulls player has already taken home some hardware. As the NBA waits to announce its end-of-season awards, the G-League has started to share its top accolades. While the Windy City Bulls finished an underwhelming 15-19 on the season,...

    Alex Caruso Expects to Play Against Miami

    Alex Caruso could be missing a foot and would probably still suit up for a do-or-die game. The Chicago Bulls' defensive anchor told ESPN's Jamal Collier that he expects to play in tonight's Play-In Tournament game against the Miami Heat....

    Playoffs On the Line, Heat Culture is Real, Bulls Still Top 5 in Merch Sales, and Other Bulls Bullets

    The Chicago Bulls will do something tonight that I can't remember another one of my favorite sports teams doing. With a loss, the frustrations of where this organization stands will consume me. With a win, the frustrations of where this...

    Even With Butler Out, the Bulls Will Have Their Hands Full Against the Heat

    The Miami Heat are a better team than the Chicago Bulls. We can all agree on that, right? We're talking about a franchise with three trips to the Eastern Conference Finals in four seasons. This included last year's historic run,...

    It’s Official: Heat Rule Out Jimmy Butler for Play-In Game

    The Miami Heat announced Thursday afternoon that Jimmy Butler will officially miss Friday night's do-or-die matchup with the Chicago Bulls. The announcement comes after Butler suffered a knee injury during the first quarter of the 7v8 Play-In game against the...

    Several Bulls Questionable Heading Into Play-In with Heat

    The Chicago Bulls aren't ruling Alex Caruso out just yet. Despite the guard having to exit Wednesday night's Play-In Tournament over the Atlanta Hawks, Caruso is currently listed as "questionable" on the latest official injury report. The Bulls' defensive anchor...

    Joakim Noah Gave Such a Perfect Joakim Noah Interview

    Joakim Noah hasn't played in an NBA game since September 2020, but he still can't stand the thought of losing. The Chicago Bulls legend recently appeared on an episode of The OGs Podcast with Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller for...

    Latest News

    How to Watch Astros vs. Nationals: Live Stream or on TV

    The Houston Astros (6-14), led by Jose Altuve, visit C.J. Abrams and the Washington Nationals (8-10) at 4:05 PM ET on Saturday in a series opener.Keep reading to find out all the details on how to watch Houston square off...

    Phillies vs. White Sox: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Saturday, Trea Turner and the Philadelphia Phillies (11-8) begin a series versus Gavin Sheets and the Chicago White Sox (3-15) at Citizens Bank Park, with first pitch scheduled for 6:05 PM ET.The article below will provide you with everything...

    How to Watch Pirates vs. Red Sox: Live Stream or on TV

    On Saturday, Mitch Keller will take the mound for the Pittsburgh Pirates (11-8) against Kutter Crawford and the Boston Red Sox (10-10), with first pitch scheduled for 4:05 PM ET at PNC Park.If you're intending to watch this game, keep...

    Timberwolves vs. Suns Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: NBA Playoffs Game 1 – Saturday, April 20, 2024

    The Phoenix Suns are slight 1.5-point underdogs in Game 1 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center on Saturday, tipping off at 3:30 PM ET on ESPN. The matchup has an over/under...

    Knicks vs. 76ers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: NBA Playoffs Game 1 – Saturday, April 20, 2024

    The Philadelphia 76ers are slight 3-point underdogs in Game 1 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, beginning at 6:00 PM ET on ESPN. The over/under is set...

    Cavaliers vs. Magic Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: NBA Playoffs Game 1 – Saturday, April 20, 2024

    The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Orlando Magic take the court to begin the opening round of the NBA Playoffs. The Cavaliers are favored by 4.5 points in the contest, which will be broadcast on ESPN at 1:00 PM ET. The...

    Now We Know Why Ian Happ Was Removed Mid-game

    In the top of the seventh inning of today's 8-3 win over the Miami Marlins, Alexander Canario trotted out to left field in place of Ian Happ. At first, we thought (or maybe just hoped) that Craig Counsell was giving...

    Pre-Gamin’: Chicago Bulls at Miami Heat (6:00 CT), Projected Lineups, How to Watch, More

    The Bulls and Heat go at it for the last spot in the NBA Playoffs. Let's get it. https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1781299357574213738 Game Info Miami Heat at Chicago Bulls – 6:00 p.m. CT on ESPN (TV) and 670 The Score (Radio) Chicago Bulls Coby White...

    Scottie Pippen’s Youngest Son Will Play at Michigan

    A familiar last name will be in the Big Ten next season. Scottie Pippen's kid, Justin, has committed to the University of Michigan, according to Krysten Peek of Yahoo Sports. The youngest son of the Chicago Bulls legend, Pippen started...

    Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson with Back-to-Back Slick Defensive Plays

    With a lefty Marlins starter on the mound this afternoon, Nico Hoerner lead off today's game for the Chicago Cubs. And he did it in style, ripping a leadoff double to the left-center field wall, before coming into score a...

    more bulls news