Blasphemous or not, I’m sick of watching the Bulls, and I’m pretty sure they’re sick of playing.
In tonight’s 108-102 loss to the Indiana Pacers, we saw quite the defeated Bulls team. And while I know the final score appears close, don’t let that fool you – this thing was pretty much over from the moment it started.
As much as Shaquille Harrison (career-high 25 points) and Coby White (26 points) tried to keep their team in the game, the rest of the Bulls players were nowhere to be found.
And I think this drives that point home:
Coby White and Shaq Harrison:
51 points
Rest of team:
51 points
— Mark (@mkhoops) March 7, 2020
With Zach LaVine out, it makes sense that this team would rely heavily on the play of Lauri Markkanen, Otto Porter, and Wendell Carter Jr. However, not a single one of them scored in double figures, and each failed to leave any lasting impact on the game. Specifically, Markkanen had an extremely rough performance, scoring only 3 points on 1-10 shooting from the field.
Jim Boylen on Lauri Markkanen's struggles tonight: "I know he cares. I know he's trying. He's working his way back … It's almost like we're in preseason with some of these lineups and situations. It's nobody's fault."
— Cody Westerlund (@CodyWesterlund) March 7, 2020
I swear, this front office better hire someone that can fix Markkanen. We’ve seen the skillset before, and the guy’s still only 22-years-old. Something’s gotta give. And while plenty of factors have contributed to his poor season, there is no doubt Boylen has kicked his regression into high gear.
Also, in case you missed it, Denzel Valentine had some harsh comments on Boylen before the game that kind of puts this whole lackluster, uninspired performance from this team as a whole into perspective.
“Whatever Happens to Him … Happens” – Denzel Valentine Had Some, Uh, Interesting Comments on His Head Coachhttps://t.co/7LmXR37YzI
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) March 7, 2020
Anyway, I don’t want to talk about the Bulls anymore. I’m running on fumes. Time to rest up, recharge, and do it all again on Sunday when the Bulls play the Nets. Yippie.
The Bulls will finish under .500 for the third straight season after finishing .500 or better in 12 of the previous 13 seasons (from 2004-05 to 2016-17).
— Jeff Mangurten (@JeffGurt) March 7, 2020