Risks of Jumping Right Into the Playoffs, Withholding Player Salaries, Bulls Dogs, and Other Bulls Bullets

Name a sexier city?

I’ll wait.

  • Do you know what’s easier than working out? Sitting on the couch, eating snacks, binging Netflix, and getting up only to get more snacks. I’m sure plenty of folks workout at home, but a lot of people also head to the gym on the daily to stay in shape. Not to mention, with everyone in quarantine-mode, it’s hard to find the drive to pump some iron (or whatever you do). I’ve thought about this a lot recently when it comes to the NBA’s eventual return. If the season resumes sometime over the next three months, how can the league ensure all the players will remain in playing shape? I mean, it would be pretty dumb to jump right into playoff-caliber basketball when no one has competed against each other in months. I’m sure many assume each NBA player has their house decked out with the necessary workout equipment, but I wouldn’t necessarily say that’s the case. And, in general, as much as these guys want to work out by themselves, nothing compares to in-game action (hence the need for training camp and preseason games). Anyway, Bleacher Report’s Ric Bucher writes a bit more about this odd dilemma, speaking with Memphis Grizzlies forward Anthony Tolliver about what he plans to do.
  • With the league unsure about whether they will jump straight to the playoffs or continue the regular season, it’s probably also hard for players to gauge how important it is to stay ready. I’ll be interested to see how the Bulls use the next several weeks, and if we get any inkling of how they choose to stay in shape (remember, all facilities are now closed to players and team personnel). Based on LaVine’s recent video with his doggo, and his numerous offseason workout videos, we know he at least has a pretty good set up to keep a good workout regimen going. For rookies like Coby White and Daniel Gafford though (whom I assume are sheltered up in an apartment building somewhere in the city), this will all certainly be a challenge.
  • The longterm impact of this suspension will be an ongoing storyline worth following. Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus speaks with HoopsHype Alex Kennedy about the possible trouble the league could run into down the road.
  • Recently, we heard about the league possible enacting the Force Majeure provision, which would mean withholding payment from players for missed or canceled games. According to Pincus, it appears taking money away from the players in any way is a last resort, but with how much money the league is projected to lose, I honestly wouldn’t be too surprised to see this strongly considered in the coming weeks.
  • Remember when we got to watch this kind of stuff at the United Center on a nightly basis?
  • Yesterday, I relieved Derrick Rose’s insane buzzer-beater against the Cavs in the Eastern Conference Semifinals back in 2015. Go ahead and take a walk down memory lane with me:
  • Zach LaVine does everything in 3’s (also, LOL at Meyers Leonard’s comment).
  • DUNKAPALOOZA.
  • I swear MJ could fly.
  • Nothing can help take the sorrow away like some dog content!
  • 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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