NEWSLETTER
The NBA playoffs start today.
The Draft Lottery is in three days.
The Bulls are in the midst of a coaching search.
Life is good.
(lol jk, life still kind of totally sucks. Please, wear a mask)
• To be blunt, I’ll probably get irrationally excited about cliche Arturas Karnisovas quotes for at least another six months. Considering we’re dealing with an organization that has struggled to say and do the right thing for years on end, I find this reaction rather justified. And, for what it’s worth, other than taking a long ass time to decide what felt inevitable with Jim Boylen, Arturas Karnisovas has hit all the right notes. Production will ultimately be what matters, but his continued commentary about completely changing the culture and avoiding an entirely new rebuild should have fans all kinds of optimistic.
• In an interview on 670 The Score’s Mully & Haugh show this morning, Kanisovas emphasized that he believes in this roster as currently constructed, and the goal is to bring forth change while simultaneously growing increasingly competitive. You can listen to the full interview here.
"I went through the roster and I liked what I saw… I feel like the core of this team is great. By adding another pick, we're going to look at FA and have one or two other players, I think it's a great situation we're in." – Arturas Karnisovas on @mullyhaugh
Sounds good to me.
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) August 17, 2020
• Whether or not Karnisovas truly views this young core as “great” is up for debate. Relationship building is a fundamental part of his success, which means he isn’t going to come out swinging against his players. However, I really do believe he likes several pieces on the Bulls roster. Karnisovas has talked about establishing a style of play that is pass-happy and quick. With Coby White and Zach LaVine in the backcourt, along with floor-running bigs like Markkanen, Carter Jr., and Gafford, there is no reason this team can’t play with one of the league’s highest PACE (they finished 16th this season) next season. Additionally, while LaVine and White may not be true facilitators, Carter Jr. and Markkanen both possess a solid passing ability for their position. Not everyone on this young core will be part of the Bulls long term plans, but I think Karnisovas likes what he has because he knows he can find at least a couple of pieces that fit his vision.
• As for Karnisovas’ line about targeting one or two free agents, I’ll say this: Don’t get too excited. The team will likely add some veteran role players, specifically at the wing. The Bulls only have the non-taxpayer MLE, which is estimated to be about $9.2 million (assuming the league smooths the salary cap and keeps things close to 2019’s numbers). Karnisovas can sign a couple of guys to multi-year contracts with that money if he wants, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bulls opt for just two one-and-done players with all the cap space they’re expected to have in 2021. For more on the salary cap situation, check this out. And for more on possible FA additions that fit the Bulls budget, click here.
• The plan to sign one or two free agents does tell us a couple of things: (1) The Bulls and Kris Dunn may not be in store for a reunion and (2) Karnisovas is likely serious about his intentions to compete for a playoff spot next season. Despite an entirely new front office, the Bulls shouldn’t be entering another rebuilding phase. Especially if the FA signings are some more veteran pieces, it’ll be pretty clear that Karnisovas cares quite a bit about improving the win-loss column this season.
• Karnisovas also said during his interview that he must get to know the players on a personal level so he can “hold them accountable.” With this next season still serving as an important evaluation period, players probably know that if they don’t show progress, Karnisovas will not hesitate to find a better answer. For a young team like this, that’s not a bad message to get across. In fact, it could be the perfect motivation for someone like Lauri Markkanen to get back on track.
• The Athletic’s Shams Charania says to expect a long Bulls coaching search, which is fine by me. Is it too much to ask for a coach that can last more than three seasons?
Jim Boylen is OUT and the Bulls search for a new head coach is officially on. Our Insider @ShamsCharania with more on the move… #BullsNation // #NBATwitter pic.twitter.com/OOoY1bNhC9
— Stadium (@Stadium) August 17, 2020
• The Boylen hate is over on BN Bulls. Good luck in the future, Jim. I’m sure he’ll land another assistant gig somewhere in the NBA … as long as it’s nowhere near Chicago.
For the first time since his firing, Jim Boylen speaks https://t.co/U3dXIIuQsh
— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) August 17, 2020
• IT’S GOING DOWN! I’M YELLING TIMBERRRRRR!
Absolutely no one:
The 2013 NBA Playoffs:
pic.twitter.com/XzMeyCUC5Q— Chris Montano (@gswchris) August 17, 2020
• This is dope.
Whatever happens, happens…
The 2020 NBA playoffs are here! pic.twitter.com/RskMVcKluA
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 17, 2020
