NEWSLETTER
GO BEARS. EXTEND ALLEN ROBINSON.
• The GOAT always wins.
https://twitter.com/espn/status/1307533059068227587?s=20
• All things considered, the docuseries category had some tough competition this season. The Last Dance beat out Netflix’s Tiger King, HBO’s McMillion$, Hulu’s Hillary, and PBS’ American Masters for the tiny metal man. The win marks ESPN’s first in the docuseries category and it’s sixth Primetime Emmy overall, per The Hollywood Reporter. Victory aside, I’m sure this series would be remembered by many for a long time, but this further legitimizes the impact of this 10-part event. Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls had the world in the palm of their hand in the 90s, and they managed to do it all over again 20+ years later. Pretty darn amazing.
• The NBA is just better when the Bulls are good, and we have the Jordan-era to thank for that. With that said, I simply hate the conversation that players are afraid to come to the Windy City and play in the GOAT’s shadow – especially nowadays. While he certainly put this franchise on the map and set a winning expectation, he’s no longer a point of comparison. If a big-time player came to Chicago and helped flip the recent script, they would be met with the best basketball atmosphere in the NBA. The real reason we have yet to see someone come aboard is because of the previously weak organizational structure. The league has only grown more competitive over the years, and the Bulls poor leadership has resulted in several missed-opportunities along the way. To say players aren’t interested in coming to Chicago is flat-out wrong. Legendary guys like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, and Tracy McGrady were all connected to the franchise at some point in the prime of their career. The problem is that over the past two decades, the Bulls have not only acted like a small-market team but have lacked the front office savvy to get the right deal done. What this has done is set an ugly reputation around the league – one that doesn’t put them at the top of most free-agent’s desired destinations list.
• The question now is how soon soon can Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley established a new image? Is there presence enough? Let’s hope so. Chicago will be in another position to land a franchise-changing player one offseason from now, so Karnisovas and Eversley will have to use this next season to prove this is a new Bulls team – on and off the court. How can they do that? Hire the right coach. Show some player development. Make a couple of solid trades. Produce happy players. In other words, don’t look stupid. We don’t need to see a massive playoff-bound turnaround for this Bulls team for them to hit a home run in free agency next offseason, we just need to see a change of pace.
• The $28.5 million man is in Chicago.
According to his Instagram, Chicago Bulls forward Otto Porter Jr is back in Chicago and working out at the Advocate Center.
Otto has until next month to inform the Bulls if he wants to pick up his $28.5 million option.
Otto has played in only 29 of the 93 games for the Bulls.
— Daniel Greenberg (@ChiSportUpdates) September 18, 2020
• I texted this in one of my Bulls group chats the other day – I would arguably consider this season a win if the Bulls can trade Otto Porter. If he is on a contender by season’s end, that means he bounced back, finally stayed healthy, and reminded folks that he’s one of the better 3-and-D wings in the NBA. A return for him could be solid.
• Also, for what it’s worth, I feel bad for Porter. Er, well, I do and I don’t. The guy is the highest-paid player on the roster despite playing only 29 of 93 games so that ruffles my feathers (you don’t have feathers?). On the other hand, he’s a legitimately good player who will not be remembered that way in Chicago. Porter would be a great piece to a winning Bulls team, and – if healthy – I’m sure he’d be a fan favorite. All I’m saying is, don’t be surprised if/when he joins a winning team and plays some great ball.
• Change “two more” to “one more.”
Two more days until the Bulls get to ball together at the Advocate Center. Wish we could watch.
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) September 20, 2020
