Lit a cauldron candle and watched Hocus Pocus last night. We are in full October mode over here at the Schuster residence.
• We’re only a couple games away from the NBA wrapping up a wildly successful bubble. Not a single positive test truly found it’s way into the Orlando campus since July, and the NBA, once again, has proven it’s arguably the most well-run league in professional sports. However, when this season comes to a close, we can’t pretend like Commissioner Adam Silver and Co. have it all figured out. The next couple of months will thrust all of us into yet another deep unknown. The NBA news cycle will likely be filled with conflicting reports and non-stop speculation as the league and players association try to solve the skyscraper-sized pile of obstacles that stand between them and the 2020-21 campaign.
• The league cannot do a bubble for an entire season. Not only would this prove massively straining on the players themselves, but it would have large-scale financial implications. For that reason, we’ve seen the league further push back the expected start-date for next season. The longer the league waits, the more likely it is the pandemic is under control. And, of course, less risk of transmission means the opportunity to house more fans – who account for a good chunk of revenue. Anyway, The Athletic’s Sam Amick walks us through what the next couple of months could look like as the NBA tries to better understand their future, and I recommend giving it a read.
• Meanwhile, individual teams will be focusing on the 2020 NBA Draft, which is currently set for November 18th. The Chicago Bulls have been hard at work for the last couple of months interviewing prospects, but we have yet to learn which top-ranked players the team has spoken to. Could that be intentional??
Bulls Continue to Do Their Due Diligence as the NBA Draft Conversations Heat Uphttps://t.co/h3WUUfwYWh
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) October 1, 2020
• The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie reminded us of something very important in his latest draft big board: A winning team must have wing depth. Believe it or not (*he said with loaded sarcasm*), the Bulls roster is in desperate need of both those things. The Bulls have relied on two injury-prone players at the wing in Otto Porter and Chandler Hutchison. While I suppose it’s possible this team could find some success with a three-guard lineup next season, thanks to the size of guards like Coby White and Tomas Satoransky (not to mention, Donovan ran a very successful three-guard lineup last season in OKC), the team needs more reliable depth in this area. Again, I know you don’t draft for need, but Deni Avdija and Isaac Okoro are two solid prospects who could give this Bulls roster a much-needed boost. Both also check another box Vecenie had, which is the ability to play and cover multiple positions. If the Bulls do not fill this need in the draft, though, I’d expect them to do so in free agency. The team doesn’t have a lot of spending power, but it’s enough to bolster the SF position off the bench.
• Sooooooo … Billy is in Chicago? Interesting.
Bulls HC Billy Donovan is in Chicago and ate at Chicago Cut Steakhouse.
Smart guy. pic.twitter.com/XwX1GS0giX
— Daniel Greenberg (@ChiSportUpdates) October 2, 2020
• As a reminder, Donovan said he would not join the team in the bubble due to poor timing. I don’t necessarily think this changes anything, but perhaps it means he can begin to meet with players and coaches once they finish up next week? Something to watch.
• If Jordan played today, we’d be watching him in the Finals tonight.
This Michael Jordan would still have the quickest first step in todays game for a wing.
So far ahead of his time. Freak of nature, but so skilled. pic.twitter.com/gUhA0kb5I7
— Ball Don't Stop (@balldontstop) October 1, 2020
• Oh, you’re still doing a coaching search? That’s so two weeks ago.
It is not a forgone conclusion that Ty Lue will end up as the Clippers' next head coach, according to @wojespn.
"I'm told he's going to meet with New Orleans soon. Houston wants to talk him." pic.twitter.com/oQKsxOIeJD
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) October 2, 2020
• Uh, can I come over?
New FO, new coach and last but not least, man cave finally COMPLETE! I’m so pumped, bring on the new season already @chicagobulls !! @Bulls_Peck you dig the Joakim tribute? 😉 pic.twitter.com/stMzzmNof3
— Alex (@alex_h_hoops) October 1, 2020