NEWSLETTER
What will come first – election results or an NBA start date?
• Today should be the day we finally get some clarity, as the NBPA is expected to vote and approve a proposal to start the 2020-21 season on December 22nd, which would include a free agency period that begins a couple of days after the November 18th draft and a training camp start on December 1st. The outcome isn’t exactly what players around the league had hoped for, but the pros of a pre-Christmas start appear to heavily outweigh the cons. As a mere fan, you can consider me rather pumped up. Basketball sooner than later – especially around the holidays – sounds great to me. At the same time, I hope this will all be done safely and with as little strain put on the players as possible. Such a quick turnaround might be fun for us viewers, but it will likely be pretty stressful for the league itself.
Things could move very quickly on an NBA return. https://t.co/LoUkKRwJWb
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) November 5, 2020
• Again, while this approval may not be exactly what certain players had in mind, I don’t expect a large showing of frustration. I have to imagine that as we get into the draft and free agency, most teams will be excited to tip-off the 2020-21 campaign. Although, no one is probably more eager than those eight teams originally left out of the bubble. Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said his team is already prepared to roll with a December 22nd start. I have to imagine the Bulls are on the brink of feeling the same. Players have recently been able to get into the Advocate Center for group workouts for the first time since the in-market bubble, which means there should be some much-needed on-court chemistry building being done behind the scenes. Then, when training camp starts on December 1st, the entire team should be able to finally implement their coaching staff’s new system. These guys haven’t played competitively in about nine months, so while I’m sure there is rust, there is also a ton of adrenaline.
• Bulls fans keep talking about LaMelo Ball. Some recent rumors have made it feel as if Ball could potentially fall to the Bulls at No. 4, but NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson has continued to report the organization believes it would take a trade-up to get the young star. Additionally, any trade up the draft board would likely come at the expense of a young piece like Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter Jr. The speculation is that both are still perceived as potential cornerstone pieces, and the new front office wants to further evaluate them before making a decision on their future in Chicago.
Opinions on LaMelo Ball vary drastically in NBA circleshttps://t.co/GuW07c4oRI
— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) November 5, 2020
• FWIW: I’m not a huge Ball guy. I believe he will be a lead guard for years to come, but I’m not sold on his superstar potential. I’m just not a huge fan of players who have had their character and work ethic called into question. On top of that, it’s not like there aren’t questions about his potential development. Other than his position size, can he become a decent defender? Will his shooting mechanics improve? Can his decision-making take a step in the right direction? Don’t get me wrong, I see the potential. I just don’t believe he’s worth a trade-up in this draft, particularly for the Bulls.
• Want to be reminded of all the bad GarPax trades on draft night? No? Too bad. The Chicago Tribune wrote about four of the franchise’s worst moves. Fortunately, based on Karnisovas’ reputation, these scary draft days should be behind us.
• The Athletic’s Darnell Mayberry wrote a great piece about what new assistant coach Maurice Cheeks can bring to the Bulls. I’m a big fan.
• Man, it’s crazy how players continue to be projected all over the draft board.
Teams believe Okongwu could go as high as 3 to Charlotte and won’t slip past Washington at 9. He’s the #3 player on my board. https://t.co/Iavhr9U5qG
— Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) November 5, 2020
• I’m always in for more Stacey King.
On the debut episode of @Stacey21King's GIMME THE HOT SAUCE with @MarkSchanowski the King reveals he's a dog lover… SPOILER WARNING!
Full Episode
iTunes https://t.co/J7olQyq8V7
Spotify https://t.co/1DnsrGUAnB
Podbean https://t.co/Xtxp71aOxy pic.twitter.com/sMVmybELZz— Bears Barroom (@BearsBarroom) November 5, 2020
