NEWSLETTER
Note to self: Stop waiting so long to get a haircut that, once you finally do, you startle myself in the bathroom mirror. Sorry, I needed to write that down somewhere.
Now, let’s talk about that bouncy orange ball!
• If it didn’t feel like Bulls basketball was back before, it certainly does now. The first day of training camp tipped-off yesterday with Zach LaVine, Lauri Markkanen, Billy Donovan, and Arturas Karnisovas all sitting down for extended interviews. While each sold their own brand of optimism for the 2020-21 season, they all expressed similar excitement in the franchise’s new era that began this offseason. All things considered, Donovan and Karnisovas were the most valuable listens of the day. Both were refreshingly boring in their remarks (ya know, instead of totally enraging), and for more info on what each had to say, you can click here (Donovan) or here (Karisovas).
• I’ll say this, Zach LaVine certainly sounds like a superstar. The way he has carried himself in interviews over the past year or so has been admirable. He is easily the best interview on the team right now, and he never fails to show the right mix of confidence and candor. With that said, it’s one thing to talk like a superstar, and it’s another to be a superstar. LaVine hasn’t even reached the “All-Star” level yet, and he’ll have to continue his steady improvement yet again this season to hope he reaches it. What would that next step look like? Well, added effort on the defensive end and more help in the playmaking department would help. LaVine mentioned both areas in his conversation with reporters on Tuesday, so let’s hope he can turn those words into actions.
Zach LaVine: “As the leader of the team, I want to adjust on the flow of the game and win basketball games. For me it’s do whatever is necessary – I want to come into camp as the most conditioned guy, make sure that whatever the role I have to take, I’ll be ready for it.” pic.twitter.com/iz5t7MQ0FM
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 1, 2020
• What you’re about to read is what the kids call “shade:”
Zach on the new staff/front office: "It's just a different energy… I see them every day. We have conversations, not just basketball opinions. They're willing to change and hear people's opinions, and that's something different than it was in the past." pic.twitter.com/dBqJDQTAMg
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 1, 2020
• In several ways, this offseason, the Bulls truly became the exact opposite of who they used to be. Whether or not it will remain that way with this same ownership group at the helm is a question that can only be answered at a later date. The Bulls were an organization that relied on the same infrastructure for roughly 20 years. In other words, they were stuck in their ways, and they became the epitome of predictable (when [insert player here] got hurt … ). All signs point to this new front office working in a rather unpredictable manner as well as an ever-changing one. Donovan is known for his ability to adapt to differing line-ups, and Karnisovas demonstrated plenty of times in his previous organization that he isn’t afraid to move roster pieces around. The change thus far may be coming in waves, but it should be far more consistent than in years past.
• Lauri Markkanen is like my old dog Jack, he just won’t let me love him. The lack of any real consistency has made the ride with Markkanen a queasy one. Many NBA analysts around the league agree that the 23-year-old has an All-Star-caliber skillset, but every time we’ve seen the big man tap into it … BOOM … he has 7 points and 4 rebounds. Fortunately, Markkanen seems to know that consistency has been arguably his greatest weakness, which means hopefully it’s something he will confront head-on over the next few weeks.
Lauri: “I’ve got to go out and perform at a high level consistently. That’s what I have to do… I go into the season with high expectations and I’m really motivated to go out there and perform at a high level.” pic.twitter.com/kbD3S1zb3K
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 1, 2020
• In other BIG Markkanen news …
Lauri Markkanen Is “Putting Some Pressure” on His Agent to Work Out an Extension https://t.co/mMiu9jq2iN
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) December 1, 2020
• At the end of the day, I just hope the Bulls can approach the start of this new season the same way one would approach a mini-golf date with their crush: Just don’t embarrass yourself. The plan isn’t necessarily to look way better than your competition, but it also isn’t to smack the ball of the gnome’s nose and into a baby stroller (which, thankful, doesn’t contain a baby at the time). The real goal is to simply look competent and leave your date believing there is something there.
• While it’s not yet official, it appears that Bulls legend Joakim Noah is headed toward retirement. The man was truly a one of a kind NBA personality, and the response to his potential retirement over Twitter demonstrated the kind of impact he had on this league. Let’s wrap up these bullets with some Joakim love:
An appreciation for covering Joakim Noah’s nine seasons with the Bulls: https://t.co/usetjuaHmt
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) December 2, 2020
Salute to Joakim Noah. Absolutely loved watching that dude in his prime. Ferocious competitor who cares about the right things. https://t.co/jAZdB7kWuH
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) December 2, 2020
https://twitter.com/johnhollinger/status/1334116736455618560?s=20
Watching prime Joakim Noah highlights and transcending to a higher plane of existence pic.twitter.com/Aj67Us54Xj
— Ricky O'Donnell (@SBN_Ricky) December 2, 2020
Shouts out to maybe the most complete package of the NBA's Blog Era: part goofball, part killer, part earnest humanist; a whirling dervish of elbows, knees, knuckleball Js, needle-threading passes, fingerguns + full-throat howls who just never, ever stopped. A legit joy. https://t.co/gelhkLJizb
— Dan Devine (@YourManDevine) December 2, 2020
With all due respect to Evan Turner, Joakim Noah would be at the top of my list of players making the jump this year to coaching roles.
Thibs, get him on the phone https://t.co/gTBzqsGddA
— Dave DuFour (@DaveDuFourNBA) December 2, 2020
Joakim Noah wound up being one of the most popular Bulls of the post-Jordan era. Noah’s competitive spirit, tireless work ethic, and generous work in the community made him a fan favorite. Hopefully he’ll have a role with the organization at some point down the road. https://t.co/OWy6beKbpc
— Mark Schanowski (@MarkSchanowski) December 2, 2020
Without question I will cherish my time I spent with @JoakimNoah An incredible person with a huge heart. Wherever his journey takes him, Chicago and the @chicagobulls family and fans will always love him. The best to you ! Thank you ! pic.twitter.com/K4LIOpiLCG
— chuck swirsky (@ctsbulls) December 2, 2020
•2x All-Star
•2013-14 All-NBA First Team
•2013-14 DPOY
•2015 Citizenship Award
•Best soundbite in the NBA
•All heartJoakim Noah will always be a Bulls legend for what he did on and off the court pic.twitter.com/QE6HrAm8Nh
— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) December 2, 2020
