NEWSLETTER
Tomorrow night might not be the basketball we want, but it’s the basketball we’ll take. GIVE ME THEM HOOPS!
• The Chicago Bulls will play their first preseason game Friday night against the Houston Rockets. The matchup will not only be the first game under a revamped front office and coaching staff but also the first game of any kind in 276 days. The game will surely feel a whole lot different than that contest on March 10th, however. Chicago and Houston will play inside an empty United Center, and the team reportedly practiced inside the arena instead of at the Advocate Center on Wednesday to become a bit more accustomed to the new atmosphere.
https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1337044970218401797?s=20
• Whoa, whoa, whoa! Is that what I think it is? Did I just see Lauri Markkanen actually dribbling a basketball AND Zach LaVine shooting a mid-range jumper!? I don’t know where the hell Jim Boylen is right now, but I can assure you he is shaking his fist and questioning this team’s soul. BULLS ACROSS THE CHEST! PREPARE THE BABY FOR THE ROAD! LUKE KORNET IS ROBERT HORRY! *INSERT OTHER JIM BOYLENISM!*
• NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson published another famous mailbag Thursday morning, and he spent a lot of time talking about Lauri Markkanen’s future in Chicago. Thanks to interviews with Arturas Karnisovas and Markkanen at training camp, we’ve learned both are optimistic about a potential long-term extension being done before the December 21st deadline. Many of us, myself included, have questioned whether or not the two sides could come to terms on a deal after the concerning season Markkanen had in 2019-20. His value has certainly diminished, and I expect the front office started negotiations with a rather unimpressive number. Meanwhile, Markkanen’s camp is surely selling future potential for the 23-year-old, recently misused forward.
• I’ve been wondering for months whether anyone will budge. And, now, from the sound of it, Johnson seems to believe it could be Markkanen who settles: “Here’s what I’m basing that guess on: Markkanen and his family love living in Chicago and playing for the Bulls. I’m not saying he’s going to take a massive hometown discount. But I do think long-term security in the place he wants to be may mean something more to him than chasing every last dollar.” If it’s a team-friendly deal, consider me all-in.
• Another interesting, and encouraging, comment from Johnson’s mailbag: “I expect this roster to look substantially different entering next season.” I know that is kind of the expectation for all of us, but I find it to always be a refreshing thing to hear, particularly when it comes from someone so close to the team. Truthfully, I have not been concerned about the lack of roster moves over the last couple of months. While I understand this is the most obvious change that can occur, we shouldn’t forget the massive amount of change that happened behind the scenes this offseason. I mean, internally, this organization does have an entirely new “roster.” You can’t just start with changing the players, you first need to find the new people that will then find the new talent.
• The one thing I do disagree with Johnson about is the following comment: “This is completely my opinion, but I don’t think the record will determine whether Karnišovas makes changes.” Actually, I find it to be almost the opposite. The record should have a direct influence on the roster movement. If the team is winning, the front office is bound to feel more optimistic about some of the pieces currently in place. If the team is losing in a normal fashion, the front office should be more prone to make even faster and bigger changes. To be clear, I don’t expect this team to have a winning record this season, but I do expect them to be on a better trajectory than 2019-20. So, when I talk about “winning,” that’s closer to what I’m referring to (in other words, on a clear track to win several more games than last season). I just want to see some active decision-making over the course of the season. Give the players you buy into increased playing time and then look for trade partners for the rest.
• Sam Smith wrote about Coby White’s “most improved player” chances in his latest over at Bulls.com. He also said that the second-year point guard continues to be arguably the most attractive talent in training camp.
Coby: "I want to be the head point guard."
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 10, 2020
• Great Q&A from Darnell Mayberry of at The Athletic. I’m so ready for a breakout season from Carter Jr.
https://twitter.com/DarnellMayberry/status/1337067974545510402?s=20
• Shaq may never have been a big part of the gameplan during his Bulls tenure, but he was always fun to watch. I look forward to seeing what else he can do around the league.
Thank you Shaq! Best wishes in Utah! ✊ pic.twitter.com/SgBkE6mbWd
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 10, 2020
• Two more title contenders? Who woulda thunk it!
James Harden Adds the Bucks and Heat to His “OMG Please Just Trade Me” Listhttps://t.co/KKiKkW7lB9
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) December 10, 2020
