NEWSLETTER
Writing something down often helps me commit things to memory, so … USE MORE CHAPSTICK (Michael: No! It’s a scam. That’s just what big chapstick wants you to think.)
K. Let’s see if that works.
• This tweet = unfair. The point = fair.
Certainly, but given part of the value for the trade was how it could help this year's playoff chances, LaVine's injury helps undermine that.https://t.co/Xq0b5GUEQt
— Kevin Pelton (@kpelton) April 2, 2021
• The records alone don’t tell the whole story. The Bulls have played the Spurs, Warriors, and Suns over this recent stretch. Not to mention, LaVine missed the Suns game after playing hurt in the first two contents. We also can’t help but factor in the kind of talent the Bulls added. While the Magic have a handful of new players, they didn’t add someone as individually impactful as Nikola Vucevic. There is just going to be a larger adjustment period when a team has to incorporate a high-usage player, especially when that team is built around ball/player movement. Meanwhile, the Magic have played the Lakers (L), Clippers (W), and Pelicans (W) since the trade. The Lakers are currently without LeBron James and Anthony Davis and have lost five of their last seven games (only wins against Magic and Cavaliers). The Clippers win is solid for this Magic team since Kawhi Leonard played, but we should also note the Clippers took the court without several key players, including Paul George, Serge Ibaka, and Patrick Beverley. As for the Pelicans win: The Bulls beat them twice this season, so I’m unimpressed.
• Look, I’m not trying to take anything away from the Magic. The fact they are 2-1 with their new players is encouraging for a rebuilding organization desperate to find workable pieces. I’m more just trying to make sure we remember the context. The Bulls could easily be on a seven-game losing streak after tonight (Jazz) and Sunday (Nets), which I’m sure will send some fans and analysts into a very premature “this trade was a bust” frenzy. However, anyone who just gave a tiny peek at the schedule beforehand should have seen the losses stacking up. And now we have to factor in the unfortunate timing of the LaVine injury. Anyway, if you want to bash the pre-deadline Bulls for losing to the Cavaliers and blowing double-digit fourth-quarter leads to the Nuggets and Spurs, be my guest. This current version of the team, though, got dealt a crappy hand to start.
• Ok, so Pelton’s point about the Bulls playoff hopes is totally fair. Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley did take a risk with this move, and they had to know that with the immediate schedule looking the way it did, that there was a possibility things could get worse before they get better. That’s what’s happening. Is there enough time to move up the standings and lock in a playoff/play-in spot? Absolutely, particularly next week when the following stretch begins: Pacers, Raptors, Hawks, Timberwolves, Grizzlies, Magic, Grizzlies, Cavaliers, Celtics, and Cavaliers. Still, potentially started 0-5 with a new team – regardless of circumstance – is objectively bad for a playoff push.
(Michael: And, remember, Vuc is under team control for two more seasons. So this trade was about helping out the Bulls this year, yes, but also about the next two years. You can get star-level players only when they’re available, and Vuc was clearly available now. Even if the Bulls miss the postseason this year, this trade makes sense for the near-term goals of this organization. Period.)
• The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor gave one hell of a breakdown on rookie Patrick Williams. He touches on his fit alongside Vucevic and LaVine, as well as why he has the tools to become a true star. If you weren’t hyped about him already (if that is the case, you’re probably a robot that fails to process emotion), this video will surely do the trick.
LaVooch could be special, but @KevinOConnorNBA thinks Patrick Willams holds the keys to make the Bulls true contenders. #TheVoidNBA
➡️: https://t.co/kvez5OqDRa pic.twitter.com/lUtKrobEcT
— The Ringer (@ringer) April 1, 2021
• And after you watch that, you can read up on Williams’ quest to become an elite defender.
Patrick Williams Made It Clear: “I Just Want to Guard the Best Player Every Night”https://t.co/eWCH6yWyjh
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) April 1, 2021
• *Quickly hops in a time machine that definitely exists and goes back to 1985 to buy OG Jordans for $65*
The shoe that started it all.
36 years ago today, the iconic Air Jordan 1s were released for $65. pic.twitter.com/iUFo6Jm7US
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) April 1, 2021
• I’m sharing this again because why the hell not.
INTERCEPTED BY THE ROOKIE.@NBCSChicago | @PatrickLW4 pic.twitter.com/as3YsmX91e
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) April 1, 2021
