NEWSLETTER
The NFL Draft is tonight, which means it is a good time to remind everyone to follow our coverage at BN Bears! Luis always does an awesome job over there on draft night, and he also already has a ton of player profiles out for you to study before the Bears are on the clock. Follow the coverage on Twitter here and Facebook here.
Also, in case you missed the big news: Fans will be allowed back in the United Center before the end of the season!
• Throughout the Bulls extended rebuild, I’ve often found solace in the following: “At least the Knicks aren’t good.” With another major market team in the depths of despair, it at least felt like the Bulls weren’t alone. Also, considering how hard the Knicks have Knicks’ed over the years, it felt like the Bulls could at least claw their way back to relevancy before their franchise did. Yet, here we are. The Knicks are the East’s 4th-best team, and they just handed the Bulls a 113-94 loss to further crush Chicago’s postseason hopes. And to add insult to injury, the Knicks have three members of the iconic early 2010s Bulls, including head coach Tom Thibideau, Derrick Rose, and Taj Gibson.
• Even more annoying, the Knicks might as well be what we all hoped the Bulls would be in 2020-21. Perhaps their styles of plays would have never matched (after all, Donovan isn’t the defense-junkie Thibs tends to be), but the story arc could have. We hoped the Bulls would be the underdog team with a new head coach and new front office that snuck into the middle of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. We hoped the Bulls would have the mix of vets and young high-upside talent that could take teams by surprise. Not to mention, we hoped their first-time All-Star would be the one to finally taste postseason action. There is still a world where the Bulls catch up next season, but it’s just a bit frustrating that another team has surpassed them in this relevancy race.
• The Wizards victory last night pushed them back to a 2.0 game lead over the Bulls. With Cleveland up next for Washington and Milwaukee up next for Chicago, it feels like only a matter of time before we see that number turn to 3.0 games.
• Speaking of the Wizards, Daniel Gafford and Chandler Hutchison went viral on Wednesday for two INSANE dunks on the Lakers.
MEANWHILE IN DC … https://t.co/v5hfFffpBu
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) April 29, 2021
• Today officially marks two full weeks that LaVine has been in the NBA’s Health and Safety Protocols. Donovan said before last night’s game that, while they are hopeful to get positive news soon, LaVine will at least be out the remainder of this week.
There’s Still No Date Set for Zach LaVine’s Return, But Hope is on the Horizonhttps://t.co/j3NIHxG4UP
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) April 28, 2021
• Once again, I’ll say this: At least we have Vooch.
Nikola Vucevic has his 33rd 20-point, 10-rebound game of the season. Only Giannis Antetokounmpo (35) has more this season.
— Jeff Mangurten (@JeffGurt) April 29, 2021
• While the Bulls might very well be on the cusp of a worst-case-scenario post-trade deadline situation, we should at least remember that no matter what … they have Nikola Vucevic moving forward. At the end of the day, his presence alone makes their potential for next season light-years better. Against one of the most physical and defensively savvy teams in the league, the man still dropped 26 points with 18 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks. Give him and LaVine an offseason to work together, and give this front office an offseason to improve the overall roster talent, and there is still reason to believe tomorrow will be a brighter day in Chicago.
• One of those improvements from Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley NEEDS to be at point guard. The Bulls finished with 17 turnovers to the Knicks four. I used to be all the way off the Lonzo Ball bandwagon, but I’m buckled in and happily sticking my head out the window now. The Bulls need a gifted passer with a high IQ, the ability to hit the open kick-out 3-pointer, and the ability to guard the perimeter. Ball checks all those boxes, and this front office should prioritize acquiring him this summer.
The 4 turnovers ties the fewest the Bulls have forced in a game in franchise history. https://t.co/jQSmKMBwDT
— Jeff Mangurten (@JeffGurt) April 29, 2021
• Let’s end these bullets with a good old fashion … REFS SUCK!
oh this isn't a foul anymore pic.twitter.com/rJPWxqQc5c
— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) April 29, 2021
