NEWSLETTER
Did you see last night’s breaking news? You didn’t!? Oh my goodness, hurry, look!
https://twitter.com/BN_Bulls/status/1390447154427305984?s=20
• Yup, that’s right, Patrick Williams showed emotion. In the first quarter after sinking an off-balance and-one reverse layup, Williams appeared to leave the ground for a little awkward leap of glee. Maybe he thought he was far enough along the baseline where the cameras wouldn’t pick him up, but he was mistaken. The jig is up, Pat. We know you can feel happiness.
• Williams scored seven of the team’s first 17 points in their 120-99 win over the Hornets last night, all of which came within 4ft of the basket. His aggressive start paced the Bulls to their first 30-point first quarter since playing the Hornets on April 22nd. The team shot 13-25 from the field and 5-9 from downtown to start the game, and that efficient performance set the tone for the remainder of the night. When the final buzzer sounded, the Bulls finished 50.8 percent from the field and 48.6 from three. The Bulls’ 18 makes from behind the arc were their most since February 10th.
https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1390637538507849732?s=20
• Before we mention the LaVooch effect, I do think we need to factor in the Bulls’ two-day break. The team actually got to practice on Wednesday due to having their first full 48 hours off since March 25-26th. Head coach Billy Donovan noted this in his postgame press conference when asked about the team’s crisp style of play: “I do think yesterday was helpful,” he said twice to reporters. The lackluster play since the trade deadline doesn’t at all receive a free pass, but I do think this is something we have to keep in mind when we think back to why the end of this season crumbled. Adding five new players into the mix with zero practice time makes life hard. Then, factor in the absence of your best player for 12 games (plus the games he played on a bad ankle), and life is harder.
• The most important reason we saw a re-energized Bulls team, however, is because of the LaVooch boost. The return of both All-Stars undoubtedly took this team’s confidence level up a bit. Vuceic finished with a dominant 29 points and 14 rebounds (SIX of which were offensive). LaVine may have only added 13 points and 2 assists (Donovan limited his playing stints), but his presence alone helped remind this team how competitive they can be. Thaddeus Young spoke to this in his postgame conversation with Adam Amin and Stacey King, and Vucevic shouted it out in his conversation with reporters:
That was huge. Obviously, we’re a much different team with Zach out there … He opens up so much for everybody else with just having him out there, so just a great boost for everyone mentally too. We’re just very happy to have him back. I thought tonight we played a great game, and I think that helped kind of motivating us and getting us ready to play with having him back, so hopefully we continue that way.
• LaVine seemed just as happy to be around his teammates as they were to have him around.
Zach LaVine, with an ear-to-ear grin, said it felt “real good” to be back playing after ~ three-week absence. Added he got “real tired” too.
— Rob Schaefer (@rob_schaef) May 7, 2021
• Over the years, LaVine’s leadership has been questioned. All signs have pointed to the fact that he isn’t one to get too loud on the court of behind the scenes. Instead, LaVine has always appeared to be more of a lead-by-example kind of guy. He works his ass off in the team facilities and during the offseason. He always takes responsibility for the team’s shortcomings in the postgame press conferences. And he will fight to make the right play whenever the going gets tough. The All-Star has made comments in the past about working on his vocal leadership skills, and while it’s hard to say from the outside whether or not he has made strides in the department this season, I do think moments like this show us that he has. After all, the team would not have looked that energized if they didn’t view LaVine as a worthwhile leader.
• Things you love to see:
#Bulls were +10 when Nikola Vucevic and Zach LaVine shared the court tonight.
They were out there together for about 18 minutes as their substitution patterns were a little different.
— Cody Westerlund (@CodyWesterlund) May 7, 2021
The Bulls have broken their sub-100 point scoring drought at 4 games (with 11 minutes to spare).
Only the Cavs (9 straight) had a longer such run all season.
— Jeff Mangurten (@JeffGurt) May 7, 2021
• LaMelo Ball went 1-10 with only 4 points last night. “IS THIS YOUR KING (AKA ROOKIE OF THE YEAY!?)” – Patrick Williams (probably)
• So … are we watching a new Coby White? Starting alongside LaVine and Vucevic for the first time, White looked like a competent lead guard. He continued the same kind of improved play we saw over the last 11 games, finishing the night with 14 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds. I’m VERY curious to see how he closes out the season with this group. No, I don’t think the Bulls would decide to revisit him as the starting point guard next season with a strong finish, but it could help them better understand his role moving forward.
• Can we hire Roy Williams as an assistant coach? Or just pay him to sit at every game so White feels good?
A certain retired basketball coach showed up 40 minutes before Hornets tip-off. Guessing he will keep a close eye on Coby White tonight. pic.twitter.com/1xyS1N9fMS
— Rick Bonnell (@rick_bonnell) May 6, 2021
• Can you tattoo a video onto your face?
https://twitter.com/BN_Bulls/status/1390470764109910019?s=20
