NEWSLETTER
The Girlfriend and I were given some tickets to last night’s Milwaukee Bucks game, so rather than let those go to waste, we hit up the Fiserv Forum.
We had a great time, no doubt, but I’d be lying if I said I could tell you what happened in that game. Like the obsessed man I am, I had the Bulls battle with the Celtics running on my phone practically the entire time. Sorry not sorry.
• So do you think the Bulls were happy to have fans back in the building?
It was actually really kind of nice. I think there was some noise boosted in with them, but it was great. I thought you could definitely hear the crowd. It was good to have fans back in our place … I think the guys enjoyed it, more importantly. – Billy Donovan
It’s a night and day difference. Even just 3,500, or however many they had tonight, just makes a huge difference. Fans are a huge part of what we do, and I know we thrive off them. I know Chicago always has great crowds. Actually, in my first year in Philly, we played here in the playoffs and I know it was a great atmosphere, and also over the years with the Magic. It was great to have them back. It gave us a boost. – Nikola Vucevic
Yeah, especially when it’s your own crowd, and you haven’t seen them in so long. And we all know how much Bulls fans and Bulls Nation come out to support. It was great to see fans in the arena. – Zach LaVine
It was fun, man. The fans were lit tonight. They were excited. You could tell they were excited to be back, and we were excited to have them. It’s a lot easier to go on runs when you got people behind you. – Coby White
• The United Center did welcome a limited number of guests for the Bulls’ previous contest against the 76ers, but last night was the first time the general public has been able to attend a game since March 3rd, 2020. I don’t know about you, but even just watching on my cellphone I noticed different energy around this team. After big buckets, we saw extra celebrations. After timeouts, we saw extra high fives. After a screw-up, we saw extra hustle. I’m sure the Bulls’ natural desperation as the season reaches an end plays a role in this, as well as the high they are all still on from LaVine’s return. However, I’m also sure that finally playing in front of home fans provided some kind of momentum boost. After all, did you see how well they played!?
Triple-double for Nikola Vucevic.
Seven threes for Coby White.
25 points from Zach LaVine.@constellationeg | #BullsNation pic.twitter.com/TwXEz1KcWW— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) May 8, 2021
• Chicago’s defense held an opponent to under 100 points for the second-straight game. Jayson Tatum finished with just nine points and the Bulls pulled off a rare win in the turnover battle (14-9). There were hustle plays galore and big-time shots falling every which way, as the team finished the night 45.0 percent from three. The Bulls’ success behind the arc was in large part thanks to Coby White’s SEVEN 3-point makes. The second-year guard finished with 25 points to tie LaVine for a team-high.
• The Bulls’ general scoring success, however, was in large part thanks to Nikola Vucevic. The big man recorded the fourth triple-double of his career on 18 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists (five of those assists were for 3-point shots). For anyone who still might be questioning why Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley jumped on the opportunity to grab Vucevic, that stat line should provide some answers. He is one of the top big men in the league, and if the front office can build the right way around him and LaVine this offseason, they could have something special.
Nik Vucevic: money in the post, 44% shooter when he pops out to three, and one of the better passing centers. He has been about as awesome as the Bulls could have reasonably hoped.
— Ricky O'Donnell (@SBN_Ricky) May 8, 2021
• LaVine getting interviewed after a big win on national TV!? It’s like I can see the future (sheds happy tear).
Post-game with Zach LaVine. Bulls are 2-0 since he’s returned from Covid.
What a honor working with Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy and the whole crew tonight again. I’m not a regular on the NBA team, but they always make me feel so welcome every time. What a life. pic.twitter.com/lRgLjv6rVI
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) May 8, 2021
• There has been some frustration among fans about the Bulls winning the past two games. With the play-in tournament practically an impossible goal, and the Bulls only able to keep their first-round pick this season if it lands in the top-4, I understand that frustration. The more the Bulls win now, the worse their lottery odds could be at the end of next week. And, hey, I’m all for keeping this year’s pick. At the same time, there are possible institutional and long-term advantages to winning right now, right? Not only would it be hard to establish the winning culture this new front office is trying to build while initiating tank mode, but there is a real opportunity here to grow the chemistry between the roster pieces that are sticking around.
• Look at what the Phoenix Suns did in the bubble last season. Before you yell at me, NO, I’m not saying the Bulls are going to become a top-seed in the East and a legitimate title contender next season. What I am saying, however, is that the win streak the Suns went on at the end of the season undoubtedly helped them understand what they were capable of in the next season. Guys like Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, and Mikal Bridges all grew together, and they played convincing enough basketball that a guy like Chris Paul saw an opportunity. Nikola Vucevic and Zach LaVine can use this last stretch to better understand one another and show free agents (or even players who could hit the trade market) what they have brewing in Chicago.
• Now, if the Bulls could balance playing encouraging basketball WITH maintaining their current lottery odds … that’d be ideal.
• Aw, Zach.
Zach LaVine welcomes Bulls fans back to United Center (to cheers).
Have to say, this is pretty surreal. pic.twitter.com/h7aLCLIKQD
— Rob Schaefer (@rob_schaef) May 7, 2021
• I saw this live and it was hilarious.
https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1391047728663339008?s=20
• Who said what now?
Mets Say Rumble in Their Clubhouse Was an Argument About Rats and Raccoons – https://t.co/KgFv23gqd6 pic.twitter.com/BdPhbgJvde
— Bleacher Nation Cubs (@BleacherNation) May 8, 2021
