NEWSLETTER
The girlfriend and I decided to wait until we can run to Starbucks this afternoon to have our coffee for the day. Bad idea, folks. The crankiness in this apartment is palpable.
• Marko Simonovic might be sporting some hardware when he finally arrives in Chicago. The Bulls 2021 second-round pick and KK Mega Soccerbet star posted an absolute gem in Game 2 of the Serbian League Finals. Simonovic recorded 19 points and 20 rebounds to force Game 3 against the Crvena Zvezda. The winner of that game will be named the Serbian League Champion.
https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1403729530741796869?s=20
• If I’m not mistaken, 20 rebounds would top Simonovic’s previous career-high of 19 boards with KK Mega Soccerbet earlier this season. To see the Bulls prospect have such a dominant showing in an elimination game is surely exciting, but how much one game will impact the front office’s decision-making is hard to say. There is no question Simonovic’s entire season will have to be evaluated closely by Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley ahead of free agency. While I would love to see him added to the roster to begin his NBA-level development, we have to keep in mind this organization is trying to build an immediately more competitive team for the 2021-22 season. If Simonovic still feels too much like a project, the team might be better suited using his roster spot for a more experienced player. For Simonovic, that would simply mean another season growing his game overseas, which certainly isn’t the worst thing in the world.
• I can’t even really guess which way the organization leans on Simonovic. The only update we got from Karnisovas was that he remains in the organization’s “plans for the future.” With that said, I do think there is reason to believe he could benefit greatly from learning behind fellow Montenegrin Nikola Vucevic. Lauri Markkanen could also very well head elsewhere this offseason, which would only open the door more for Simonovic to test out some minutes at the four. Again, I think it will all come down to how ready the front office thinks Simonovic is to contribute right away. If this past season showed us anything, it’s that the Bulls are ready to win, and I expect all offseason moves to be made with that in mind.
• More Marko talk …
Will Marko Simonovic Fill a Bulls Roster Spots as Soon as This Summer?https://t.co/dMlviIOS92
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) May 21, 2021
• Remind me again why this isn’t a national holiday?
https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1403743398012538882?s=20
• Maybe I’m wrong, but I feel like many people forget how long it took for Jordan to get over the hump. While it was clear he possessed greatness from the 1984-85 season, it wasn’t until SEVEN seasons later that he finally cried all over the Larry O’Brien Trophy. His story was not one of immediate gratification, and I can’t help but think of the slander he would have received had social media been around during his early years. Greats like Larry Bird and Magic Johnson would do nothing but hype up Jordan’s special talent, but then he would get bounced with ease in the first round. And when he was on the brink of taking the next step in the playoffs, he ran head-first into the Detroit Pistons in three straight seasons. Jerks. We can oftentimes forget these steps because of how dominant the next decade was, but Jordan’s assent was a slow build, and I think that is part of what made it so damn special.
• If the Bulls hit me up and were like, “we love BN Bulls, so we’re going to give you any championship ring you want because we’re cool like that,” I’d pick this one. I know there are better-looking options, but I think it would be awesome to have version No. 1.
You never forget your first.
30 years ago today: 💍 pic.twitter.com/NWF67H8E8L— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) June 12, 2021
• The Nets will Nets.
As if the Nets weren’t scary enough… https://t.co/gHhNgsLOiI
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) June 12, 2021
• Honestly, I’d love to see Dinwiddie in action before the end of this season. He is an option I would be very comfortable with the Bulls pursuing this offseason if he were to decline his player option. However, considering his partially-torn ACL injury, I’d feel even more comfortable if we can get a look at him beforehand
• Speaking of available point guards, according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, the Cavs are interested in Alex Caruso and T.J. McConnell. Both, specifically McConnell, are options I would not be shocked to see the Bulls show interest in with hopes they could clean up the team’s perimeter defense. Something to keep an eye on.
• Ayton knows what’s up.
"Yep, he the MVP." 😂
Ayton was shook when he read Jokic’s stat line
(via @NBA)pic.twitter.com/Pt7N4Thnbl
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 12, 2021
• I’d like to place an order for more of this, please.
This MJ stop motion art is incredible 😍
(via @RudyWillingham) pic.twitter.com/2GzH5Jh3Aj
— ESPN (@espn) June 11, 2021
