NEWSLETTER
TEAM USA IS BACK BABY!!
• After two extremely disappointing exhibition losses, Kevin Durant and Co. looked way more like we expected as they cruised to an easy 108-80 victory over Argentina. So what change? Well, I know one thing …
Wake Up and Watch Zach LaVine Dominate for Team USA!https://t.co/w4EYVK21dx
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) July 14, 2021
• Zach LaVine gets his first start as a member of Team USA and they pull off their first dominant victory of the year? Coincidence!? I THINK NOT!
• Ok, fine, it was maybe a coincidence, but LaVine did play some really good basketball. The Bulls All-Star played with a bit more offensive aggressiveness during this contest, and I loved what I saw off the ball. While the team’s lack of chemistry still tends to show itself with some spacing issues, LaVine looked pretty aware of where to be, how to cut, and when to demand the ball. The dude simply looked like a winning player last night, and I think that shows itself in the box score with his +26 mark, which was second-highest on the team.
• Team USA also did a much better job at not hunting for fouls and actually attacking the rim. As NBC Sports Chicago Rob Schafer pointed out, Team USA won the paint battle 40-28 after losing it 44-24 against Australia. While I know the team is a bit undersized in the frontcourt, the sheer athleticism of this team should put up a real fight in that department on a nightly basis.
• Make sure you tap that like button:
• Luis Scola is 41-years-old and still beating dudes down in the paint.
With USA switching everything, Argentina clearly seeking Zach LaVine out in the post on defensive end. Scola and Deck have each beaten him for buckets a couple times.
— Rob Schaefer (@rob_schaef) July 13, 2021
• Brb gonna go Tattoo this on my back.
😬😬😬😬#USABMNT | @ZachLaVine pic.twitter.com/P36pNIQ08O
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) July 13, 2021
• When Kawhi Leonard failed to return in the Eastern Conference Finals, this felt like a possible outcome.
Kawhi Leonard had surgery to repair a partially torn right ACL.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 14, 2021
• Fortunately, when you’re a two-time NBA champion and one of the best two-way players in the world, an ACL injury should not have much of an impact on the money you can grab in free agency. Leonard can test the free-agent waters this summer if he turns down his $36.5 million player option. Most signs put to him signing an extension with the Clippers, but we all know how crazy the NBA can be.
Bulls mailbag, asked and answered.
Given the number of questions on him, could’ve made it the Dejounte Murray edition (who knew?) but branched out to Bulls' free agency, Marko Simonović.
For @NBCSChicago: https://t.co/goGAisdiRW
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) July 14, 2021
• Speaking of Murray …
Something to keep an eye on 🧐https://t.co/UPfTEDwyHl
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) July 14, 2021
• Candace Parker has become the first female athlete to appear on an NBA 2k franchise. Chicago represent!
NBA 2K22 covers: Luka Doncic, Candace Parker and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar/Dirk Nowitzki/Kevin Durant. Parker becomes the first female cover athlete in the history of the 2K franchise. pic.twitter.com/A25op6IaWu
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 14, 2021
• Lace ’em up and meet me here in 20mins.
Before After pic.twitter.com/6Sum2g5GtP
— Bulls Community (@bullscommunity) July 14, 2021
