I wish I could take anything as seriously as Billy Donovan takes chewing a stick of gum.
When you’re waiting for mom to take the next batch of Totino’s Pizza Rolls out of the oven:
pic.twitter.com/JtnzKO1SeW— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) November 5, 2021
• Only two teammates currently rank inside the NBA’s top-10 in points per game: Zach LaVine (7th) and DeMar DeRozan (4th). The lethal scoring combination the Bulls wanted to create this offseason has so far produced better results than anyone could have imagined. Those results have also come despite LaVine’s lingering thumb injury and a fairly steep learning curve for a roster with only three players from the start of the 2020-21 season (only one currently playing, by the way). Not only does it go to show how underrated the veteran DeRozan – who has now scored 30+ points in three-straight games – seemed to be this offseason, but it’s an example of why simply adding the best talent available is oftentimes the best approach. Talented players with a hunger to win will figure out how to co-exist.
• DeRozan and LaVine’s efforts have been instrumental in earning Chicago the 9th-best offensive rating. The team’s effective field goal percentage also sits at a solid 52.6 percent, which is 10th in the league. As strong as a start as those numbers suggest, however, the funny thing is the Bulls should only get better on that side of the ball. Nikola Vucevic has yet to find even an ounce of rhythm in his new role as the team’s 3rd-leading scorer. But it’s hard not to imagine the two-time All-Star will find his groove sooner than later, and we talked more about all of this on Thursday:
The Bulls Are Still Waiting for Nikola Vucevic to Find His Shothttps://t.co/Sw1MlgoDEn
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) November 4, 2021
• Another thing that should scare teams around the league: Coby White has yet to take the court. While White’s career scoring efficiency isn’t anything to rave about, there is no denying he is one of the better young bucket-getters in the league. With several new ballhandlers in the picture, mainly Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso, White will finally step into the role that has arguably best suited him since stepping into the league. He will get to focus primarily on being the team’s off-the-bench assassin, one who can add another layer of 3-point shooting and transition speed into the mix. For a player that came into this season with the 3rd-most 30-point games among the 2019 draft class (only Zion Williamson and Ja Morant were ahead), I am sure the Bulls are very excited for his return.
• The Bulls bench has averaged the fewest points per game thus far, which is part of the reason why we have seen head coach Billy Donovan stagger the starting lineup’s minutes this season. Adding White back into the mix will not only give the second unit an offensive security blanket, but it should give LaVine and DeRozan a chance to take it easy in some matchups.
• Javonte Green probably deserves more love, which is why I was glad to see The Athletic’s John Hollinger write a bit about him in his most recent article.
Javonte Green is among the seven NBA players @johnhollinger wants you to know more about.
“It seems apparent he will be a relevant player on an important team for the balance of the season.”
More: https://t.co/voKfzYS3vL pic.twitter.com/2j9ZnhfNZw
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) November 4, 2021
• I know the Celtics had many young draft picks to evaluate off the bench the past few years, but the fact that Green was not handed a bigger role is pretty damn surprising in hindsight. Green has legitimately looked like a serviceable fifth starter with his defensive intensity and athletic ability to crash the glass. He feels like the perfect play to pair alongside so much All-Star level talent, and the move by Karnisovas to snag him at the deadline (and subsequent decision to re-sign him this summer) is looking smarter and smarter by the game.
• A great read on DeMar DeRozan’s hot start.
🚨NEW WORDS ALERT🚨
Wrote about DeMar DeRozan fitting in just like he said he would.https://t.co/jqDCbHojHg
— Nekias (Nuh-KY-us) Duncan (@NekiasNBA) November 4, 2021
• Wrong then and wrong now.
NBA’s L2M report says officials got Embiid block on DeRozan call right after coach’s challenge. Billy Donovan said after the game the official was adamant there was no foul after review and he didn’t question ruling. pic.twitter.com/bSnKiVOP67
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) November 4, 2021
• I don’t know what this image means, but it appears DeRozan just owns at every spot.
Your 2021 Chicago Bulls Bowling Champion @DeMar_DeRozan Congratulations ! pic.twitter.com/kpSwo1DnUZ
— chuck swirsky (@ctsbulls) November 5, 2021
• If you could see one former Bulls player take the ring, who would it be? I kind of want Captain Kirk in there.
NBA-Boxing world crossover, per sources: Former All-Star and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Deron Williams will fight on the Jake Paul/Tommy Fury undercard bout on Dec. 18. Frank Gore — third on the NFL’s all-time rushing yards list — is a potential opponent for Williams.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 5, 2021
• One of the league’s biggest names is on the move.
Browns to Release Star WR Odell Beckham Jr.https://t.co/QZNTHSB4Wb
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) November 5, 2021
• Embracing tanking? Boy, do I know that feeling.
Time to Embrace Tanking? Dylan Strome, NHLPA to be Investigated, and Other Blackhawks Bulletshttps://t.co/HovupccwWh
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) November 5, 2021