Despite a 26-point loss to the Brooklyn Nets, a 42-point loss to the Golden State Warriors, and a 13-point loss to the Memphis Grizzlies all on national television in the last six days, ESPN decided to snatch the upcoming matchup between the Bulls and Bucks. Yippie!
The NBA announced this afternoon that Chicago’s trip to Milwaukee this Friday will be broadcast to a national audience. The Raptors-Wizards game has gotten the ax.
The NBA announced that Friday’s Bulls game with the Bucks in Milwaukee will now be nationally televised on ESPN. @WGNNews pic.twitter.com/hzcv9RwH2I
— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) January 18, 2022
I’m pretty sure ESPN let out an evil laugh when they sent out this press release. While it’s hard to complain about national exposure, especially when Chicagoans were once clamoring for more, the timing of this flexed game is all kinds of unfortunate. Not only has the Bulls’ recent luck on national airways been dismal, but it’s also amplified a depleted product.
Zach LaVine, Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso, Javonte Green, Derrick Jones Jr., Tyler Cook, and Patrick Williams all remain on Chicago’s injury report. Caruso could re-enter the mix on a minutes restriction tomorrow night, and the injuries to LaVine and Ball appear to be day-to-day situations, but we simply don’t know for certain what this roster will look like come Friday.
In other words, mentally prepare yourself for potentially another ESPN beatdown!