DeRozan Puts on a Show, Dalen Terry Voted Most Competitive, Extra Work for The Paw, and Other Bulls Bullets

Happy 4th of July eve.

If you need me, I’ll be scrambling with everyone else to stock up on brat buns and beer!

  • The Midrange Maestro composed a summer hit earlier this week. In his most recent appearance in the Drew League – a long-running Pro-AM basketball league – DeRozan led his team to victory with 39 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 assists. While the competition isn’t nearly what he sees at the NBA level, I think it’s fair to say DeRozan still looked to be in midseason form:
  • https://twitter.com/Ballislife/status/1543617788232798209?s=20&t=_QgXSZwG4V1Zuwzj1gFXmA

  • Fueled by pump fakes, expert footwork, and clean ball-handling, he’s easily one of the most artful scorers in the league, which is a big reason why I was so dumbfounded by the reception of his initial signing with the Bulls one summer ago. While I could always understand questions about fit, I never understand the questions about his aging game.
  • He’s a player who’s averaged at least 20.0 points per game in nine-straight seasons. DeRozan’s scoring efficiency has only improved with age, as has his ability to use that scoring to create better opportunities for his teammates. No, I don’t at all expect the DeRozan we saw last season to show up again. But the more I watch him get to his spots and finish in space, the more I believe the Bulls will continue to have a reliable secondary scorer for years to come.
  • Summer League training camp is in full swing at the Advocate Center, and rookie Dalen Terry has already made his presence felt. Bulls assistant and Summer League head coach John Bryant told reporters after Friday’s first official practice that Terry was voted Most Competitive by his teammates. Even better, the player who first spoke up to nominate Terry was Patrick Williams, who Terry said he battled with throughout this first set of scrimmages and drills.
  • Terry spoke highly of a number of teammates after practice on Friday, calling out guys like Williams and Malcolm Hill for immediately setting the tone in the practice gym. He said he plans to lean on those players throughout this Summer League process, which will officially begin on July 8th in Las Vegas. You can check out Terry’s full interview below:
  • Speaking of Patrick Williams, it sounds like a flip may have switched for the third-year forward.
  • “Patrick looks like a man,” Bryant said after practice. “He looks like a third-year player. He stands out. His body is NBA-ready. He just looks like a grown man … There is a sense of ‘I belong here; I am a third-year player.’ And he carries himself as such.”

  • Whether that comes with age or a summer with DeMar DeRozan, these are the little things we want to hear ahead of a highly-anticipated season for Williams. His willingness to put in the extra work also seems to be on full display with his mere presence at Summer League training camp. The 20-year-old isn’t expected to participate in any games over the next couple of weeks, so it’s nice to know he’s back in Chicago simply to show these NBA newbies the ropes.
  • All this extra work should come in handy immediately when the season begins. With the Bulls yet to make a move to significantly bolster their power forward depth, it suggests they are ready to put plenty of pressure on Patrick Williams’ shoulders. Year 3 needs to be the season where we see him take a sizable leap in the right direction – both in terms of health and two-way production. I do think he’s capable of doing just that (and clearly the Bulls do too), but the time he missed last season does concern me. Missing basically your entire second year in the league will surely stunt development, so let’s hope he’s able to play catch-up this offseason.
  • I’m sure there has been no lack of offers for Kevin Durant, but whether or not they are up to the Nets’ standard remains a big question:
  • I could see this dragging on for quite a while. Brooklyn has the right to demand arguably the largest trade haul in NBA history, and I have to imagine certain franchises are hesitant to blow their roster up that significantly, especially when the goal is to win instantly with Durant.
  • Scottie Pippen’s son is getting buckets for the Lakers right now. Weird.
  • More missed time for Alec Mills.
  • written by

    Elias Schuster is the Lead Chicago Bulls writer at Bleacher Nation. He started with BN full-time in 2019 immediately after graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign with a degree in Journalism (yes, he started with the Jim Boylen Era). Since joining, Elias has been the driving force behind Bulls and NBA content for both the site and social accounts. You can follow him on Twitter/X @Schuster_Elias.

    more bulls news

    WOW: Anthony Edwards Caps Off First-Round Sweep with an Insane Slam

    Anthony Edwards is on the path toward superstardom. The Minnesota Timberwolves guard is coming off a career season, and he's only continued his breakout campaign during the team's first-round series against the Phoenix Suns. Edwards has outplayed the Suns' star-studded...

    Candace Parker Officially Announces Her Retirement (Thanks for the Title!)

    Candace Parker has called it a career. One of the best players in WNBA history, Parker announced via her Instagram on Sunday that she is retiring. The news comes in the same month as Parker's 38th birthday and after her...

    Magic Keep Making the Bulls Look Bad, Playoff Resumes, Learning to Win, and Other Bulls Bullets

    The Chicago Bulls front office would never stand for what we saw on Saturday! All four winners took the game by double digits. That's right, not a single competitive loss! The Orlando Magic started the day off with their second-straight...

    Playoff Injuries Stacking Up, Prioritizing Future Flexibility, Nets as a Trade Partner? And Other Bulls Bullets

    At least the Chicago Bulls aren't the only ones to have injury trouble! The injuries are starting to become a storyline in the NBA playoffs, specifically for the Bulls' central division foe. The Milwaukee Bucks are at risk of going...

    Damian Lillard Status Now in Doubt for Bucks-Pacers Game 4

    The Milwaukee Bucks are likely to be without Damian Lillard for Sunday's pivotal Game 4. According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, Lillard is currently in a walking boot after straining his Achilles on Friday night. The superstar guard's availability for...

    Nikola Vucevic Hit Up the Orlando Magic’s Playoff Game Last Night

    Despite launching a complete rebuild since the last made the postseason in 2019-20, the Orlando Magic had a familiar face in the building on Thursday night. Current Bulls starting center Nikola Vucevic was sitting courtside for the Magic's Game 3...

    This Chart Puts Into Perspective Just How Bad the Bulls’ Last Decade Has Been

    I don't need to tell you for the millionth time that the Chicago Bulls have been a massive disappointment over the last decade. So I'll just show you! RealGM put together an infographic that outlines each NBA team's net rating...

    Waiting for the Bulls to Join the Chicago Sports Renaissance (and Other Bulls Bullets)

    The Bears drafted Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze. The Blackhawks drafted Connor Bedard. The Sky drafted Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso. The Cubs have the best farm system in baseball. Welcome to the Chicago Sports Renaissance! Feel free to join...

    Joel Embiid is Reportedly Suffering from Bell’s Palsy … and Still Dropped 50

    Joel Embiid cut into the New York Knicks series lead on Thursday night. With the Round 1 battle heading back to Philadelphia, Embiid looked like the reigning MVP with 50 points on 13-19 shooting and a 19-21 performance from the...

    And Now DeMar DeRozan is Snubbed of the Clutch Player of the Year Award

    DeMar DeRozan joins Coby White as an award-season snub. The NBA officially announced Thursday that Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors won the second-ever Clutch Player of the Year award. DeRozan finished as a finalist for the recognition for...

    Latest News

    Best MLB Prop Bets Today, April 29, 2024

    The New York Yankees versus the Baltimore Orioles is a game to watch on a Monday MLB schedule that has 12 compelling matchups.MLB prop bets for today's games are available, so if you're interested in placing a bet or building...

    Orioles vs. Yankees Probable Starting Pitchers – April 29

    The New York Yankees (19-10) kick off a four-game series on Monday against the Baltimore Orioles (17-10). The matchup starts at 6:35 PM ET at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.The Orioles will give the nod to Grayson Rodriguez (3-1, 4.45...

    Cody Bellinger Already Playing Catch, Taking Swings

    When a guy fractures his rib(s), that's not an injury where we have a pretty well-set idea in our minds about how long he'll be out. It depends on the extent and location of the fracture(s), the natural healing speed...

    Mavericks vs. Clippers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets for NBA Playoffs Game 5 – Wednesday, May 1, 2024

    The Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Clippers meet in Game 5 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. The Mavericks are favored by 2 points in the matchup, which airs on TNT at 10:00 PM ET. The point...

    Nuggets vs. Lakers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: NBA Playoffs Game 5 – Monday, April 29, 2024

    The Denver Nuggets bring a 3-1 series record into a decisive Game 5 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. The Nuggets are favored by 7.5 points in the matchup, which airs on TNT at 10:00 PM ET. The...

    Thunder vs. Pelicans Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: NBA Playoffs Game 4 – Monday, April 29, 2024

    The Oklahoma City Thunder are 4.5-point favorites for a decisive Game 4 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on Monday, starting at 8:30 PM ET on NBA. The Thunder...

    Celtics vs. Heat Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: NBA Playoffs Game 4 – Monday, April 29, 2024

    The Boston Celtics are heavy 10.5-point favorites in Game 4 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs against the Miami Heat at FTX Arena on Monday, beginning at 7:30 PM ET on TNT. The Celtics hold a 2-1 series...

    How to Watch Mets vs. Cubs: Live Stream or on TV

    Luis Severino will take the ball for the New York Mets (14-13) when they host starter Jameson Taillon and the Chicago Cubs (17-11) in a series opener on Monday, with first pitch at 7:10 PM ET.The article below will provide...

    WOW: Anthony Edwards Caps Off First-Round Sweep with an Insane Slam

    Anthony Edwards is on the path toward superstardom. The Minnesota Timberwolves guard is coming off a career season, and he's only continued his breakout campaign during the team's first-round series against the Phoenix Suns. Edwards has outplayed the Suns' star-studded...

    Padres vs. Reds: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    In a series opener on Monday, Matt Waldron will take the mound for the San Diego Padres (14-17) against Nick Lodolo and the Cincinnati Reds (15-13), with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at PETCO Park.Keep reading to find...

    more bulls news