Javonte Green recently hit up the Denard Bros Pro Run in Chicago, and I can only imagine this was one of many in-game slams:
- While the roster may not have changed a whole lot this summer, it did change enough to put Green’s future role into question. Not only will the return of Lonzo Ball and Patrick Williams fill up spots in the rotation, but Goran Dragic and Andre Drummond are two players who expect to clock real minutes this season. On top of that, the Bulls recently re-signed Derrick Jones Jr. to a two-year contract, possibly paving the way for him to become a more consistent backup to Patrick Williams.
- The good news for Green is he possesses a skill set that head coach Billy Donovan can plug into spots across the lineup. He plays bigger than he is on the defensive end and is constantly focused on doing the dirty work. While he doesn’t provide the kind of jumper the Bulls might want, he has the legs to run with this team in transition and cut hard to the basket in the halfcourt. But, again, this is all a numbers game. Ball, LaVine, DeRozan, Williams, Vucevic, and Caruso are all locked into big minutes. Add in Ayo Dosunmu – who certainly proved he’s worthy of a steady role last season – and Andre Drumond as the backup big, and we’re staring at an 8-man rotation. Even if Donovan stretched it to ten on some nights, does Green get the nod over Dragic or White or rookie Dalen Terry?
- Don’t get me wrong, depth is a good problem to have. But these are the kind of conversations we’ll have to start having as the regular season inches closer. Despite a quiet offseason, whether it be thanks to newfound health or recent roster changes, things will still look a little different this season.
- With all that said, Green does have a leg up on some of his teammates in the experience department. And we all know how much the Bulls seem to value that heading into this year. The word “continuity” might as well be tattooed across Arturas Karnisovas’ forehead, but he also isn’t the only one preaching this message. After watching long-time cores like the Warriors and Celtics crack the NBA Finals, it sure seems like organizations across the league are valuing the long road more than we’ve seen in quite some time. And Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban kind of spoke to that in a recent interview with Bleacher Report’s Taylor Rooks.
โWhen we lost in the conference finals, I donโt think it was for lack of talent. I think the Warriors deserve a lot of credit because they have played together so long, their execution was phenomenal โฆ That wasnโt as much talent as it was corporate knowledge. The experience of having played together for all those years and being in clutch situations knowing what to do,” Cuban told Rooks.
- After years and years of crazy player movement, is it possible things are finally slowing down? There is simply no substitute for collective experience, and I think this could play a role in slowing down some of the superstar trades we’ve seen in recent years. We’ll see.
- Ok, it’s official: I have to buy NBA 2K23. The game announced on Thursday that they’ve built an all-new game mode that will allow players to go back in time to pivotal eras in NBA history. This will include an ability to step into The Jordan Era, where you can either play through the entire Bulls dynasty (and even keep Jordan from retiring) or build a team that can take down the GOAT. The on-court style of play and rules will also reflect period, which means get ready for lots of mid-range shots and hand-checking!
- Ah, that’s a shame.
- Great. Awesome. Love it. Thanks.
- THE PRESEASON BEARS ARE UNSTOPPABLE!
- Ah.