DeMar Finishes Top-2, Bulls’ Best Case Scenario, Devon Dotson, and Other Bulls Bullets

Aug 27, 2022

Instead of soaking in the first college football of the season, I’m waking up early to go to a farmer’s market.

The things you do for love.

As NBA Clutch Week comes to an end, DeMar DeRozan has received one last round of applause. The Chicago Bulls’ All-Star finished No. 2 on the NBA’s Top-50 Clutch Plays of 2021-22 thanks to his historic back-to-back game-winning buzzer-beaters.

DeMar DeRozan was Mr.Clutch last season for the @chicagobulls, his pair of game-winners earn him the #️⃣2️⃣ spot on our TOP 50 Clutch Plays of 2021-22!#NBAClutchWeek | @DeMar_DeRozan pic.twitter.com/rAsg4Y9kM7— NBA (@NBA) August 27, 2022

I’ve probably re-watched DeRozan sink those shots more than any other made-basket since Derrick Rose’s playoff game-winner in 2015. The only two highlights that might come close are the Lonzo Ball baseball pass to LaVine for the 360-dunk and LaVine’s 3-point fadeaway for the win over the Hornets. It’s a frustratingly short list.

Aside from the history-making nature of the combined buzzer-beaters (first player to do it on consecutive days), the fact DeRozan has long been criticized for his lack of 3-point shooting is the extra context that makes this so memorable. Not only did DeRozan drain them from long range, but he sank the first off one leg and the second over basically two defenders. They were about as difficult as two game-winning 3-balls can come, and The King of the Fourth sank each in effortless fashion.

As much as I think those two shots are worthy of a first-place finish, I can at least understand why the NBA went with Devonte Graham’s game-winner against the Thunder. Making a shot at the buzzer from the opposing 3-point line is … well … hard to top:

THE #️⃣1️⃣ CLUTCH PLAY of the 2021-22 SZN…

Devonte Graham's #TissotBuzzerBeater from three-quarters court with 1.4 seconds remaining earns the TOP SPOT on our countdown!#NBAClutchWeek | @Devonte4Graham pic.twitter.com/hdbIK1WN6p— NBA (@NBA) August 27, 2022

Basketball junkie Josh Eberley asked a great question:

If everything breaks right for your favourite NBA team this year and they hit their ceiling — the perfect outcome is what?
— Josh Eberley 🇨🇦 (@JoshEberley) August 26, 2022

And our friend Will Gottlieb over at CHGO gave a great answer:

Realistic best case:

—Zach goes from top 25ish to top 15ish
—DeMar replicates '21
—Pat is a + defender and scores 15 ppg
—Full health (👀 Zo, Caruso)
—Vuc back to 40% on 3s
—Coby, Ayo improve
—Dalen is solid
— More 3s

52 wins? Competitive 2nd Rd series? https://t.co/M7xxkJ8CYo— Will Gottlieb (@Will_Gottlieb) August 27, 2022

In my perfect world, the Bulls hoist every single Larry O’Brien Trophy until the NBA shuts down out of pure boredom. But assuming Eberley is still looking for a semi-realistic perfect outcome, I’d go one step further than Will and say an Eastern Conference Finals trip is the ceiling for a perfect Bulls team. Now, I say that knowing that the following must happen: Zach LaVine turns into a two-way superstar, Patrick Williams has a MIP-caliber season, Lonzo Ball plays 70+ games, Alex Caruso stays healthy and hits more 3s, Nikola Vucevic looks like old Nikola Vucevic, DeMar DeRozan repeats his 2021-22 success, Ayo Dosunmu plays like a borderline-starter, and Andre Drummond is a considerably better rim-protector than expected. The Bulls must also rank top-10 in both offensive and defensive efficiency.

Even with all that happening, a perfect outcome would have to also see a relatively easy playoff path. Perhaps they land the Cavs or Hawks in the first round before taking on someone like the Heat or Celtics in the second round. Picturing them getting past the Greek Freak or Joel Embiid (especially the former) is still too hard for me to do right now, which is why I cap them off at an ECFs appearance. Fair?

Unfortunately, Devon Dotson’s time with his hometown team has come to an end.

We have acquired the Returning Player Rights to Hassani Gravett and a First Round Pick in the 2022 NBA G League Draft.

Full Trade Details ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/TOpz9v9mDd— Windy City Bulls (@windycitybulls) August 25, 2022

Dotson played for the Bulls on a two-way contract for the entirety of the 2021-22 season, appearing in 11 games. The Kansas Jayhawks guard played in another 11 contests this past season on the same two-way deal, but the Bulls decided to waive him in exchange for Malcolm Hill. The Windy City Bulls then proceeded to add Dotson to the roster to keep his hopes of rejoining the pro team alive. However, the recent three-team trade now has the Chicago native with the Wizards’ G-League affiliate. If Dotson can prove to hit the 3-ball at a more consistent rate, I think he can eventually find a full-time roster spot somewhere. Wishing him the best of luck.

I spy Coby White and DeMar DeRozan!

👀 pros putting in summer work at @CP3’s camp! #NBASummer pic.twitter.com/Idf8Un64HD
— NBA (@NBA) August 27, 2022

I think people forget how true this is far too often. Your rec-league team would even get cooked by a fringe NBA player like Dotson.

Reminder that your average NBA player will give you buckets.
pic.twitter.com/vUlLFRABOl
— Brad Ballislife (@BradBallisLife) August 26, 2022

Opening night last season was electric:

I can’t wait to hear the United Center this loud again.

The home-opener can’t get here soon enough.
pic.twitter.com/M8u0Aro0bM— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) August 26, 2022

This dude was so dang good:

I can see why #DaBears are showing Lance Briggs film to their defense. https://t.co/KACaXatKMF pic.twitter.com/CMVZnMe7hs
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) August 26, 2022

The Cubs win again!

Happ Makes History Twice, Brewers Hate Cubs, Steele's Lower Back, ManRod Returns, Alzolay, Estrada, and Other Cubs Bulletshttps://t.co/2eY9ypse2w pic.twitter.com/UjYEMI9ZCz— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) August 27, 2022

written by

Elias Schuster

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.

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DeMar Finishes Top-2, Bulls’ Best Case Scenario, Devon Dotson, and Other Bulls Bullets

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