I can only hope this season’s first game at the United Center is as memorable as last year’s bout. The Bulls’ 128-112 thumping of the Pelicans gave everyone a sneak peek of how dominant they could be when health was on their side. Zach LaVine led the way in true face-of-the-franchise fashion with 32 points, while DeMar DeRozan cruised to an easy 26 points. Most importantly, however, was the dazzling and versatile play of Lonzo Ball.
In hindsight, this game perfectly encapsulated why the ship sank when Ball was forced to the bench. his 17 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists, and 3 steals set the tone on both ends of the floor, helping push the lead high enough that the second half could be filled with transition dunks and flashy shot-making.
If you need something to help brighten your Hump Day, I recommend rewatching the highlights …
Unfortunately, with Ball expected to miss the start of the season and Cleveland adding superstar Donovan Mitchell, I do fear the outcome of this home-opener may not be the same. But, hey, we can never underestimate the power of a rowdy Bulls crowd!
Anyway, the team opened up a special presale for home games this morning, so you can join in on the fun and grab some tickets below. I will warn you, though, the organization looks like it’s already bumped up prices after a return to the playoffs. I know … yippie.
Single-game tickets are now available 👀
Use promo code "SOCIAL" for special presale access below!
I’ll freely admit that I, too, wasn’t the life of the party at the University of Illinois. Locked into covering whatever sporting event I could get my hands on for the student paper, I spent far more late nights at Memorial Stadium and the State Farm Center than Kams or Red Lion. Still, even I threw back a few Blue Guys and rode the rail at Legends every now and then! Maybe that’s why I’m not in the NBA!?
For what it’s worth, I did cover Ayo Dosunmu’s first year at Illinois, and there is no question he was viewed as one of the more reserved student-athletes on campus. He’s always been an all-work, no-play kind of guy, but I think that perfectly speaks to why he rose the Bulls’ depth chart as soon as he did. As gifted as he is athletically, his work ethic is why he could very well be chosen as the starting floor general as Ball continues to work through his rehab.
Dosunmu had plenty more to say in his conversation with SportsZone Chicago. The sophomore guard gave props to teammates DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Alex Caruso for showing him the ropes during his rookie campaign, and he also wasn’t shy about stating the team’s goals for this upcoming season:
“You can expect this Bulls team to be more consistent … doing the little things to help us be one of the best teams and stay one of the best teams. That’s definitely something that we’ve already been emphasizing,” Dosunmu said.
Durant has long been one of LaVine’s biggest advocates, which feels like one reason why we should have always known he was on a path toward stardom. Game respects game. Say what you will about Durant, but he’s one of the best forwards to ever take the hardwood, and having his respect/working out alongside him is a big freakin’ deal.
My top-2: Patrick Williams and Nikola Vucevic.
Five Bulls players who have the most to prove this season
The Finnisher has finally been stopped! Now it’s time to see if he can carry his EuroBasket momentum into his new home.
On the back of Willy Hernangomez’s huge game, Spain tops Lauri Markkanen and Finland to advance to 11th straight Eurobasket semifinals https://t.co/Kjs03QtaKm— Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk) September 13, 2022
VOTE FOR HIM!
DId you know #DaBears rookie safety Jaquan Brisker is up for the NFL's Rookie of the Week award?
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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