How do you pass the time in mid-September as you anxiously await the start of training camp? By writing too many words on a bunch of forgotten Bulls, of course!
In case you missed it, I gave some recognition to a handful of players who spent two years or less with the franchise over the last 22 years.
If you’re looking for a trip down memory lane, feel free to give it a read.
The hype keeps building for a Patrick Williams breakout!
As much concern as I’ve expressed in the amount of pressure the Bulls have seemingly put on Patrick Williams heading into this year, I do have faith that a solid season is on the horizon. Not only do I think he’s too talented not to take a sizable step in the right direction, but I also think there will be a greater emphasis on getting him involved from the jump. We all saw how much this team needs someone with his defensive instincts and sneaky shot-blocking capabilities in his absence last season. As for the offensive end, we did see a lot of progress in his overall aggressiveness once he returned in late March.
Indeed, over his final 10 games of the season (five regular season and five in the postseason), Williams averaged exactly 14.0 points per game. This included his 35-point outburst in the final regular season contest of the year and back-to-back 20-point games in Game 4 and 5 of the playoffs. I know those final two postseason games weren’t the most competitive, but it was still encouraging to see Williams play the brand of basketball he did. Something seemed to click when it came to being decisive and finding his spots, as he shot a combined 16-26 from the field and 7-13 from downtown.
Also, let’s just not forget the value of simply having another year under his belt with his new teammates. Even though he may not have been on the floor, he had plenty of time to study how this “big 3” likes to play. Meanwhile, the “big 3” got to see which holes Williams might be able to fill when he fully returns. Yes, I know it’s always better to be on the floor than on the bench, but I’m sure there was still value in being able to observe the NBA game in the way Williams did for basically the entire season.
DeMar spitting bars about himself …
Dennis Schroder is officially returning to Los Angeles, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
The news comes after an incredibly awkward 2021-22 campaign. Schroder apparently turned down a four-year, $84 million extension from the Lakers to hit the unrestricted free agent market last summer. Interest in his veteran services failed to emerge, primarily due to the price range he seemed to demand. This quickly left Schroder on the outside looking in, even leading to rumors that he could end up in Chicago’s loaded backcourt with his former head coach Billy Donovan.
Eventually, Schroder reached a one-year prove-it deal with the Boston Celtics, but he only played 49 games for the organization before they traded him to the Houston Rockets (where he only appeared in 15 games). Back as a free agent this summer, his market failed to materialize yet again, but I guess the role-player-needy Lakers decided to welcome him back with open arms. What a strange journey.
One of the best to ever do it. Happy birthday, coach.
A cool deep dive here from the Bulls Talk Podcast:
I always love when these come across the timeline:
Either way, Justin is about to go off!
Hoping Dach is all good.