Bring on the scripted answers and “best shape of my life” comments!
Media Day will begin at the Advocate Center this afternoon before the Chicago Bulls tip-off training camp on Tuesday. The expectation is that we’ll hear from the front office brain trust, as well as core pieces like Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic.
Do I expect anything groundbreaking to be shared over the next handful of hours? Not at all. Today is a day for the organization to push an optimistic agenda and get the fanbase excited for Year 2 of this roster. But that doesn’t mean it’ll be entirely inconsequential.
Listening to how the front office justifies their offseason moves (or lack thereof) will be important. I’m also eager to hear what the team thinks about the way they ended last season and how they plan to ensure history doesn’t repeat itself with Lonzo Ball still sidelined. Overall, we should at least get a good idea of what goals have been established behind closed doors and how hungry this team is to improve on last year’s wobbly finish.
I’m also very curious to hear from Zach LaVine. While I don’t necessarily expect him to act or sound much different, the fact of the matter is that his status has changed. Now paid like one of the NBA’s primer players, it’s his job to take on the leadership position on this roster. As good as DeMar DeRozan was during his first season in Chicago, the Bulls have made it clear that this is LaVine’s team, and I want to see him act like it.
To be sure, I’m not calling for cockiness or arrogance. I’m simply looking for more vocal leadership. LaVine has certainly grown in this department over the past couple of years, but he’s always been more of a lead-by-example kind of guy. While that isn’t particularly a problem, I still think becoming a louder locker room presence is part of what comes with this kind of pay raise. We’ll see if he’s capable of doing that, especially after a season where he finally got a taste of playoff basketball.
Want to know a player I’m actually not that excited to hear from? Patrick Williams. Look, I’m enthusiastic about what this season could mean for the 21-year-old, and I want to make sure he’s confident about the impact he can make fully health. But saying the right things has never been a problem for Williams. He’s consistently been very honest about what he needs to work on, and he’s always been aware of how highly this franchise views him. What he needs to do now is just take that next step on the court. Nothing he can say will prove anything to this organization or fan base. It’s time to show, not tell.
Of course, the biggest topic of conversation over the next few weeks will be the point guard position. Head coach Billy Donovan has plenty of options in the backcourt, but none can replicate what Ball brings to the floor. How will this impact the team’s style of play? And can someone hold down the fort well enough to get the Bulls through a grueling start to the season?
ICYMI: I posed some other Media Day questions in Sunday’s bullets, and you can read that here.
Zach LaVine is already putting in the late-night work. Long-time trainer Drew Hanlen posted on Instagram a video of LaVine working out just before 11:00 p.m. CT the other night.
How bad does Jae Crowder want out of Phoenix? Bad enough to make his own hype video.
Seriously, I’d be extremely disappointed if the Bulls’ front office didn’t at least kick the tires on a Crowder trade. Assets are thin, and no one is saying they need to push too hard to make a deal work, but this is the type of role-player that warrants a phone call. We talked more about that here. And it’s not like the Suns have a ton of leverage. Crowder wants to leave, and he only has one year left on his contract. I’m not saying his experience and shotmaking would come cheap, but you never know.
Lonzo Ball’s brother is teaming up with his other brother.
Giannis Antetokounmpo spoke some wise words about what it’s like to play overseas. The talent might not be comparable, but the style of play has become far more physical.
Before tomorrow’s first practice, I thought I’d re-share some of the storylines to keep an eye on:
A very ugly game from the Bears’ starting QB.
Chicago, please.
NEWSLETTER
