The preseason wrapped up on Tuesday night with a low-stakes battle against the off-brand Milwaukee Bucks. Everyone from Giannis Antetokounmpo to Jrue Holiday to Bobby Portis to Grayson ‘Most Hated Man in Chicago’ Allen sat on the sideline, while the Bulls gave the night off to both Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan.
The contest as a whole felt like nothing more than a glorified scrimmage, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t still valuable for those who stepped on the court. Free agent additions Goran Dragic and Andre Drummond got to build some more chemistry in the second unit, combining for 29 points off the bench. Meanwhile, young players like Coby White and Dalen Terry received one last big opportunity to remind the coaching staff of what they can do.
Most importantly, however, was the high usage we saw fall into Patrick Williams’ lap. The recently-demoted power forward earned a spot back in the starting lineup where he played a team-high 32 minutes. Williams went on to score 22 points (9-17 FG) with 5 assists and 5 rebounds in an overall +15 performance. From the moment the ball tipped, he provided the kind of highlight plays and two-way impact this coaching staff has longed for.
Anyway, Williams’ performance warrants an entirely separate post, so we’ll discuss that more later on.
What better way to start the post-preseason bullets than with a bunch of random positive takeaways? Here’s a version of the list I tweeted out last night: Vucevic looked like his old self on offense and a new self on defense; DeRozan showed he has no plans of slowing down; Javonte Green is going to get paid next summer; Dalen Terry is going to earn some minutes; having a backup center is nice; the Bulls remain one of the NBA’s most elite teams in transition, and Alex Caruso and Ayo Dosunmu look like they’re up for the defensive challenge.
Now, as for the random not-so-positive takeaways: The Bulls might have some turnover trouble as they adjust to this new offense (averaged 3rd-most in preseason); 3-point shooting still isn’t a big enough priority (averaged 3rd-fewest attempts); protecting the paint still might be a major problem; Patrick Williams isn’t yet showing consistent aggressiveness, and Zach LaVine got off to a slow start.
Billy Donovan on areas Bulls need to improve:
Turnovers Rebounding
Liked commitment to play faster and thought spacing improved as preseason advanced.
All in all, I’d give the Bulls’ preseason a solid B. The team looked increasingly comfortable as the games went on, and we also saw just how effective this offense can continue to be even without Lonzo Ball leading the way. The concerns I have about the defensive consistency and the improvements by other East teams remain, but this looked like a Bulls squad ready to put up a fight.
I was extremely confused when I saw Nikola Vucevic play more than 10 minutes of basketball last night, but head coach Billy Donovan said after the game that the big man wanted to be out there. You have to respect the mentality, especially when we consider the season he had in 2021-22.
Nikola Vucevic played tonight — when DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine rested — because Vucevic wanted to play and felt very good physically, Billy Donovan says.
Dwyane Wade recently appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and told quite an awesome story about Joakim Noah. According to the former-Bull (still weird to say), the other former-Bull was invited to a birthday scrimmage for President Obama. And, well, I’ll just drop the exchange from Wade’s interview with Fallon below:
DW: “We’re scrimmaging for president Obama. He brings us all in and he said ‘hey, I want you guys to play hard and play like this is a real game.’ And we looked around the court and there is secret service all around the court. And we’re like, we can’t touch you. We can’t foul you for real.”
JF: “Can you imagine if you did that.”
DW: “Joakim Noah did. He picked him up full court and was elbowing him and everything. It was great.”
If you asked me, “which basketball player would elbow the president on his birthday?” My answer would instantly be Joakim Noah. That man takes it easy on no one! NO. ONE.
The Ball brothers can’t catch a break.
Hornets and Ball are certainly relieved his scary ankle sprain on Monday night isn't more severe. His return will be based on rehab and treatment over the coming days — and week(s). https://t.co/U2eoKAG9FI— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 11, 2022
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.
Before the Chicago Bulls can do anything this offseason, they have to answer one question: What the heck do we do with Zach LaVine!? The LaVine situation boiled over near the beginning of last season. Rumors swirled for quite some...
We officially have a team in the conference finals! The Boston Celtics eliminated the shorthanded Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday to punch their ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals. We also saw the Dallas Mavericks take one step closer to the...
We got our first look at Analyst Alex on Wednesday night! The Chicago Bulls' guard joined the Inside the NBA crew on TNT to talk hoops, and it didn't take long for the NBA veteran to look like a broadcasting...
Inside the NBA welcomed Alex Caruso to their famous Studio J on Wednesday night. The Chicago Bulls' defensive menace joined TNT's normal cast of characters – as well as frequent visitor Draymond Green – ahead of Game 5 between the...
With the Chicago Bulls bounced early from the NBA Playoffs yet again, it's got me thinking about the looming offseason and ever-daunting NBA salary cap. While the playoffs have been really fun thus far, it's hard for me not to...
The Chicago Sky are officially back! After two preseason contests, the Sky will tip off the regular season on Wednesday night. The year will begin with two straight battles against the Dallas Wings, a team that finished 22-18 last season...
I don't need a Porsche. Would I like to have one in my driveway? Sure. But I'd be foolish to funnel my money into such a luxury. Now, might things be different if I was rolling in dough because of...
Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan will dominate the offseason headlines for the Chicago Bulls. Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley will presumably work every phone line in hopes that the market consensus has changed on their two-time All-Star. As for DeRozan,...
Lonzo Ball's new podcast "What an Experience" didn't avoid the elephant in the room. Within the first few seconds of the inaugural episode, Ball addressed his current health status and provided an update on his return to play. To be...
The Chicago Bulls should be in the film room growing a five o'clock shadow. The only reason they should be let out and handed a razor is to take in the Draft Combine festivities over at Wintrust Arena. Otherwise, roll...
On Friday, in a series opener at Busch Stadium, Brayan Bello starts for the Boston Red Sox (22-21) against Kyle Gibson and the St. Louis Cardinals (18-25), with first pitch scheduled for 8:15 PM ET.If you're planning on watching this...
Marcus Semien and the Texas Rangers (23-22) host Taylor Ward and the Los Angeles Angels (16-28) on Friday in a series opener, with first pitch at 8:05 PM ET.Keep reading to find out all the details on how to watch...
The Pittsburgh Pirates (19-25), led by Connor Joe, visit Nico Hoerner and the Chicago Cubs (25-19) at 2:20 PM ET on Friday in a series opener.See how to watch the Pittsburgh-Chicago matchup below.When is Pirates vs. Cubs and when does...
After a red-hot first ten games of the season (172 wRC+), Ian Happ had gone ice cold offensively. Aside from continuing to take his walks (he always does), his overall production plummeted to the point where Craig Counsell game him...
Brennen Davis isn't the only hot Cubs prospect. In fact, Moises Ballesteros is basically THE hot Cubs prospect of the season so far. And tonight, after two of the Cubs top prospects — Kevin Alcantara (on a double) and Matt...
The New York Yankees will be hosting the Chicago White Sox for a three-game series, with the first matchup getting underway at 7:05 PM ET on Friday, May 17.Yankees vs. White Sox Series Info White Sox @ Yankees Time: Friday,...
A three-game series featuring the Baltimore Orioles and the visiting Seattle Mariners will begin on Friday, May 17 at 7:05 PM ET.Orioles vs. Mariners Series Info Mariners @ Orioles Time: Friday, May 17 at 7:05 PM ET Orioles Starting Pitcher:...
In the opener of a three-game series, on Friday, May 17 at 7:07 PM ET, the Toronto Blue Jays are hosting the Tampa Bay Rays.Blue Jays vs. Rays Series Info Rays @ Blue Jays Time: Friday, May 17 at 7:07...
The Atlanta Braves will be hosting the San Diego Padres for a four-game series, with the action getting underway at 7:20 PM ET on Friday, May 17.Braves vs. Padres Series Info Padres @ Braves Time: Friday, May 17 at 7:20...
The New York Mets are on the road, opening a three-game set versus the Miami Marlins on Friday, May 17 at 7:10 PM ET.Marlins vs. Mets Series Info Mets @ Marlins Time: Friday, May 17 at 7:10 PM ET Marlins...
NEWSLETTER
