A Lot Can Change in a Year and Other Bulls Bullets

I’m not trying to ruin your Friday or anything, but do you remember where the Chicago Bulls sat this time last year?

On Dec. 9, 2021, Zach LaVine and Co. held a record of 17-9. Not only were they right behind the Brooklyn Nets as the East’s second-best team, but they also held the NBA’s fourth-best net rating. They were only one loss away from rattling off a nine-game winning streak – one that would include DeMar DeRozan’s historic back-to-back game-winning buzzer-beaters (fourth wall writer thought: that’s a lot of hyphens).

What a difference a year can make.

  • Again, I’m not trying to put you in ostrich mode and bury your head in the sand for the rest of the day. But I do think that’s some important context when we consider the recent conversations about what this organization should do. On one hand, an almost identical roster was crushing it just 12 months ago. Why not give them a chance to do the same with a far easier stretch on the horizon? They may surprise us!
  • On the other hand, what if that start was simply a fluke? A larger sample size has not been kind to the Bulls, and there are many glaring problems with the way this roster has been constructed. If anything, the fact they have dropped so drastically over the course of one year should be a massive eye-brow raiser. So what if now is the best time to get out? What if it’s actually a saving grace that things fell apart so fast? The front office might now know that they need to change things sooner than later.
  • I’m still waffling back and forth between both those realities. While I do believe that some sort of change obviously needs to be made to this roster, I’m not at all sure how drastic that change needs to be. Is this front office creative enough to successfully re-arrange the supporting cast around guys like Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan? Or have they put themselves in too tight of a bind by giving up so many assets? I guess all we can do is wait and see how this regular season and the trade deadline pan out.
  • Speaking of things flip-flopping …
  • I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that a team with three aggressively offensive-minded All-Stars has one of the least efficient offenses in the league. If that doesn’t tell you that something needs to change, I don’t know what does.
  • If you read yesterday’s bullets, then you know I entered a dark place and talked about Jerry Reinsdorf’s couch cushions. ESPN’s Zach Lowe did a similar thing in his recent column, referencing the owner’s love for a sustainable income.
  • Nothing about Chicago’s history under the Reinsdorf family says they would green-light a teardown; they love vanilla profitability. The pick they owe Orlando (via the Vucevic deal) is top-4 protected; even if the Bulls lose every game, there’s an almost 50-50 chance they’d cough up the pick anyway.

  • Lowe also discusses the Bulls’ offense and the continuous struggles that their three All-Stars experience playing alongside each other. Of course, this includes a reference to the team’s extreme lack of 3-point shooting, and how smart defenses know that they can leave most role players open from long range. I highly recommend you give it a read here.
  • Gonna look real nice next to his Finals MVP and Larry O’Brien.
  • This is just disrespectful.
  • Hey, that is a surprise!
  • Then … like … do it already.
  • written by

    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.

    more bulls news

    Enhanced Box Score: Bulls 110, Trail Blazers 107 – March 18, 2024

    The beginning of this one gave me some mixed emotions. First, Alex Caruso was forced to exit and go to the locker room just 3 minutes into the game. Having entered the day as questionable with toe soreness, it sure...

    OH MY: ANTHONY EDWARDS JUST HAD THE BEST DUNK OF THE YEAR

    Anthony Edwards has done it again. The emerging Minnesota Timberwolves superstar jammed the most impressive poster dunk of the season against the Utah Jazz on Monday night. Pushing the pace in transition during the third quarter, Edwards passed the ball...

    Damian Lillard Pulled Up to Watch the Bulls Play the Trail Blazers

    Damian Lillard wants to be traded to the Chicago Bulls confirmed. The Milwaukee Bucks All-Star starter was a surprise guest at the Chicago Bulls' Monday night game. Lillard made the drive down from Milwaukee for an opportunity to sit courtside...

    Pre-Gamin’: Portland Trail Blazers at Chicago Bulls (7:00 CT), Projected Lineups, How to Watch, More

    Tough week ahead, can't lose this one. https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1769695253408198745?s=20 Game Info Portland Trail Blazers (19-48) at Chicago Bulls (34-35) – 7:00 p.m. CT on NBC Sports Chicago (TV) and 670 The Score (Radio) Projected Starting Lineups Chicago Bulls Ayo Dosunmu Alex Caruso DeMar...

    Bulls Weekly Preview: Trail Blazers, Rockets, Celtics – March 18-24

    At the end of the day, I'm pretty sure a 2-2 effort last week was about what most expected from the Bulls. How they got there, however, wasn't exactly the most conventional of routes. But, hey, nothing is really ever...

    This Might be the Most Alex Caruso Stat Ever …

    Alex Caruso’s name should already be written down on All-Defensive First Team ballots – in pen.  The Chicago Bulls’ guard joined the prestigious club for the first time during the 2022-23 season. While the team as a whole struggled to...

    LeBron James and JJ Redick’s New Podcast Actually Sounds Great

    While it sure feels like everyone and their mother has a podcast these days, LeBron James’ new venture with former NBA sharpshooter JJ Redick sounds worthwhile.  The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand was the first to announce the new podcast titled “Mind...

    Another Must-Win, Bulls Bracket Ideas, Defensive Drop Off, Happy “I’m Back” Day, and Other Bulls Bullets

    Pssh, the Chicago Bulls have been bringing the Madness since October! March Madness is among the best stretches in the sports calendar every year. Not only do we get to spend hours staring at our brackets and pretending we know...

    Injury Updates on Coby White and Alex Caruso Ahead of Game with Portland

    The Chicago Bulls could be without two starting backcourt players against the Portland Trail Blazers. The latest official injury report puts both Coby White and Alex Caruso's availability for Monday night into question. Of course, White has been sidelined since...

    WATCH: Kyrie Irving Beats Nuggets At The Buzzer for Epic 107-105 Win

    Between the conference tournaments wrapping up, the Players Championship's amazing conclusion, and some awesome NBA matchups it's been a phenomenal Sunday of sports viewing. With all that was on, if you didn't have the Nuggets and Mavericks game on you...

    Latest News

    Canucks vs. Sabres Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

    The bookmakers fancy the Vancouver Canucks to defeat the Buffalo Sabres in their matchup on Tuesday, March 19, with the Canucks given moneyline odds of -192 at home, and the Sabres at +160.Canucks vs. Sabres Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Canucks (-192)Underdog:...

    OH MY: ANTHONY EDWARDS JUST HAD THE BEST DUNK OF THE YEAR

    Anthony Edwards has done it again. The emerging Minnesota Timberwolves superstar jammed the most impressive poster dunk of the season against the Utah Jazz on Monday night. Pushing the pace in transition during the third quarter, Edwards passed the ball...

    De’Aaron Fox Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Grizzlies – Monday, March 18, 2024

    To beat his 3-point prop, De'Aaron Fox must make three from beyond the arc on Monday, when his Sacramento Kings face the Memphis Grizzlies, tipping off at 10:00 PM ET.De'Aaron Fox's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the GrizzliesDe'Aaron Fox's over/under for...

    Malik Monk Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Grizzlies – Monday, March 18, 2024

    Will Malik Monk make three 3-pointers when the Sacramento Kings face the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday at 10:00 PM ET? If so, he'll beat his prop for the game.Malik Monk's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the GrizzliesMalik Monk's over/under for three-pointers...

    Bogdan Bogdanovic Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Lakers – Monday, March 18, 2024

    At 10:30 PM ET on Monday, it'll be the Atlanta Hawks against the Los Angeles Lakers, with Bogdan Bogdanovic needing three trifectas to beat his 3-pointer prop.Bogdan Bogdanovic's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the LakersBogdan Bogdanovic's over/under for three-pointers in this...

    Anthony Davis Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Monday, March 18, 2024

    The Los Angeles Lakers face the Atlanta Hawks at 10:30 PM ET on Monday, and one of the 3-pointer over/unders available for this clash requires just one make from Anthony Davis.Anthony Davis' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksAnthony Davis' over/under...

    Dejounte Murray Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Lakers – Monday, March 18, 2024

    To beat his 3-point over/under, Dejounte Murray must make four from downtown on Monday, when his Atlanta Hawks face the Los Angeles Lakers, tipping off at 10:30 PM ET.Dejounte Murray's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the LakersDejounte Murray's over/under for three-pointers...

    D’Angelo Russell Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Monday, March 18, 2024

    To beat his 3-point over/under, D'Angelo Russell must make three from beyond the arc on Monday, when his Los Angeles Lakers play the Atlanta Hawks, starting at 10:30 PM ET.D'Angelo Russell's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksD'Angelo Russell's over/under for...

    LeBron James Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Monday, March 18, 2024

    To beat his 3-point over/under, LeBron James needs to make three from downtown on Monday, when his Los Angeles Lakers face the Atlanta Hawks on Monday at 10:30 PM ET.LeBron James' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksLeBron James' over/under for...

    Finally, a Team Wanted the Reigning NL Cy Young Winner

    The rumors all wound up being true: Blake Snell would take a two-year deal in the $60 million range, the Giants were probably the favorites now, and the pressure was on to get something done. Per Jon Heyman, it two...

    more bulls news