NBA Honors MJ, First Half vs. Second Half Net Rating, Detroit Loses Cade, and Other Bulls Bullets

Elias Schuster

Dec 13, 2022

Chicago Bulls

It’s official: If LeBron James ever won another MVP, he would have to hoist a trophy of Michael Jordan.

The GOAT debate is over, folks (as if it was ever actually a debate).

NBA Officially Names MVP Award After Michael Jordan

I think we all knew it was only a matter of time before Jordan would be celebrated by the NBA in some grand fashion. And naming the MVP after him certainly feels like a suitable honor. Not only does he sit just behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most MVP awards in league history, but he truly is the game’s most valuable face. He took the sport to new heights in the 90s, making it a beloved worldwide sensation. Also, to this very day, he remains arguably the most recognizable name in all of sports.

For what it’s worth, ESPN also reported that Nikola Jokic will be the first player to receive the new Jordan trophy. The other new awards will seemingly be distributed for the first time during this upcoming award season.

The NBA is redesigning and renaming many of its individual awards.

The MVP is named after Jordan
The DPOY is named after Olajuwon
The ROY is named after Wilt
The MIP is named after Mikan
The 6th Man is named after Havlicek
And there's a new Clutch award named after Jerry West pic.twitter.com/Y3HFo2qkYm— Kirk Goldsberry (@kirkgoldsberry) December 13, 2022

While I don’t necessarily think the NBA had to rename or rebrand practically all of its trophies, I also don’t hate the decision. The scale and tradition of the old ones will be missed, but I kind of like the new look and synergy of each award. I also especially enjoy that the MVP is the only trophy to receive an entirely different build. Other than the Larry O’Brien, it’s easily the league’s most coveted prize and deserves to stand on its own. So, yeah, I might be in the minority here, but I kind of like what the league has done here.

Jordan highlights popped up on my Twitter timeline, so I had to drop them in bullets:

https://twitter.com/Ballislife/status/1602651681073889285?s=20&t=yYsl9IFITHbJqOTbHM1K1A

If DeMar DeRozan doesn’t win the NBA’s new Clutch award, we’re pushing the Bean into Lake Michigan. The fact they introduced this award one season after DeRozan was easily the most clutch player on the planet is downright evil. The good news, though, is that the five-time All-Star is still killing it down the stretch of games this year. While the Bulls’ success in those games may not be the same, DeRozan has dropped the most total points (61) in clutch games so far this season.

The Athletic released their latest power rankings, and the Bulls sit an underwhelming 17th. In Zach Harper’s short write-up on the team, he stressed just how unevenly this group has played so far this season. Their net rating from quarter to quarter is a creeky wooden rollercoaster, and they continue to wait until they’re faced with a deficit to play up to their standards. More specifically, their first-half net rating sits just 22nd in the NBA, while their second-half net rating is an impressive 4th. I’m sure that isn’t helping this front office decide if blowing things up is the way to go.

Indeed, what’s most annoying about the Bulls is that there is no middle ground. One night, this team is losing the Spurs or Magic and playing with as much energy as a sloth on gummies. The next night, the Bulls are beating the Celtics or Bucks with 48 minutes of physically taxing basketball. The inconsistency is crazy, and I think it reiterates how poorly this roster is built. Are they a talented bunch? Sure. But are they a cohesive unit? Not particularly.

Cade Cunningham has been stuck on the sideline since the beginning of November, and word officially dropped on Monday night that he will miss the remainder of the 2022-23 season. This is obviously massive news for Detroit’s key building block and almost surely locks the franchise into the No. 1-overall pick discussion. With that being the case, I have to wonder how active they will be in the trade market over the next handful of weeks. Bojan Bogdanovic has already been a popular name according to multiple reports, while vets like Nerlens Noel and Alec Burks are likely in line to draw their own interest.

ESPN Sources: Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham – the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft – plans to have season-ending surgery on his left shin. Cunningham is expected to make a full recovery ahead of training camp in 2023-2024. pic.twitter.com/0OyUkDOtK7— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 12, 2022

Bogdanovic would be an ideal fit for what this Bulls team needs, but I also find it hard to believe that they can open the cap room necessary to add him. He’s currently owed $19.3 million with a two-year, $39 million extension on the horizon. The only world where it would make sense is if Vooch ended up elsewhere mid-season and Bogdanovic filled his spot on the cap sheet. But what are the Bulls doing at center then? A more realistic name to think about could be Burks. A 38.0 percent 3-point shooter during his career, he’s owed a much more reasonable $10.0 million this season with a team option for roughly the same amount next year.

If one thing is for sure, everyone around the league hopes Chicago is looking to sell, not buy:

“Everyone” Is Watching and Waiting for the Bulls to Blow It Up at the Trade Deadline

Can confirm.

Chicago is a beautiful city🫶
— Andre Drummond (@AndreDrummond) December 12, 2022

Sadly, the Bulls are also learning to win.

Learning to Win, Fields’ Next Test, Hurts Comp, New Team Enters Tank Watch, and Other Bears Bulletshttps://t.co/FQkwV6gKnE pic.twitter.com/cgqt2jhgY1— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) December 13, 2022

Good to know!

Four #Blackhawks Prospects Make @HockeyCanada World Junior Championship Roster 🇨🇦 🇨🇦https://t.co/Dt0isXlrYC pic.twitter.com/bt0pI0Dlzw
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) December 12, 2022

written by

Elias Schuster

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

Chicago Bulls

Chicago Bulls Officially Waive Illini Standout Marcus Domask

After only two days of training camp, the Chicago Bulls have made a roster move. The team officially announced on Wednesday afternoon that they have waived guard Marcus Domask. The 24-year-old went undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft before signing...

Elias Schuster

Oct 02, 2024

Chicago Bulls

Matas Buzelis: “I Want to Win Rookie of the Year”

If there's one thing Matas Buzelis doesn't lack as he enters his first NBA season, it's confidence. The No. 11 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft walks the fine line between cockiness and humility. While he never fails to...

Elias Schuster

Oct 02, 2024

Chicago Bulls

Bulls Training Camp Update: Josh Giddey Took Contact!

After a limited Day 1 of training camp for Josh Giddey, the new point guard took a step in the right direction. Billy Donovan shared with reporters today that Giddey participated in contact portions of practice. This comes after the...

Elias Schuster

Oct 02, 2024

Chicago Bulls

A Vocal Ayo Dosunmu, A Happy Zach LaVine, So No Matas Buzelis in the G-League? And Other Bulls Bullets

The Chicago Bulls wrapped up Day 1 of training camp on Tuesday! For what feels like the first time in forever, everyone on the team's roster participated in some capacity. Josh Giddey was the most limited as he continues to...

Elias Schuster

Oct 02, 2024

Chicago Bulls

Taj Gibson Gave His Reaction to Derrick Rose’s Retirement, And Now I’m Crying Again

As if Joakim Noah's heartwarming tribute to Derrick Rose wasn't enough to melt our hearts, Taj Gibson has now shared his reaction. The long-time Chicago Bulls forward is 39 years old and headed toward Year 16 of his NBA career....

Elias Schuster

Oct 01, 2024

Chicago Bulls

Bulls Training Camp Update: Lonzo Ball Did Stuff, Josh Giddey Did Less Stuff

Day 1 of training camp is in the books! Fortunately, it sounds like everyone on the Chicago Bulls' roster was able to participate in varying degrees, and this includes Lonzo Ball. According to CHGO's Will Gottlieb, Ball did both contact...

Elias Schuster

Oct 01, 2024

Chicago Bulls

Arturas Karnisovas Was Asked About Keeping the Bulls’ 2025 Draft Pick … And Oof

If the Chicago Bulls want to embrace their current youth movement in earnest, they can not ignore the 2025 NBA Draft. Any finish outside the league's bottom 10 will result in their first-round selection heading to the San Antonio Spurs....

Elias Schuster

Oct 01, 2024

Chicago Bulls

The Bulls Reportedly Have a Date for When They Will Honor Derrick Rose

The Chicago Bulls will have the hottest ticket in town this winter. According to Darnell Mayberry and Shams Charania of The Athletic, the organization will honor Derrick Rose on January 4, 2025. Fittingly, the Bulls will welcome former head coach...

Elias Schuster

Oct 01, 2024

Chicago Bulls

A Lot of the Same, Media Day Leftovers, Lonzo Ball’s “Brand New” Knee, and Other Bulls Bullets

Another Chicago Bulls Media Day is in the books. In many ways, far too much felt the same. Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic took the podium, Arturas Karnisovas offered a vague directional message, and Billy Donovan spoke about needing to...

Elias Schuster

Oct 01, 2024

Joel Embiid for ESPN BET Michigan promo code 11.17

Chicago Bulls

Wait, Joel Embiid Says He Lost How Much Weight?

Joel Embiid sounds determined to stay on the floor this season. During the Philadelphia 76ers' Media Day on Monday, the 2022-23 MVP shared just how much he's looking to change his body heading into a new season. The big man...

Elias Schuster

Sep 30, 2024

Picks

Best MLB Prop Bets Today, October 3, 2024

In a Thursday MLB Playoff slate that features nine compelling contests, the New York Mets versus the Milwaukee Brewers is a game to see.There are usually lots of MLB player prop bets offered for each and every matchup. Scroll down...

Data Skrive

Oct 03, 2024

Fantasy Football

Jacoby Brissett Fantasy Week 5: Projections vs. Dolphins, Points and Stats, Start or Sit

Jacoby Brissett and the New England Patriots will face the Miami Dolphins and their fifth-ranked pass defense (162.5 yards allowed per game) in Week 5, on Sunday at 1:00 PM ET.When setting your fantasy football lineup this week, is Brissett...

Data Skrive

Oct 02, 2024

Fantasy Football

Mark Andrews Fantasy Week 5: Projections vs. Bengals, Points and Stats, Start or Sit

Tight end Mark Andrews has a matchup against the 11th-ranked pass defense in the league (181.3 yards conceded per game) in Week 5, when his Baltimore Ravens play the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday at 1:00 PM ET.With his upcoming game versus...

Data Skrive

Oct 02, 2024

Fantasy Football

Lamar Jackson Fantasy Week 5: Projections vs. Bengals, Points and Stats, Start or Sit

Quarterback Lamar Jackson faces a matchup versus the 11th-ranked passing defense in the NFL (181.3 yards allowed per game) in Week 5, when his Baltimore Ravens take on the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday at 1:00 PM ET.Should Jackson be someone that...

Data Skrive

Oct 02, 2024

Fantasy Football

Joe Mixon Fantasy Week 5: Projections vs. Bills, Points and Stats, Start or Sit

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon will match up with the 30th-ranked rushing defense of the Buffalo Bills (156.5 yards allowed per game) in Week 5, at 1:00 PM ET on Sunday.With his upcoming tilt against the Bills this week,...

Data Skrive

Oct 02, 2024

Fantasy Football

Mike Gesicki Fantasy Week 5: Projections vs. Ravens, Points and Stats, Start or Sit

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki will take on the 29th-ranked passing defense of the Baltimore Ravens (257.5 yards allowed per game) in Week 5, at 1:00 PM ET on Sunday.When setting your fantasy football lineup this week, is Gesicki...

Data Skrive

Oct 02, 2024

Fantasy Football

Dare Ogunbowale Fantasy Week 5: Projections vs. Bills, Points and Stats, Start or Sit

Running back Dare Ogunbowale has a matchup versus the 30th-ranked run defense in the NFL (156.5 yards allowed per game) in Week 5, when his Houston Texans play the Buffalo Bills, Sunday at 1:00 PM ET.Is Ogunbowale worth starting in...

Data Skrive

Oct 02, 2024

Fantasy Football

Andy Dalton Fantasy Week 5: Projections vs. Bears, Points and Stats, Start or Sit

Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton will take on the eighth-ranked pass defense of the Chicago Bears (174.5 yards conceded per game) in Week 5, at 1:00 PM ET on Sunday.With his upcoming game against the Bears this week, should Dalton...

Data Skrive

Oct 02, 2024

Fantasy Football

Nelson Agholor Fantasy Week 5: Projections vs. Bengals, Points and Stats, Start or Sit

Nelson Agholor and the Baltimore Ravens will meet the Cincinnati Bengals and their 11th-ranked pass defense (181.3 yards allowed per game) in Week 5, on Sunday at 1:00 PM ET.With his upcoming matchup versus the Bengals this week, should Agholor...

Data Skrive

Oct 02, 2024

Fantasy Football

Mike Evans Fantasy Week 5: Projections vs. Falcons, Points and Stats, Start or Sit

In Week 5 (Thursday at 8:15 PM ET), WR Mike Evans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will meet the Atlanta Falcons, who have the 13th-ranked pass defense in the league (191 yards allowed per game).Should Evans be someone that you...

Data Skrive

Oct 02, 2024

NBA Honors MJ, First Half vs. Second Half Net Rating, Detroit Loses Cade, and Other Bulls Bullets

Read More

more bulls news

Latest News

more bulls news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News