Stars Step Up, Knicks Eye LaVine, DJJ Leaves With Injury, Capela Out, and Other Bulls Bullets

The moment I saw this is the moment I knew the Bulls were about to snap their win streak:

  • In all seriousness, I give the Bulls props for taking care of business last night. With a load of drama breaking throughout Tuesday, the full expectation was that they’d walk on the floor with zero motivation and a lot of bottled-up anger. They were seemingly able to turn that anger into fuel, however, shooting 54.8 percent from the field and having one of their better performances from the “Big 3.” Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic combined for 74 points, 13 assists, and 23 rebounds.
  • Having said that, nobody should start to rethink the direction of this season after the Bulls beat a Heat team without Jimmy Butler, Kyle Lowry, and Caleb Martin. They still coughed up 17 TOVs and allowed five Heat players to score in double figures. It wasn’t by any means some kind of dominant or clean win that signals a full-season turnaround. Now, if they are able to put together another decent showing tonight in Atlanta, then maybe I’ll let a drip of optimism back into my body. But, for now, I’m not reading too much into this game.
  • If you were scrambling to finish some extra work before the holidays and missed all of yesterday’s drama, let me give a very brief recap: (1) Zach and the Bulls reportedly aren’t seeing “eye-to-eye,” (2) Billy Donovan has possibly lost the team, (3) there was a confrontation in the Bulls locker room during Sunday’s blowout loss, (4) the trade rumors are coming. Fun … I know.
  • Speaking of LaVine, Steph Noh put together a great video that outlined some of the plays that may have sparked this locker-room incident. A lot of the comments were reportedly directed toward LaVine for his lackluster defense, which we can’t deny was on full display during the T-Wolves’ 150-point effort:
  • I don’t know how to feel about Zach LaVine right now. Not only is he underachieving this season, but he also seemed to be the driving force behind yesterday’s big report from The Athletic’s Shams Charania. On one hand, I do believe there is a really good player in there that can help this franchise point things in the right direction. On the other hand, he’s given us no choice but to question some of his leadership qualities. He’s the max player who is supposed to band everyone together. I’m not quite sure he fully understands the change of responsibility and perception that comes with that massive pay raise. Whether he wants to admit it or not, expectations have changed and it’s up to him to rise to the occasion.
  • The New York Knicks want to take a swing at LaVine. We already know the vultures are circling the United Center, and HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto has joined ESPN’s Brian Windhorst in connecting the Knicks to LaVine.
  • Several NBA teams, including the New York Knicks, are monitoring whether LaVine will become available on the trade market after Chicago’s underwhelming start to the season at 12-18, Lonzo Ball’s return from injury in question, and Nikola Vucevic’s looming free agency.

  • Derrick Jones Jr. played 15 minutes last night before leaving the game with a left ankle sprain. Considering the Bulls are set to take the floor again tonight in Atlanta, I think it’s fair to assume Jones will not suit up. Whether or not we should expect him to miss any more time than that is up in the air. In the meantime, expect to see less small-ball and more Andre Drummond.
  • While the Atlanta Hawks have gotten back both Dejounte Murray and John Collins since the Bulls lost to them in heartbreaking fashion earlier this month, they will be without Clint Capela tonight. All things considered, that feels like a big break for a Bulls team that struggles to contain the pick-and-roll and can get hammered on the glass.
  • That’s what we in the industry like to call a “John Paxson Promotion.”
  • Tis the season! Awesome stuff from the rookie!
  • Extend the man!
  • Good news!
  • 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

    A Huge 3-Point Turnaround, Nets Are Better Than Expected, Giddey’s Surprising Streak, and Other Bulls Bullets

    All things considered, this has to be considered one of the Chicago Bulls' easier weeks of the season. So you know they're about to go 0-4! The Bulls will face the Nets, Pacers, Spurs, and 76ers over the next week....

    Should We Appreciate Billy Donovan More? Vucevic Keeps Shooting, and Other Bulls Bullets

    Billy Donovan may not be Jim Boylen, but he surely isn't Phil Jackson. Bulls fans have remained rather neutral on the head coach over his years in Chicago. The majority haven't called for his head, but this same majority wouldn't...

    The Bulls Are Too Good, More Confirmation That Trades Are Coming, Josh Giddey, and Other Bulls Bullets

    The Chicago Bulls are too good. For a team that has little to gain from a playoff pursuit and everything to gain from a bottom-10 finish, they continue to look too stinkin' competitive. Yes, they may have come up short...

    Box Score & Player Grades: Celtics 138, Bulls 129 – November 29, 2024

    The Boston Celtics looked like the Boston Celtics. They used their well-balanced starting lineup and high-volume three-point shooting to gain a 13-point advantage in the first quarter. The Bulls weren't necessarily playing poorly, but the defending champs were doing just...

    Zach LaVine Just Broke a Pretty Big Franchise Record

    With 3:05 left to go against the Boston Celtics on Friday night, Zach LaVine made Chicago Bulls history. The 29-year-old guard cemented himself in the franchise record books with his 1,050th three-pointer as a Bull. He has officially passed Kirk...

    Would This Really Be All It Takes to Trade for Nikola Vucevic?

    The Chicago Bulls aren't taking things one game at a time. With the organization jump-starting a roster overhaul this past summer, they have entered this year with sights set on the future. More specifically, they are expected to stay very...

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

    The Bulls and Celtics go at it in a Black Friday NBA Cup matchup! A win for Chicago wins the group! https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1862482520060674436 Game Info Boston Celtics (15-3) at Chicago Bulls (8-12) – 7:00 p.m. CT on Chicago Sports Network (TV)...

    Good News: Chicago Bulls Ready to Talk “Majority” of Their Roster

    The early-season buzz around the Chicago Bulls has been ... promising. In past years, the league has been left in the dark about the organization's trade deadline plans. While many believed the front office should take any and all calls,...

    Last NBA Cup Game, Boston is Good at Everything, Ayo Dosunmu Playing Well, and Other Bulls Bullets

    Does anyone have a loose net and some extra beard cream lying around? I want to lure Matt Eberflus into a trap and check for a mask. "Old Bulls head coach JIm Boylen!?" "And I would've gotten away with it,...

    Bulls Injury Update: Lonzo Ball’s Comeback Tour Continues, No Jalen Smith

    [ankin_law] For the first time in 15 games, Lonzo Ball has been given the green light, per the latest official injury report. The Chicago Bulls guard has been sidelined since Oct. 28 with a wrist injury. Ball initially suffered the...

    Latest News

    Buccaneers vs. Panthers Week 13 Tickets – Sunday, December 1, 2024

    The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6) face an NFC South foe when they go on the road to play the Carolina Panthers (3-7) on Sunday, December 1, 2024.Where to Buy Buccaneers vs. Panthers TicketsIf you're in the market to buy tickets...

    World Juniors Updates: Blackhawks Prospects Moore, Spellacy Invited by US, Lardis Snubbed By Canada

    The Blackhawks have a number of prospects hoping to represent their countries in the upcoming 2025 World Junior Championship. On Monday, the United States and Canada announced their preliminary rosters to mixed results for the Blackhawks organization. We expected Oliver...

    A Huge 3-Point Turnaround, Nets Are Better Than Expected, Giddey’s Surprising Streak, and Other Bulls Bullets

    All things considered, this has to be considered one of the Chicago Bulls' easier weeks of the season. So you know they're about to go 0-4! The Bulls will face the Nets, Pacers, Spurs, and 76ers over the next week....

    Let’s Talk About the Cubs’ Recent Offseason Activity and a Weird New Cubs Rumor

    [BN_drinks] WEIRD NEW CUBS RUMOR — Generally speaking, I think we're beginning an interesting couple of weeks. Thanksgiving is behind us, the Winter Meetings lie just ahead (Dec. 9-12), the market is moderately active for MLB — at least, relative...

    Week 14 NFL Injuries: Latest Injury Reports for Christian McCaffery, Trevor Lawrence & More

    A few injury bummers this week, with Swiss Army Knife Taysom Hill looking like he's out for the rest of the year and star running back Christian McCaffrey most likely heading back to the IR after a new injury to...

    Around the NFL: CMC Injury, Al-Shaair Apologizes, Tomlin Says Pickens Needs to “Grow Up”

    The San Francisco 49ers will be without star running back Christian McCaffrey for the foreseeable future—that and more in today's NFL Notes. 49ers Lose Christian McCaffrey to PCL Injury San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey sustained a PCL injury...

    Weekend Roundup, Eberflus Makes Sad History, Matt Ryan Makes Good Points, and Other Bears Bullets

    How did you enjoy your Bears-less Sunday? Things you might've missed while you were putting away the rest of your Thanksgiving leftovers: Matt Eberflus is no longer the Chicago Bears' head coach (this happened on Friday after he told reporters...

    Movement in the Starting Pitcher Market, Optimism and Pessimism on Sasaki, and Other Cubs Bullets

    The kids are all back to school today after a mini break for Thanksgiving. House feels extra quiet. That's mostly a good thing from a productivity standpoint, but it's always an adjustment ... The starting pitching market is really cooking...

    New York Mets Signing Frankie Montas to a Surprisingly Large Deal

    The Chicago Cubs aren't the only team signing a starting pitcher to a surprisingly sizable two-year deal. The Cubs are signing Matthew Boyd to a two-year, $29 million deal, and the New York Mets are signing Frankie Montas to a...

    Top Player Prop Bets for Celtics vs. Heat on December 2, 2024

    Oddsmakers have listed player props for Jayson Tatum and others when the Boston Celtics host the Miami Heat at TD Garden on Monday at 7:30 PM ET.How to Watch Celtics vs. HeatDate: Monday, December 2, 2024Time: 7:30 PM ETHow to...

    Top Player Prop Bets for Bulls vs. Nets on December 2, 2024

    You can find player prop bet odds for Nikola Vucevic, Cameron Johnson and others on the Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets heading into their matchup at 8:00 PM ET on Monday at United Center.How to Watch Bulls vs. NetsDate: Monday,...

    more bulls news