A Win in Paris, LaVine Making Kids Smile, Playing Through Vooch, All-Star Voting, and Other Bulls Bullets

I’m about to sound crazy … but I think that’s bound to happen at least a few times when you obsess over the Chicago Bulls for a living, right?

We could look back at last night as one of the most encouraging victories of the season. Was it against a 12-win Pistons team? Yes. Was it with four days rest? Mhm. Was it also on a mutual floor in a foreign land? Yup. But when we consider how poorly this team has played against the bottom echelon of the NBA this season, yesterday’s mid-afternoon victory felt like a potential sign of growth.

The Bulls led by double figures for what felt like the entirety of the game. While the Pistons made a slight run in the second half – as most NBA teams tend to do – Chicago quickly put to a halt to it with some ramped-up defensive pressure and some easy All-Star bucket-making. Overall, they simply took care of business against a lesser opponent in the way they should. Can they take that ability, stuff it in bubble wrap, and safely return it to the states?

  • The Bulls’ upcoming schedule is filled with opponents like the one they saw on Thursday. The Hornets, Magic, and Spurs make up four of their next eight games. Also mixed in there is another matchup against the struggling Atlanta Hawks and one against the Tyrese Haliburton-less Pacers. If they can find a way to play with the same sense of urgency they had this week in Paris, they could have a real chance at turning this into a true second-half surge.
  • Paris probably couldn’t have gone better for the Bulls. While they were able to grab the much-needed win, they also earned some much-needed rest after a grueling first half of the season. I have to imagine this was a tremendous bonding experience for the team, and we can’t look past the potential value of that after a lackluster start to the year. While there was no indication that this team was having trouble in the locker room, there is no question that a lot of the team’s poor play had been due to some mental gymnastics. Let’s hope this acted as a cleanse of sorts and will allow them to start this second half on a rejuvenated note.
  • “Being out here has been great,” Zach LaVine said after the game. “The whole experience. My family has been here, we’ve been doing things as a group. The culture, the fans obviously, it was electric. Obviously, capping it off with a win it was great. We played the right way. It was a little sluggish in the beginning, but it was good.”

  • On and off the floor, Zach LaVine represented the Bulls in the way a max player should. He first led the team with an easy 30 points on 10-20 shooting from the field. While his hand injury seemed to keep him from hunting his typical catch-and-shoot looks, he did a tremendous job of putting his head down and establishing a presence in the paint. He amassed nine free throw attempts for the third-straight game and knocked down five of his seven shots within 10ft of the basket. Add in his 4 assists and 5 rebounds, and LaVine’s all-around performance helped him walk off the floor with a game-high +19.
  • As he headed back to the locker room, LaVine could be seen gifting his shoes to a young fan hoisting his jersey. The man of the people then had a viral moment during his press conference when he fielded a question from a young fan. More on that here.
  • https://twitter.com/NBAKicks/status/1616210648844718080?s=20

  • I was wondering whether or not the dynamic duo would pick up where they off against Utah. They did.
  • https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1616435384170201089?s=20

  • We can’t talk about yesterday’s dominant win without also mentioning Nikola Vucevic. After tying his career-high with 43 points against the Golden State Warriors, the Bulls’ big man came out with an almost equally as impressive 16-point, 15-rebound, and 6-assist showing. What I found particularly exciting was the fact that Chicago made a clear effort to let Vooch lead.
  • Funneling everything through him during the first quarter was a big reason why the court ultimately opened up in the way it did. Not only was he able to sink some easy shots off the PnR (and shoutout to the ballhandlers for quickly feeding him off the screen), but he dished 3 assists in the opening frame. I have to imagine that allowing him to create from the middle of the floor will be a greater second-half trend. While it can’t be something this team leans on too much, it can be a good way to ensure everyone gets involved without the presence of a true PG.
  • Another round of All-Star votes was released yesterday. As things currently stand, DeMar DeRozan remains 6th among Eastern Conference guards with and well behind Trae Young. LaVine has also failed, yet again, to crack the top 10. Final results from fan voting – which accounts for 50 percent of the total tally in determining starters – will come our way next week.
  • Is that good?
  • Zach LaVine pulled out a new look yesterday:
  • https://twitter.com/NickDePaula/status/1616074025738063873?s=20

  • I’m very curious to see if Serge Ibaka has any value on the market. My best guess is that he’s just thrown into a multi-team trade or sent elsewhere for a 2nd-rounder. We’ll see.
  • The Bulls could never …
  • https://twitter.com/espnW/status/1616259696016474113?s=20

  • Agree or disagree?
  • Who you got?
  • 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 125, Pacers 99 – March 27, 2024

    I got to be honest, I'm even more upset about the Washington Wizards' loss. If the Chicago Bulls played like they did tonight, they would have beaten that depleted Wizards team by 40. This was a locked-in group from the...

    Javonte Green Makes Bulls Return… Immediately Does Awesome Stuff

    Javonte Green has officially made his Chicago Bulls debut ... again. The 30-year-old signed with the organization via a 10-day hardship deal on March 22. Injuries to Lonzo Ball, Zach LaVine, Patrick Williams, and Julian Phillips paved the way for...

    WATCH: Alex Caruso Snatches Rookie Ben Sheppard’s Ankles

    Alex Caruso will always be known for his defense capabilities, but he's showing a lot more than that this season. The veteran guard is averaging double-digit points for the first time in his career. A big part of that has...

    Draymond Green Ejected Less Than 4 Minutes Into Game Against Orlando

    Draymond Green was at it again on Wednesday night. Out East to take on the Orlando Magic, the Golden State Warriors watched Paolo Banchero bulldoze Andrew Wiggins to the rim early in the first quarter. As Banchero high-fived his teammates...

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

    Everything was awful on Tuesday. Be Better. https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1772971933161705610?s=20 Game Info Indiana Pacers (41-32) at Chicago Bulls (34-38) – 7:00 p.m. CT on NBC Sports Chicago (TV) and 670 The Score (Radio) Projected Starting Lineups Chicago Bulls Coby White Alex Caruso Ayo Dosunmu...

    Around the Association: Caitlin Clark Gets Big(3) Offer, Knicks Getting Help, Lakers OT Thriller, More

    It's hard to believe we have less than three weeks remaining in the NBA's regular season, and we should be in for some real drama down the stretch. The Knicks have plenty to play for in their remaining 11 games...

    WHOA: NCAA Looking to Ban Prop Betting on All College Athletes

    As the NCAA men's basketball tournament gears up for the Sweet Sixteen, the college sports world received some big news. On Wednesday morning, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that NCAA president Charlie Baker wants to officially ban prop betting on college...

    NBA Playoffs Update: Several Races Are Still Undecided

    The NBA season is winding down. We have some awesome races for the NBA Playoffs to keep an eye on in the final 2+ weeks of the season. The top seed in the West is still up for grabs in...

    Alex Caruso’s Status in Question for Matchup with Pacers

    The Chicago Bulls might be without their best defensive player against the best offensive team in the NBA. Not great! The latest injury report lists Alex Caruso as "questionable" for Wednesday night's meeting with the Indiana Pacers. Caruso has been...

    Needing a Win, One More with the Pacers, Alex Caruso Guards Everyone, and Other Bulls Bullets

    *scratches long, disheveled beard and grabs a piece of chalk* *crosses out another game on the cave wall* *sits back on ground, grabs knees, rocks back and forth* Nine more games. Nine more games. Nine more games. Look, I want...

    Latest News

    Orioles vs. Angels Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Baltimore Orioles begin their season as -192 favorites in a home tilt against the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday at 3:05 PM ET, live on BSW.Baltimore's Corbin Burnes and Los Angeles' Patrick Sandoval have been named the starters for...

    Wyoming vs South Dakota Women’s College Basketball Odds and Prediction – March 29

    The South Dakota Coyotes (23-12) will try to break a three-game road losing streak when they square off against the Wyoming Cowgirls (17-14) on March 29, 2024 at Arena-Auditorium.Wyoming vs. South Dakota NCAA Game InfoDate: Friday, March 29, 2024Time: 8:30...

    Minnesota vs North Dakota State Women’s College Basketball Odds and Prediction – March 29

    The Minnesota Golden Gophers (17-15) face the North Dakota State Bison (22-11) on March 29, 2024.Minnesota vs. North Dakota State NCAA Game InfoDate: Friday, March 29, 2024Time: 8:00 PM ETWhere: Minneapolis, MinnesotaVenue: Williams ArenaLast Game For Each TeamMinnesota enters this...

    Rays vs. Blue Jays Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

    The Tampa Bay Rays (0-0) and the Toronto Blue Jays (0-0) face off on Thursday at Tropicana Field for Opening Day. First pitch is at 4:10 PM ET.The Rays will call on Zach Eflin versus the Blue Jays and Jose...

    Dodgers vs. Cardinals Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

    The Los Angeles Dodgers (1-1) and the St. Louis Cardinals (0-0) face off at Dodger Stadium on Thursday at 4:10 PM ET, starting a four-game series.The Dodgers will look to Tyler Glasnow versus the Cardinals and Miles Mikolas.Dodgers vs. Cardinals...

    Padres vs. Giants Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

    The San Francisco Giants (0-0) begin a four-game series against the San Diego Padres (1-1) on Thursday at PETCO Park. First pitch is at 4:10 PM.The Padres will look to Yu Darvish versus the Giants and Logan Webb.Padres vs. Giants...

    Astros vs. Yankees Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

    The Houston Astros (0-0) and the New York Yankees (0-0) face off on Thursday at Minute Maid Park for Opening Day. First pitch is at 4:10 PM ET.The Astros will call on Framber Valdez against the Yankees and Nestor Cortes...

    Reds vs. Nationals Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

    The Cincinnati Reds (0-0) and the Washington Nationals (0-0) face off on Thursday at Great American Ball Park for Opening Day. First pitch is at 4:10 PM ET.The Reds will call on Frankie Montas against the Nationals and Josiah Gray.Reds...

    Marlins vs. Pirates Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

    The Miami Marlins (0-0) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (0-0) match up on Thursday at LoanDepot park for Opening Day. First pitch is at 4:10 PM ET.The Marlins will look to Jesus Luzardo versus the Pirates and Mitch Keller.Marlins vs. Pirates...

    Twins vs. Royals Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

    The Kansas City Royals (0-0) host the Minnesota Twins (0-0) in an Opening Day contest at 4:10 PM ET on Thursday.The Twins will call on Pablo Lopez versus the Royals and Cole Ragans.Twins vs. Royals Pitcher Matchup and Game InfoWhen:...

    more bulls news