Flip-Flopping the 11th Seed, Green’s Status, Bulls Show Some Local Love, and Other Bulls Bullets
I never know what to say when someone walks by and throws out a “your dog is so cute!” I usually respond with a classic “thank you,” but is that really the appropriate response? I played no part in making my dog cute!
I suppose it could be as if I’m thanking them on behalf of my dog … but my dog probably wouldn’t even say thank you if she could speak English. She’s a pampered and cocky pup who knows how adorable she is.
Anyway, basketball. Let’s talk about that.
- The scoreboard keeps changing. After briefly falling into 12th place after losing to the Pacers, the Bulls moved back into 11th last night. Indiana suffered a 147-143 loss to the Philidelphia 76ers (what’s defense?) to move a half-game behind Chicago. For what it’s worth, though, they have a far easier schedule over the next few games than the Bulls. While Zach LaVine and Co. have to face the Nuggets and Kings in two of their next three games, Tyrese Haliburton will get to face the Rockets and then the Pistons twice. There is a decent chance Indiana gains at least some kind of cushion in that 11th spot by the time next week ends.
- More on the East standings and why the Bulls may want to think extra hard about those lottery odds …
- Head coach Billy Donovan gave a concerning update about Javonte Green this past weekend, and the Bulls followed that up with a similarly concerning statement. While they still left the door open for Green to make his way back onto the court, they reiterated that there remains no timetable for his return and we will get another update in about two weeks. If we jump ahead to March 20 (aka two weeks from when this announcement was made), the Bulls would have just 11 games left in the regular season.
- The biggest hold-up for Green has been lateral movement, per Donovan. If he can start doing that over the next week or so, perhaps there is a chance that he can rejoin the team for a last-ditch Play-In Tournament push. However, let’s not forget that Green must also get back into full basketball shape. If he isn’t moving laterally yet, that means there is more on-court conditioning that needs to be done to get him caught up to speed. That stuff takes time and could turn into the main reason we don’t see him again this season.
- Justin Lewis is back! The Marquette standout signed a two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls immediately after going undrafted this past summer. Unfortunately, the Bulls ended up waiving him due to a torn ACL he suffered right before the regular season. As far as I know, however, he’s stayed around the team during his rehab, and the Bulls have now re-signed him to a two-way deal to finish out the regular season.
- It’s unclear where Lewis is in his rehabilitation process, so it’s also unclear if he’ll receive any playing time over the next several weeks (either in the NBA or in the G-League). With that said, I’m hoping that this signing foreshadows the Bulls’ intentions to keep him a part of the plans moving forward. He’s a very intriguing young prospect who I think is built for today’s NBA. He reminds me a little of a player like Grant Williams – at least in terms of the role he could carve out for himself.
- Lewis is taking Carlik Jones’ former two-way spot. In case you forgot or missed it, Jones ended up getting a promotion to the full-time roster after the Bulls and Goran Dragic decided to part ways. Keith Smith of Spotrac gave us a little more information on what Jones’ deal with Chicago looks like. According to him, it’s a three-year deal and each season would be on the minimum contract. Each of the next two seasons is also non-guaranteed, so the expectation shouldn’t necessarily be that he sticks around.
- You absolutely love to see the Bulls’ players showing some love to the community. DeMar DeRozan, Dalen Terry, Patrick Williams, and Ayo Dosunmu were all spotted taking in the IHSA super-sectional action at the UIC Pavilion last night.
- As disappointing as this season has been, there is no question this is an extremely likable roster. I think that’s arguably what makes this disastrous campaign all the more aggravating. I WANT to root for almost everyone on this team, especially when we consider how much they’ve done to interact with the local community. Whether it be Terry playing in some local Pro AM games, Caruso helping numerous Chicago charities, DeMar showing up to coach a High School team, or the entire team surprising a bunch of kids with a video game tournament … the Bulls have made this city proud off the court. They deserve a massive round of applause for that.
- Setting the bar REAL high for Bronny …
- Ok maybe forget my Justin Lewis-Grant Williams comparison …
- In today’s episode of “Refs Want Attention …”
- Good. Leave.
- Stalock had himself a big night.
