February 27 felt like the low point. The Chicago Bulls had welcomed the last-place Detroit Pistons into their building after a surprising victory over a playoff-caliber New Orleans Pelicans team. Especially with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks on the calendar next, this felt like a much-needed and essential victory.
What followed was one of the worst 3-point shooting performances in NBA history. And, no, that’s not an exaggeration. They would lose to the Detroit Pistons 105-95. Even worse, this marked the second time during the 2023-24 campaign that they fell to the current 12-60 team. How can you get lower than that?
By grabbing a shovel, of course!
The Bulls dug themselves a 15-0 hole to the Washington Wizards on Monday night. Not only did this team have just 13 wins coming into the game, but they were also without multiple starters. Two of their top 3 leading scorers (Kyle Kuzma & Deni Avdija) were on the injury report, as well as their leading assist man (Tyus Jones). Lottery pick Bilal Coulibaly was also sidelined with big man Eugene Omoruyi. If the Bulls could cruise to a 29-point victory over this healthier Wizards team a little over a week prior, there was no reason why we shouldn’t have seen a very similar outcome. Alas, a 107-105 disaster followed.
Chicago shot 41.4 percent from the field against a team that came into the night with the NBA’s single-worst defense. They also allowed 52 rebounds and 19 second-chance points to the team with the lowest overall REB% in the NBA. What I found the best the most egregious of all, however, was the fact that Nikola Vucevic took five shots the entire game. What. The. [Expletive].
Vucevic followed up his ONE shot in the first half with a mere four shots over the next two quarters. He would finish the game with 9 points. Do I need to remind you that he had 29 points (which tied his second-most of the year) on 11-19 shooting the last time these two played? Vucevic took full control of the post against the undersized Richaun Holmes in that game, who also started last night. The only difference was that Marvin Bagley III suited up in last night’s affair for 17 minutes off the bench. But in no way whatsoever should that have called for a complete change of strategy for Chicago. The Bulls had the advantage down low, and they completely ignored it for a full 48 minutes.
“To be honest with you, that was one of the things I was disappointed with,” Billy Donovan said about Vucevic’s lack of shot attempts after the game. We got into situations where the ball is being thrown back out, and we got some guys – and particularly younger guys – who are just catching the ball trying to put the ball down, and they’re not reading the defense. We missed him way too much tonight.”
Donovan said he addressed this at halftime … and all it led to was a mere four more shot attempts for Vucevic (of which he made 3). Look, I know sometimes he gets some slack for it, but Stacey King’s “it’s a simple game” remark should have been written on a whiteboard in the locker room last night. And Vucevic isn’t void of blame, by the way! I understand that he often needs someone to get him the ball in his spots, but was there any initiative taken to ensure this happened? Was he too complacent in their style of play?
The Bulls also couldn’t keep their emotions in check, yet again. We watched DeRozan chirp with refs, Jevon Carter get a technical, Coby White kick the scorer’s table, and Alex Caruso receive a flagrant-1. Why are they letting arguably the worst team in the NBA get into their head? What’s the point?
Jordan Poole and Alex Caruso went back and forth pushing each other.
I agree and disagree with Kendall Gill’s point during the Bulls postgame show. On the one hand, I understand showing some quick respect to the opponent before leaving the game. On the other hand, sure, I’d like to see the Bulls more frustrated with themselves for losing that game. If you’re going to show frustration on the court and get yourself in trouble, then show me how much this loss hurts after the game, too.
KG has a problem with the Bulls being chummy with Wizards players after their "worst loss of the season" pic.twitter.com/yvXeqbPMtE— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) March 26, 2024
Alex Caruso collected his 100th steal last night, expanding his career-high. He’s currently 6th in the NBA in total steals. In case you missed it, I wrote about the most Alex Caruso stat ever recently.
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.
Inside the NBA welcomed Alex Caruso to their famous Studio J on Wednesday night. The Chicago Bulls' defensive menace joined TNT's normal cast of characters – as well as frequent visitor Draymond Green – ahead of Game 5 between the...
With the Chicago Bulls bounced early from the NBA Playoffs yet again, it's got me thinking about the looming offseason and ever-daunting NBA salary cap. While the playoffs have been really fun thus far, it's hard for me not to...
The Chicago Sky are officially back! After two preseason contests, the Sky will tip off the regular season on Wednesday night. The year will begin with two straight battles against the Dallas Wings, a team that finished 22-18 last season...
I don't need a Porsche. Would I like to have one in my driveway? Sure. But I'd be foolish to funnel my money into such a luxury. Now, might things be different if I was rolling in dough because of...
Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan will dominate the offseason headlines for the Chicago Bulls. Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley will presumably work every phone line in hopes that the market consensus has changed on their two-time All-Star. As for DeRozan,...
Lonzo Ball's new podcast "What an Experience" didn't avoid the elephant in the room. Within the first few seconds of the inaugural episode, Ball addressed his current health status and provided an update on his return to play. To be...
The Chicago Bulls should be in the film room growing a five o'clock shadow. The only reason they should be let out and handed a razor is to take in the Draft Combine festivities over at Wintrust Arena. Otherwise, roll...
For the second time this season, Rudy Gobert has been handed down a hefty fine by the NBA. During the T'Wolves' Game 4 loss at home to the Nuggets, Gobert flashed the money sign with his hands directed at officials....
You're gonna need a bigger arena ... The Chicago Sky will be quite the draw for WNBA fans across the country. But don't just take my word for it. The Washington Mystics confirmed the excitement on Tuesday, announcing that the...
With the 2024 NBA Draft Combine off to a hot start in their own backyard, I hope the Chicago Bulls have learned from their many past mistakes. More on the importance of these next few days ... https://www.bleachernation.com/bulls/2024/05/14/draft-combine-bulls-work-5/ For a...
Despite being horrible on offense in 2023, the Steelers finished 10-7 and reached the playoffs before losing to the Buffalo Bills in the NFL Wild Card round. They then made plenty of noise in the offseason signing Russell Wilson and...
The Eagles were bounced in a blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023 and are moving to 2024 with hopes of getting back to the Super Bowl. Their full NFL schedule is out for this fall. Let's take...
The sportsbooks like the visiting Florida Panthers (-148) over the Boston Bruins (+124) when they play on Friday, May 17 at 7:00 PM ET.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Panthers vs. Bruins Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Panthers (-148)Underdog: Bruins (+124)Total: 5.5Best Panthers vs....
The Colorado Avalanche meet the Dallas Stars on May 17 at 10:00 PM ET, and have been made -120 on the moneyline, with the latter at +100.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Avalanche vs. Stars Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Avalanche (-120)Underdog: Stars (+100)Total:...
In a Thursday NBA playoff slate that includes just one matchup, the Denver Nuggets versus the Minnesota Timberwolves is the only way to catch the NBA today.There are usually lots of NBA player prop bets offered for each and every...
Northwestern will be making a return to Wrigley Field not just once this season, but twice! Due to the construction of their brand new football stadium, the Cats will be playing five of their seven home games at its temporary...
Just about as soon as I could talk about how Brennen Davis had homered for the third time in four games, he homered AGAIN, making it four times in five games. And this time, just for fun, B.J. Murray Jr....
The Cubs come back home from the Pittsburgh-Atlanta road trip having split it 3-3, and I gotta say, that's a pretty solid outcome when (1) you're facing Jones and Skenes, (2) you're playing three in Atlanta where they'd lost just...
The Chicago Cubs' bats finally came alive last night in Atlanta, albeit with a little bit of help from Braves starting pitcher Charlie Morton. On the other side, Javier Assad was brilliant once again. Good win. Needed win. Enjoy the...
Today's MLB slate has lots in store. Among those six contests is the New York Yankees playing the Minnesota Twins.There are usually lots of MLB player prop bets offered for each and every game. Look below to see what options...
NEWSLETTER
