The past few years of Chicago Bulls basketball have been defined by agony and stubbornness. The front office has repeatedly settled for mediocrity despite preaching how unacceptable that mentality is. They have held on to a dream that lasted a total of 35 games during the 2021-22 season, insisting that there was so much more there than what we could all see with their own two eyes.
This is precisely why DeMar DeRozan meant so much to so many. One man was never going to change this organization’s destiny, but he tried his darndest. You could expect DeRozan to make things entertaining night in and night out. From last-second buzzer-beaters to franchise record-breaking scoring stretches, the veteran forward became one of the most enjoyable Bulls players to watch this century.
So might his inevitable standing ovation and tribute video feel silly to those on the outside looking in? Sure, but those who watched how hard DeRozan worked to make Chicago proud will understand every clap.
Welcome back, DeMar!
- It feels like the Sacramento Kings have lived two very different seasons throughout their 38 games. After beginning the year with a slew of blowout victories, they stumbled into the depths of the Western Conference. Significant questions about the fit of DeRozan, De’Aaron Fox, and Domantas Sabonis emerged (sound familiar, Bulls fans?), while trade rumors began to swirl at an increasing rate. All came to a head when the organization shockingly fired head coach Mike Brown, who signed a contract extension only a handful of months prior.
- To the Kings’ credit, the drastic move has seemed to pay off … for now. The Kings have followed up a six-game losing streak with a six-game winning streak. They have beaten several potential playoff teams over this stretch, including Dallas, Memphis, Golden State, Miami, and Boston. They are tied for averaging the second-most points per game during this span, which doesn’t bode well for a Bulls defense that sits 23rd in the league. We’ve also seen them focus a lot more on long-range shots. Only averaging 35.8 attempts per game this season (22nd), they have shot 39.7 a night in the last six games (9th). This should be a trend that continues this afternoon against the shot-chucking Bulls.
- Bad news for the Bulls โ the Kings allow the fewest fastbreak points in the league. The Bulls typically averaged 17.8 fastbreak points per game, which is the third-highest mark in the NBA. Sacramento doesn’t turn the ball over often, and their defense has been MUCH better at hustling back in transition this season. Cleaning the Glass has them allowing the 6th-fewest points per 100 possessions in transition thus far.
- I’m irrationally excited for Zach LaVine vs. DeMar DeRozan. Whether it was real or not, we all know the drama surrounding these two over the last couple of years. While they were always buddy-buddy off the court, there was this frustrating disconnect once the ball was tipped. Now with DeRozan elsewhere, LaVine is playing arguably the best basketball of his career. And I have to imagine he hopes to continue that tonight against his former teammate. As for DeRozan, he already sent a playful warning to Bulls fans in his parting message: “I know the nightmares started already knowing you will face me in another jersey, but itโll only be twice,” DeRozan wrote in his goodbye message this offseason.
- For what it’s worth, DeRozan has averaged 20.9 points, 3.9 assists, and 3.8 rebounds this season. He is shooting an identical 48.0 percent from the field, but we’ve seen his free throw attempts drop to roughly 5.0 per game (averaging almost 8.0 per game with the Bulls). His role has clearly diminished alongside Fox โ the clear 1A โย and Sabonis, but it may not look that way this afternoon. Once again, not only could he show up with a chip on his shoulder, but De’Aaron Fox is entering the game as “questionable” with a glute contusion. If he sits out, expect a very familiar-looking show from DeRozan at the UC.
- Thanks to their offensive explosion on Friday night, the Bulls have made 20+ threes in nine games this season. Oddly enough, however, they are only 5-4 in those contests! I guess that serves as another reminder of just how bad their defense has been at times.
- Matas Buzelis deserves a lot more minutes this afternoon. Patrick Williams has struggled immensely to make his presence felt in back-to-back games. Buzelis outscored the starting power forward in the fourth quarter alone, registering 8 points with 2 rebounds and 2 blocks. Was this against a terrible Wizards team with the Bulls up big? Sure. But Williams had plenty of opportunities to make a similar impact and didn’t. Billy Donovan needs to reward the rookie.
- One of the top names on the Chicago Bears’ coaching list is now off the market. What does this mean for the rest of the search?
- The Chicago Cubs continue to look for ways to improve their bullpen, and they are reportedly eyeing one very interesting name.
ELSEWHERE AT BN:ย Check Out BN Fantasyย |ย Subscribe to The BN Newsletter