features

none

Sam Smith

Elias Zimianitis: I like this organization and I like Artūras' reflections. The proof is in the pudding. No judgement on individual players; just judgement on the results of the team. It didn’t work. Something needs to change. Let’s see what happens. I’d like to see them with a little more nastiness in all areas. A team that purposefully pushes to a win without thought or hesitation. A power forward who rebounds, defends and makes his presence known on both sides, would be great. Three-point shooter off the bench that could put pressure on the defense leaving them alone. If you were to guess at which event would happen in order, rank 1. Trading LaVine, 2. Trading/letting go of DeRozan, 3. Trading or matching PWill, 4. Holding onto 2 of the big three, 5. Lonzo playing at all with the Bulls this year?

Sam: The Miami game was sort of a wakeup call of that we’ve got all great guys mantra, and perhaps work in a jerk here or there. The Bulls were bullied badly in that game, and that does resonate with playoff ball when teams increase their will. The Bulls were not able to and have to examine that as well. The obvious needs are that shooting and size/athleticism at power forward; the problem is the names. It seems apparent from everything that was said and not said that LaVine seems scheduled to walk the plank first if they can accommodate that. Unless they move on from DeRozan, it’s difficult to see how that much changes. And there’s no indication they intend to move on from DeRozan. I expect Patrick Williams back for a last make-or-break run, and not so much Lonzo for now.

Morae Villaroso: What are your thoughts/feelings on the Bulls coaching staff current reconstruction? And what do you think these early moves suggest about either management and/or the team’s commitment to improving the roster as well as winning?

Sam: I believe they are committed to improving and changing the roster, and presumably the results, but I doubt this has any big effect. I saw some staff changes attributed in media reports to the Bulls public relations staff, and it is fairly common to change assistants when things don’t go well. If not a great response. It usually means the head coach wants more of his guys since Chris Fleming, who is well respected in the NBA and was a celebrated international coach before being an assistant with several NBA teams, was a holdover from the previous coaching staff with Jim Boylen. I don’t want to diminish the job because most assistants work harder than the head coach with studying film and game planning and advance work for much less money, but they also serve as sort of a comfort food for the coach with the personalities he’s most comfortable with. A head coach should be able to have his guys. Sometimes there are holdovers like Fleming or coaches that the organization has asked the new coach to retain. The head coach is the buck stops here guy and major decision maker. As for Mo Cheeks, he’s been hinting about retirement for several years. The important thing to remember is none of this should be taken to believe they were the problem or that change addresses the issues facing the team.

Jose Ayala: I’m sure you get this question from a lot of fans and here I am, about to ask again. I believe I read in one of your previous Mailbags that the Bulls tried to acquire D. Rose at one point during the offseason when he was a free agent as a Knick. Do you think he’ll ever come back to Chicago and the Bulls at some point while he can still play, even if it’s just a veteran role for the young guys? Imagine if Ayo, Coby and DT were mentored by DeMar and Rose. And, if he were to come back, would he even want to? I’ve seen interviews and podcasts where he said he still feels somewhat haunted by the Knicks trade and the way he was treated by the fans and media. He wanted to end his career as a Chicago Bull and I really, really hope he gets to.

Sam: It doesn’t seem like this management team wants to revisit much of that Bulls past with Coby White after this summer or into next season probably the only remaining player from when the new management took over, and they weren’t sure they wanted to keep Coby for a long time until his breakout this season. With his declining minutes last season, the rumor was Coby wouldn’t have minded a change like Markkanen got. That’s not unusual with teams, especially the way the Bulls were committed and successful with the Zach/DeMar/Vooch/Lonzo quartet. If Lonzo and Zach stayed healthy, Coby probably would have been gone, and no one would have complained. But they didn’t, he got his chance, and now he’s probably the most important Bulls player on the roster going forward. Life works out that way. You need an opportunity. Coby got his, but credit him that he improved and took advantage, and not everyone does. Derrick says he’s anxious to get back to playing next season with what should be a good Grizzlies team again after leading the league in injuries. It would seem at this point given his age and injuries, there’s probably not a roster spot on the Bulls for Derrick, though I can see one of those one-day contracts to retire as a Bull and perhaps a post-playing career community role with the team given his popularity. I expect him some day to be added to that Ring of Honor. And I still believe the combination of youngest MVP, multiple All-Star, two-time gold medal winner with USA Basketball, college Final Four combines to eventually make him a Hall of Famer. 

Alexa Marie: It was expected that Maxey would win Most Improved Player, but I felt the award should’ve gone to Coby (despite his poor performance against the Heat). Tyrese is already good enough; Coby quite literally doubled in stats and it shows how much he’s improved on the floor. He was more than deserving.

Sam: Must be tough for you these days when people call your name out loud. The votes were in before the play-in, so that game was irrelevant. As unfortunately was the 42-pointer against Atlanta. Maxey was the betting favorite all season for whatever that's worth, and that Coby got that close in the end — and actually was selected on more ballots — suggested strong support. And when it’s that close it’s like a game ending on a last shot. Both were good enough to win, but only one does. What probably hurt Coby was the Bulls inability to get over .500 since voters usually break ties by going with the player whose team was better on the notion that he impacted winning more. I think that's also why DeRozan finished second in Clutch Plater voting despite better advanced stats. Historically votes have gone that way for NBA awards. I’m not sure even why Şengün was on the ballot as a finalist since he didn’t play the 65 games. Actually, I might have picked Jalen Brunson over even those two. Both Maxey, who did become an All-Star and Coby who is on the verge, made that jump from player to star. The more difficult jump is from player/star to superstar since there are so few of them, and Brunson did that since he probably will be top five in MVP. I think Brunson got overlooked for most improved because he was in the MVP conversation. But leading that team as he has without another All-Star or anyone even close with Randle out to second place in the Eastern Conference was a remarkable achievement.

Mike Sutera: Orlando’s got 47 mil in cap spaceGot the perfect 2 guard for them, Zach. Don't want much either Anthony Black (Next Lonzo); And Mo wagner.

Sam: You may have something there as that’s the kind of deal that probably makes sense if not what sounds so great to us for a two-time All-Star. But Bulls management in the end season media conference emphasized change and that it didn’t work and it was the end of that Big Three and all that. If DeRozan resigns and they can’t trade LaVine because he’s coming off injury and Lonzo is at least working out that doesn’t sound like any change. So they seem to have to do something. The emergency of Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu, if not as athletic/electric scorers as LaVine, does give the Bulls some replacement cover. One concern I have regarding losing LaVine is the Bulls paucity of three-point shooting and he’s been the most accurate and with the most volume the last few years. It’s been apparent watching these playoffs the young Magic need a scorer and a veteran, though if they keep up with Thursday’s blowout results maybe that changes. But it would seem Zach could fit just right as their guard corps is pretty weak. Fultz and Gary Harris are expiring, Ingles is done and the rest are relatively small. Zach would seem a fine fit, and the teams have a trading relationship. The pause would be the risk Orlando is taking. The sense I get is Zach is doing well physically and will be ready to go and is in his prime. But it’s still a $135 million contract remaining and if he shows up at camp and can’t play that’s a job killer for any GM. Black didn’t play much this season and was overmatched when he did, but he’s a big guard who is athletic and a lottery pick. Not sure they’d give up Moritz and upset his brother. I assume they substitute someone else, but that might be the most you come up with. I’m sure the Bulls will try some big name swaps first — spoiler alert and it may be obvious that I am for bringing Zach back and using him and his talents, though I seem outvoted on that — but it may come down to someone like Orlando with cap room and especially if they are out in the first round and needing to take a risk to take that next step.

Mari Mendoza: There’s narratives that the Bulls are the laughing stock of the NBA and have been for quite some time. I personally don’t believe that. Especially given how hard we’ve worked and fought through adversity this season. Are we underdogs? Yeah, I think so; but definitely not “laughing stock” worthy. What do you think about these headlines, stories, etc.?

Sam: It’s the price of underachieving no matter the circumstances and you just have to take it until you can deliver an I-told-you-so. The Miami loss was a disappointment that fed a lot more of that because not that I would have picked the Bulls against Boston, but I could see them playing the Celtics much better and making it a longer series than predicted like when as an eight seed in 2017 they shocked the top-seeded Celtics winning the first two in Boston before Rondo got hurt. If Boston is making its threes no one beats the Celtics. But they don’t always and will also shoot themselves out of games and lose concentration in some games. And the way DeRozan has played and White and Dosunmu coming on as they have with Vučević who has had some big games against the Celtics, I thought the Bulls would be a better matchup than many anticipated, and you gain your credibility in the playoffs. Of course, I didn’t think Miami could make 23 threes as they did in Game 2. I know the Bulls can’t. Another reminder of how many of these games change on three-point shooting. The Bulls failing to get to the playoffs the last two seasons has allowed others to pile on. For now they just have to take it.

Clayton Marlow: I feel like we’ve let the team down these past few years as far as this core goes. Yes, I understand everyone was upset and disappointed that the season had to end then (rightfully so), but I would honestly hate to see anyone go. Hearing DeMar hint at retirement and Alex expressing his frustration really brought my spirits down; like being here isn’t what they want anymore after trying for the last three or four seasons. Maybe (and hopefully) I’m wrong, but that’s just what I’ve gathered after listening to the postgame pressers.

Sam: I didn’t take it that way. I think they still were a bit mystified why they weren’t more successful and being around them the last two seasons I genuinely believe they are convinced they still can do it together. I think the results forced management to if partly for public respectability to acknowledge some level of failure and that change is needed, if not any sort of drastic or dynamic revolt or revolution. We’re all anxious to see what it will look like. The early indications remain — even as there are some differences of opinion given the level of expected change — that both DeRozan and Caruso will return for another run.

Jaelyn Moretti: I'm not saying the Bulls should rebuild, but it's evident something needs to change in order for this team to be considered a contender or playoff team. We have all the pieces in DeMar and impressive improvement from Ayo and Coby, but for whatever reason, we can't stay consistent. I thought we would win this Miami game  after reflecting on the disappointing season last year. Have any of the media personnel for the Bulls (ex: Kendall Gill and Stacey King) considered coaching the team? I assume Billy and management are under contract next season, but I think the Bulls would benefit from their player experience.

Sam: Stacey talks about it at times, and then we ask him to reminisce about his Oklahoma days. I like to use for coaching Johnny Kerr’s bon mot about five guys running around with his paycheck; it is a players’ game. But don’t underestimate the work and the intricacies required to be an NBA coach. Since I go to most games I don’t hear them postgame much. I assume they are pointing out errors since they know the game, but a bit more delicacy is required in this era than you might think. The modern NBA player is talented and just as committed, but he’s not as open to condemnation as he once was with the independence of these huge, long contracts. There’s a lot more communication and psychology in coaching than ever, and there always was plenty of that as we recall Phil Jackson and how he talked about who he could yell at to send messages to someone else. And even if there’s no coaching school or degree, the men (and increasingly women) who do the jobs go through massive apprenticeships more like the artisans of colonial times to learn their trade for years before getting a chance to practice it for real. Stacey and Kendall do fine jobs broadcasting, and are right where they should be.

Kelli Esporado: I’m convinced that the Bulls front office is okay with us being the way we are. We’re capable of beating what people classify as “good teams” and have flashes, but I’m starting to think we’re just a performative bunch at this point; and that’s rather unfortunate and disappointing because we’re much better than our records show. I’ve always had a genuinely fun time attending Bulls games, but it can also be frustrating, especially when we’ve competed the best we could and still come up short.

Sam: They said they are not, and we have to take them for their word and then see what they will do this summer to back that up. But I believe them even if they don’t ask me to. I know the frustration of rooting for a team and seeing someone else celebrating so often. After all, I grew up in Brooklyn where we invented, "Wait ’til next year.'" We all hear often about these teams satisfied with selling tickets and making money, and it always is inaccurate, though a good venting exercise. No one with that kind of money who wants to maximize it stays in sports. They’ll start a hedge fund or any other number of investments. You stay in sports because of the love of the games and the thrill of the chase and competition. Losing satisfies little of that, and when it comes to management, losing means unemployment at some point. The complication is there generally are 30 groups of people (NBA at least) of relatively similar intelligence and skills all trying to be the only one that succeeds. There aren't many businesses like that where there’s a winner and 29 losers.

Sydney Bautista: I’m going to be honest: Unlike the media, other fans and even those who cover the Bulls, I don’t think this core has “hit the ceiling.” I’m tired of people saying that because this roster has remarkable talent (even though I was a bit concerned about Vooch this season). We’ve proven time and time again that we’re capable of beating “good” teams, but I don’t blame the players for being frustrated (or however they’re feeling) because they have every right to be. We’ve had issues staying consistent and base our games based on the type of team we face. But we also need a new coaching staff. One that isn’t afraid to be gritty and brutally honest. We’re too good to be this mediocre. I’m just rambling out of disappointment at this point.

Sam: Not an Allman Brother, however, eh? Tryin' to make a livin' and doin' the best I can; and when it's time for leavin’ I hope you'll understand; that you were born a ramblin' man? RIP Dickey Betts. Ah, I do digress. Well, they are changing some assistant coaches, but as I’ve noted there’s not as much brutally honest as you might think (or hope). Not from Thibs, either; sorry. This is some of the confusion many of us have since I was among the many who at least projected 42 or 43 wins this season. But there are some obvious flaws with the lack of three-point shooting which becomes ever more apparent the more playoff games you watch. We like this Bulls team because they compete seriously, don’t give up on games and don’t take off to rest like most of their peers around the NBA. But we also can’t ask them to make up for some obvious deficiencies no matter how hard they try. That’s what management acknowledged post season and I suppose we’ll see the response this summer.

Wayne Warner: I am in camp to not bring back (need a small shakeup) the unrestricted free agents- DeRozan, Green, & Drummond but bring back Williams. Seems that first part of next season will be determining how the returning injured players, LaVine, Lonzo (hoping for 16 min per game), Williams, Phillips, & Bitim plus the 1st round draft pick fit with the returning guys - White, Vučević, Ayo, Caruso, Dalen, Carter & Craig. Then after evaluation, be more active in trade deadline deals. I’d rather see a sign & trade of DeRozan to a contender over the cap…and a trade of Caruso to a team that has too many young players so needs a veteran wing defender. I like Caruso but his contract & skills can get Bulls some upside young talent / draft picks. I like the three guard rotation of Ayo, White & LaVine for next two seasons. And over the tax in 25-26.

Sam: I tend to favor that Zach angle, but in reality I can’t see it occurring. Like most have noted, both sides with the Bulls and Zach seem to have run their course together. Plus, the Bulls have high value for DeMar’s relationship with the younger players, and that means a lot to teams. I’m not for the blowup/meltdown for draft picks, and management clearly is not. Though your halfway angle has some appeal. You have a core of sorts with White, Dosunmu, Williams and Vučević, and it would seem you could get something pretty good with a DeRozan sign and trade and Caruso with his value (I can still see him getting a late Olympic team call with bodies going down in these playoffs; c’mon, Kawhi is limping already). The positive with DeRozan is so many positives of clutch scoring, shot making when everyone else can’t, getting to the line. But at some point you have to trust the kids and let them have the ball. It’s sort of like having a boyfriend or girlfriend you know you’ll eventually part with, but you don’t want to be alone so you hang in there. Sometimes you have to make the sacrifices for the future. Though it seems for now like a return of DeRozan and a two-year window as his and Vučević's contracts will expire—assuming DeMar accepts two years— after the 25-26 season. And by then with Ball off the books after next season, the Bulls would presumably have big salary cap space along with draft picks after the 2025-26 season. And in the meantime fill in around the edges with reserve shooting and some size and hope you stay healthy and the East isn’t that deep, and you know the rest. Hey, maybe? Though also maybe take a short step back without DeRozan and Caruso to get some of those needs now and you have a No. 1 pick this season now at No. 11 and maybe add a pick in trade and maybe miracle Portland gets into the playoffs before 2028 and you start with a style of play you can sustain with youth and speed? It’s perhaps the Bulls biggest offseason decision.

Brian Tucker: I question how much change can happen because of Lonzo Ball.  Obviously they had the injured player exception for him and didn’t use it because the team isn’t good enough to go into the luxury tax. So basically the Bulls are starting next season with 20M less than everyone else, which limits what change can be made without taking a significant step back, which I doubt AK is interested in. Maybe Lonzo plays again, but that’s nothing we can count on. I think AK tries to go after a useful player like Donovan Mitchell, though you have to wonder how willing they are to go for Zach. They paid quite a bit to get Mitchell and are finding success with him. I don’t think AK is willing to take a step back. Like a trade with Brooklyn to get Ben Simmons’ expiring contract to set the team up well for 2025 free agency seems like a viable rebuild strategy, where they could quickly rebuild with a lot of cap space and some good young talent. Not only is that 40M off the books but so is Lonzo’s 20M. Can sign a max player straight up with no trading needed. Okay, wake up time. I’m guessing DeMar wouldn’t want to come back under those circumstances.

Sam: I was thinking about the Cleveland possibility and Mitchell for Zach as free agents don’t go to Cleveland if they lost the first round, but they looked pretty good against Orlando. Ooops, ’til Thursday. So not giving up yet. That’s also the point with Ball; while the Bulls probably knew he wasn’t coming back, that $20 million on the cap left them at the starting blocks with everyone running. That’s a setback. I know there’s this narrative about the Bulls not paying players, but they gave four guys $20 million deals (and Zach double) and hardly any other team does, and certainly no one who’s in the middle. Maybe not cheer that, but it’s not for lack of spending. Remember, a billionaire owner whom many point to wanting like Mark Cuban got rid of superstars Steve Nash and Jalen Brunson because he didn’t want to pay them. The Simmons scenario is one you hear occasionally as it meshes with huge contracts coming off the books, and suddenly if you don’t have the money of LaVine, Ball and DeRozan with a competitive core that includes White, Caruso, Dosunmu, Vučević, maybe Drummond, Terry, Phillips, Craig, et al and some picks you have a reasonably competitive group and the possibility of being a major player in trade/free agency and the draft to remake your team in a year and maybe two at the most. Like you said, wake up. Likely not happening.

James Wallace: The Bulls were as good as I think you could hope. Injuries hurt. A bad start to season. But they worked hard and were often fun to cheer for. White is an example, I think, of how much better players can be with another year in college before they go to NBA. Learning on the job is rough in the NBA. The Bulls are getting a bit old. DeRozan had a great year, but does he want to end his career with a middle-of-the-pack team when he could be a difference-maker for a contender? At this point in his career, will money really decide it? Vooch is good, and moving him seems hard. LaVine is very good, but how many injuries does he need to recover from? If you try to trade him, who wants a very expensive player with a long history of injuries? Coach will have a hard time fitting him in next year. White and Dosunmu have shown significant improvement, but the Bulls could still benefit from a quality point guard who can shoot threes and lead the offense. In the upcoming draft, I would suggest targeting Jared McCain of Duke. He's a three-point shooter and a smart playmaker, which could be a great addition to the team. Current projections say he should be available when the Bulls draft, but I think this is a weak draft. I’m not sure Williams will get much interest as a free agent. He looks like a great basketball player but shrinks when he walks on the court. Caruso is a great versatile player. If Williams had his inner motor, what could he be? I would like to keep Caruso as a second-team guard and small forward. But you would be crazy not to consider offers. Most of the rest of the team are average to slightly below-average NBA players. This means they are very good if you want an average NBA team. This will be a tough offseason. Hard to trade older players. Free agent decisions for DeRozan and Williams are tough. Help from the draft looks weak, except I like McCain of Duke. I wrote before that I thought Sanogo was a smart pick at that point in the draft. Wish he had an outside shot; he could be another Draymond Green, but he doesn’t. Hoping some current Bulls player will come out of a phone booth like Superman is unlikely.  

Sam: And hardly anyone even knows what a phone booth is anymore. Imagine, our parents never had any idea where we were; of course, they didn’t care. But that was another issue. Anyway, valid points, which is what makes going from the .500 neighborhood to a gated one more difficult than just spending money. Coby has proven good enough to be a quality NBA point guard in this era, but you are correct that he’s not really a point guard and probably never truly will be. Most point guards in the NBA are scorers these days, so he fits there. He will move the ball and in unselfish. But he doesn’t have the gene. And that’s one of those you either do or don’t; you don’t learn point guard. Like you don’t learn quarterback. Either you are or aren’t. Coby misses a lot of open guys or guys moving to where they can get a better shot. He tries not to, but it’s hardly his fault. I’m not much up on the draft yet, but I took a peek at a few mock drafts and guys are all over the place. The Tennessee guy I like for the Bulls, Knecht, seems to have been noticed and moved up. In May 2017 after the lottery I projected this guy Donovan Mitchell for the Bulls at No. 16. The mocks had him low first or second as too small. By draft time, he blew by the Bulls to 13. These things change. Several of those mocks have the Bulls taking a point guard like the Connecticut guy, but then I saw one mock where he projected to six. Be a good year for the Bulls to luck into top four.

Adam DeBortoli: I propose the following trade scenario: Pistons accept the team option on Fournier. Bulls send LaVine and Ball to the Pistons. Pistons send Fournier to the Bulls. This opens the necessary cap space for the Bulls to sign DeRozan ($40MM/yr - 2yrs) and Williams ($15-18MM/yr) while staying below the luxury tax threshold. Management finally moves off LaVine. Detroit adds a veteran scorer in LaVine to improve the team and teach their young players. Ball adds depth if he is able to play. This seems like a win for both teams since it improves the Detroit roster and helps the current and future cap sheet for the Bulls. Both DeRozan and Vučević would come off the books in 2yrs, which opens cap space to resign White and Dosunmu once their contracts are up. The future success of the team would solely depend on how well White, Dosunmu, and Williams develop and perform.

Sam: There are some possibilities regarding Ball because he can’t play. He’s on insurance until he does and thus most of his salary is covered by insurance. Everyone wants to send Zach to the Detroit gulag, eh? The problem with that is more severe than speculation about a makeup trade with the Magic. The Pistons clearly need something, though unlike Orlando they do have a good shooting guard prospect in Ivey. They have plenty of cap room to absorb a big contract, but given their recent history of this current debacle you can’t be the GM who uses all his cap room on a guy who what if he comes into camp and isn’t ready to play? A team like Orlando is on the cusp and maybe someone like Zach gets them to the next level and it’s worth the risk. Detroit isn’t very close and a mistake could doom them for the rest of the decade. It’s why the circumstances with Zach are going to be quite the tightrope for the Bulls. You have to hope they keep their balance.

Jocelyn Casas: Part of me wonders what would’ve happened if the Heat had won against Philly, especially with a semi-healthy Embiid. We’ve seen a few times this season, however, that both teams take it personally when they lose to us. We got blown out by the Sixers the last time we met and I just knew the Heat would come more prepared. What do you believe would’ve occurred had we went against Philadelphia?

Sam: Like I’ve speculated I felt the Bulls would have been a better match for the Celtics. Though it’s easier to sit home and believe you are better than what you experienced. Which likely is why it’s time for change. Seeing the Bulls play as seriously as they do and win impressively against some top teams and appreciate the effort and character of the players, maybe at times we do get seduced into believing they are better than they are. I thought the Bulls got a huge break when Philly hung on and won that play-in game against Miami as Jimmy went out and it seemed obvious at that point that you were facing Miami without Butler. I packed for seven days when the Bulls went to Miami. And how did that one go? Like they say, you have to play the games. Though that perhaps was the one the Bulls really needed to wake them up to the change Karnišovas said now is necessary. The playoffs are about turning up your game, and when that was called for, it was Miami who did so with tough, aggressive play that belied the Bulls resilience that we so admired and they talked about so much. Like against the Bucks in this group’s one playoff appearance a few years back, they sadly weren’t up to raising their game for the playoff challenge. Perhaps it’s unfair because they just got the one-and-done play-in and no time to make the adjustments and respond to the more physical play. As we saw and embraced, these Bulls did rise to occasions. But when their reckoning arrived they were either unprepared or unable. And not a simple answer to blame Zach this time.

Bruce Roberts: We start off 5-14, not only losing, but playing horrible, boring, isolation basketball. Some hope arrives! Billy’s message about a different style of basketball, going downhill, sharing the ball and improved defense starts to take hold. Zach LaVine seemed to get the message. He makes key passes and his defense improves. There is definitely hope and then, …... LaVine requires season ending surgery. Despair and depression. However, despite losing LaVine we continue to play better basketball. Wow the Bulls are fun to watch. The narrative shifts to LaVine being a hindrance to playing winning basketball. The ball is moving, we are improving passing the ball and going downhill and we seem like we can be a .500 team. Patrick Williams appears to be reaching the potential we hoped for. Things look promising then ….. Patrick Williams goes out for the season with an injury. The season again seems lost. Out of this cloud blossoms spring flowers of Coby and Ayo. They are terrific and we are playing some excellent basketball. We make the play-in and play a terrific game against Atlanta. This is the high point of the season. Two days later we play a horrible game against Miami. This is a depressive low point. Lithium is required! Toward the end of the superb performance against Atlanta the ESPN broadcasters predict Coby and Ayo will not be able to get to the rim as easy against Miami. I agreed with the ESPN announcers. Miami was going to collapse the middle and protect the rim in a manner that Atlanta was terrible at doing. Sadly, Coby and Ayo repeatedly get blocked at the rim, missing open shooters and the Heat win by being more prepared with a better game plan. I am optimistic that next year Zach LaVine can fit our new, improved playing style. Patrick Williams was on the rise and Coby and Ayo are much improved. Keep the team together!

Sam: Check out Artūras’ post season conference. It doesn’t seem like radical change, but you can’t do the four times is a charm thing. Your point about the Miami defense is the salient one and speaks to not being able to exactly be as is and the break glass in emergency need for shooting. Playoff defenses are mostly about clogging that lane and you have to make threes, and even more so now the way the game is played. It’s actually to the Bulls credit they did as well as they did being outplayed on threes virtually every game; that meant they had to make up for it with effort, steals, extra possessions, defense, etc, all those things you like that are so difficult. But you play at such a disadvantage and ask so much of your players to continue to play like that. I know there were the injuries, but the Bulls also may have had one of the healthiest cores in the league with DeRozan, White and Vučević all among the league leaders in minutes played and rarely missing games with Ayo added to that and Caruso not going down for any length of time. I’m not sure you can continue to count on that with the playing time demands. Change is at least in the air.

Alex Romano: I watched the End of Season Press Conference with AK and while I'm not as vocal about my feelings towards the front office like some fans, I was admittedly surprised to hear what he had to say. He also looked visibly nervous answering questions; but I do appreciate his accountability and honesty about this roster. I've heard some fans say that "it was about time" he noticed that this roster wasn't clicking, but in my humble, personal opinion, I don't blame him for giving this core at least one more shot. Unfortunately, things happened that were out of the teams control (season-ending injuries in 'Zo, Zach, P. Will and now Julian and OB) and Billy did the best he could with what he had. Even though I saw this coming, it still hurts me to see this roster go, in all honesty. I've become especially connected with a number of guys on the team; just by watching them play and learning more about their lives off the court...it's all been really special. Watching us lose the way we did in Miami was a tear-jerker, too. But at the same time, I don't blame any of the guys for feeling the way they do. Listening to everyone postgame -- especially Donovan and DeMar -- they looked and sounded the most disappointed out of everyone. I still believe in management and don't think we're tanking. I think that fans, like myself, just want the team to be playoff contenders and for it to be better than it is. We also want to see the changes being executed rather than it being all talk. I hope the Bulls do DeMar right by working out something. Whether that means building around him, whatever it may be because he's done so much for the team, the organization and the city of Chicago. From being a great mentor to the younger guys, a determined teammate, recieving all these amazingly deserving accolades and generous with his media time -- all things you've highlighted in your features. because he is more than deserving. However, if he does decide to go elsewhere, I understand. What are your thoughts/feelings/analysis, etc. on his words?

Sam: I’m not sure why, but Karnišovas always seems nervous speaking to media and that's why I believe he rarely does so. I haven’t spoken with him much as he mostly limits himself to his group, but he always seems to have a nice whimsey about him and does seem very likeable. So I’m surprised at times to see those sessions. I agree with them about not rebuilding, but I did think they made a mistake in running it back exactly as is because they had obvious holes in shooting and size and especially shooting that it would seem could have been addressed. Though everyone is trying to get shooting and size, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they tried hard but just couldn’t; it’s not like they’d say so. My concern with Demar is at 35 years old, players who have played his many minutes are more vulnerable even if he seems in better condition than almost everyone in the NBA. At this point with two play-in outs, Karnišovas had no other choice than to say what he did and I feel like he handled it well. Now it comes down to as they like to say about the players, the execution. Other than that old coach’s joke when asked about his players’ execution and he said he was for it. I do agree like you and understand the frustration that they did look like and often played better than their record; and yes blah blah blah we always are told you are what your record is. I do hate that one.

Hailey Carrio: I know it’s still early to talk about this (or maybe not), but do you blame the fanbase for lobbying and acting the way it is, or has over the last few seasons over this roster? I personally like the team; I don’t understand why Zach gets so much hate from people. Vooch has been inconsistent and his 3-pt shooting this season was quite honestly disappointing. It made me wish Drummond was utilized more even as a backup. I am glad he acknowledged his faults. Do you actually think we could get at least a couple of free agent players like Klay? What do you think about Goga Bitadze and liked what I read.

Sam: Never blame the fans, and I know the team doesn’t. In many respects they appreciate the criticism because it demonstrates passion remains. Always better than apathy. I’ve never fully figured out the Zach reaction, either, because I know he’s mostly widely appreciated by the media for his availability and candor, and of all the players whom the Bulls have acquired since the start of the 2017 rebuild, only DeRozan has been more celebrated, and just barely since Zach was a two-time All-Star and USA Basketball gold medalist. If you didn’t know the name and said your team was getting that you’d be thrilled. There’s the defense rap, but DeMar and Vučević aren’t better. He called out Boylen when we all knew he was right; the only time he clashed with Donovan was because he wanted to play more. He played through a lot of injuries and held off surgery to be with the 2022 playoff team. He’s been active in the community and a solid family man. He led the team in shooting threes. Hey, Hollywood types are always divorcing the seemingly perfect mate. People, eh? I think the change talked about will be in the form of a good free agent with the salary cap exception, though Klay probably returns to Golden State in the end at quite a luxury tax cost. Goga is a backup center type; the Bulls have greater needs. Though I’d miss making references to one of my favorite Smokey Robinson songs, Going To A Go-Ga.

Kitty Mota: I know DeRozan has become the focal point of this season (and rightfully so), but I wanted to ask about Caruso and Green. Do you think they’ll be offered contract extensions or renewals, seeing as Caruso is on an expiring deal and Javonte resigned with us recently? I think they’re both deserving and hopefully fans get to see them again in a Bulls uniform.

Sam: Actually, Caruso has one season left on his contract while Green out of the G League is a free agent. I assume Green returns as he likely won’t cost much and he’s a loyal guy and the Bulls have been the most loyal to him. Caruso has that year left on what was a deal of about $9 million a year. He had desperately wanted to return to the Lakers where he won a title, but they never went above $7 million — one of many huge mistakes they still regret like the Westbrook trade over DeRozan; yes, they basically built the Bulls — and a player who came the way Caruso did has to take the most money. Now that he’s established himself as a top defender in the league he could be asking for double that after next season. So I guess that’s when the rubber hits the road, the time to deliver the goods, it’s all over but the shouting, time to get to the point, or the shooting guard. And tell Auntie Em to let Old Yeller out. Somebody stop me!

Ask Sam will appear occasionally through the new two-day June 26-27 NBA Draft and then resume next season.

Got a question for Sam?Submit your question to Sam at&nbsp;asksam@bulls.com

The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Chicago Bulls. All opinions expressed by Sam Smith are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Chicago Bulls or its Basketball Operations staff, parent company, partners, or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Bulls and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.

ask-sam-mailbag-regular-season-reflections-offseason-moves-and-more

Ask Sam Mailbag: Regular season reflections, potential offseason moves and more

It was Vooch who almost a year ago—perhaps innocently and perhaps not so—threw down the gauntlet, which historically was the metaphor for a challenge. Bulls center Nikola Vučević, during Montenegro’s Olympic qualifying tournament last August, told Yahoo Sports about the 2023-24 Bulls, “We know we can do better, and we have to do better. We know it's kind of our last chance as this core of guys to do something.”

And so if the third time is a charm, the chain holding it all together may have snapped Friday night in Miami with the 112-91 loss to the Miami Heat in the play-in tournament encore which ended the Bulls season.

No matter what any of the players, coach or management said in the wake of such a disturbingly uncompetitive defeat for the chance to make the playoffs, it’s too soon and too raw to take too much seriously. It’s an inherent flaw in our media landscape even more so now with the demands for immediate conclusion in order to move quickly onto the next one.&nbsp;

We expect participants to exert themselves to their physical limits, and then minutes later to be calm, logical and reflective about their futures.

Bulls players and coach Billy Donovan mostly went through the boilerplate of predictable responses and analysis after the game, that the shots just didn’t fall, the injuries were too much to overcome in the end, the group held together and there’s enough there to reach their eventually goals.

But Vučević’s point eight months ago was perhaps the most salient.

If you try something three times—or at least two and a half—and you get similar results, and the results are unsatisfactory to you, then has it run its course?

Which is something of the klaxon for management. The noise is getting louder after the Miami crucible.

“Sad, disappointing for us because that was our goal this season, getting to the playoffs,” said Vučević. “We didn’t achieve it again, which was a big disappointment. Up to the front office now. We have a lot of stuff happening this summer they have to look at and decide, guys in free agency. It’s too early to discuss things like that in mid-April, just trying to process this now.

“We are aware it hasn’t worked out the way we wanted it to and we haven’t achieved the results we wanted,” Vučević acknowledged. “We’re very aware of it; that’s clear. That’s on management to decide and see what they want to do moving forward, what they think is best for this team to have more success. There’s a lot of stuff the front office needs to take care of this summer. They have to look at and see what worked and what didn’t and try to fix it and be better. Our job as players we should have been better as a team and done better and played better. We didn’t, and now it’s on them to decide what they think is the issue.”

For his part, Vučević had a good season, except as he noted with his 29 percent three-point shooting. Though he did make a lot of clutch threes. He averaged 18 points and 10.5 rebounds after precisely 17.6 points and 11 rebounds in each of his first two seasons with the Bulls. He’s been exceptionally durable, especially in this appointment playing NBA, playing 76 games after 82 last season. He’ll be even more vital to the team since Andre Drummond is a free agent. The 6-10 Vučević has two years left on his Bulls contract.

“I think we do have enough on this team to have a better result,” said Vučević. “For whatever reason, we are not able to do it. We have the talent, we have the players who can do it. The problem is we just haven’t been able to put it together consistency to be able to do it like we need to to be a good team. We show flashes here and there, we do it for a couple of games and then it kind of goes away. That’s been our issue, something to be fixed.”

No one is about to point fingers. Certainly not in this group of high character people.

Though there certainly are areas to address. After all, it’s basically a sub-.500 record for two and a half seasons since Lonzo Ball’s first knee surgery. So as Vučević intimated last summer, the proof is in the results.

It’s difficult to even speculate now because of the free agency of DeMar DeRozan, Drummond and Patrick Williams, the former two able to leave without Bulls input. There’s also been the trade speculation around Zach LaVine and to a lesser extent Alex Caruso.

The Bulls appear to have two significant areas to address, three-point shooting and wing/interior size. The NBA has evolved to a league heavily dependent on three-point accuracy. The Bulls have lost several games in which they appeared to outplay their opponent, but faced defeat with a deficit of three-point successes. Especially when Patrick Williams was hurt and needed surgery, the Bulls played even smaller often with Caruso at “power” forward. It often led to large second chance deficits even with Drummond’s impact in his limited playing time off the bench.

Age is mentioned at times with DeRozan approaching 35 and Vučević, 33, but both have been among the more consistent and reliable players on the team. But they probably need to have their minutes per game reduced, especially DeRozan after leading the league in minutes played. Even seemingly healthy players at that age have had devastating injuries with overwork, like Kobe Bryant, Klay Thompson and Dominique Wilkins. Eventually even the seemingly indestructible Michael Jordan needed knee surgery in his mid 30s when he went to Washington.

The biggest offseason question will be whether to resign DeRozan.

He’s said repeatedly he wants to return on a new contract, and he has been the team’s most valuable player and most reliable scoring option, especially with LaVine sidelined and his future uncertain. If DeRozan returns, you’d think he needs to play shooting guard to also give the Bulls more size by enabling Patrick Williams to play wing/small forward.

Williams is a restricted free agent, meaning the team can match any offer and retain him. He might not get an offer coming off surgery, so he could return on a one-year qualifying offer and then become an unrestricted free agent. The Bulls can always offer their free agents bigger deals as the home team.

Of course, the putative shooting guard is LaVine. Which is the rub.

The belief like with Williams is teams would want to see them play first before making a commitment. But there always are teams, especially when they underachieve and perhaps are eliminated in the first round after expecting more, who might be willing to make deals not normally expected. A player like LaVine could have great appeal to a team that has difficulty attracting free agents if the Bulls are moving on. There has been no firm indications yet they plan to, and the LaVine/DeRozan combination was working beautifully those first few months with Lonzo Ball.

Ball hopes to return next season, his final Bulls contract season assuming he opts into his contract, as expected. But after being out so long without playing and undergoing multiple surgeries it seems a lot to ask him to return at a high level of play. The Bulls would be wise to have low expectations and high hopes with Ball.

Depending on whether the Bulls can fit Williams in and finally give him a fulltime look at small forward, the position he says he’s best at, the team would need a replacement power forward. Even Caruso admitted after Friday’s loss the demands were too much for him at power forward at his size and weight.

The Bulls had their problems with quantity three-point shooting teams, but also the so called young and athletic teams. It’s likely why they suffered some losses against the so called bad teams. Many of those teams feature high jumping, active athletes while the Bulls with DeRozan, Vučević and Caruso, and to some extent Ayo Dosunmu, aren’t a high flying circus. Perhaps Julian Phillips will eventually help.

But there are possibilities in free agency, trade, sign and trades; it figures to be an exceptionally active transaction summer in the NBA.

The Bulls don’t need a star at power forward. Maybe athletic free agent players like Nic Claxton or Obi Toppin types. Favoring more style than finances, the latter which are premature for now, perhaps players like Tobias Harris, Taurean Prince or Miles Bridges types. The Bulls also could use maybe to put it delicately an enforcer type. There’s no fighting anymore in the NBA, but sometimes you need someone the other guys are looking over the shoulder for, like the Morris twins used to be.

For shooting, there are a range of players in salary and skill who could be or are free agents and have that range, like Klay Thompson, Malik Monk, Buddy Hield, Luke Kennard and Doug McDermott, players who more fit the Jamal Crawford/Eddie Johnson heat-up-quickly sixth man scoring and shooting role.

Like Vučević suggested, three seasons should provide an answer. But despite the disappointing closing game, the Bulls could be just a few musical chairs away, at least initially to a playoff position, without rearranging the entire orchestra.

“Obviously, looking at my season as a whole the one thing that sticks out is my three-point shooting percentage was not great,” Vučević acknowledged. “I’ll look at that and see the reason why. Did I overthink or whatever it was, see where to get better and improve. With us the consistency never got constant. We let a lot of games slip we had a chance to win. Close calls where we had a chance to get to .500 and never were able to get over the hump and the bad start dug us a big hole and that was hard to come back from.”

So just about that nine games under through November to at least make it five over afterward, which would be good enough for the playoffs in the Eastern Conference, and maybe find that athlete and that shooter, and figure out Zach and DeMar, and Patrick and Andre, and...

Better just give them some quiet time for awhile.

nikola-vucevic-acknowledges-disappointing-season-up-to-the-front-office-now

Nikola Vucevic acknowledges disappointing season: "Up to the front office now."

It felt like all that was missing Saturday in the Advocate Center was Bulls Executive Vice-president of Basketball Operations Artūras Karnišovas with a skull in his hand mimicking the Hamlet skull soliloquy.

Alas, poor Bulls Big Three, I knew them well.

But not likely anymore because in the wake of the Bulls 112-91 season-ending play-in tournament loss Friday to the Miami Heat, Karnišovas Saturday signaled the death of the three stars alignment the Bulls put together in 2021as their potential championship representation.

But after consecutive losing seasons, the failure to make the playoffs since 2022 and injuries that often have limited Zach LaVine, Karnišovas effectively declared the end to the LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vučević triumvirate.

“This group, something doesn’t work,” Karnišovas said during the press conference. “I have to find ways to find a group that’s going to make improvements. We’ve done it for a couple years now and it hasn’t worked. Everything is on the table. It goes without saying that the conclusion of the season fell short of expectations regardless of injury, status. Any season where we don’t end deep into the postseason requires close examination, which has already begun. I can talk about all of our players through a positive lens, but in totality as a team we didn’t meet expectations. We’re not here for the play-in. It’s a team game and we have to make changes to fix things. I take full responsibility for where we are right now. I know that our fans aren’t satisfied with where we finished the season and neither am I. 

“Analysis will start right now and go into free agency,” Karnišovas declared. “I think we’re going to be pretty aggressive the way we showed before (summer 2021) going into the draft and free agency. We obviously can’t roll (out) the same team again and expect different results. We definitely understand that even with some of the positivity with the clutch wins and overtime wins, we’re still at 39 (wins) and at the play-in. We have to somehow generate an additional 10 wins. Even with injuries we suffered this year, we need to change things. I’m thinking about winning and that’s why I am here. I am not here to stay in the middle. The formula we came up (with) three years ago, I thought it was working. Until couple injuries and we’re going to have to find these answers in this offseason. Obviously, the results are not what we wanted and I totally get it and it’s on me to figure it out. There’s a lot of great things in certain individual players, and a lot of young guys who took a step forward and it’s positive but in totality as a group it didn’t work. Going into this offseason, we’re going to be more aggressive to look to improve this team. We’ve been creative in the past and going into this offseason basically everything is on the table, so we are going to look at everything.”

Karnišovas didn’t specifically discount the possibility of a rebuild, but it didn’t sound close to that path with indications of new deals with DeRozan and Patrick Williams. Both are free agents, Williams restricted, and Karnišovas indicated there is mutual interest regarding returns. 

Karnišovas also said he is confident in coach Billy Donovan and the work he has done and was indecisive on the return of Lonzo Ball. Karnišovas continued to emphasize substantial changes in the roster and being aggressive in the trade and free agency markets for the first time since the summer of 2021.

He indicated because of injuries, inconsistent performances and changing rotations his goal of continuity didn’t work as Donovan reiterated after Friday’s loss. Karnišovas didn’t specially mention LaVine, who has been subject to trade speculation.

Karnišovas also said he views the need to increase payroll into the excess salary cap luxury tax only if the team is on a sure trajectory to a top-four spot in the Eastern Conference and thus a first round playoff series with the home court.

“I won’t be satisfied until we bring a championship to the city of Chicago,” Karnišovas said. “That’s why I was hired, that’s why I am here, and my mission remains unchanged. It's a result-driven business and I'll be evaluated based on results and I expect that. Diving into this off-season I put an emphasis on turning this program around. I like what Billy has done here the last four years. Billy is someone you build a program with. He’s a very good coach and even a better human being. He’s obviously a great leader, great coach and I’ve got to do a better job to help him, to find a group. We put emphasis on cohesion this year and I think this group kind of bonded. In totality it didn’t work and I have to find these answers. We established a winning expectation, we defined a profile for the Bulls player, and we put an emphasis on player development. It is also on me to facilitate Billy with the resources he needs to build a team that can be successful consistently.”

— On DeRozan: “DeMar’s been great for us for three years. He’s been invested in the city of Chicago and has been really great to our young guys, so both sides are interested in continuing so we’ll see what happens in free agency.”

— On Williams: “The disappointing thing is we lost Patrick for the season, and the last three months. I wish we could’ve seen this team with Patrick on it. We lack, obviously, size without him. The both sides are mutually, they want him to be here. We’ll approach free agency as always.”

— On Ball: “He’s improving. We’ll see where he is at next couple of months (if) no setbacks we’ll see where he is at in terms of on court and basketball side so we’ll figure it out. We’re just going to wait and see his progression the next couple months. He’s progressing well. Everything is looking with no setbacks.”

— On paying the luxury tax: “My approach looking at the luxury tax is if you can prove that your team is going to be in the top four you go in the luxury tax. It just makes no sense to be in the play-in if you’re going to be in the luxury tax. As long as I can put a team together that is going to be competing top four in the East, that’s when you start to look at retaining guys and go in the luxury tax.”&nbsp;

So much for these Bulls’ players gibes, their gambols and their songs, the flashes of merriment. Yes, for the Bulls the game’s again afoot. Once more into the breach for Artūras.

Got a question for Sam?Submit your question to Sam at asksam@bulls.com

arturas-karnisovas-addresses-media-following-play-in-tournament

Artūras Karnišovas addresses media following play-in tournament

They were going to be Starsky and Hutch, Butch and Sundance, silver and gold, fame and fortune, righteous brothers. The Bulls a few years back supposedly finally found another electric and eclectic scoring duo, DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, to start a new era of Bulls basketball excellence. Sure there was Lonzo and Vooch, but it was the two All-Stars, All-NBA, Olympic gold medal to be, Mr. Steady and Mr. Slam.

And now with the Bulls season ending 112-91 loss Friday to the Miami Heat once again in the NBA’s play-in tournament, two of the biggest questions facing this Bulls team moving forward is what to do about DeRozan, who is an unrestricted free agent, and LaVine, who is recovering from foot surgery and subject to trade rumors and speculation for the past year.

There are other issues to deal with like injured Patrick Williams, who is a restricted free agent. The Bulls can match an offer or make him a qualifying offer to retain his rights for one more season, or negotiate an extension. Backup center Andre Drummond also is an unrestricted free agent, like DeRozan. So is Javonte Green. Lonzo Ball has a player option he certainly will pick up as his presence with the team remains uncertain after missing the last two seasons after multiple knee surgeries.

In some respects, the Bulls look like they moved on with the development of Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu in LaVine’s absence. Still, they finished the regular season with a poorer record than last season with LaVine missing half this season, and again failed to make the playoffs. Perhaps puncturing the notion the team is better off without LaVine. A salient question has been if LaVine returns whether it would set back the development of White and Dosunmu.

And then there’s DeRozan, who has been the team’s go-to player, fourth quarter scoring star and veteran presence. He’s expressed interest many times this season about re-signing with the Bulls. And while it’s hardly his fault after consecutive missed playoffs, should the team pivot and evolve to its younger players? After all, DeRozan will be 35 this summer, and if he resigns with the Bulls their salary cap space to do much more would be limited.

And can the team continue to depend on him as many minutes as he played leading the league this season even at his age? But if not who can step up in the clutch as he has, and really no one else has with consistency. In addition, at 35 is it time for him to take a look at a team closer to contending with his prime years nearing an end? Perhaps a sign and trade?

And do the Bulls trade LaVine and if not in a deal return an All-Star given LaVine’s health uncertainties, perhaps pieces to fit their obvious needs? Like a three-point shooter and an athletic power forward type?

Or with LaVine returning to health give them one more run with the development and improvement of White and Dosunmu and the steadiness of Nikola Vucevic because despite the disappointing loss in Miami, the East is not so powerful anymore and it seems like the team with a tweak and a twist here and there maybe isn’t that far away?

The theme was continuity, consistency and competitiveness the last two seasons with no trade deadline movement.

Questions, questions, questions. Without answers for now.

“In my conversations with Arturas (Karnišovas, basketball operations chief), the feeling was can we generate and create some continuity with the group,” said Bulls coach Billy Donovan. “That was the overriding thing, and that continuity never happened, quite honestly. And the reason it didn’t happen we have two starters out. From day one when all this happened I’ve said I felt there was enough in the locker room to compete. 

“What could've been a very difficult, challenging, disastrous season those guys turned into an opportunity to get to the playoffs one game away and we didn’t earn that,” Donovan acknowledged. “So the plan and my conversations talking to Arturas was let’s get this group together with the understanding that Lonzo we knew wasn't coming back. My conversations with them was let's keep this group together, let's see what this looks like, let's see if we can make steps of growth. We’ve got to get more connected as a team, all that stuff, and with the way the season unfolded with several injuries it’s hard to sit here and say…there was no continuity this year. There just wasn't, really from start to finish. That was the initial goal, to try to create some consistency.”

Which makes it a big offseason for the Bulls that has started much sooner than they hoped or expected.

Donovan said, “It would be nice if he (DeRozan) came back,” and players seconded that.

“That’s my dawg,” said Coby White. “It would mean everything for this organization, for the fans, for this city, for everything he’s done for this organization and the city and my personal growth, my dawg; whatever he wants he should get paid. It’s important for us to have him back and me personally I want him back and hopefully they can get everything done and he’ll be back in a Chicago Bulls uniform next season.”

White also put in a good word for LaVine.

“He’s kept in contact,” White said. “When the media ran with all that (trade) stuff it was out of his control. He’s been here and after games texts the group. He texted me and the team right after the Atlanta win (to congratulate). Zach has been my teammate since I’ve been in the NBA and I know how much he cares about winning and the team and I don’t see a problem because I know who he is as a person. He gives us and me motivation and I can’t thank him enough for that.”

Caruso also weighed in with support for LaVine and Patrick Williams, and Caruso dismissed the notion that LaVine’s presence would harm the other guards.

“Throughout the year you could see times all the guards and wings, we had to play 40 minutes and being able to cut that down to 30 and having a guy come in and play 30 (would strengthen the team),” said Caruso. “He (LaVine) was averaging close to five assists; something he’s gotten better at is making reads and obviously everyone knows the scoring talent he has. He can score in bunches and be a threat for us and kind of get a shot whenever he needs and that is something that is invaluable in the NBA; a guy you can say here’s the ball and go make something happen. There’s always a spot for someone like that on the team.

“Coby, Ayo, myself, we’re intellectual, cerebral players; we can always find a way to fit in with that,” said Caruso. “Also missing Patrick this year; he was playing really well coming out of that (5-14) stretch at the beginning of the year. I think he’s a difference maker for us with his versatility and gives us a lot. I was forced to play some of that small ball four. I tried my best, but obviously I’m not the athlete, the rebounder, the physical presence Patrick is. So missing him really hurt, and obviously Zach is one of your big guns, a guy who can score points in bunches and the other team has to respect. That obviously hurt.”

Of course, you support your teammates. Not to say they were insincere, but all the Chicago Bears players talked about preferring Justin Fields. It’s management’s job, however.

And no one likes to mention the injuries, but LaVine and Williams did account for about 40 points per game.

"When you look at the list of guys that were out, Pat, Zach, it's key players,” DeRozan agreed. “It's big time players that we were missing. Even when they were out we didn't sit up here making excuses, looking like we had less; everybody took upon the challenge. Sometimes we couldn’t sustain it. Sometimes we went on runs where we made it look good. I think just knowing that so many key guys were out was for me always kept the hope there. We were against the gun throughout the whole season. A couple of weeks ago we had a team meeting and Billy brought up how many guys were missing and I remember leaving practice and I was, ‘Damn, I never thought once we were missing this much of an important group of guys and we were still resilient.’ That's what gave me the hope, honestly. Knowing if we were healthy we'd have figured it out. But the talent of guys we had not being able to play was a real thing for us.

“My first year, that was the team that we'd planned on being,” said DeRozan of the group with Lonzo Ball that was leading the East until near All-Star break and Ball’s loss for knee surgery. “Then lose our star point guard in ‘Zo, Zach getting hurt. That first year we had all the pieces in place. I don't know if a black cat ran in front of us or we broke a mirror or whatever. But (a team for the future) just giving us a chance to be competitive and putting a team on the floor we can go out there and compete with. Not just fighting for a play-in game.

“Pretty sure over the next couple days, couple of weeks emotions will be all over the place,” said DeRozan. “Sometimes you gotta kind of let those emotions come down so you can think logically. I could feel all type of negative ways right now that I may not feel next week. I always try not to react off of impulse or speak off impulse no matter how I’m feeling. It's just going to be a long summer for me. It's kinda like you crawling up the hill and take a look at that mountain and think you gotta do it all over again, gotta figure it out. It's just gonna be a long summer for me, just thinking about a lot."

Though DeRozan reiterated his preference &nbsp;to recommit to the Bulls.

"That's still where I'm at," DeRozan said. “At the end of the day though, I hate losing, hate missing opportunities. It really hits you at the end of the season when you look up, last seconds run off and you don't have another game. Next time I play a game it'll be my 16th season. Then you realize the window is closing for you personally. I'm not trying to play 25 years, nothing like that; just want to have the opportunity to have everything great and have the opportunity. My stance on wanting to be here is still the same, but I just want to win. More than anything, just have the opportunity to win and not have to go home and see the first round of the playoffs, second round of the playoffs (on TV); it’s frustrating.”

questions-the-bulls-face-heading-into-the-2024-offseason

Questions the Bulls face heading into the 2024 offseason

So there were the Bulls Friday with the start to the NBA playoffs in Boston clearly ahead, and the Bulls ready to step off the curb of their erratic regular season and cross over to the elevated competition when they apparently didn’t realize there was one of those contra lanes with traffic coming from the opposite direction.

Because the Bulls were flattened and their season basically run over and left for dead in a disastrous 112-91 loss to the Miami Heat even lacking their big wheel, Jimmy Butler.

The Heat was on, and to paraphrase Glen Frey it was in their heads and on every beat; the pressure was high to stay alive. And yes, the Bulls felt it. But the Bulls could do little and go home for the summer as Miami got 24 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists from Tyler Herro, 21 points from rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr., and 19 points off the bench from Kevin Love and absolutely overwhelmed the Bulls, outplaying them from the start during a 19-0 first quarter run and then burying them in a 12-0 late third quarter Bulls comedy of errors that left the Heat — did anyone mention without injured Jimmy Butler — dancing away with a lead that got up to even 29 points during the fourth quarter. 

Miami led for all but the first four minutes of the game and by double digits for all but about three minutes in the third quarter when the Bulls eased within 49-42 early in the quarter and 63-54 with five minutes left. But the Bulls then absolutely imploded in what looked like a clown car doing a Keystone Cops scene. There was an inbounds pass turnover that led to a three, three Miami offensive rebounds on one possession when the Bulls tried a small lineup, Andre Drummond making a steal and throwing the ball away on a two-on-one break after an offensive foul, Coby White dribbling the ball away, and suddenly it was 82-60 Miami going into the fourth quarter, and South Beach look out here they come.

Not so the Bulls, who for the second consecutive season lost the final play-in game in Miami after winning the first to fall just short of a playoff series. This year, however, it was settled much more quickly. Miami opens the playoffs in Boston noon Sunday.

"They came out and did what they were supposed to do,” said DeMar DeRozan, who led the Bulls with 21 quiet points. “Played extremely hard, played together, physical, impressive, more hungry. Came out the gate, we got it down to 10, 11 a few times and we just couldn't pull away from there. It was tough. Missed a lot of easy shots, couldn't find a rhythm offensively or couldn’t really get anything going. They had rhythm offensively, hit shots when they needed.”

But more significantly despite no one much wanting to admit so — Bulls coach Billy Donovan and players talked about shots just not going in — the Miami players were more physical from the start with Miami making a nice adjustment using center Bam Adebayo to defend DeRozan. There were some traps, but Adebayo’s presence and size left DeRozan unlike against Atlanta Wednesday off to a slow start. When the Bulls did make their one run in the second quarter it was pretty much all DeRozan, who was 3-of-4 on threes. But Adebayo’s size enabled him not to react to DeRozan’s pump fakes and DeRozan was just 3-of-4 on free throws.And while the Bulls talked afterward about shots rimming out, shots are more difficult to make when defenders are closing fast, wearing you down picking up in the backcourt as Miami did, pressuring and getting over screens. Bulls broadcaster Stacey King likes to talk about five Javontes; for Miami it was five Carusos.

“They came out a little more desperate,“ agreed Caruso. “They had the mental advantage coming off a loss. Coming back home, they just came out with more aggression than us. But even then I thought we did a good job of minimizing damage. But we didn’t make a couple of shots and that was the theme of the night. Every time we needed to cut it to a two-possession game, something manageable, they'd get it to 10 and we just didn’t make the timely shots to give us that energy boost to get over the hump and they’d make a couple of plays and it would get back to 15, and it was just an uphill battle from there. We gave offensive rebounds (at the end of the third), I had a bad turnover on the baseline. We’re already down 10 points, you give those things up you get to that point in game and you have such little margin for error. We just didn’t do a good enough job setting ourselves up to win late in the game.”

And as much as everyone likes to diminish, the Heat could have a last laugh about that culture they talk about all the time, especially with Butler unable to play. Caruso said creating that sort of desperation is vital for the Bulls.&nbsp;

“Not being satisfied and having an end goal and seeing the vision for where you want to be,” said Caruso. “Some of that (being satisfied) is human nature. It’s easy to have a few wins in a row and have a good stretch, but having that desperation from the start to game 82, that’s got to be the vision of where you are and where you want to be.”

DeRozan didn’t get much help other than from Nikola Vučević with 16 points and 14 rebounds. Coby White after his 42 points against the porous Hawks defense was stymied by the Miami pressure along with Ayo Dosunmu. They combined to shoot 8-for-31 (4-for-19 on threes) as White has 13 points and Dosunmu 10. Javonte Green off the bench had a dozen, but Miami’s reserves also were too much with a 42-24 edge. 

The Bulls shot a dismal 38% overall, 27% with 37 first-half points, were out rebounded 47-38 and outscored on the fast break 20-7 with Heat players constantly dunking in transition. It was a shockingly uncompetitive game for a Bulls team that did show unusual resilience and competency even during the worst of times, and even when they got behind 22-1 against the Heat earlier in the season and then won the game.

“Earlier this year we were down to them 22-1 and came back and won that game, so I’m pretty sure they talked about that before the game started,” said White. “Especially in this game with this intensity and playing with everything on the line, once you dig yourself a hole it’s a different type of hole than the regular season. It’s a different type of desperation for both teams. In that second quarter, we dug in defensively and got some stops, but we still didn’t shoot the ball well. So sometimes in this league it’s make or miss. We knew they were going to come out physical. They call it the Heat culture for a reason.

“Coach harped on it they were going to come out aggressive, especially after a loss in Philly and physical, and I feel like even in those moments we still got some good looks,” insisted White. “They protect the paint really well, but we got some spray outs and kick outs and when they were really closing in on DeMar he was making the right plays and we just didn’t hit shots and they hit shots at the beginning of the game and came out strong.”

Which perhaps you would expect for Miami back home, and without Butler it had many frankly packing for Boston. OK, me. And you also; admit it.

Especially the way the Bulls absolutely dominated the Hawks, and then learning Butler was out, and for good measure also Terry Rozier, and the Miami starters included rookie Jaquez, Nikola Jović and Caleb Martin. Who the heck was going to score? 

And them after the Bulls took a 11-6 lead making three consecutive threes, and you were sure they had this one, it was a dizzying 19 straight Miami points as suddenly the Bulls shots were much more difficult with a defender right there, picking up in the backcourt, constantly chasing and no DeMar to bail you out with Adebayo casting a long shadow.

“We have not been a high volume three-point shooting team,” agreed Donovan noting Miami made 14 threes to 13 for the Bulls, though Miami shot 42% and the Bulls 30. “I kind of liked a lot of the shots we got. DeMar and Vooch score, but we always need a third or fourth guy to help out with the load a little bit. It was a game I thought we had good looks and didn’t shoot the ball well. The defense in the first quarter was not great, but as poorly as we shot it in the second quarter we outscored them by seven and held them to 13 points.

“This is the part for Coby and Ayo, consistency wise, they're at this level against Atlanta and then you have to be able to come back. Not score 42 points again, but keep coming back,” said Donovan. “We gotta do more of that. We did compete. The game was physical. I thought at times they drove the ball through us; I didn't like that. I thought we were battling and trying. Scoring for us was coming harder than it was for them. Give them credit that their defense was great. Don’t want to take anything way from them, but all that being said it's a 10-point game (at half) and then we come out and get it down to (seven). There were a few (bad) possessions and to their their credit they really capitalized on that and blew the game open. I liked the shots Coby got, really liked the shots Ayo got. We gotta make some of those to keep staying in the game. And when you aren't shooting well and you have that stretch in the third quarter it becomes a really difficult mountain to overcome."

Certainly when you are following the rainbows to find your dream. It still remains out of reach for the Bulls. And, c’mon, didn’t anyone see that bus coming?

bulls-season-ends-in-miami-fall-to-heat-112-91-in-play-in

Bulls season ends in Miami, fall to Heat 112-91 in Play-In

chikbrown

postgame-coach-billy-donovan-media-availability-after-game-in-miami-2

End-Of-Season Presser: Billy Donovan

Fiona Abalos: Phenomenal performance from Ayo, Coby, DeMar and the whole team in general against the Hawks. I watched the broadcast on TV because I was unfortunately unable to attend in person and it felt more like a playoff game than a play-in. I appreciate both ESPN commentators praises for the Bulls, too. With Friday’s game against the Heat, though, what do you think the guys need to do to get the win? The loss from last season still hurts, but I don’t blame anyone despite our poor shooting at the time. I’m sure Diar’s presence will make a positive impact for us, as I’ve heard she’ll be able to attend this game.

Sam: I think that screaming during free throws really only works in foreign countries like Canada where they are so much more civilized. The Bulls have gotten into probably the best position that they could have because it may be playoff Jimmy, but it’s not play-in Jimmy as it seems like he won’t be playing with a knee injury from their loss to the 76ers. The Bulls seem to have gotten fortunate there as it looked all game like they were headed to Philadelphia and Joel Embiid even with Jimmy limping through that game. And now it’s to Miami seemingly without Jimmy, and the Heat also without Terry Rozier, which is a lot, lot of points. Injuries like that can happen any time, but you also wonder if Miami players just don’t get into playing rhythm because they treat the regular season with such indifference and take off so many games. From a practical strategic standpoint, it figures to be like the Hawks game in the sense that Miami with what they have left will try to out-shoot the Bulls with threes, and if it’s not a huge disparity and Miami doesn’t get unconsciously hot the Bulls should be on the way to Boston Sunday afternoon to open the playoffs by playing fast and pushing the ball in transition. 

Ashlee Brown: Greetings from a Hawks fan. I’d like to start by saying great win for the Bulls against us. I pretty much knew the game was over for us after the first quarter and applaud you all for your efforts, along with the engaging, high-energy crowd. It was pretty evident that the loss from our last meeting stuck with them; but I’d also like to ask about Jimmy Butler because I feel as though the Bulls know him best: what are his exact thoughts and feelings on the organization and team? I’ve seen pieces online that claim he’s tired of the Thibs questions and I’ve only seen a couple videos where he speaks fondly of his time with Chicago, but those were around the time he got traded to the Timberwolves. I’ve also heard and watched a number of postgame interviews where Zach praises the Heat and Jimmy. I understand Jimmy isn’t as vocal and can be seen as a “villain” in the NBA, but how do you think he feels about the team that drafted him today?

Sam: Thanks for the sportsmanship, and our condolences, less for the loss than for being a fan of that team. They’ve got a real mess with Trae Young, who sounded like a good idea out of college as a Steph Curry lite, bit who has morphed into a selfish, inefficient, salary cap anchor who it seems obvious the players and coach don’t much want around. Not so Jimmy despite what you may have heard. Jimmy has taken on a bit of that black hat identity, and it’s worked out well for him financially as he’s been able to poke his head above the NBA superstar crowd and become a national figure and corporate spokesman without a championship and not quite having the talent of some of his star peers. Jimmy remains highly regarded in Chicago and he’s always been quick to credit his time with Tom Thibodeau and the organization for giving him the foundation to become the player he is. Remember, he was a 30th draft pick with basically no offensive game who rarely played into his second NBA season. He had some public issues with one of the executives from a previous regime, Gar Forman, but when he returns to Chicago it’s like a love fest with him hugging his way down the halls. I still prefer the fist bump. The Bulls moved on from Jimmy because they made a tactical personnel mistake signing Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo and locking in basically being a .500 team. So they took the popular option at the time, which fans loved, of going young the way Oklahoma City has with draft picks. They didn’t get lucky to move up in the draft to get someone like Luka, they didn’t coalesce, and then fan and media patience wore thin and they didn’t get a chance to see Coby White with Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter Jr., and moved on to new leadership and for now good enough to knock out the Hawks. And with it looks like no Jimmy Friday with a knee injury to paraphrase Buzz, to the playoffs and beyond.

Mike Sutera: Off to Boston and we steal one.

Sam: That’s probably the early line, though as a level field, new season optimist I’m still with stuff happens. Like when the Bulls were first seed in 2012 and Derrick Rose, and then Joakim Noah and after leading the league in wins the No. 1 seed Bulls are KO’d by Doug Collins and his eighth seed 76ers. The Celtics have had a great season and are everyone’s favorite to come out of an East they won by 14 games and rested players the last few weeks and seem healthy. But they are the poster guys for this NBA the way they shoot threes and will shoot themselves out of some games because they have the ultimate shooter’s mentality of missing 10 and then being sure they’ll make the next 20. Boston in six?

Joe Tanner: With Coby’s performance, it got me thinking: what do the Bulls do if Lonzo makes a miraculous return to form as a high-level starting caliber point guard? Coby is clearly too good now to be riding the bench but Lonzo is such a great defender and has the ability to set up the offense in a way Coby can’t. Thoughts?

Sam: Don’t think too hard. Lonzo’s not coming back to be that; certainly not next season. I’m not saying this from any medical opinion or information as much as you just don’t sit out of professional sports for three years and have multiple surgeries and then an experimental one and go right back to being the player you were. I don’t know what the Bulls are thinking, but if I were them I wouldn’t count on Lonzo at all and then be thrilled and surprised if he can contribute something, if more so for him as it’s been such a tough time to go through what he has with class. Coby’s the future at point and good enough to stay there unless the Bulls can trade for Gilgeous-Alexander or maybe Brunson. Coby can also play off the ball, so it’s not an issue as he’s become more a classic combo of previous eras when you were just a guard and had to do all that stuff. The sense you get given all his brother’s injury problems in Charlotte is the Hornets probably want to move on also and their dad has said many times the family dream is to have both play together. Both being damaged goods and of limited value, it’s probably possible, but maybe more so in a few years after LaMelo isn’t owed big money. The dad was right the kids would be stars, but perhaps they played too much too soon. It’s difficult to know these days.

Mack Queen: What do the Warriors do? Cp3 not guranteed. Klay a FA; Magic the hot rumor. Payton 9 mil player option which he will pick up. Had Moody and Wiseman developed it would have kept the dynasty going a few yrs longer, but they didn't pan out.

Sam: As teams fall off the board, the questions come up. The Warriors are a big one since they are the biggest name out the soonest. Their only real value to make major changes is Steph, and I wouldn’t and can’t see them trading him. That’s like trading Jordan. They supposedly offered Thompson two years at $20 million during the season and he wanted more. Tough to see him getting more, and given their luxury tax bill and suddenly they are looking with their core as a play-in team at best, that’s a big ask. I know everyone wants teams to pay guys for what they did, but he’s made a lot. Things change; I’d let him go if I had their tax bill. Hey, if he’d take the exception which is now more than $10 million I’d make him an offer if I were the Bulls. Golden State’s big miss was being sentimental and paying Draymond for four years when he really does so little and keeps their young players off the floor. Except when he’s being suspended and costing the team enough wins to get out of the play-in. The Wiseman pick was a killer, and somewhat of a surprise because so many then were advocating what the Cavs did for LeBron when they traded Wiggins. Who by the way really has disappeared for the Warriors. It’s starting a long way down, but at least they still have Steph, who does remain a marvel and still one of the best watches in the NBA.

Mitchell Metz: Jalen Brunson snubbed by Team USA for 2024 Olympic roster?Sixers must be excited about brittle knees Embiid playing.

Sam: This USA Olympic team is a return to the 90s and the first two Dream Teams with the biggest stars agreeing to play. When that happens you just take them and hope they’ll do the leave your ego at the door thing. Coaching the Warriors dream team Steve Kerr should be just right. With a roster of LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Bam Adebayo, Devin Booker, Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum, Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday, Tyrese Haliburton, Anthony Edwards and Kawhi Leonard it’s tough to say who to leave off since that’s basically most of the all-NBA teams. I actually have Brunson as first team all-NBA and top five in MVP voting. But with that group you can see LeBron having the ball a lot as well as Durant and Tatum, and Brunson is very ball oriented and on the smallish side. So I assume that’s why he didn’t make the cut. Alex Caruso was in the initial list and I would have included him because you have plenty of offense and it would be good to have a guy like Alex who can come in for five or seven minutes and bother the heck out of someone who is hot. Holiday is a good defender, but doesn't physically annoy players like Caruso does. I do think if some teams make a long playoff run or with inevitable injuries and Embiid already doesn’t look great that some guys will drop off. So there could be places for players like Brunson or Caruso. I asked Caruso about it the other day. “Yeah (disappointed),” he said. “I mean they still have one spot. I saw the list of names. It’s hard to make the case over any of them. They are all really good players; obviously, I feel like I am elite at what I do and feel there is some value to that. But ultimately that is not my decision and I’ll be happy if they call me and if not I’ll be cheering from home.”

Jake Henry: Is staying in the 8-10 seed the future? As pretty much everyone involved with the NBA has said, this is the worst place to be as a franchise. Not competing and not collecting assets. Now do we resign 35 yr old DeRozan, have a center who is also (33) years old. Unless Julian Phillips becomes Scottie Pippen is it 9 seed every year? Almost every team that tore it down when the Bulls should have are good now.

Sam: I know that’s a popular narrative around social media these days, and it is the big elephant in the room for the Bulls, that they tried it now for a third year and are basically in the same place. I won’t vehemently disagree. It’s the biggest question hanging over the franchise and has been with management doubling down on its belief that this group is good enough in a weaker East as we have seen with the depleted Knicks still second on the season and stuff happens, and we’re seeing that with Butler’s injury, but I agree that’s not a plan for the future. Vučević has been the one who has said many times this season, and it is sort of a message to management, that this group has been together three years and if it cannot show more then change is not out of the question. This management has made clear and I assume with ownership’s blessing given the way the 2017-21 rebuild went they are not choosing that direction. The improvement of White and Dosunmu has given them cause to avoid that, anyway, and you can’t dismiss Patrick Williams yet. So the big decisions will rest about the veteran free agents like DeRozan and Zach LaVine and Vučević. They were the Big Three, but it seems as Vučević indicated some adjustment is appropriate.

Carl Klapp: Zach LaVine, the talented Chicago Bulls star, has unfortunately grappled with ankle issues on multiple occasions. Let’s delve into the timeline of his ankle troubles: December 2018: LaVine suffered an ankle injury that sidelined him for approximately 2-4 weeks. January 2024: After returning from a five-week absence due to a right foot injury, LaVine faced another setback. He rolled his ankle during a game against the Toronto Raptors, resulting in a right ankle sprain. As a result, he is expected to miss at least one-to-two weeks. He missed 17 games earlier this season with initial right ankle inflammation. He returned on Jan. 5 and played an additional seven games before he injured his ankle again. April 2024: Zach LaVine underwent season-ending surgery on his right foot. The initial prognosis indicated a recovery period of four to six months. However, there’s some good news: LaVine is ahead of schedule in his recovery and hopes to be back sooner, possibly within three months. This would allow him to begin his typical offseason work and be ready for the next season. Conclusion: Along with knee and quad issues over his career, Zach has had ankle issues which hindered his basketball performance since 2018. Now that he just had surgery to correct that, Zach should be at his best after his recovery. You don’t trade a player when you know that medically, his body will be in the best condition of his life. I can’t wait to see him in a Bulls uniform next season. As a Quantitative Methods major, it is my opinion that a teams’ Win-Loss record correlates mostly with injuries, not player talent.

Sam: That sounds scientific. We’ve always accepted Zach’s knee problems were the biggest issues, but there’s that connectivity Skeleton Dance of the leg bone’s connected to the knee bone, the knee bone’s connected to the thigh bone and all that. I’ve long been a Zach supporter and have been loath to support this belief of the team being better without him. Or not being a good teammate. I noticed he was first after the game tweeting congratulations to Coby for his performance against the Hawks. As often mentioned, the belief is other teams have to see him first before they might entertain a deal. I’m not fully convinced as there’ll be teams desperate to move their “stars,” like Trae Young. Uh, no. So stuff will come up, but the Bulls, if they are looking to trade, need to forget about winning/losing the trade and just get no matter what anyone thinks is best for your team. If Zach returns, Coby surely has earned his place. And you may be right that a fully healthy Zach is actually what this management was talking about with this group three years ago. So bringing everyone back, they may feel, is justified given the support and expanded roles now from Coby and Ayo and perhaps Terry and Phillips, and Williams. Big offseason.

Randall Sanders: Better off for 11th in the draft? All this just to have a chance to play the #1 Seed in the eastern Conference? Having a higher Draft position seems like a better Idea.

Sam: I still do hold to the quaint notion that your goal should always be to win as many games as you can. This is not supposed to be a great draft — whatever that means — but you see from many drafts with starters coming out of the second round or late first that it should not make much difference if you know what you are doing picking 11th or 16th. If the Bulls make the playoffs they will fall out of the lottery, though I still never heard of the guys the mock drafts have in the top spots. I do hear about Cooper Flagg who is going to Duke. Let’s see some playoff games again.

Michael Murden: Why don't Andre Drummond's rebounding and defense get him any attention for Sixth Man of the Year?

Sam: I guess part because, well, he’s never actually been the Bulls sixth man, which usually for most teams is designated as a scorer and for the Bulls more often a defender, but usually a guard or wing player. It’s a reasonable point given his rebounding numbers, but too often his playing times is sparse and contestants for that award usually are playing at least 22-26 minutes per game.

Anthony Moulesong: Friday night's Washington regular season game with the Baby Bulls was my absolute favorite of the season. It was a ton of fun, and I see some bright spots for the future. Adama Sanogo looks like he can play. I've been wondering why he hadn't played all season. Given the Bulls' lack of size, it seemed like he must have some glaring deficiencies not to be given a chance. I was pleasantly surprised (okay, shocked) to see him have a 20/20 game! Yeah, it was against the Wizards at the end of the season, but still, he looked like he can play.  What do you think about his future with the Bulls?

Sam: Well, I am glad you enjoyed the game, which was entertaining if not all that instructive for me to the future. I’d have to see Sanogo and some of those other guys against actual NBA competition instead of the deep reserves for the worst team in the league. Sanogo does create space nicely with his body and gets the ball off the backboard, but can he react quickly enough? There’s a big question about whether Drummond as a free agent will return while often saying he should be a starter. So Sanogo might get a serious look then.

Mitch Queen: This season is wild. I cannot predict a possible champion this year or finals participants. West is so neck-and-neck and the east is so weak after Boston and NY.

Sam: And now no Jimmy and no Zion, and Embiid doesn’t look great, and Steph’s home already and Kawhi is limping and Giannis is out, and no one is exactly dominant. No, I’m not getting ready to a Bulls championship rally with another injury here or there, but this playoffs is shaping up as one of the most unpredictable in years. Boston and Denver remain the Finals prediction choice, but I expect to see a lot of we didn’t see that coming sort of stuff. I think part of the reason as the LeBron Big Three Recruit Your Superstars Era has been a failure since LeBron. It’s been a disaster with Lillard to the Bucks and Beal to the Suns and the teams doing it more organically like the Thunder and Timberwolves and even the Knicks once they get healthy and cash in a bunch of draft picks they have coming have been emerging, instead. So there’s been a leveling of the playing field that does fit with the Bulls belief that the league isn’t so dynamic anymore and a tweak here or there and a tweaked ankle here or there can change a lot in a short time.

Kyle McGill: So I was sitting here thinking and this is purely hypothetical. If the Detroit Pistons decide to go all in next year by trading Jaden Ivy, Ausar Thompson and a future first round pick for Lauri Markkanen. Then, they sign OG Anunoby to a max contract and also end up with the first overall pick in this year's draft which is considered weak. How would you feel about the Bulls trading Alex Caruso plus what would be the 11th overall pick to the Pistons for the number one pick, which the Bulls would end up selecting Alexandar Sarr? I know he’s raw but could end up being a similar player to Jaren Jackson Jr. It’s time for the Bulls to rebuild and having a young player like him, along with Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu and Patrick Williams gives this young Bulls team a bright future. 

Sam: I thought the Pistons were trading for Zach. That’s one of the messier places and they’re acknowledging that again with talk they’ll hire a new basketball operations guru. They have enough young players, which is one big issue with that draft lottery strategy. All your players are young and don’t know what the heck they are doing and all are playing to get to that first big contract so need to put up numbers so you have no chance of being a team, and the more losing you have the more they come to accept it. I can see the Pistons willing to trade the No. 1 pick, but I doubt Caruso and a pick gets you that given they are too far away for Caruso to make enough difference and the No. 1 pick better get you more than Alex, no offense, or your fans are going to be even angrier.

Valentin Pepeldzhiski: They all fought for each other and good things will come if they continue hustling like against Atlanta. I thought that Benny the Bull was instrumental in lifting the spirits further with his half court basket and terrific break dance moves afterwards, a perfect accompaniment to the energetic and tenacious work of the players.

Sam: I will defer to your more cogent recap, analysis and breakdown of Wednesday’s game.

ask-sam-mailbag-cobys-big-performance-matching-up-with-miami-and-more-play-in-thoughts

Ask Sam Mailbag: Coby's big performance, matching up with Miami and more Play-in thoughts

It’s maybe Déjà vu all over again for the Bulls and Miami Heat on Friday as they virtually repeat last year’s play-in meeting which the Heat won in 2023 with a fourth quarter rally after the Bulls big win in Toronto thanks to a scoring outburst from Zach LaVine after Miami lost to Atlanta setting up the game in Miami for the final playoff spot.

It would seem the Bulls have the advantage this time even in Miami because the Heat lost star Jimmy Butler to a knee injury in Wednesday’s narrow loss to the Philadelphia 76ers for the No. 7 playoff seed. Miami streak scorer Terry Rozier also is out while it’s a game decision for the Bulls’ Alex Caruso with a sprained ankle.

“We know how physical they play and what they do and both teams are hungry for a spot in the playoffs,” said Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu, who had an impressive game against Atlanta returning from a quad injury. “We know last year we came up short. So one year later to play the same team in the same place, same opportunity. We have to embrace that and go out there and make it happen

“We feel we can compete with anyone and have to do it for 48 minutes,” said Dosunmu. “They have a culture that who ever steps up in his (Butler’s) spot, they are not going to bring what he does because he’s an All Star and a great player in this league. But Miami is one of those teams you play them you know what to expect. They play hard, they play physical, they don’t quit. They keep coming and bringing energy. It’s the Miami Heat; they have a culture.”

Which the Heat famously bluster about, though one has to wonder about it because they are notorious for not taking the regular season seriously with players like Butler and Tyler Herro missing dozens of games, often just to rest. Perhaps they just don’t get in the right rhythm to play. It usually doesn’t seem to bother Butler, who has been a playoff star in his career.

“He’s one of the great competitors of this league,” Caruso said about Butler after Wednesday's game. “He turns this time of the year into his time. So if he can’t go that would be a significant loss because he’s kind of the head of the snake, heartbeat for them. But they still have plenty of talented, capable guys. If he’s out it will change some things we do, but we respect the Miami Heat and what they bring.”

The Bulls are hoping they can begin to duplicate what Miami did last season in turning the play-in win and No. 8 seed into a trip to the NBA Finals.

“The run they went on last year was incredible after our game and throughout the playoffs,” noted Bulls coach Billy Donovan. "So they are a team that’s really battle tested and has been in all sorts of moments. It will be a great challenge on the road. We have an enormous amount of respect for them and we know how good they are. You’ll have to play well there. They do a lot of things really well. At this point it’s a one-game series, so to speak. So there are a lot of things you have to do well.

The reality is loose balls, hustle plays, physicality. If both teams shoot 50 percent you are probably talking about 50 missed shots by both teams and that’s a lot of loose balls. They are good at those things and we will be tested to do a lot of those things at a really high level. And guarding them with the three-point shooting with (Duncan) Robinson and Herro is a lot to prepare for.”

It’s also different teams in a sense since earlier this season when the teams in consecutive games in both November and December, the last game between the teams was four months ago, LaVine and Patrick Williams were playing for the Bulls and Kyle Lowry was starting for Miami.

Though there also is a long history of Miami/Bulls playoff games even with the Heat’s short history as an expansion team starting in the 1988-89 season.

Miami was the first among those expansion teams to make the playoffs in 1992 and in the first round faced the Bulls, who were going for their second title. It was a talkative group of Miami kids with the likes of Glen Rice and Steve Smith, and after losing the first two games, the Heat took a big early lead in Game 3 and some of their young players began to taunt Michael Jordan, who had enjoyed some golf supposedly before the game. They got Jordan’s attention, who then went for 56 points as the Bulls won with a 40-point fourth quarter.

With Pat Riley taking control and getting his tough guy center Alonzo Mourning along with Tim Hardaway, the Heat ran up against the greatest Bulls in the 1996 playoffs and were swept in the first round and then the following season Miami made the conference finals where they lost to the Bulls in five games. The Bulls won the first three 1997 slugfests, err games, in averaging 80 points to win both games. When the Bulls won Game 5 100-87, they were the only team to score 100 points in the series. Miami never scored 90 points in a game. Miami averaged 78 per game in the series.

But then Miami began to dominate, though the Bulls did have a moment.

Miami on the way to their first NBA title adding Shaquille O’Neal beat the Bulls in six games in the first round in 2006. Though the next season the Bulls pulled off one of the great upsets in NBA history with a four-game sweep of the defending champion Heat in the 2007 first round. That was the Luol Deng, Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon, Andres Nocioni young, hustling Bulls team.

Then came the LeBron Heatles era, and there remains the big what if (Derrick Rose had not been hurt) after the Bulls swept Miami during the 2010-11 regular season and then lost 4-1 in the conference finals. After the Bulls fabulous Game 7 first round series win over the Brooklyn Nets in the 2013 playoffs, the Bulls lost to Miami in five games in the next round, the last time the teams met post season until last season’s play-in game.

Here’s a look at the 2023-24 season series in which the teams split 2-2 with each winning at home and on the road and splitting the consecutive game pairs.

Nov. 18: Bulls win in Chicago 102-97 (Record 5-9)