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 space
Got 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.
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