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Alexia Frank: I know this is a rebuilding year and I’m willing to be patient, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t feeling a little deflated already. And not just because the Milwaukee Brewers just won the World Series. Losing to the Knicks at home stung; though I appreciated the effort. Even this early in the season, I can already see a difference between this regime and the previous one. I appreciate Bryson Graham’s willingness to be around the team, Coach Splitter’s emphasis on teaching and development and am encouraged by the direction things seem to be heading. At the same time, I feel for Wilson and his teammates. Losing is never easy, especially for young players trying to establish themselves. How does the organization keep them engaged and believing in the process when the results aren’t there yet? What advice would you give fans who want to stay optimistic but have been waiting a long time for things to turn around? I like what I’m seeing so far and I’m willing to give this group a chance; I just hope we’re finally building toward something special.
Sam: Seems like you have the right attitude, if not satisfaction, for what is occurring. The players will be fine. They get it. Fans don’t realize how many games they’ve already played in their lives and that moving on from a defeat is just part of the job. Not that they don’t care about the result, and not that they don’t show up every game sincere about doing their best. But they know you can’t make a sale every day. It doesn’t mean you stop trying. This also is what rebuilding looks like. I’ve often been one to ride the fence and pump the brakes a little when fans and media have demanded the blow-it-up and get draft picks, and then they go watch football and I’m still watching all the basketball. Which is why I never lobbied hard for this route. I understand at some point it’s inevitable for just about every team; maybe other than Miami. But then the NBA still makes you play 82 games until you can get to the next hurdle, which is the draft. And it’s exceedingly difficult to compete consistently against teams who are past that stage. I feel like this Bulls group will compete seriously, if not produce the hoped-for results regularly because this is an inherited roster that likely doesn’t match the vision of the new management. We don’t know what that is, and maybe they don’t yet, either. Though it’s not this. It seems like they’ve been smart in setting themselves up well with short and expiring contracts that make it easier to make trades, move on from players and acquire draft picks. Previously the roster was too locked into long term commitments. It obviously matters if they make the right moves and if health cooperates. The biggest thing fans have going for them now and seems sustainable is Caleb Wilson. He looks like he could be a true star to build around. The Bulls forever only have had two true stars, Michael Jordan and Derrick Rose. It’s what gives a franchise a chance. So prior management did provide a heck of a welcoming gift, the lottery pick that enabled the Bulls to fall into Wilson. Who already looks the part. When your stats compare with Jordan the first two weeks it means something. Most teams don’t have that guy to watch. Bulls fans do. Management has asked for patience and grace and all that, but for now Caleb Wilson is worth your attention.
Mike Sutera: Big time guys like Jalen Williams, Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, Cason Wallace, Paolo Banchero, Jaren Jackson, Kawhi Leonard, Jalen Duren, Alex Caruso, Ivica Zubac, Jalen Suggs, and guys who never even got to the start like Coby White, Ben Simmons, Kon Knueppel, Brandon Ingram, Lauri Markkanen, Justin Champagne, Tobian Harris, Jusuf Nurkic and our Nic Claxton. Like 80 guys on injury report; supposedly 15 to 20 percent of the league. Do you think Silver is worried?
Sam: Well, yeah, but this isn’t exactly something you can legislate. This is something that’s become deeply entrenched in the DNA of becoming an NBA player. It’s a game of fluidity and movement, but training and developing for it has become a task of strength and power. And it is a physical game. But it seems like the emphasis in development has been on training more than playing. Sure, they do play multiple games in AAU competitions and tournaments. But as they climb the pyramid the emphasis becomes working with a trainer and training regimen and less actual playing. NBA teams rarely scrimmage for concerns over, ironically, injury, which I assert with little certainty — actually no medical information or training or much observation, actually — leads to more injuries because of the stress on the body. You can’t go from resting to 100 miles an hour in the game and not expect some grinding of the gears. And then the ancillary factors of teams playing faster and faster, more possessions, more quick turns. Mike D’Antoni’s quick shooting seven-seconds-or-less evolving to Steph Curry and the three-point analytics revolution with the long threes and rebounds and run outs. That kind of game is entertaining with the open space with the court spread and transition speed. But there’s a price to pay, and it’s probably this ongoing proliferation of injuries that further determines the champion being the one who has the most guys standing. Shorter season? Heck, it’s a week in and almost a quarter of the league is out. Play two games and right to the playoffs? We’ve always been told injuries, risk and luck are all part of the equation. Maybe just wait a few years before AI takes care of it and begins making the players.
Brendan Greeley: Three-pointers are great, but maybe less is more? MLB successfully implemented new rules with pitch challenges, pickoff attempts, and pitch clocks. Would NBA ever try to do the same? Here's my idea: Each team is allowed 8 three-point attempts per period for quarters 1-3 (after 8 attempts, players can still shoot from deep, but it only counts for 2). Strategy would suggest that teams would want those attempts taken by their best shooters, so the Stephs & Durants would still get their 3s. But there would be fewer launches from backup power forwards perhaps? Then, come the 4th quarter, the cap comes off and... fire at will. It would give strategic fans & ESPN argument shows more discussion points on who is using up attempts, too.
Sam: If baseball is the model, then I’d similarly say they should add a rule which doesn’t allow batters to upper cut more then once an at bat with the idea of actually getting the ball in play so the defense can be challenged and you can find those large spaces between players and actually play baseball. You know, like the Brewers mostly did. While I detest the analytics-bred three-point shooting game the NBA often becomes, you can’t require strategy. Find a way to beat them. I still believe you can, like in baseball, without trying to hit a home run and then accepting a strikeout. And in the NBA by using all three phases, which is not just the three, free throw and layup. Making a basket from wherever it might be has ancillary effects, like slowing or enhancing momentum and flow, stopping runs, enabling your defense to get in better position, creating more confidence, the see one go in and it frees you like the broadcasters enjoy saying. Much of the stuff the analytics doesn’t or can’t measure. You know, humanity.
Chi-Vas White: I know this has been said many times before, but I don't understand why todays teams continue to shoot 3 pointers, lay ups and dunks. Analytics, analytics, bla, bla, bla. You often hear players and coaches say "take what the defense gives you." If the defense gives you a 10-ft, 12-ft jump shot, why then kick the ball out to someone to shoot a 23-ft jump shot? Stacey used to always say that if the three-point shot is not working, then take a few steps in and shoot a closer jump shot. Anyone who has played any type of organized basketball would understand the reasoning. What happened to designing plays for the mid-range game? It's frustrating and boring watching teems run up and down the court and jack up threes and dunk the ball all the time. If the bulls want to bring some excitement back to the team, please stop the rat race that everyone else in the NBA does and bring back the mid-range game. I've said my peace.
Sam: And thanks for that. Is two a movement? The truth is the best teams understand. Where is Gilgeous-Alexander mostly shooting from? Sure, Boston fires those threes like their patriot militias with muskets. But when they needed a winner the other night at the buzzer, you saw Tatum get in position for a nice 18 footer. If I were a player, (okay a good one and not so replaceable), I’d take the good shot and you know coaches who are going, “No, no, no... nice shot.”
Darren Rowe: You wrote about the difficulty of playing Buzelis, Miller, and Wilson, as they are basically all 3s. If they can all get their 3-point shooting percentage up, what would stop Buzelis, Miller, and Wilson from playing the 2, 3, 4 in the future? Just size at the 4? They might give up bulk at the 4, but they'd gain size at the 2 and 3. They are effectively 3 wings.
Sam: I know in theory and paper (screen?) that sounds nice and we’ll run and out quick them to our advantage. But the more you put slighter, less physically developed players against bigger, stronger and tougher men you are endangering their health and futures, and since Miller and Buzelis are the slimmest, I’d hate to see your potential future star, Caleb Wilson, even through I’m sure he’d embrace it and do well, put in that position at such a young age with limited experience. There’s a reason they call it power forward. And the majority of the game generally is played in the half court.
Kieron Smith: Should we be concerned with Josh Giddey? only averages 7.6 ppg despite averaging 8 apg and just 5.6 rebs?
Sam: Maybe a little, though he was more Giddey-like against the Knicks with 10 points, eight rebounds and 11 assists. The change in coaches/philosophies seems to have given him pause, as well. They’re trying to play fast like they did with Billy Donovan, but differently in the sense of moving the ball more quickly. Giddey has a preference for holding the ball, and when you do in this NBA you need to look at the basket more. With Wilson and Powell offensive priorities, that’s been less so for Giddey. At times he seems to have taken it to extremes by not even pretending to be a threat. Splitter has said he’d like Giddey to score more, but he has applauded Giddey’s more recent play for cutting down on turnovers while keeping assists high. It seems like Giddey is more comfortable with this group in a role primarily as a facilitator. The defensive awareness has been an issue in many places.
Alejandro Yegros: I hate when people complain about coaches, and I don't think I've ever written a question where I complain about the coach. But in this case: if you look at Giddey, Matas, and Powell, all three are starting the season poorly and worse than their historical norms. None of them are as bad as they've looked. If I understand Splitter correctly, he's implemented a system for the type of players he doesn't currently have, but would like to have one day. If I am correct in this, I truly don't see the logic in this at all.
Sam: I don’t think that’s it as much as he doesn’t see anyone who is truly a great isolation player. Maybe Wilson eventually. And maybe Powell a bit for now, thought I doubt you want to sacrifice Matas and Wilson to enable Powell, who we all assume is a short term addition to help the team compete while the kids develop. I don’t fully know if that’s his foundational philosophy, though Splitter seems like a knowledgeable basketball guy. I think what he’s done is coaching traditionally in that tenet of how can I put them in the best position to succeed. His answer to himself seems like speed, movement, passing, and that also takes some trust since players like to see if the ball will come back to them. And there’s been a bit more ball holding before the Knicks game than I suspect Splitter prefers. It seems logically what he is trying to implement with this roster makes sense. In part because there doesn’t appear to be the kind of defensive element where this team will benefit by playing slower and slugging it out. Sometimes the players never adjust, and if it comes to that he’ll probably change. Or they’ll try to change the roster.
Pete Zievers: Buzelis is an athletic exiting player. He needs to find a way to get a shot off on his own. With his physical combination of talent and skill, he should be absolutely killing the right matchups on the block. Meanwhile, defense is more consistent than offense. Might be a good thing to prioritize at least near term to stabilize this bunch and a rock for Wilson.
Sam: I do believe one of Matas’ issues to start the season, small sample and all, was the newbie thing, finding a place with the dominant games and personalities of Wilson and Powell. Especially because the coach has emphasized playing without plays, relying on ball movement to outwit the defense. Though not everyone was so bought in to start about trusting the ball would come back to them. It was a little better against the Knicks on Wednesday. Summer is when players usually develop their games, and it looks like Matas needs a summer to have a basketball with him and dribble everywhere he goes like Pete Maravich did. One of my favorite Maravich stories was when he was an adolescent sitting in the backseat in the family car he’d have his arm out the window dribbling the basketball as the car was being driven. Perhaps apocryphal, but it makes the point. And he was as good a ballhandler as anyone ever. When I watch the little kids play it’s easy to see who’ll dominate, the kid who can dribble. It doesn’t change all that much in the pros. Check out Jalen Brunson. It’s his secret sauce with his footwork. It’s why they never took him seriously in scouting. Jumping, running and lifting is nice and recorded at the Combine. Dribbling and creating space enables you to control the possession. As for defense, not this group. Splitter understands. You have to accept the cards dealt. It’s a roster inherited more than established. The Bulls have been outrebounded, but he’s chosen, appropriately, to go with the team’s strength, which is weakness. Not exactly, but the slighter built guys are the fastest. And Splitter is accepting being pushed aside by Andre Drummond on occasion to being able to beat him off the dribble for a layup by Miller. The Bulls are playing multiple small forwards, Wilson, Buzelis, Miller, against more physical players to enhance their strength, which is speed and movement. It will get them some wins as it could have against Washington and New York. Sort of dance with who brung ya. It’s the best they have going for them rather than trying Zach Collins and Patrick Williams, which slows the roll, as it were. Billy Donovan often was caught in a similar conundrum. Make some shots and you can outscore the other guys on occasion. It does fit a style that should be conducive for Wilson, if putting him against more physical players at times might be risky. This will get sorted out as the new management identifies its priorities and opportunities. Some slower teams, like the Knicks were supposed to be, won’t always be able to keep up.
William Euarl: Why don't the Bulls offer Derrick Rose to fill the big spot Stacey left? He will definitely not fill his shoes, but he can fill the role. Has he been asked. How about Jalen Rose or Joakim Noah?
Sam: I think the guys who have been filling in have all been doing well. I doubt they asked Derrick, and if they did I’m quite sure he wouldn’t be interested. As he said in his book and the title, I’ll Show You. Not... I’ll Tell You. Derrick has lived with that philosophy, and now he’s busy with projects that a include a florist business and making movies and documentaries. And Derrick is very active in family life with his kids and their basketball. Joakim similarly. As for Jalen, well, departing wasn’t exactly sweet sorrow. The other thing is it’s a very time consuming job, basically seven months not including playoffs on the road away from family living out of a hotel room. Thanksgiving and Christmas away because even if the team isn’t playing they arrive a day before the game. Home after road games at about 2 am. A lot more Oklahoma City, Memphis and Charlottes than New York, Los Angeles and Miamis. You’re not 25 anymore. Now dancing at the club is more likely to lead to popping an Achilles. It’s a lot more glamorous read about than actually lived.
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