Mitch West: With DeRozan hurt will he miss the All-Star game? Will Brunson get in?
Sam: Hope so for Brunson. He’s been the difference for the Knicks this season and you do sometime wonder if the coaches who vote for the reserves actually watch much basketball. It’s seemed obvious that Brunson has been much more difference maker for the Knicks than Julius Randle, and no offense, but he’s also been having a better season than DeRozan. I’m fine with DeRozan being selected and the Bulls said he intends to play. Brunson truly was deserving. It reminds me of the 2013 season when the coaches added David Lee to the All-Star team instead of Steph Curry. Not that any of us saw Curry becoming what he has, basically changing the game in his time, when he was No. 7 in that 2009 draft. But by the 2012-13 season, we saw it and he was better than Lee. But the coaches were accustomed to Lee. Curry was so much more deserving of All-Star that season than Lee you wondered what they were watching. Actually, it’s often the laziness of some coaches in voting who turn it over to assistants or other staff. We figured there’d be next time for Curry, and there were plenty. Hopefully for Brunson, also.
Bart Goldberg: What an incredibly disappointing season. Now it is time to embrace the silver lining which is this year’s draft. We get to keep our pick this year if it ends up in the top four. Right now we sit at 7 which gives us about a 32% chance of landing in the top 4 (and keeping the pick). We are only half a game ahead of the Pacers (then a 37% chance) and two games ahead of the Magic (then a 42% chance). The Bulls would be foolish to win more games and blow this chance. Maybe we get lucky and the Portland pick conveys to us this year too (it would be a mid-rounder). Then we hopefully get back to winning a lot of games the next couple years as we won’t have first round picks the next two years anyway.
Sam: I’ve been saying tanking is long off the table for me after the post-2017 seasons, and management has made clear its goal remain improving and competing, but the way things have gone... maybe a shot at that protected top four is worth a shot now. I am getting a lot of that sentiment from fans. Like the trade deadline disappointment, everyone is looking for something else now to get excited about. Look, the Bulls still could get into the play-in with just a decent run after the All-Star break. And with the right buyout addition and they still do have DeRozan, LaVine and Vucevic and they play. But maybe against all my better instincts take a shot. The Bulls from the Vucevic trade kept those top four protections and few thought they’d need them. I was among them. But at least for me, it’s more than Wembanyama. No one ever wishes ill on any potential star, but this could be another Odom/Durant, Zion/Ja draft. At least for the Bulls purposes, Scoot Henderson, the consensus No. 2 pick, looks perfect for what the Bulls could use, a tough lead guard who can shoot. I’m not dismissing Ball, who with his shooting and size could play off the ball. But I worry about players the size of Wembanyama, like Chet Holmgren, even as fluid as Wembanyama seems. A young, dynamic guard like Henderson could do for the Bulls, what Morant has done for Memphis. And then you still have some great talents who just need someone to get them the ball like Ball was doing last season. Is it time? Could DeMar really mess up that quad in the All-Star game Sunday and need to be out two months?
Abe Rotbart: Based on what Arturas said we will know more about Lonzo after the All Star break, but if Lonzo is 100% ruled out will they give PWill more shots and Terry more time? Could those be the players he most wants to evaluate at this time as well as Ayo and Coby?
Sam: Everyone seems to think we officially get the bad news, at least for this season, about Lonzo once the players gather again after the All-Star break Thursday. The issue is Williams could have more shots if he wants them. He’s always encouraged to shoot more, but it’s becoming clear he’s more comfortable—as he was in college—in a supporting role. You can’t turn someone into who you need compared to who they are. Terry has been getting more playing time, but until he begins to make shots regularly it won’t be that much more unless the Bulls select the lottery ball route. I think they know enough about White and Dosunmu. And as for the playin/tank, this season is reminding me a little of 2007-08. The Bulls were coming off the best season post-Jordan. They won 49 games, swept defending champion Miami in the 2007 first round playoffs and took the Pistons on the way to the conference finals to six games. Then, inexplicably with the same roster, it fell apart. Coach Scott Skiles was fired and the Bulls missed the playoffs and fell into the lottery. And drew the No. 1 pick and Derrick Rose. Deja vu all over again?
Mark Kollar: Another blown lead? I think I read that we were in the top 10 teams in defense but our offensive production was lacking. I know that - especially with the 3 ball - teams routinely get hot and go on runs and/or get cold and get savaged. Does our defense fall apart at critical times? Do we mistakenly go into a "prevent" defense too quickly? Do we rely too much on isolation and stop feeding the big man in the post? If you keep losing to teams you are supposed to beat, maybe you were mistaken about whether you were "supposed" to beat them in the first place.
Sam: The defense numbers are a bit misleading because without the regular point guard and some injuries lately, the Bulls have played more slowly, which has forced down scores in a lot of the games. Remember about analytics about the guy who drowned in a lake where the water death averaged three feet. But not where he stepped in. We felt they were supposed to beat them; it appears the other teams didn’t agree with our assessment.
Matt Metz: My friend has a theory that the NBA chickened out about having a G league player in the dunk contest and asked the Sixers to sign Mac. I could really care less cuz NBA weekend is garbage. It's insane the NBA can't get big names in the dunk contest. Make it a five million dollar pot. Winner takes all. Hell what happened to champions wanting to defend their title? Even Obi Toppin can't be bothered. Also the 3 pt contest is a joke. No 3 pt shooters in the contest other than Hield. Randle and Tatum aren't 3 pt shooters. What happened to having 3 pt special in it?
Sam: So on Jordan’s 60th, which I’ve mostly avoided, though he does sound old now, also, here’s my latest contribution to this GOAT debate with the sentiment seeming to go to LeBron lately because he passed Kareem. Stats can be parsed any way. After all, no one ever has been as dominant with stats as Wilt and no one has ever won more than Russell. So how could Jordan or LeBron pass them? Because it’s also about the impact on the world. Jordan, of course, transcended the sport and made people change the way they live because of him: Bald finally was fashionable; so were sneakers. Men could wear earrings and long shorts. People who didn’t follow basketball were influenced because of Jordan. No American sports figure maybe ever had that effect other than Babe Ruth, Ali and Jackie Robinson. That’s the group where Jordan lands above everyone else in basketball. And taking a chance and not being afraid to fail. Jordan entered multiple All-Star dunk contests. Heck, he couldn’t shoot and got in the three-point contest. LeBron has been afraid his entire career to take up a challenge. As has Durant, Giannis, Luka; you name them. Another reason you stand above the crowd is when you are willing to take on great challenges to, in effect, also show the world it’s OK to fail. The ideal is to try. NBA players like to be protected by the group. That’s why none of today’s stars basically ever put themselves on the line by testing their skills and abilities un the glare of the giant spotlight. It’s why there are so few heroes and the rest of us. Most run from the danger. Jordan ran to the tests every time and welcomed the challenge. When we find someone in the NBA today willing to do that we can start the GOAT debate. There is no debate because no one has yet come close to standing up to what Jordan meant and did on and beyond the court.
Grey Young: You point out young legs outlasting the Bulls. The real issue is Bulls young legs don’t run. Williams nah, Coby maybe, Ayo, holds up to wait for the old legs.
Sam: We can’t say it all changes with a point guard who never has been an All-Star and probably never would be. But the Bulls landscape changes without that thrust from the backcourt. Both Williams and Dosunmu are hesitant with the ball. White not so much, but he comes off the bench and is primarily there for shooting. Donovan continues to try to force feed that pace by playing smaller, but it sometimes results in rebounding issues, which makes it hard to run, and then some of those smaller players desired for pace have difficulty holding up physically playing against more physical players. It’s also not an athletic enough roster that will have to be addressed after this season. Which also is why some of those “teams you are supposed to beat” are tougher. The kids today seem mostly taught to dunk and shoot threes. When these rebuilding teams get hot doing that it’s difficult for the Bulls to match that.
Ben Marsh: Is there a buyout, signing deadline before the playoffs? At this point Dalen and Marko should be getting regular minutes, and Dragic and Drummond should be able to join playoff teams. Dragic to the Mavs makes sense and Drummond would be a great addition for almost every contending team.
Sam: The main date is a player on an NBA contract must be waived by the end of the day on March 1 to retain his playoff eligibility. Then he can sign any time. Players not on rosters for the season can sign any time. Dragic hasn’t been playing leading up to the All-Star break, so with the Bulls apparently in the buyout market for a point guard who knows what’s up with him. Drummond continues to say he likes it with the Bulls and wants to stay, though teams I’m sure would have interest. He has a modest (by NBA standards) contract of about $3 million and a player option for next season. He seems engaged with the Bulls, enthusiastic on the bench despite his limited playing time.
Jake Henry: Pretty amazing stat from Tuesday. Chris Paul assisted on 19 of the Suns 50 made baskets. It made me go back and watch the video of Scott Skiles setting the record. I count 6 teammate dribbles on 30 assists. Only five of the passes has at least one dribble after the pass, one of those with two dribbles. It seems like now you throw a guy the ball and if he scores within 5 seconds you get an assist
Sam: The NBA has gotten more generous on scorekeeping, which makes it more surprising there aren’t big assist totals anymore. Proves still the prevalence of individual play. It’s true that it used to be once the player receiving the ball dribbled it erased the assist. Assists once were basically for catch and shoot plays and a finish on a fast break. It seemed like it began to change with John Stockton. He deserved a lot of assists for the two-man game he played with Karl Malone. But it was a running joke for years around the NBA how the scorekeepers (they remain local in every NBA city) inflated Stockton’s assists numbers to the point I recall the NBA having to intervene and audit them. But now it seems you can get an assist even after a player makes a move and even a drive upon getting the pass. Maybe Paul deserved that many since he does more than anyone in the game today to get you in shooting position. But we are more generous these days to befit a more sensitive society.
Bilal Junaid: I have a suggestion for the All Star game. Instead of playing till 150 points, why not have 3 quarters of 50 points each and whoever wins the most quarters, wins. That way the players will be competitive form the start.
Sam: Competitive from the start? Nah, I don’t think so. That there’s some competitiveness at the end is something. By now with enough All-Star games as we’ve seen in enough sports it’s really not about a competition as much as a version of the auto show; let’s see the new models and what’s up with the classics. It’s also why I don’t ever see this notion of an NBA mid-season tournament making any sense. You can see so many guys tiring out now and needing a break to get ready for the stretch run and playoffs. Hey, I’ve got an idea. Why don’t we pick this time to ask them to push themselves even harder for…and then they get authentic locker room caps and shirts.
Mike Queen: Gonna see a lot more of Dalen Terry the final 25? Hope so. He needs reps and we need energy. His jump shot is horrid looking tho. I still see a Mini Larry Hughes. Also, I would like to see Carlik instead of Ayo. Cut Goran and send him to a contender.
Sam: Change could be coming. With the injuries for now maybe a bit more of Terry, but there are some worrisome red flags there with him. Although we continue to be told it’s a positionless game, I still think you need an actual position because everyone keeps talking about matchups, for one thing, and you need one of the prime skills, pass, shoot, rebound, et al. We love Terry’s enthusiasm and he made some things happen with his hustle in the Bucks game Thursday. But he’s got to bring something with it. Larry couldn’t shoot much, but he was a heck of a scorer who could get to the basket. Terry needs to develop at least that. The Bulls haven’t seemed very open to giving the G-league guys a look, but I agree and would with Jones, who did get some time against the Bucks. He seemed nervous, but I’d take a chance on him. I know he’s small and so the defense probably is the issue, but he is a real point guard who has a nice shot. He looks like a player who can set up offense and make plays. Often life is about opportunity like that guy with the Nets we never heard of and then scored 40 in three straight games. I liked the Goran addition this summer, but I guess if the buyout market yields a point guard there won’t be minutes for him, anyway. I believe he still can help a team, a smart guy who is good with the ball.
Ateeq Ahmed: BTW, Fultz looked good in that Orlando game and can defend now. He was pressing Ayo from the inbound. Donovan would love him.
Sam: So maybe there's still hope for Ben Simmons. With the Magic not considered a play-in candidate and rookie Paolo Banchero deservedly getting the attention, Fultz has been overlooked. But I admit it was a revelation watching him this week and I had to smile even as much damage as he was doing to the Bulls. He should be a major Most Improved candidate, though Markkanen has the award locked up. The No. 1 pick in 2017 (even moving in a transaction which eventually involved Jayson Tatum) lost his shot, his game and seemingly his ability to play basketball in a terrible stay in Philadelphia. His career seemed over before it began and he was dumped to the Magic for an undrafted player in 2019. And now he looks like the star point guard from college, tough with speed and power to get to the basket. You root for guys who went through what he did.
Mike Sutera: Ur guy Isiah Joe who the 76ers cut is leading the league on 3 pt
Sam: Got that one right? I think I had him a few years ago among my picks for most improved and kept saying the guy had something, and then he never played and was on the way to OKC. There’s that thing about opportunity I often mention, but it also speaks to there is shooting around. Like all the shooters Miami keeps getting. And that guy I never heard of with the Bucks Thursday who made five threes. Sure, there are defensive issues with guys at times like Luke Kennard. But there is shooting since when I stop by parks these days all I see is everyone shooting 30 footers. They’re out there.
Romas Blazys: I have to defend Arturas from all the criticisms; his options were a bad deal, a sterile deal – makes no difference, or no deal. All-Stars especially superstars don’t grow on trees. Right now, the superstars don’t seem too interested in coming to Chicago. I am trying to think of some new highly branded superstars and all I can think of if the Greek Freak, Steph Curry, Lebron James, Kevin Durant are the big three with name recognition. They are essentially on the second half of their careers. Some other notables that come to mind are Luka Doncic, K Leonard, K Thompson, Paul George, Damian Lillard and maybe Zion Williamson. My point is that the NBA is an entertainment business and highly branded with big name recognition, elite skilled, and limited baggage sell tickets and jerseys which make money. If the Bulls want to be champions, they will need to get one of those players to be a contender. I don’t know who the big names of the future will be, but I do know Giannis Antetokounmpo showed some interest in joining the Bulls in a couple of years during an interview. I believe it is essential to woo Giannis to come to Chicago and to take a risk and to start to build a roster around the prospect.
Sam: How’s that go, from your laptop to God’s ears... Giannis is under contract two more seasons after this and has a buyout option for that third in 25-26 when he’ll probably want a long term deal and at that time with the new labor deal probably averaging at least $65 million a year. But warning, at age 32 with a guy who has been having knee issues and already missed 11 games this season and I saw had another scare Tuesday night in the Celtics game. That’s not a plan as nice as he sounds. What you have to find is the young guy who isn’t quite a name yet, like maybe a Shai Gilgeous-Alexander type four years ago when the Clippers trade him. The Bulls tried it with the lottery and draft picks, and that works if you are lucky, like for the Bulls in 1984 and 2008. Not so much since then. The Bulls did a very and needed nice turnaround the right way with DeRozan, Caruso and Ball two summers ago. But Ball’s injury stalled what should or could have been an evolution to a better team. After all, for all Giannis was, the next level was when they added Jrue Holiday. The Bulls have stalled in that quest, so that’s why this summer will be crucial.
Brodie Larsh: I actually think the Bulls adding Russell Westbrook would be mutually beneficial. He doesn't solve the obvious, glaring issues of 3pt shooting and interior defense, but he could make a difference with the Bulls biggest issue; toughness. If he joins the Bulls, he needs to act like a wild man, an enforcer. We need to see him dunk on somebody and get in guys faces. Add some fighting spirit to this team. Give the Bulls some edge. Russ and DeRozen shouldn't share the floor much, but he might mesh well with Zach and Vooch. Maybe he's the spark that lights the teams competitive fire? If not, I fear we're looking at a total teardown this summer.
Sam: So it’s Westbrook or bust? We hope not. But I’m also not opposed to Westbrook even if, as many have noted, he doesn’t exactly fit. But he’d be different and whatever you think of him, he throws himself into the game. I’d take a chance as I would with Patrick Beverley. Of course, the way the Bulls gave gone lately do they appear as appealing? And if players begin to believe they are more interested in the draft…One issue is players often in those situations are looking for a chance to do some things in the playoffs when everyone is watching and if you do something then with a good team your value increases. Ask Jud Buechler. It could be a risk now to look for that chance with the Bulls. But on the other hand teams in those playoff positions mostly are looking for fill-in help and you may not get as much opportunity. I do think Bulls management comes back from All-Star still looking to push for the playoffs. Westbrook could look at the Bulls and figure he might play 35 minutes. Westbrook is not tough; he’s not the enforcer type. Not that anyone is in the NBA anymore. Or can be. But he does play with that hair on fire edge that perhaps motivates some, and does get a home crowd enthused. With the malaise the Bulls have endured recently, he’d certainly be a reasonable addition. And the rumors do suggest the Bulls are thinking that way. Who doesn’t love that snake flying out of the can gag? Westbrook seems to have that effect. It can be shocking and silly, but you do take notice.
Mark Schweihs: Westbrook now. (Serenity later.) There are two good reasons to sign Westbrook: Westbrook is a force of nature and always plays hard, part of Arturas' re-structuring included making Chicago an appealing destination again.
The Bulls should grab Westbrook. It is way better than hoping Lonzo Ball returns. No other team would want to draw the Bulls in the first round. Ultimately, a playoff run will make Chicago a preferred destination this off-season.
Sam: Which might be why Westbrook would consider the Bulls. If they would add him and then make a run and pull off a playoff surprise, he’d be in line for a contract somewhere (hopefully not in Chicago). Whoever he joins (or stays with) will be his fifth team in the last five seasons. That’s a pretty bright red flag for most teams. So he might be ready to take a big gamble figuring he doesn’t have much to lose. And he did average a triple double playing for Donovan. Of course, he probably also chased away everyone else in OKC. But, hey, that was then.
Barron Hall: It's time to go shopping at Buyout Mart. Where your cap space goes farther and you can fill roster to the brim for pennies on the dollar! The trick is to avoid the marketing decisions: Westbrook is more of a 70s small forward with his super-athleticism, John Wall doesn't fit with our ball dominant scorers, and Pat Beverley is more tactical nuke than floor general. The basketball decision and best fit is George Hill, solid floor general, decent shooter, great fit with the team in terms of skill and personality. Some of that Popovich DNA and Beautiful Game experience is always an asset. Hill could start and initiate the offense and allow Coby and Ayo to play more off the ball where they thrive.
Sam: It’s a reasonable calculation, though it seems Hill, an Indianapolis native, prefers to remain with the Pacers. Maybe a thank you for acquiring him from the Spurs in one of the moments the Pacers don’t often mention since it was for the rights to the draft pick for Kawhi Leonard. Of course, maybe the Pacers don’t pick Leonard at No. 15. And, as we know, he doesn’t stay long. Someone like Hill despite his age with veteran savvy and the ability to run a team and make plays would make sense. But even if he were to seek buyout, it’s unlikely to move up one place in the standings.
Ryan Carpel: I see Kris Dunn, Tony Snell and Denzel Valentine are playing well in the G-league. How about we sign two of them to 2-way contracts to solidify the end of the bench for the playoffs? Why not go with some familiar faces? Snell has good size and shoots 39% historically from the 3.The biggest pressing need the Bulls have is adding more 3-point shooters. Brooklyn that's how they beat us with Joe Harris and Watanabe. Our talent is mind boggling everyplace else on this roster. So I don't think we should press the panic button. The need is hitting threes not adding midrange players Will Barton has been bought out and he sports a 38% 3-point shooting percentage this year; it’s today's NBA - I don't like it but we must adjust.
Sam: At least I’d get to bring out my Blues Brothers lines about putting the band back together for Tony, Denzel and Kris. RIP Aretha, but maybe only Aretha’s Think from Blues Brothers—the greatest movie solo I’ve ever seen—could wake Tony. Now if they could only begin playing with Sean Kilpatrick, David Nwaba, Antonio Blakeney and Shaq Harrison you’d have something. I have to admit I did enjoy watching some of those guys. Harrison sure could disrupt ballhandlers. They just needed better teammates. I also lament the three-point shooting excess these days and remember years ago smiling when my late colleague from the Sun-Times, Lacy Banks, would say it’s a three jamboree. I was surprised the Nuggets let Barton go; and then more surprised the Wizards did. He’s got good size, shoots. Though I think the point many are making about the Bulls lately is they need a boost even more than a shot.
Elijah Humble: So to take our minds off whatever the Bulls are right now let's play a fun game. With Lonzo out, Bulls fans should know all about stopgap point guard/combo guard fill-ins during the Derrick Rose era. So let's go back in time: which one of these often overachieving low-budget guys would help the current Bulls win a few games? Ranked in no order, but there's a lot of sentimental favorites here with some good memories (one favorite: John Lucas III straight up schooling LeBron at least once and closing out a win).
CJ Watson
DJ Augustin
AC Law IV
Nate Robinson
Michael Carter Williams
Jerian Grant
Chris Duhon
Jannero Pargo
Antonio Blakely
Isiah Canaan
John Lucas III
Mike James
Marquis Teague
Aaron Brooks
E’Tauwn Moore
Cam Payne
Sam: Of faults that you forgave, rainbows on a wave, stockings in the basin when a fellow needs a shave. Thanks for the memories.
Got a question for Sam?
Submit your question to Sam at 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.