Sam Smith

He does so much of the work of the NBA, mostly unseen if not unappreciated.

He’s the assistant coach, the man—and lately the woman—who reside inches from the seat of NBA power, relied upon by the head coach for support and knowledge, by the players for understanding and education, by the media for explanation.

The rewards are substantial, if not extraordinary, so he substitutes passion and professionalism. It’s a love affair with the game, and it perhaps was never better exemplified by Bulls legend Tex Winter, a collegiate head coach five times and a 10-time NBA champion as an assistant coach under Phil Jackson with the Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers.

It’s why when the National Basketball Coaches Association wanted to honor the coaches who often go unnoticed if not undervalued, they chose to name the award for Winter.

So it was appropriate Tuesday when the NBCA selected Ron Adams, a former Bulls assistant and Winter disciple, as the 2022 Tex Winter award winner.

“I’m really honored to receive this award, especially when it comes from fellow coaches,” Adams said in an interview at Summer League. “It’s very gratifying and I’m very humbled by it because there are so many good coaches out there certainly worthy of it. I’m a compilation of so many people over the years who have invested in me and helped me and directed me, people I’ve learned from. So I thank all those people, and then the players who I’ve learned from and put up with me, so many good ones over the years. The relationships are so hard to describe. Family is a common and appropriate word.

"Special thanks to all the head coaches in the NBA I have worked with, Jerry Tarkanian, John Lucas, George Karl, Bill Cartwright, Jim Boylan, Scott Brooks, Tom Thibodeau, Brad Stevens, and Steve Kerr,” said Adams. “All of you respected me, and you all were very kind to me and my family. And I want to thank all the NBA players I worked with over the past 30 years who have brought joy and meaning to my life. Watching you grow as players and as men is the real highlight of my career.

“And then to get an award named for Tex, who in my estimation was one of the titans of basketball, one of the seminal figures in the game who had a brilliant collegiate career—I coached against him when I was at Fresno State and he was at Long Beach State—and was a master teacher in so many ways. He was the example for anyone around him and all of us who played against his teams, a basketball man through and through. Because Tex was a proponent that something a lot of the older coaches believed in, doing things the right way. Whether it be execution, fundamentals, and unapologetic about coaching everyone the same way. Reflecting what a coach is and should be.

“We’re all a compilation of the people before us, and for me Tex was one of those people,” said Adams. “Bob Kloppenburg was another person who influenced my coaching career. They both played at USC under Sam Barry, who taught them the triangle offense that Tex perfected in the NBA. They actually did a series of clinics together that I attended. Bob would do defense and Tex would do offense, and there weren’t two more precise people in terms of their teaching, the way they viewed and understood the game. That was how people like me were enlightened about the game and the teaching that we love.”

The erudite Adams who is as comfortable with fine wine and literature as well as first class defense came to the Bulls in 2003 and was a significant part of two revivals that first carried the Bulls from the depths of the barren post championship years to being a respected Eastern Conference contender than flirted with 50 wins several seasons. And then upset the defending champion Miami Heat in the playoffs.&nbsp;

Adams, now 74 and still on the Warriors’ staff, was the architect of the Bulls defensive sinew under Scott Skiles, and then with Skiles’ departure left to assist Scott Brooks in Oklahoma City. It was there that Adams’ gravitas toward the game made such an impression on Kevin Durant that when Durant opted to sign as a free agent with the Golden State Warriors, Durant said at his introductory press conference one of the reasons he came to the Warriors was to be united again with Adams.

The criteria for the award, according to the association, is a minimum of 15 years as an NBA assistant coach, a body of work as a coach that has impacted the chemistry, culture, and competitive capability of the teams he/she was a part of. And recognized by his/her peers for being a “go-to” assistant coach.

“Ron Adams embodies everything that makes a great coach,” said Rick Carlisle, Indiana Pacers coach and president of the NBCA, in a statement. “He is passionate about teaching, has a great basketball IQ, a tireless work ethic, fierce loyalty and a deep love for the game.”

Adams long has been one of the most sought after NBA assistant coaches for his defensive expertise that also has been a lesser celebrated bulwark of the Warriors’ success. He was voted Best Assistant four consecutive years in the annual NBA general manager survey. Adams has been a vital part of four championships, moving in the shadows of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson as Winter did with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.

“Assistant Coaches generally operate behind the scenes and don’t receive nearly enough public recognition for their team’s success. However, any head coach will tell you that they are an indispensable part of the team equation,” said David Fogel, NBCA Executive Director. “Coach Adams’ contributions to the success of his teams, most recently the Golden State Warriors, are well known inside the NBA. Off the court, Ron’s sage advice and wisdom has helped many players, coaches, and executives excel in their own careers.”

Adams began coaching at Fresno Pacific College in 1969 and coached in college 22 years before being hired by Jerry Tarkanian during his brief stop with the San Antonio Spurs in 1992. Adams won a title as a coach in Belgium and has been as assistant with the Spurs, Bucks, 76ers and Celtics in addition to the Bulls. He was hired by Steve Kerr as soon as Kerr came to the Warriors in 2014, Kerr getting permission from then Celtics coach Brad Stevens to let Adams out of his contact because of Adams’ defensive expertise.

“When I hired him I wanted the best defensive mind I could find,” Kerr wrote in an email. “I needed his experience since I had none. He has been amazing, from helping shape our defensive identity to giving me ‘head coaching advice.’ Most of all he’s a wonderful human being who I love seeing and talking with every day.”

When Tom Thibodeau was hired to continue that Bulls early 2000s rise that was interrupted with Skiles’ departure, his first hire was Adams for his minimalist and organic methods that Winter helped inspire. The basketball alchemy with Adams helping shape the defense as Thibodeau created more offense enabled those 2010-12 Bulls to lead the NBA in wins consecutive seasons. Sure, they had MVP Derrick Rose, but they also had one of the more feared and effective defenses in the NBA quietly directed by Adams.

“These guys like Tex were extraordinary figures who influenced many people and helped many players,” said Adams. “His influence over so many people, for example John Paxson, was profound. John believed in coaching. John believed in doing it the right way, and that was one of the major reasons those Bulls teams had so much success despite so many injuries.

“There were expectations when I came to Chicago along those lines,” recalled Adams. “I felt I fit hand in glove with that idea. People like Tex and Phil were such tremendous figures to follow in a proud program that had floundered for a number of years. And that’s why I think one of my most enjoyable times in the NBA was in Chicago when we kind of rose up, no pun intended, from the ashes and became close to a championship team again. Not quite there, but a really good team with coaches believed in the image of Tex who believed in and taught the small things as Tex did. And believed in team basketball and defense.&nbsp;

“Tex’ legacy was profound when I entered the program in Chicago,” said Adams. “So to receive an award like this that has his name attached to it makes it so much more extra special.”

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Former Bulls assistant coach Ron Adams wins Tex Winter award

Talk about dreaming the impossible dream.

Zach LaVine, you couldn’t have seen this one coming.

“I just think it’s a journey and you’ve got to take everything in stride,” Zach LaVine was saying Monday afternoon from Las Vegas over Zoom in his first media session since agreeing to a massive five-year contract extension with the Bulls.&nbsp;

It’s not only the largest financial commitment in Bulls franchise history, it’s the greatest ever made to a Chicago sports figure. It goes to a down-to-earth, 27-year-old who was the 44th best player in the nation coming out of high school, according to a primary scouting service, a sixth man during his one college year failing to average in double figures scoring, the 13th selection in the 2014 NBA Draft and three years later the victim of the dreaded anterior cruciate tear after winning consecutive All-Star slam dunk titles. He then was acquired by the Bulls in 2017 in the Jimmy Butler trade because his Timberwolves wanted to retain the players they believed were superior, Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins.

Five often grueling and frustrating years later, LaVine is a two-time NBA All-Star, an Olympic gold medal winner and the most highly compensated athlete in the city of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Walter Payton, Frank Thomas, Gale Sayers, Ernie Banks and Bobby Hull.

So never give up your dreams and hopes. You never know if you will be the one to get there.

“Obviously you can’t control everything with injuries, being traded, whatever it is, but I could always control my demeanor, my work ethic, and what I brought to the game,” a relaxed LaVine was saying. “I always pictured myself as the player that I am and the player I’m going to be, continue to strive to be. And what comes with that is being compensated at that level. If you don’t put those things out there, believe that you can get there, it’s not going to happen. I’m very proud of myself and my family in getting to this point.’’

And now he’s also about to be a dad, his high school sweetheart and now wife, Hunter Mar, is pregnant with their first child as LaVine prepares for what he hopes will be the birth of a new Bulls era.

“I’m extremely excited,” LaVine said about the family prospects. “Obviously the (close) relationship I had with my father, looking forward to taking on that challenge and seeing what that part of my life is. That’s bigger than basketball, that’s bigger than everything. Nervous, anxious, excited.”

But hardly unaware of the goals ahead with his responsibility also as a team leader.

“Individually, wanting to keep pushing myself to reach higher and higher things,” said LaVine. “If it isn't All-NBAs, if it isn't MVPs, team-wise it's win a championship. There's nothing above that. You've heard me say individual things come with winning, and the better and better we get as a team and I keep (pushing) myself to get better as a player, I think those things can match up.

“I think I've had the same work ethic and the same goals before the contract, after the contract,” said LaVine. “I was striving for it when I was on my rookie deal. So there's no extra added pressure. It's just who I am and what goals and what things I want to reach and how much better can we get as a team. There's no added pressure. It's just a compliment of a lot of hard work and showing what kind of player I am.”

Just like the questions about him leaving high school, briefly in college and with one of the most serious injuries for a basketball player, especially for an exceptional athlete, the 6-5 LaVine had to plow through several Bulls rebuilding seasons, multiple coaching and system changes, a management restructuring and community doubts given the team’s frequent lack of competitive play.

But despite rumors about his alleged wandering career eye and his own comments to explore an open free agency with his contract expiring after last season, LaVine disclosed he never considered signing elsewhere, never met with another team and was always committed to the Bulls if they would have him.&nbsp;

“Chicago is my home,” LaVine explained. “I think we've built something over the last, well, at least for me... five years. And over the last two, three built something. Being able to come back as a cornerstone piece and allowing them to get some of my insights, some of my input in pretty much constructing the roster to help me and help us win was really big for me.

“I went into the offseason with an open mind,” LaVine added. “I laid out my goals, just like I always have. And once I was able to meet with (management’s) Marc (Eversley) and AK (Artūras Karnišovas) and they came to me with everything that I wanted, there was no other reason for me to go outside and look at any other teams. I think that would've been disrespectful on my end because they gave me everything that I asked for and everything on the table that I looked at had Chicago as all the pros. I sat down with Marc and AK after I signed and had a really, really, really good dinner. Billy (Donovan) as well. And obviously wanted to thank them for the work they put in with helping bring me back. It was really fun being able to sit down and go through everything, talk everything out and obviously celebrate and have a good dinner — and have them pay for some expensive wine.”

“I did my due diligence on my own time and looked at things and made a decision for me and my family,” said LaVine. “My heart was in Chicago.”

&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The loveliness of Paris seems somehow sadly grey&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The glory that was Rome he’s ready to forsake&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Terribly alone and forgotten in Minneapolis&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; He’s going home to the city by the Lake

It really is a staggering time. I recall 1988 when the biggest story in the sports world was the then shocking and unheard of new contract for Michael Jordan, eight years for $25 million, a figure that just about all agreed at the time would take decades to surpass. How quaint.

Although the Bulls made the playoffs last season for the first time in LaVine’s Chicago tenure, it was a troublesome season for him even as he averaged 24.4 points. He missed 15 games with knee issues and was scheduled for a post-season procedure. LaVine said it was routine.

“I feel great,” LaVine said. “Just had a run-of-the-mill knee ‘scope. Go in there, clean some stuff out. I feel way better. I've been rehabbing, working out, playing, lifting, doing all the good stuff and boring stuff, too. You have to start slow, like always. It's been good and I feel really good, and over the next two months, getting back into the season I feel like I'm gonna be even better.”

The Bulls hope so as well after a wonderful start to the season and then a desperate, injury-weakened close to a first round playoff defeat.

“Obviously, it was tough because we started off so good and we could see the ceiling and the goal of the team in the first half of the season,” said LaVine of the Bulls leading the Eastern Conference into February. “But injuries happen and you obviously want to see a full roster and a full team all the way through. I think we had some key (off season) additions already adding guys like Goran (Dragic) and (Andre) Drummond. So I think it's gonna be good. As long as guys stay healthy, I think that's the biggest thing for any team. We get to go back at it again.

“We (made) some additions, but pretty much have the same core in guys intact and wanted to run it back,” said LaVine. “I think that’s what AK and Marc were going to go after, and really see what this team was like when whole and healthy. I’m fine with it. I understood how good we were in the first half of the year. But we’ve got to put two halves together and really go after it. I’m excited for the competition.“It’s always better when you get to know each other. The word ‘continuity,’ you (media) guys are saying, but familiarity is what I use,” said LaVine. “Getting chemistry on the court, that doesn’t just happen in one or two years. All the good teams and teams that make deep playoff runs each and every year know each other and have been together for a while. So I think that’s definitely something you can establish and grow from.’’

Now it’s time to fulfill some other dreams.

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Zach LaVine on re-signing with the Bulls: "Chicago is my home."

Dalen Terry was hot. And it had nothing to do with it being 110 degrees outside.

This was late in the first half of Sunday’s Bulls Summer League loss on the UNLV campus when the game was pretty much over on the way to a Bulls 101-69 meltdown defeat.

The Summer League Bulls were so bad—how bad, Johnny?—that four minutes into the game trailing 13-0 coach John Bryant benched four of the five starters, including rookie first-round draft pick Dalen Terry.

“They punched us in the mouth early,” agreed Terry, who with guard Carlik Jones had a somewhat meaningless team-high 13 points. “We didn’t have energy the first half; that’s on me. I’m one of the leaders of the team. I take full responsibility for that.”

Not that it ever is one player’s fault. But then late in the first-half with the Bulls kids overmatched and not getting back in this one against a tougher, more veteran Knicks bunch trailing 54-24, Terry showed what he eventually will bring to the Bulls that’s less measurable than valuable.

Especially for a Bulls veteran team that can be emotional while lacking emotion.

With New York high scorer Quentin Grimes shooting a pair of free throws with 1:29 left in the first half, Terry turned and screamed to a mostly somnambulant Bulls bench to get in the game. The fans behind the bench in what is always a fun crowd in Summer League loved it and cheered Terry. Terry then at his usual 115 miles per hour, which is about twice where he needs to be, kicked into sixth gear and dribbled into yet another turnover, 13 in the two games.

Terry also has reverse as quickly, and took off chasing Miles McBride, who’d made the steal. As McBride went for a scoop layup, Terry hammered him, a foul that was upgraded to a flagrant not that it was going to effect the end result.

“I didn’t want him to score; he didn’t score, right,” said the usually buoyant Terry.

Reminded that McBride, well, got free throws that he made and that counts as points, Terry was quick to note, “He earned it, right? Where I grew up, I turn the ball over, I got to get back; coach said no layups. I wasn’t going to let him get the layup either way. No layups; he got to earn it at the line.”

It perhaps wasn’t the greatest sequence for game success, but it did define what Terry can bring to the Bulls even as he has an unformed game. He doesn’t shoot particularly well and has been loose with the ball, playing excitedly fast, too fast in what Bryant says is not uncommon among kids trying to make their first NBA impression.

“You could tell every rookie wants to be an All-Star right now,” Bryant had said after the opening game Friday. “With Dalen every possession he’s trying to make something happen right now. It’s commendable because I trust putting the ball in his hands because he’ll make a play not only for himself but a teammate. Now he’s got to let the game come to him a little bit more and trust it will come back to him. It’s a work in progress. The NBA is a different animal.”

Terry, the Bulls first-round draft pick and still just 19, is learning that.

“He and our team all played kind of at 100 miles per hour” Bryant said after Sunday’s loss. “I felt at every timeout I had to go, ‘Exhale.’ We all got sped up. Credit to New York. Blew up our handoffs, the switching really rattled us. We started to rally a little bit (in the second half), but we couldn’t come back. Every young player has to go through it, what it takes to play at a consistent level, how to play on both ends, not to lose your cool. This is Game 2 in his short lived NBA career.”

It was a lonely afternoon for Game 1 star Marko Simonovic, who was overwhelmed by 260-pound Knicks center Jericho Sims, who played in the NBA last season. Talk about the walls coming down.

Simonovic after his 27 points and 13 rebounds in Game 1, had one point after a scoreless first-half with seven rebounds and seven fouls in 20 minutes He shot zero for five overall. Whereas Simonovic took advantage of the Bulls transition play in the opener, his flaws were more evident against the physical Knicks with a lack of explosion and quick moves in the half court. He did pass well from the high post, though his teammates couldn’t finish much.

Justin Lewis had a few nice moves for scores after halftime when Terry in the third quarter had 10 of his points, finally making a three in four attempts for the two games, leaking out for a layup slam dunk and adding a driving three-point play.

“I’m trying to put (Terry) in different situations,” explained Bryant. “We have him handling it in transition, having him in ball screens. We have him coming off ball screens, just trying to see how he can contribute at an NBA level.

“He’s communicated about how hard he’s going to play for the team,” said Bryant. “He inserts himself into the game. The thing for him is making the simple play instead of the home run. He’s able to get out in transition and finish in the open floor, draw fouls. His cutting is great, he can get downhill and spray out. He’s going to get more comfortable with his passing and making the simple plays. His effort level is high every game. That’s the one thing you know he’s always going to bring, his effort his energy, his competitiveness. Those are the intangibles I’ve talked about from Day 1. He’s got a lot more to give.”

Which is the good part. But Terry, not surprisingly despite the way draft gurus talk about all these kids like imminent All-Stars, looks like his game will need exploring. Especially with the guard-heavy roster the Bulls have with the reported latest addition of guard Goran Dragic and the hoped-for return to health of Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso.

Bulls coach Billy Donovan interviewed during the Bulls game repeated management’s post-season update on Ball: “Every day he seems to be improving. I think that the progress he has made has been steady. He keeps showing progress. That’s really what we all hope to continue to see. We’re obviously all hopeful that it will happen faster. He is making progress.”

A few of us in the media spoke with Ball after the Friday Bulls game. He was unusually upbeat. He tends to be direct with reporters, if not dismissive. He appeared more relaxed and smiling eauily. He said he didn’t want to do any interviews to deflect from the Summer team. But he seemed to be moving well without discomfort. He spent the entire halftime standing on the court talking and laughing with Bulls executives Artūras Karnišovas and Marc Eversley and then moved easily among teammates who’d gathered for the opener. He left moving quickly—like Russell Ziskey from the movie Stripes, Hey, we’re walkin’!—which seemed like a positive for a guy with knee issues.

There wasn’t much positive to report for the Bulls Sunday.

The Bulls were behind 27-11 after the first 10-minute quarter and 59-24 at halftime in an unusually uncompetitive Summer League game. It was another poor shooting game from three for the Bulls, who at least this time came out looking for the long shot. Their first two attempts were threes, both misses, shooting exactly three of 13 on threes in each half for another sub-30 percent game. The Knicks made 10 threes.

But the Bulls did play with more passion, if not result, after halftime, actually outscoring the Knicks 45-42, shooting 47 percent overall and holding the Knicks to two of 12 on threes. Of course, though rarely getting their deficit below 30 points.

“It was hard to get things going,” said Terry. “They were punching us in the mouth. I tried to come back, hit a three, Justin, everyone got going. Second half I felt we came out with respect, finished pretty strong. I know we won the last two quarters.”

Because Terry is the first round draft pick he’s getting most of the attention. Summer League often is like minor league baseball where they basically have one or two players who’ll make the major leagues, but have to hire a dozen others so they’ll have a team to play with. And Terry despite his youth has been handing the team and media responsibilities with preternatural aplomb.

He’s forceful and confident in his responses, as he was to the bench in the second quarter, speaks directly with eye contact and appears to enjoy engaging in debate. He also seems to have a puckish sense of humor. When asked about a proliferation of offense fouls called against him in both games he quipped, &nbsp;“They made it seem like I was strong.

“It was all good,” said Terry. “You’ve got to learn and adjust. That’s all we can do; we’re going to see another day.”

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.

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Bulls fall behind big to Knicks in Summer League matchup, Dalen Terry scores 13

Justin Lewis was planning a big party. But it was like he forgot to send out the invitations.

“Sad, upset, frustrated, my mom there,” the former Marquette forward was relating following Bulls Summer League practice Saturday in Las Vegas. “But I have this opportunity now and I’m ready to make the most of this opportunity.”

That’s with the Bulls Summer League team which plays its second game (4 pm CT) Sunday following Friday’s thrilling overtime win. The attention for the Bulls again will be on second year big man Marko Simonovic, who was the scoring star of the 100-99 victory. And rookie first-round selection Dalen Terry seeking to bounce back from an erratic start with six turnovers.

But operating in the background could be one of the big steals of the 2022 NBA draft, the 6-7 Lewis who was projected as high as a late-first round pick but who ended up going undrafted. Minutes after the draft ended—which suggested if the Bulls had a second-round pick that’s what they were doing—the Bulls were on the phone to sign Lewis to a two-way contact with their G-league Windy City Bulls.

It was a relief for Lewis, if not quite yet enough to obscure the disappointment of not only failing to be drafted, but failing to be drafted as he and his family watched from a suite in the Barclays Center where the draft was taking place. Lewis wasn’t a Green Room invitee for the top 20 or so projected selections the NBA brings to the draft.

But Lewis’ representatives apparently were so certain he would be at worst a high second round pick—along with most NBA draft observers—that a suite was booked in Brooklyn for the Lewis draft party.

And then they watched 58 picks and a sign off.

“Honestly I’m not sure (why I was not drafted),” Lewis said. “Things happen, but I’m here now and have the opportunity. So I’m ready to make the most of this opportunity and show why I should have gotten drafted. That night is all I need. I don’t need no more fuel for my fire. I reflect on that night and how it went, my mom... I have things built up from that night. I sat through the whole draft, so I guess I know a lot of the names (to make a point, or some points).”

Lewis had eight points and five rebounds in the Bulls Summer League opener, primarily off the ball as the offense focused on the two roster players, Simonovic and Terry. The Bulls Summer League team doesn’t have a true point guard. Terry controlled the ball considerably and isn’t necessarily a point guard. So there weren’t many options with deep drives and passes. Though Lewis showed the physical power he began to practice at Marquette with a pair of ball fake plays and drives for slam dunks.

“I’m going to contest the shot blocker and go into his chest,” Lewis proclaimed, which is an edge the big Bulls could use. They saw it at times from Javonte Green, though he’s not the classic forward at about 6-4.

Bulls practice observers said Lewis has shown athletic abilities not previously attributed to him and scoring prowess.

Lewis opened some eyes, but apparently not far enough, at the NBA combine measuring almost 6-8 in shoes at a powerful 235 pounds with a nearly 7-3 wingspan.&nbsp; He averaged 7.8 points and 5.4 rebounds in 21 minutes per game as a freshman, and he had a highlight tip-in to beat rival and rated Wisconsin in his fourth college game. A leg injury limited him late in that season as he mostly came off the bench as a freshman. Then he broke out as a sophomore, averaging 16.8&nbsp;points and 7.9&nbsp;rebounds with an 11-game stretch averaging 19.3 points and eight rebounds and shooting 48 percent on threes. He was voted first team all-Big East and the league’s Most Improved Player. An NCAA.com story recently rated him the No. 1 college undrafted player.

There were questions about his athleticism, but he’s proven quick in transition and good defensively in practices. He’s not as quick-twitch as first-round pick Terry, but much stronger with similar measurements.

Perhaps it's a cliche, but the Bulls seem to be grooming him in the mold of the unappreciated Marquette player like draft (or non draft) surprises like Jimmy Butler (30), Jae Crowder (34) and Wesley Matthews (undrafted), who all have gone on to at least 10-year NBA careers and in Butler’s case stardom.

“I want to follow (the Marquette guys),” Lewis said. “I feel I have that in me as well. It’s the culture at Marquette, the things they emphasize and how hard we work and seeing the guys who went before and how hard they work, what they went through and how they were dogs. Especially Wes’ story. He worked to get what he wanted and deserved. I want to follow his footsteps and create my own story.

“(I believe) my game is a versatile, tough guy who is willing to do anything to win,” said Lewis. “Versatility being able to guard anybody on the court, a level of toughness, fitting in whatever role this team needs me to be. Back at ground zero and ready to work and build up.”

Though he’s not from Marquette, P.J. Tucker fits that role of the hard working, in-your-face NBA veteran to take on the tough assignments like Butler, Crowder and Matthews.

"One of our offense coaches gave me film of things he (Tucker) does and how that could translate to my game,” Lewis said. “He’s been big with the Bucks, his shot making and guarding, screening for others. Whatever role the team needs me to be. I feel I’m not limited as a player. I really feel there aren’t many things I cannot do. I can put the ball on the floor, I can drive, shoot, pull up.

“I got the call (from the Bulls) before I left the Barclays Center, so I was happy to be somewhere,” said Lewis, who is 20. “I was ready to go to work.”

And some clever draft work may have produced a hidden ace and wild card for the Bulls.&nbsp;

Perhaps making Lewis’ next party much more festive.

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Bulls' Justin Lewis motivated by Draft night, looks to impress during Summer League

We came Friday to the Bulls opening Summer League game to praise rookie first-round draft pick Dalen Terry.

We went home, instead, celebrating second-year second-rounder Marko Simonovic, who with 27 points, 13 rebounds, three blocks and a steal and two baskets in the last minute of regulation perhaps buried his reputation for finesse and led the Bulls to a comeback 100-99 win over the Dallas Mavericks sunshine guys.&nbsp;

And worthy of Terry’s celebration as well.

“I want to credit Marko and the rest of my teammates,” said Terry, who had an uneven debut with nine points in a team-most 31 minutes with five rebounds, six assists, six turnovers and six fouls. “I had some stretches where it was a little shaky for me out there. Got to get the first one out. It is what it is; we got the dub (win). Marko saved the day.

“Want me to tell you honestly what I think of his play?” asked the voluble Terry. “He’s a monster. What he have, 28, 29? C’mon bro, first game. He’s setting the tone. I just credit him. He picked the energy up at the end and I picked my energy up (as a result). I was a little tired. Man, he got me. It was great to watch, great to play with. I was just trying to get him the ball the best I can.”

Yes, take a deep breath and repeat, it’s just Summer League, it’s just Summer League, it’s just Summer League... sorry, it’s Marko-mania.

It was maybe somewhat expected with this the second Summer League for the 22-year-old and this the first pro game for the 19-year-old Terry, who said he still felt like he was in Tucson instead of the NBA. “It hasn’t hit me yet,” Terry admitted.

The rookie had some impressive moments perhaps more than minutes with a few revealing cross court and up court passes for scores. But he was hesitant offensively, not even attempting a shot in the first half despite mostly controlling the ball.

“What I did was facilitate and pass the ball,” explained Terry. “I’m trying to to do everything, be versatile. I was playing basketball. I’m not going to force things. That’s the way I play. I don’t have to score 30 points to affect the game. I don’t even know how many points I had; I could care less. I know we won the game.”

It was disclosed that the NBA for the first time is going to award rings to the Summer League champions, so winning does matter. Though Summer League mostly is a preparation course, and Terry mostly did fit the pre-draft description we heard of an athletic player whose defense is going to come before his offense.

“Myself, I was just a little extra happy,” Terry admitted about what I interpreted as trying to do too much too soon. “That’s why I think I got a couple of the offensive fouls; little bit of turnovers. We got the dub; so I ain’t complaining.”

Again, the win, though I did have to check the slang dictionary since in the 15th century we used the term more for honoring someone like in a knighting ceremony.

The 6-11 Montenegrin big man isn’t about to replace Nikola Vucevic as starting center, and probably not recent signee Andre Drummond. But the expanded version of Simonovic—forget the long term for now—could give the Bulls some options even down the stretch of games because he shoots free throws well and showed the meddle this time that often was missing even when he put up good statistics with the Windy City Bulls last season.

Even in clutch time this time when led by Simonovic the Summer Bulls overcame a nine-point deficit in the last three minutes. And in the last minute with an offensive rebound and follow by Simonovic, and then a Simonovic slam dunk of a finish after a Malcolm Hill steal with Simonovic flexing afterward for the enthusiastic Thomas &amp; Mack patrons.&nbsp;

And, as it turned out, Bulls brass with Artūras Karnišovas, Marc Eversley and Billy Donovan seated just under the basket where Simonovic was dunking and posing.

“I didn’t see them,” Simonovic claimed in his post-game media session side-by-side with Terry.

“He knew what he was doing,” Terry chimed in with a laugh. “He knew what he was doing.”

“No, no,” Simonovic insisted. “It was for (the fans) upstairs; not for them.”

Although it probably was somewhat of a relief for them as well to see Simonovic begin to make the case that he’s had enough Hoffman Estates Chipotle.

And perhaps the teammates Simonovic hopes to play more with as the Bulls had a big time NBA cheering section for an unusually exciting Summer League game with in attendance DeMar DeRozan, Coby White, Patrick Williams, Ayo Dosunmu, Javonte Green and Lonzo Ball.&nbsp;

And yes, Ball was walking. Ball politely told reporters he didn’t want to do any interviews to detract from the Summer League team. He smiled and said he was doing well and moved swiftly away.

Meanwhile, that Simonovic regulation finale tied the game at 90 for a two-minute Summer League overtime. Simonovic clinched the win with a three-point play with 16.7 seconds left after his steal, and then a free throw following an offensive rebound foul with less than a second left in the overtime.

“I feel stronger,” said Simonovic, who reported a weight gain this summer from 215 last year to 240. “That’s all I can say; just keep working on my body. That’s the most important thing for me to play in the NBA. I feel more comfortable than I did last year. I think I made some improvements from the last year.

“When I arrived last year I saw the difference between European basketball and the NBA, especially physically on the court,” said Simonovic. “I said to myself I need to get better, first of all physically better. After that I need to find a way how to play to get some minutes in the NBA. I feel like last year I didn’t get so many minutes, but this year I feel I can get a little bit more than last year.”

Which is that good news/bad news/not so bad news.

The good news is that Simonovic looks like an option the Bulls can put into games, a big man with size and a shooting touch. He’s obviously not Embiid-like physical, and he’s not an explosive athletic type like Bam Adebayo. But he appears like he can hold his position better. He still doesn’t finish powerfully in traffic in the lane where he could dunk, but he seems relentless enough to pursue misses, a weakness for last season’s Bulls.

The bad news for Simonovic is Vucevic still is there to play the majority of the time. And the Bulls added veteran defensive rebounding center and former All-Star Drummond as the primary reserve. Simonovic says he sees himself fitting better at center.

“All week we were talking about Marko’s body, his development,” said Bulls Summer League coach John Bryant. “He showed everyone, especially Chicago fans, he’s improved. And he showed by that offensive rebound at the end of regulation, his defense, extra possessions. His body looks great. He’s able to finish through contact now. He can position himself to get an offensive rebound. Just his physicality alone has improved and that’s improved his play.”

So the not-so-bad news for the Bulls is Simonovic appears skilled enough to play some power forward against bigger front lines, which are becoming more in fashion with Minnesota’s acquisition of Rudy Gobert. And Simonovic potentially could be a better reserve closer than Drummond because Simonovic is an excellent free-throw shooter. Simonovic with 0.7 left in overtime and a one-point lead was instructed by the coaching staff to miss the second free throw so Dallas wouldn’t even have time for a desperation heave or foul at the end.

Illinois’ Malcolm Hill, who was on a two-way contract with the Bulls last season, scored 18 points and had a crucial three pointer late in regulation when the Bulls were trailing 86-77. Javon Freeman-Liberty from Whitney Young and DePaul had 11 points. Current two-way player Justin Lewis from Marquette had eight points. The Bulls still haven’t signed a second two-way G-league player, but they have a full 15 players on the regular roster.

Though the Bulls started fast for a 10-4 lead with Simonovic scoring six of the first eight on a floater, a dunk and a shot jumper, the Mavericks mostly dominated the game after a poor Bulls second quarter left them trailing 47-33 at halftime. The Bulls closed late in the third quarter. But Dallas mostly kept a comfortable margin until that late sequence of Simonovic plays and Bulls defensive scrambling that forced several turnovers to tie the game.

But the Bulls summer group imitated some of the flaws of the regular Bulls with virtually no three-point offense and too frequent fouling. The Bulls didn’t make a three in the first half and just four in the game on 14 attempts. The Mavs attempted 40 threes in the evolving style of the game that was effectively on display in these past playoffs as results seemed to shift depending on who made more threes.

So it’s still a matter of concern for the Bulls.

Though the play of Simonovic is becoming less of a concern.

“Like I said, I feel more comfortable. I understand like everything,” said Simonovic. “I feel great.”

Come to Vegas for that new attraction, Marko-mania.

marko-simonovics-monster-game-powers-bulls-to-1-0-summer-league-start

Marko Simonovic's monster game powers Bulls to 1-0 Summer League start

He’s 6-11 and growing stronger, some 25 pounds of muscle added in the last year. He has a smooth shooting stroke and is adept in pick and roll, especially passing with movement and lately finishing through contact.

So where exactly can the Bulls find a big man like that?

Lately, it’s been in their Advocate Center gym where 2020 second-round draft pick Marko Simonović is trying to open some eyes and raise some eyebrows in a good way.

“Everyone said I am looking better than I was before, so I am happy to hear that and just keep working,” Simonović told media after Tuesday’s Summer League team practice. “Last year I was a rookie and it was a little bit difficult for me because it was my first year in the NBA and I am learning every day on the court and out of the court, how to live here and understand everything. I am so happy for the last year how I played in the G-League, but I am ready to work and working every day to be better and get some minutes in the NBA.

“Now I am 240,” the recently slender Simonović revealed. “Last year I was 215 or something. How (did I do it)? Every day keep working; that’s it. I don’t know what to say. This is a process and I know it’s not like in one year. I need the time to understand and learn everything. Everybody is trying to help me. I think I’ve grown a lot, but I have a lot of space to improve.”

Which makes Simonović if not the story of Summer League starting for the Bulls Friday in Las Vegas, that being rookie first-round draft pick Dalen Terry, but perhaps an X-factor for the future. Especially with Nikola Vučević entering the last season of his Bulls contract and reports the Bulls could acquire a veteran NBA center like Andre Drummond as a short term backup for this season.

That the Bulls are rumored pursuing a backup to Vučević suggests they aren’t ready to hand the keys—or even the training wheels—to Simonović yet. But it’s both potentially encouraging and appealing that the long shot big man is taking the physical part of the game seriously.

So this year’s Summer League becomes something of the next audition for how the Bulls might proceed at center after this season. Simonović with some perimeter shooting ability also projects as a possible stretch power forward the way the game has evolved. Lately some contending teams have returned to using two big men. Like the Celtics in the Finals and Minnesota making a huge deal for Rudy Gobert to team with Karl-Anthony Towns.

“He's obviously met us halfway with his body,” said Bulls Summer League coach John Bryant. “It’s consistent play with Marko. I think he just needs more reps and playing basketball against high-level players. I don't make those decisions (about the Bulls regular season rotation), but I think if he continues to play like he does in the G-League against our guys here with the Bulls (and in Summer League), we’ve gotta make some tough decisions. It's up to him to keep producing at that same level for us to say, 'Hey you're gonna play over whomever,'

“His body looks great and I'm excited to see how he improves from last year (Summer League averaging 12 points and 4.4 rebounds without making a three),” said Bryant. “I think everyone will be excited to see Marko’s ability. His hands have gotten better along with his body. He’s able to finish through contact because of the body. He was paired a lot (in practices this week) with Ayo (Dosunmu). It was roll after roll after roll, and his decision making after those rolls either finishing or passing it out to weak side was much improved. We didn’t see him a lot when he came back from the G-league (last season). He’s very much improved, particularly in pick and roll play, him rolling and decision making after rolls.”

But will he have a role for the Bulls this season? And how much can he roll with the punches if he doesn’t?&nbsp;

“I think I can get more minutes than last season for sure,” Simonović said. “We’ll see. I’m here every day to improve myself and learn.”

The Bulls were serious about competing last season, though it still was curious late in the season as injuries mounted and there were some games with experimentation that Simonović never played. The 22-year-old from Montenegro didn’t play in a game for the Bulls after Jan. 17, which was just after his NBA career high eight points in a blowout loss to the Golden State Warriors a few days earlier.

Although he was a second-round draft pick, Simonović was signed to a three-year contract, albeit modest by NBA standards, that goes through the end of the 2023-24 season. He remained in the Serbian league after being drafted and signed with the Bulls last summer.

He played primarily for the Windy City Bulls last season and produced overall impressive statistics, averaging 17 points and 9.8 rebounds with 13 double-doubles in 28 games. He shot 27 percent from three, but showed good form shooting 82 percent on free throws.

But his impact was minimal as he had difficulty with the physical aspects of the play even by G-league standards. He wasn’t adept at the rim defensively, averaging barely a half block per game. But his almost three assists per game was good for a big man.

So it was no surprise the Bulls explored free agency this summer for interior defensive support.

Can a Simonović with more weight be that weightier option for the Bulls future? Especially since he possesses potential offensive abilities that escape many big men. No one is suggesting he’s the next Nikola Jokić. But Bulls Executive Vice-President of Basketball Operations Artūras Karnišovas was a senior Denver Nuggets executive when the team selected Jokic at No. 41 in the 2014 draft. Simonovic was selected at No. 44. Jokić, however, was immediately a rotation regular those Nuggets.

Though the Nuggets really didn’t know what they had as Jokić averaged eight points in his first Summer League and then split time as a rookie with fellow big man Jusuf Nurkić.

Simonović is not nearly as skilled as Jokić, now a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player.

But skilled enough to crack the Bulls rotation?

The first true returns should begin coming in this summer. And for the Bulls to hope there’s no need for a product return.

“I was talking after the season with everybody. They said they were happy with how I played there (Windy City),” said Simonović. “I am happy for this and I will improve my body and improve my game on the court to be better and to get some minutes next season in the NBA.

“Last year was the first Summer League for me. This year it’s got to be better, for sure,” said Simonović, whose English is impressively improved. "Now I feel more comfortable and I understand how to play here and I think it’s going to be better. Do my job, screen roll, get some rebounds, shoot from three if I am open.

“I played like (28) games for the G-league team and I think I had some good games, some good performances; that was good for me,” said Simonović. "The passing is one of my best things in the game. I like to pass the ball. For us, it is going to be a most important thing, be a team and be good for the other guys on the court, be unselfish. The guys are happy because we are practicing hard and I think we are going to be ready for the first game in Las Vegas.”

Jackpot for the Bulls? They rolled the dice. Ace in the hole or no dice?

OK, I’m anxious to get to Vegas. So’s Marko. We’ll start to see what’s he’s got and what the Bulls have. And if him being the next big man is in the cards. I know, what’s the deal?

marko-simonovic-looks-to-impress-during-summer-league-with-added-muscle-experience

Marko Simonović looks to impress during Summer League with added muscle, experience

The Chicago Bulls 13-man roster for NBA 2K23 Summer League 2022 will feature newly drafted rookie Dalen Terry (No. 18). Bulls Assistant Coach John Bryant will be the head coach of Chicago’s Summer League team.

The Bulls tip off Summer League play with preliminary games on July 8 against the Dallas Mavericks, July 10 against the New York Knicks, July 12 against the Toronto Raptors and July 14 against the Charlotte Hornets. The 17th NBA 2K23 Summer League will feature all 30 NBA teams playing five games each.&nbsp;After every team plays four games July 7-15, the two teams with the best records from the first four games will meet in the Championship Game on Sunday, July 17 at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN.&nbsp; The tiebreak criteria to determine the participants in the Championship Game are available here.&nbsp;The 28 teams that do not play in the Championship Game will play a fifth game on July 16 or July 17.

CHICAGO BULLS NBA 2K23 SUMMER LEAGUE 2022 SCHEDULE

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; * Times listed are Central

SUMMER LEAGUE HEAD COACH:...................... John Bryant

SUMMER LEAGUE ASSISTANT COACHES:.......... Henry Domercant, Paul Miller, Chris Kent, Billy Donovan III, Marko Andjelkovic

PRONUNCIATION GUIDE: ................................. Perrion Callandret (PAIR-e-on KAL-an-dret); Makur Maker (MUH-Coor); Marko Simonović (sim-oh-na-VICH)

bulls-announce-summer-league-2022-schedule-and-roster

Bulls announce Summer League 2022 schedule and roster

Art Alenik: The KD talk has already started. Just saw an article ‘3 Trades to Get the Bulls Durant’ and another one proposing KD trades around DeMar and around Zach. I believe he’ll end up staying in Brooklyn.&nbsp;But s/b interesting w/ Kyrie &amp; Simmons.&nbsp;I could see them trading Kyrie... if anyone will have him.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Sam: The NBA rarely disappoints in free agency, which&nbsp;begins Thursday night at 5 p.m. Last year was a little bit boring, which helped the Bulls get Ball and DeRozan, but there’s no league with more intrigue even as the players have withdrawn from the Big Three formula to take the money and then decide later when they are unhappy. This Kyrie Irving low heat looks like it will come to a boil all season. No big surprise no one but the Lakers was interested. And they basically had nothing to trade and $6 million to spend (see Kyrie is also about the money like everyone else) other than Westbrook and his $47 million. So now he’ll have to play as annoying as that is to persuade someone next summer he’s worth it. You know, until you pay him.

Anyway, the unhappy Kyrie narrative sucked in Kevin Durant, who supposedly/apparently/could be his buddy. And without his buddy, so the reasoning goes, KD will be unhappy and despite just starting a four-year extension will have to be traded because no one could bear seeing KD sad. That’s supposedly why there were no big trades on draft night. The thinking was no one wanted to deplete their roster if KD happened to come on the market. So next season will be all about what’s up with Kyrie, and maybe we can get KD. That appears over for now with Irving opting in, and the Nets if Ben Simmons also decides he wants to play could have a strong roster next season. But it will constantly be under scrutiny, and the Bulls will be one team with three recent All-Stars and some talented young players who will be speculated could put together a KD, here-we-go-again package. Free agency 2022? Heck, we can’t wait for 2023. C’mon, who doesn’t love the NBA? The games are OK, too.

Mike Sutera: Here are free agents I think we should be interested in:

Gorgui Dieng: really has been on the decline for some time however he's a guy who can hit an occasional jumper. Nicolas Claxton: basically Daniel Gafford but probably will he paid more. Horrendous free throw shooter who cost the Nets big time Vs Celts series. Restricted free agent.&nbsp;Nemanja Bjelica: just for three point shooting.&nbsp;TJ Warren: a 1 yr deal that benefits both parties. Had a stellar bubble run until injuries cost him two seasons.Wayne Ellington: getting older and coming off career lows but hey who didn't this past yr on LA lol. Dewayne Dedmon: another guy similar to Dieng but more physical. Mike Muscala: a terrific shooter. Still young.Robin Lopez: just an insurance policy at the vet minimum. Frank Kaminsky: see TJ Warren. Thaddeus Young: would be great to have him back but he's getting older yet doesn't think he deserves to play behind younger guys so I doubt he would be down for a return.Thomas Bryant: another injury plagued big we could get real cheap. Not the prettiest of names but we won't have much money.&nbsp;

Sam: And let the bidding begin. Obviously, Zach LaVine is priority No. 1 for the Bulls, but at 46 wins there’s work to do. The Bulls have a few avenues to pursue in free agency, and obviously there are opportunities to trade with a glut of guards. There’s a salary cap exception of either about $6 million or $10 million and I think that Theis trade exception is around for a few more days or weeks. I assumed the Bulls were trying to land a big man or shooter in the draft, but with their likely targets gone Dalen Terry was a good fallback. Though he isn’t either of those. That’s a decent list you present.

Claxton seems like he’s going back to the Nets. Mo Bamba seems like he’ll be unrestricted, but with bidding and not a huge free agent class could move out of the Bulls budget. Ellington might be worth an inexpensive look. Not sure if the Warriors bring back Bjelica, and defense is an issue, but the Bulls could use forwards who shoot, too. Dedmon is intriguing and I do like the toughness. And I love the word play with his name, Dedmon tells no tales, you know. Maybe Andre Drummond if he doesn’t cost too much, but sounds like he wants to. I read where the Knicks might move on from Taj Gibson, but like with Thad, good guy to have around but not big enough. Maybe someone like JaVale McGee or Isaiah Hartenstein. For shooting, perhaps Gary Harris, Bryn Forbes, Ben McLemore? Maybe take a run at Donte DiVincenzo if he doesn’t cost too much? Does Serge Ibaka have anything left? Or Avery Bradley, who always was a personal favorite. Have I mentioned there’s nothing quite like NBA free agency?

Brodie Larsh: So the interweb is throwing rumors around like crazy right now. What do you think of this one:Lakers get Kyrie Irving, Gordon HaywordHornets get Russell Westbrook, Kendrick Nunn, future Lakers 1st pickNets get Terry Rozier, Stanley Johnson, Talen Horton TuckerIt only makes sense for the Nets if Kyrie has drawn a line in the sand saying to trade him or he sits out. Hornets motivated to shed long term salary for their young guys who will need deals soon, Lakers obvious winners, at least on paper, but they would be down to technically only 4 players on contract, and way over cap.&nbsp;

Sam: As if the Garnett/Pierce trade wasn’t bad enough for the Nets. Charlotte has been mentioned before for Westbrook given their apparent desire to get off Hayward’s money. Which is a problem as he rarely plays because of injury. The Nets taking on all that money and so little talent, I believe, would make KD very sad.

John Petersen: DeMar DeRozen was easily the single biggest contributor last season.&nbsp;He was the veteran leading the team, the “go to” scorer in the 4th quarter and played virtually every game with very high court minutes.&nbsp;So AK should go fishing with DeRozen as trade bait. He turns 33 in August and it’s difficult to project that he can continue at the level of last season when he is 35.&nbsp; As sadly revealed in the playoffs the Bulls are at least two years away from being a serious title contender.&nbsp; Another team might view DeMar as their missing piece and be willing to overpay.&nbsp; He is never going to be more valuable.

Sam: It’s a reasonable point I’ve heard mentioned coming off that amazing season, career high scoring, career high shooting, averaging more minutes than he had in eight years, the most minutes since he was 26. You know LeBron still is getting a lot of crap for urging the Lakers to pass on DeMar for Westbrook and would like to fix that. Same with the Knicks, who decided Fournier and Kemba was a better idea. Though they seem all in on Jalen Brunson for now. I seriously doubt trading DeMar has been discussed. Other teams—OK, some—also can add and know DeMar is turning 33 and I’m not sure how much you’d get. I don’t think DeMar gets as sad as KD, but I doubt the Bulls want to give him reason to after all he did for the team last season. And how much his teammates respect him. The biggest thing Karnisovas seemed to emphasize post season was—not making excuses here, but—they were in first and lost their three best defenders, so let’s see how that looks with a year under their belts. They seem all in on running it back as close as they can to having the regular rotation from last season’s first few months. Now, if KD becomes available, well….there really are no untouchables on a sixth place team. Psst, I don’t think he is this season. Pass it on.

Mick Metzinger: I see Terry took number 25.&nbsp;I hope it’s not the Curse of Marquis Teague.

Sam: Players often have sentimental reasons for the number they select and Terry mentioned Ben Wilson, who a family friend knew, and Steve Kerr, who was the second best No. 25 in team history. And while Kerr did make a few very big plays, in five years with the Bulls he never started a game or averaged in double figures. So I see Terry as the next No. 2.

The disappointing part to me is the number never should have been available. It was first worn in 1969 by Chet Walker, who became a Hall of Famer thanks mostly to his six seasons with the Bulls when he made four All-Star teams. I know in this era history is not particularly popular. It’s usually His-story or Her-story. And rarely our Story. Could it have happened if I didn’t see it? In Bulls franchise history, only Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen have made more All-Star teams. Only Jordan in franchise history has scored more points in a game than Walker’s 56. Walker was the go-to guy closer for the first great Bulls team that averaged more than 50 wins over a five-year stretch and the first to reach a conference finals and only one until Jordan’s late 1980s Bulls team. Walker and that team were even crucial in saving the Bulls for Chicago. His acquisition from the 76ers, where he was the prime support scorer for Wilt Chamberlain and the historic 1968 championship team, probably helped save the Bulls for Chicago. Chicago was known then as an NBA graveyard with George Mikan’s Chicago American Gears folding and the Packers/Zephyrs relocating to eventually become the Washington Wizards. A San Diego group around 1970 was planning to buy and move the Bulls, but attendance finally recovered with the play of that group led by Walker, Jerry Sloan, and then Bob Love and Norm Van Lier coming later.

Walker also was a labor and social rights leader of the era as a plaintiff in the Robertson suit that led to free agency. He then retired after the 1974-75 season to become a movie producer despite averaging 19.2 points. Then Bulls owner Arthur Wirtz denied Walker’s attempts to become a free agent in 1975 and, according to Walker, said he owned him. Walker told Wirtz he’d retire first before accepting such a declaration. And then he did. The Bulls have only four retired player numbers, Jordan, Pippen, Sloan and Love. It’s among the fewest in the league, especially for a franchise with such a rich and celebrated history. It would be appropriate to see Walker’s 25 celebrated along with some others who played a part in elite Bulls eras (five years with the team minimum), like at least a few from a group that includes Van Lier, Horace Grant, Derrick Rose, Artis Gilmore, Jimmy Butler and Joakim Noah.

Knicks are sending to Pistons for cap space for Brunson, Noel, Burks, two future 2nd round picks and cash.

Sam: There they go again. Good for Jalen, who they may have mistaken for Isiah Thomas, the good one. Very nice player and tough guy whom the fans will like, but giving away so much? I remember the Lakers giving a bunch of stuff away to create cap room. But that was for Shaq. Another nice deal by the Pistons after a great draft night to get some real veterans off the bench. The Central is getting competitive.

Abe Rotbart: When you really think about it, bringing back Otto Porter Jr. and Thad Young on short term deals makes lots of sense for these Chicago Bulls. Can we get your blessing on that?