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Zach LaVine took an unusually long time in the shower Monday following the Bulls 103-98 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Not that anyone was complaining. You can get awfully sweaty out there after playing 41 minutes and taking 23 shots for a team high 26 points with 10 of 11 free throws, second in assists as a primary ball handler and getting in the way for four steals and seven turnovers, being bounced around by defenders like you were a beach volleyball and feeling like sand was kicked in your face with the team dropping to 4-10.

The personable LaVine has quickly become the media favorite in the Bulls locker room, and not only because he is one of the top scorers in the NBA and has brought the "oohs" and "aahs" back to the United Center with his flashy play, this time with a third quarter windmill dunk that looked like it would provide enough electricity to hold off the next energy crisis.

"I still enjoy it, I can still get up," LaVine said as his sentences stretched out after a halting start. "I've got a lot dunks left in the tank, hopefully. I'm healthy, got my legs back, even though that windmill might have taken a couple of my jump shots away right there. I airmailed two jump shots today."

It was another tough game for LaVine and the Bulls even as the Bulls didn't mail it in and repeatedly rallied from deficits as large as 14 points and were within three with six minutes remaining in the game. The Bulls playground like scrambling at the close could get them only within four, but you could almost hear the faint playground voices around the Bulls these days.

The Bulls and LaVine certainly could use it, but none seems imminent as Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg estimated Lauri Markkanen still remains two to four weeks from a return, extending his time away with his elbow injury to probably eight to 10 weeks. Kris Dunn and Bobby Portis also are likely to be out until early December. So the weight of these games continues to fall on LaVine as defenses crowd him and the surrounding scoring comes and goes.

Jabari Parker added 16 points, but was one of eight in the first half as the Bulls fell behind by double digits and 56-49 at halftime. Justin Holiday added 14 points with three of seven threes and two steals with sharp defense on Dallas rookie Luka Doncic. Doncic had just 11 points on three of 12 shooting.

"We had stretches where we were really good (defensively) out there," said Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg, noting the 11 Bulls steals. "And then we had stretches where we allowed them to pop wide open and miss transition. Those stretches happened when we quit making shots or when we don't make shots. The good teams find a way to buckle down. We have grown in that area, but it has to become more consistent."

Wendell Carter had early foul trouble against DeAndre Jordan and had just seven points with 10 rebounds, though with a pair of blocks and relentless defensive positioning. Chandler Hutchison also was good defensively and showed more flashes with nine points and nine rebounds. He figures to get more playing time. The Bulls had only those three players scoring in double figures while the 5-8 Mavericks had six players in double figures led by Harrison Barnes with 23 points.

Though for the Bulls after a breezy start to the game and 17-10 lead with the ball jumping around for open shots, the rim shrunk and the Bulls reverted to more isolation play and individual dribbling.

"We do have a tendency when the shot isn't falling to try to be heroes," Holiday acknowledged. "Everyone wants to try to be the one to get it back going for us, which ends up not having the ball move or playing iso ball or one pass and shot type things, which obviously we need to get out of. But, obviously, we have dudes who can score the ball and they think that way. Obviously, we are way better now defensively than we were at the beginning of the year, but now we can't be OK with that. We have to get to that next point and be more consistent, not make as many mistakes."

While on the offensive side LaVine continues to rank third in so called usage rate, meaning the percentage of team plays. Only James Harden who plays with Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook who plays with Paul George have higher such rates than LaVine. Which means they have some fellow All-Stars who even when they aren't shooting are getting the attention of the defense. No offense, as it were, but Parker and Holiday are not so much receiving the attention of Chris Paul and Paul George. Carter and Arcidiacono? Not so much, either.

LaVine thus ends up in the crosshairs of every opponent scouting report, and he's taking some tough shots.

"I'm tired, but I'm all right," LaVine said as he, as usual, spent the most time speaking with reporters. "Doing everything I can. Made some mistakes, missed some shots that were easy. Didn't hit any threes today. I got easy things I can do better at, make more effort plays on defense. I always ask more for myself, but I'm doing everything I can."

No one can deny the effort and belief LaVine is putting into the game. Perhaps sometimes too much, though it seems an honest desire to help. He's willingly accepted Hoiberg's demands to become a distributor early in games and recorded at least four assists for the seventh consecutive game. It ties the most consecutive games he's done that from his rookie season when he was playing point guard.

"I did a good job the first half reading the plays, four or five assists off the bat," LaVine pointed out. "But then I tried to force it a couple of times, so they started blitzing higher. I have to make a better or quicker decision. I have to do a better job taking care of the ball. It's a blitz (double team) every time. I'm not worried about the first defender; it's the second one I'm trying to read. I'm still attacking, but I missed some real easy shots. We only lost by a small amount. I could have made a couple more. That's the game right there; I have to do my job."

LaVine was doing so in that 17-10 start, but the Bulls hit a stretch of seven straight misses and eight of 10 missed threes in the first quarter to fall behind 25-20. The Mavericks added on eight straight to start the second quarter and the Bulls were soon behind 41-27. LaVine then took it upon himself as he often has to with a pair of drives for scores, hurtling through multiple bodies as the Bulls went on an 18-5 run of their own to get within two. The Mavs made it a seven-point lead at halftime.

"I give Zach a lot credit. As much as we are going through Zach, he is growing on making the simple play and getting better at that," said Hoiberg. "We've got to get the pace (better), get  down the floor much better and I put that on me. I've got to be better as far getting us into something where we are not stagnant for as long a stretches as we are now; I have to get us better at that."

The Bulls got back to 58-57 on that windmill. Dallas then pulled away by 10 with four empty Bulls possessions. The Bulls got back within one again with a good sequence of Parker power plays inside and trailed 78-75 after three quarters. The Mavericks jumped on the Bulls to start the quarter, the Bulls pulled within 87-84, and then it was five more consecutive empty possessions for the Bulls with quick shots and isolation. The Mavericks remained more patient and unselfish, and it was enough even as LaVine scored six of the Bulls last eight points.

The conversation then turned to speed and Mavericks guard Dennis Smith, whom LaVine acknowledged, "is fast, but he ain't as fast as me."

"Russell Westbrook," LaVine said. "Dennis Smith. John Wall still is really fast, Ish Smith is quick. Derrick Rose is still probably top 10 fastest in the NBA. Pascal Siakam, Toronto, (different) name, but he chased me down last year. Startled me. I didn't think he was going to catch me."

And no time for the Bulls to catch their breath with a brutal rest of the week in Boston and Milwaukee and home Saturday for Toronto, arguably the East's three best teams

"A loss is a loss," LaVine said. "Doesn't matter if you are a young team or an experienced team. The only thing that matters is to try to get the win. We didn't do that again, so we have to find a way. It's frustrating because it was another winnable game and we let it slip through our fingers. It was frustrating."

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Bulls rally comes up short against Mavericks, 103-98

Sam Smith

The Bulls Saturday spent the last day of Daylight Savings Time losing 96-88 to the Houston Rockets. With Standard Time arriving it means it's getting darker earlier, which is something of a metaphor for this early Bulls season. The Bulls fell to 2-8 after being swept on their four-game home stand and now play in New York Monday and New Orleans Wednesday.

"We just haven't played a complete game yet," said Zach LaVine about the Bulls outscoring Houston in three of the four quarters and then losing the third quarter by 14 points. "I think we're still looking for that and once we do it, it will be great. We can't hang our heads. We've got a lot of games left. We've just got to stick together and keep going. We're fighting. I'm not a quitter and I don't expect anybody on this team to be a quitter, either. We have a lot of encouragement and dudes who have confidence. Eventually it is going to turn around, we're going to have a good game and from there we can take off."

But for now the countdown remains on hold with none of the four vital injured players—Lauri Markkanen, Kris Dunn, Denzel Valentine and Bobby Portis—due back perhaps even before Thanksgiving with four of the next six games on the road.

"We had one bad quarter," noted Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg. "Unfortunately, it was a really bad quarter. Then the fourth quarter we got back in it by attacking the rim and getting to the free throw line, 18 times we got to the line in the fourth quarter by attacking the basket. That second half to hold this team to 42 and under 100 is going to give you a chance. But we've got to be more consistent on the (offensive) end and learn. Just mindless turnovers (19 for 21 Houston points). We're making a run and you throw one off a foot or you throw one to (a defender) when we're going down with numbers (on a fast break). We had just too many of those. But really pleased with how the guys got us back in the game with their defense."

So there were positives again with rookie Chandler Hutchison having his best game and first scoring in double figures with 12 points to augment his usually professional defense. Wendell Carter Jr. had his second double/double with 14 points 13 rebounds and four blocks.

"I really like Chandler, how he's going out there and playing with confidence right now," said Hoiberg. "I think he's doing a really good job of attacking and shooting his shot now. I love our young guys. Wendell  with some of those plays he made with the rebounds and the blocks. That kid is going to be an absolute stud in this league."

LaVine led the Bulls with 21 points, scoring at least 20 in every game. But he was trapped often again and shot four for 16. He's 22 of 61 the last three games, though LaVine was 12 of 13 on free throws Saturday. The Bulls overall were 26 for 27 from the line.

"I'm going to keep going in there," promised LaVine. "I'm not scared or shy or anything. I had a horrible shooting night, so I had to do something to try to keep us in it. I was going to be able to get to the line. I told them I'm not quitting, I'm going to the hoop and if I have to get banged or fouled whatever it is I'm going to be jumping into bodies and still fighting."

Though perhaps as reflective of this game with Jabari Parker committing seven of the 19 turnovers without an assist was a curious play late in the game with the Bulls making one last push. After trailing by 17 points in the third quarter amidst a 15-0 Houston run, the Bulls had gotten within 87-82 with four minutes remaining in the game as LaVine and Carter barged their way to the basket.

Carter then rebounded a James Harden miss and threw an outlet to LaVine with a four on two break. But Parker cut in front of LaVine on the wing while not looking. The ball hit Parker in the back of his foot and he kicked it out of bounds. Harden was then fouled for a three-point play to basically end the Bulls comeback chance. Parker finished with 15 points.

"I don't know," Parker said when asked about the ball hitting off his foot with his back turned to the pass. "I wasn't even paying attention myself."

Though there also were plenty of other blunders besides the foot fault, like when Justin Holiday just moments before Parker's gaffe was leading a fast break out of the backcourt. The Rockets led 87-80 with only Chris Paul in front of Holiday. But Holiday threw the ball directly to Paul for a turnover, one of six mostly unforced ones in the fourth quarter that ended any chance for the comeback.

It was unfortunate because once again the Bulls had a lot of positive moments, including Parker with a tough defensive sequence against Harden for a turnover, Holiday making a trio of three pointers, the fifth straight game he's had at least that many, and the rookies excelling. Though Antonio Blakeney was somewhat overanxious missing all six of his shots while Cameron Payne had a team worst minus-15 on plus/minus rating.  Harden had 25 points for Houston ad Carmelo Anthony 17 off the bench.

"You've got to keep learning, keep growing," said Hoiberg. "We had three quarters where we won and unfortunately lost the fourth one big. You can't have those types of lapses, especially depleted like we are right now in our lineup. We've got to keep going out there and fighting, which our guys are doing. They are battling, we are growing defensively. We just have to be more consistent for 48 minutes."

It's true the players have shown few signs of giving in or giving up, though the consistency varies from quarter to quarter. The Bulls again reverted to more one pass and shot offense until late in the game when they began to drive to the basket more.

"It seems like we get off to those good starts where our offense is clicking, defensively we're doing pretty well, and then we just slip up, whether it's a stretch in a quarter or a whole quarter," said Hutchison. "When you're short men you can't do that in order to win. Our margin for error is always so small, so it's tough. But there are positives to take from it and build off."

One was the 6-7 Hutchison, who had been a reluctant offensive player the first few weeks. He admitted to rookie "jitters" facing his first NBA experience. But Hutchison Saturday with his graceful athleticism began to extend himself, driving to the basket and attempting jumpers. He was five of eight, hitting double figures for the first time this season. He also had two steals and has been a presence defensively with his enthusiasm.

"With everything that's happened, I've had more opportunity and I'm beginning to feel more comfortable and understand my role and understand the ability I have and using it when the opportunity comes," said Hutchison. "My mindset was (defense), help this team on defensive end where I could make an impact. Doing that has enabled other things to open up. Do my job and run hard, run the floor and use my athleticism."

The Bulls got off to a good start with Harden returning from injury and Houston getting an early blast off. Holiday and LaVine cancelled that with threes and the Bulls led 28-27 after one quarter. The Bulls were easing away 47-42 late in the second quarter for their biggest lead when Harden baited Parker into four consecutive switches and an 8-0 Houston run. Still, the Bulls led 56-54 at halftime and were shooting 55 percent and six of 11 on threes.

The third quarter was a Bulls meltdown, scoreless for almost seven minutes, zero for eight on threes and two of 17 shooting overall for just seven points in the quarter. The Rockets led 75-63 after three and by 17 points three minutes into the fourth quarter. Hoiberg got Carter back in and with LaVine they were challenging the Rockets inside. But even as the Rockets missed all six of their four quarter threes, the untimely turnovers proved fatal to the Bulls' hopes for a victory.

"I think we've been close in all the games except the Charlotte and Golden State games," said LaVine about Saturday's game with 14 lead changes and 10 ties. "It shows the type of team we can be if we get everything going and don't have those little mental errors and mistakes because sometimes we make some dumb plays out there offensively and defensively and we have to clean that up. It's a growing process. We have to hang through it and whoever is going to be with us at the end of it, we're going to be that group of guys."

The Bulls hope you can set your clocks by that.

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Bulls third quarter meltdown leads to loss against Rockets, 96-88

As reporters were dispersing from the rare post game interview scrum with Antonio Blakeney, he turned and asked how the Windy City Bulls had done Friday, their opening night. They won impressively, he was told.

"Those are my guys," Blakeney brightened. "I'll be out there every game I can."

Though no longer as a player since not only is the 6-4 guard securing a place in the Bulls playing rotation, Blakeney is on a roll as one of the hottest shooters in the NBA.

Coming off a run that included making a Klay Thompson-like 10 threes in 12 attempts in the last three games into the Bulls 107-105 loss to the Indiana Pacers Friday, Blakeney is shooting 59 percent on threes for the season, 16 of 27. He's third on the Bulls in scoring at 12.4 per game despite averaging just 18 minutes per game and is the team's leading shooter at 55 percent. With his career high 22 points against Indiana, the former G-leaguer is averaging 19.3 the last three games in 20 minutes per game.

"I've definitely come a long way," agrees Blakeney, who was the G-league leading scorer last season. "Last year this time I was playing at Windy City. For me to be here and playing all nine games this season, that's growth. I just want to keep going; just trying to bring the juice off the bench."

It's been a squeeze for Blakeney, who was Ben Simmons' college teammate, but lost in the mix of a long LSU team, questions about his ability to defend and no sponsor without a place in the draft. He always could shoot; it seemed like he'd have to take a shot overseas.

But the undrafted free agent earned a ride with Windy City off a strong Summer League with the Bulls in 2017 and is beginning to assume a vital and rare NBA role of the instant offense reserve, lately occupied by the likes of Lou Williams, Eric Gordon and Jamal Crawford. Blakeney has had that impact recently with the Bulls with his unusual ability to seem to hang in the air to get his shot off on a favorite elbow or free throw drive and jumper. He's added to that an improved three-point shot after an erratic preseason with his offense carrying the Bulls in stretches.

"I'm a confident player whether I am missing or making," Blakeney said after the loss to Indiana. "Preseason I missed some shots, in and out. I was shooting short, so just trying to get my lift and knock them down. My confidence is high even when I'm not red hot; even when I'm shooting bricks."

That's not always comforting to coaches, but that's the mentality that separates the great shooters. They can be zero for 12 and be shocked when they missed No. 13. The comparison is a player like Doug McDermott, the former Bull who plays for the Indiana Pacers. McDermott probably has a better shooting stroke than Blakeney. But McDermott tries to be so perfect and hesitates when he's missing. Blakeney's idea of a bad shot is when he doesn't take one.

He's also an impressive athlete, a strong finisher on the fast break with a rare ability to get off the floor quickly and contort his body to avoid the defense. He proved too good for the G-league last season averaging 32 points playing the entire season with Windy City and providing more thrills for Hoffman Estates than dollar days at Woodfield Mall.

"I'm more a playmaker/scorer type of game," said Blakeney. "Right now I am hitting a lot of threes. Me saying I'm just going to be a three point shooter, I won't say that. I'm just shooting it with confidence right now. On this team, I'm going to come off the bench playing behind Zach, a great player. Zach talks with me about this all the time: When he goes out and I come in, let it be no letup. We are kind of similar; both can score the ball, both pretty athletic. So when he gets out and I get in there, I try for it to be no letup and bring that energy."

Blakeney did again making four of five shots in the second half with the best second half plus/minus rating on the team. His four-point play with 30.5 seconds left was almost the highlight of the night in the NBA and you loved that Wendell Carter Jr. tracked down that Justin Holiday miss and got the ball to Blakeney for a last shot to try to win the game.

"The (four-point) play was for Zach and he kind of picked his dribble up, so I just ran to the ball," explained Blakeney of his familiar route. "I didn't know he was going to foul me. He did and luckily I could knock it down and the free throw. We're (reserves) always talking on the sideline that we have to bring that juice, got to bring that energy. It's always with Hutch (Chandler Hutchison), Arch (Ryan Arcidiacono), ‘Let's go, let's go.' We try to hype each other on the bench."

Last year it was Arcidiacono and Blakeney doing it for Windy City. Now it's in the NBA and looking impressive with Arcidiacono one of the league leaders in assist-to-turnover ratio and the Bulls assists leader with Kris Dunn out.

"I come in every day with my back against the wall being undrafted, coming from the G-league, not being a player who makes a lot of money," said Blakeney. "But my confidence is always there, contract or not."

The Bulls are finding out it's money in the bank.

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"Juice off the bench": Blakeney's growth from G-League to one of the hottest shooters in the NBA

It was a loss for the Bulls Friday to the Indiana Pacers that surely Billy Shakespeare would find strange and unnatural. It was the third time this season in just nine games the Bulls lost on what essentially was the last possession of the game, this time missing three chances to tie or win after a Darren Collison 19 footer with 18.5 seconds left gave Indiana the eventual 107-105 final margin.

It was also a loss most foul as the Bulls, and certainly Antonio Blakeney, believed Blakeney shooting a potential game winning three was tripped before Myles Turner blocked his attempt. Though perhaps it never would have come to that if Zach LaVine and Wendell Carter Jr. within two minutes of one another hadn't been called for their fifth fouls with the Bulls riding a LaVine hot streak to a 99-92 lead with six minutes left.

With LaVine and Carter sitting, the Pacers hit the Bulls with an 11-0 run to take a 103-99 lead with 3:20 left before the hot shooting Blakeney, now generally known as Little Ben Gordon, converted a four-point play for a tie with 30.5 second left. The Bulls then tried to trap Victor Oladipo and were left to scramble out of position when the Pacers rotated the ball to the left corner for Collison's winner.

Two Carter offensive rebounds on the final possession wasn't enough to save the Bulls, who fell to 2-7. Indiana is 6-3.

"We were trying to get Zach curling off a screen (on the last play)," said Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg. "I thought Zach had a good look, 15 footer on the baseline, kicked out to Justin; had a great look at it and Antonio tried to make a play at the buzzer.

"Came out of the gate with unbelievable energy," Hoiberg noted. "Proud of the guys for stepping up and playing with that type of grit on the defensive end coming out of the locker room (with a 15-point first quarter lead). After that Golden State game, I felt we had a very good performance against a very good Denver team and against Indiana, one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. We just have to find a way to make one more play, a rebound, take away a three, a loose ball. Have to find a way to make that play under two minutes to get the win."

The Bulls were led by Blakeney off the bench with a career high 22 points in a remarkable shooting run in which he's 11 of 15 on threes the last three games. He's second in the league in three point shooting and shooting a rollicking 55 percent overall. LaVine as the primary target on the Pacers' scouting report had a rough seven of 21 shooting for 20 points. Though LaVine had it going in the fourth quarter with nine points in just over two minutes before his fifth foul, and a very questionable one, after doing a good defensive job against Oladipo. LaVine went out for about 90 seconds, but his feel and the Bulls momentum was gone as the Pacers moved ahead and LaVine was zero for four the rest of the game.

"They hit me with some fouls; it was tough," LaVine said diplomatically. "I try to stay in the game regardless, like ‘I'm good.' But it makes sense (to go out with five). You don't want to foul out the next play and I'm not playing for the rest of the game; just sucks. I shouldn't have fouled him."

It seemed a questionable call on LaVine coming around a screen, a pattern which burdened the Bulls all game after Carter got the Bulls off to that exceptional start with seven of the Bulls first 10 points and nine in the quarter. But fighting quick foul calls all game, Carter played just 24 minutes to finish with 11 points, eight rebounds and six assists.

Justin Holiday added 19 points with his second consecutive game with five threes, his 11th attempt also a potential winner that bounced off before Blakeney's attempt.

"When it bounced to me I thought it was cash," said Holiday. "I most definitely was ready for it."

Jabari Parker added 11 points, Cristiano Felicio had nine points and nine rebounds and Robin Lopez even got in the game with the fouls and had two blocks in four minutes. Cameron Payne and Ryan Arcidiacono combined for 14 assists and zero turnovers at point guard, though just two of eight shooting for a combined six points. Oladipo had 25 points and 14 rebounds for the Pacers and Turner had 18 points and six blocks.

"It is a process when you have young guys on the floor," said Hoiberg. "Zach is in a new role, Wendell, too bad he got fouls after how easy it was for him in the first quarter. Guys like Antonio Blakeney stepping up and making big plays for us. Arcidiacono, he's never been in a position like this; Justin was hitting shots, playing a complete, consistent game. We had a seven-point lead with just over six to play. We needed those guys down the stretch and we made the subs and, unfortunately, they claimed the lead right back. I loved the start of the fourth. They had a (seven) point lead and we came out and hit eight out of nine shots and really locked up defensively. Unfortunate that happened; it's part of the game. The fouls it certainly hurt us tonight."

I'm not generally one to blame officials, but it's certainly unusual to see two of one team's top players out so quickly on fouls. Especially for a team not exactly known for physical play, though LaVine was excellent defensively. And then Blakeney sprawling on the floor to end the game after Bojan Bogdanovic seemed to stick his leg out.

"I think I got tripped up," said Blakeney. "Did I get fouled on the three? I don't really know; the play's over. I definitely got tripped up. That's why I fell and tried to throw it up. I think he might have gotten a clean block, but I definitely got tripped."

Perhaps the shot doesn't go in, and players and coaches cannot say much without risking punishment. But it seemed most foul when the Bulls basically outplayed the Pacers.

"We came out and played so well in stretches it's almost like you are deserving of a win," lamented LaVine. "But we give it away or they get back into the game or something like that. Just have to play four quarters. Light handed like we are you can't have that many mistakes; have to play almost flawless basketball."

For the Bulls with four core players out injured—Hoiberg said none are close to a return—it was about as flawless as they might get against a top opponent.

The Bulls shot better than Indiana from the field, from three-point range and almost on free throws, where the Pacers had a curious 22-9 edge in attempts despite being the visiting team without the usual momentum from the home crowd and with the more physical players. The Bulls outrebounded Indiana despite being smaller and had a huge 33-20 edge in assists in a game, especially at the start, when the Bulls played faster and with the ball swinging like it was a Lindy Hop. Talk about swing.

"It's just frustrating knowing you played well," said LaVine.

When Carter rebounded a miss and slammed it in one motion for a 19-7 start that Hoiberg said was as good as the team has had all season, it looked like a special game. It proved exciting and entertaining with 11 lead changes and 10 ties. And any fair minded observer would have to say the players are responding favorably to Hoiberg the way they are competing, improving and bouncing back from devastating losses like against Charlotte and Golden State with some of their best play of the season. Literally with one defensive play, a rebound and a shot, the Bulls easily could be 5-4. Though as we know you are what your record is. So the Bulls face Houston Saturday in the United Center with the return of James Harden from injury.

"The best thing is experience and that's what we're going through right now," said LaVine. "You can see the improvement every game."

Carter drew a second foul seven minutes into the game, though early in the second quarter the Bulls led 42-24 after five straight Blakeney points. Carter quickly got a third and the Pacers evened the game with a late second quarter 12-2 spurt bashing their way to the free throw line with 10 attempts in the quarter to two for the Bulls. It was 60-58 Indiana at half. The Pacers looked liked they'd pull away in the third quarter, but the Bulls hung around with Holiday making a trio of threes.

"You leave me open, I am shooting the ball," Holiday said.

Then the Bulls jumped on the Pacers to start the fourth quarter, stretched out the lead with LaVine on a run and looking like he could carry the Bulls down the stretch until he was technically sidelined. Yet even seemingly demoralized, the Bulls responded impressively with the Blakeney four-point play to tie and then Carter pulling two offensive rebounds away from a pack of Pacers. It all came up one shot short.

"Some fall," reasoned Holiday. "Some don't."

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Bulls fail to close out the Pacers, 107-105

The Bulls Wednesday in the end lost sight of one of the Nuggets, Paul Millsap scoring a putback with a tenth of a second left in overtime for a 108-107 victory.  It ended a golden opportunity for redemption after the debilitating defeat against Golden State Monday. But perhaps more importantly, and certainly for the future, the Bulls discovered a nugget in their midst, the most precious of gems, a potential young star.

Rookie Wendell Carter Jr. holding off MVP candidate Nikola Jokic had 25 points, eight rebounds with six offensive, five assists and three blocks in not only one of the top rookie performances of the season, but one of the best big man rookie performances in franchise history.

Carter also made a pair of three pointers, hit two pressure free throws in overtime for a lead with 2:30 left and led the team in scoring in the fourth quarter of regulation. Carter was flying across the lane for blocks in one of the team's best defensive games and forcing the taller, broader and heavier Jokic into nine for 20 shooting and crucial misses at the end of regulation and overtime.

Carter chased Jokic into missing a short hook in the lane with 27.5 seconds left in regulation in a 98-98 game. It gave the Bulls a chance at what could have been a winning shot. Zach LaVine with a game high 28 points dribbled down the clock for the shot after making three remarkable shots minutes earlier to get the Bulls a 98-92 lead with 2:32 left. But LaVine going up for a shot was stripped of the ball by Millsap. Carter got to the loose ball in a game the Bulls were diving all over and tapped it to LaVine. Jokic then blocked LaVine's driving attempt out of bounds. But the Bulls after a referee review had just a second on the shot clock and a Justin Holiday jumper was blocked.

Denver got Malik Beasley open on a backdoor pass with 3.1 seconds left in regulation. But the ball went off Denver. The Bulls, however, had no timeout remaining and had to go full court. Jabari Parker's running 30 footer came up short.

Then in the overtime after a pair of Jokic threes got Denver going, a Holiday three gave the Bulls a 107-106 lead with 1:26 left. Then Carter was strong against Jokic again. Denver for the ball with 3.5 seconds in overtime trailing by one. Jokic's 15 footer from the left wing went long off the rim to the right side. Millsap bulldozed the thinner Holiday out of the way to put in the winner. With a tenth of a second a team can only score on a tapin and the Bulls had little chance.

"We had the win," lamented LaVine. "We just have to learn how to win. We brought it all the way down to the wire. It was a bounce back on how to fight. Still sucks because you play such a good game, you want that result. Wendell, he's going to be in the same position (as Jokic) one day. They are going to be battling each other as the top big dudes in the league one day. He's getting better and better. We're eight games in now. I want to see what he looks like at 80; it's going to be nice."

The final result, of course, was discouraging as the Bulls dropped to 2-6 and play Indiana in the United Center Friday. But it was encouraging the way the players responded from the historic beating against the Warriors Monday when they gave up 92 first half points. The Nuggets are the only team to beat the Warriors this season and came in averaging 114 per game. They were seven of 26 on threes and scored 98 points in regulation.

"I said we were going to learn a lot about ourselves with how we came out of the locker room," said Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg. "The guys were focused and responded and the effort, if we play like that we will be fine."

If Carter plays like that, and it was his third consecutive game scoring in double figures averaging 17.7 points and 8.3 rounds in that stretch, the Bulls may well have some front line gold once Lauri Markkanen returns from injury.

"My teammates are having more faith in me, hitting me when I'm open so I can knock down shots, especially in the post," said Carter. "I feel I am a really good post player. My teammates are starting to trust me more and we're getting a feel for one another. I try to go out and play hard. That's the way I try to lead. As a rookie, I try to do all the little things, do whatever coach asks me to do.

"With players out, I feel I've had to come in and do a lot of things a lot of rookies don't have to do for their team right now," Carter acknowledged. "Not that I appreciate (the injuries), but I am blessed to be in that position where I can grow faster to help the team later when I am in the last few seconds on the clock (I will have) been in that position before."

Carter was unexpectedly moved into the starting lineup to open the season with Robin Lopez slow to start preseason and the team committing to young players. Carter's welcome to the NBA was games against All Stars Joel Embiid, Andre Drummond and DeAndre Jordan. Carter, not surprisingly, played cautiously without much offensive aggression the first week. But he seemed to find some assurance with a double/double in Saturday's win back in his native Atlanta. Carter stood out in the calamity that was Golden State Monday with 18 points, and sidled up next to LaVine Wednesday for scoring support that came about as close to a win as possible.

"Wendell was phenomenal," agreed Hoiberg. "You can see it. His confidence is growing every time he steps on the floor."

Heck, he may already be one of the top centers in franchise history and perhaps the most versatile. Hall of Famer Artis Gilmore generally is considered the best, but came to the Bulls later in his career and was a power player. Joakim Noah was a Defensive Player of the Year, but lacked offense. Bill Cartwright and Pau Gasol came late in their careers. Tom Boerwinkle was a facilitator. Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry? Oh, well. And imagine when Carter hits 20 next season.

Carter plays with an unusual mask of solemnity, mixed concentration and determination that rarely breaks character. Though he did exchange a playful glare with a heckler after making those late free throws.

Carter plays with a maturity and fundamental edge that belies his age. Though in post game interviews he is quick to smile and joke in a relaxed manner, a hard working competitor and team player who seems a locker room favorite. The way he and LaVine have been performing, you can begin to imagine the possibilities once the injured players return.

And not leaving Holiday trying to fend off a guy 75 pounds heavier.

Holiday took blame for the missed boxout at the end.

"I didn't make the play I was supposed to make," he said. "That's on me. I just didn't make the right decision at the right time. I should have been a little more into his body. Obviously, if I were a little closer it would have been tougher for him to get it. Didn't matter who. I've got to make the right play to win the game."

He didn't need to. It wasn't truly his fault. There really wasn't much the Bulls could do with their power forwards out. Hoiberg was playing offense/defense and took out Parker, who got his first start and had a tough three for 10 for six points. Parker is a weak defender and was constantly being targeted by the Nuggets. So Hoiberg inserted rookie Chandler Hutchison, who had been a defensive agitator in the game, to try to upset the inbounds pass. Ryan Arcidiacono was in for Cameron Payne, the latter who had several costly turnovers down the stretch. Arcidiacono despite just three points had seven assists and three steals and his frequently overplaying the ball in help situations was a catalyst for a third quarter surge that erased a six-point Denver lead.

"Arch is a winner," said Hoiberg. "That's who he is; he is going to go out there and do whatever it takes. We love what he's giving us."

So Holiday drew the tough assignment on Millsap with Carter occupied with Jokic. Perhaps Lopez could have come in. But he hadn't played the last four games and not Wednesday. That would be much to ask. Holiday is one of the team's better defenders, but Millsap proved both strong and savvy and had 19 points in the game. Jokic led Denver with 22. The Nuggets also dominated on the offensive boards with 17 and 23-8 in second chance points. If it were just 21-8, the Bulls would have had a victory.

"You can't blame anybody," said LaVine. "They made a good play and won the game; you've got to give them credit. Obviously, if we have all our guys back Justin wouldn't be guarding Paul Millsap. He'll be guarding a wing like Gary Harris or Beasley and Bobby (Portis) or Wendell would be guarding him and I don't think he gets that tip. But we have what we have right now and have to deal with that. I still think we should have gotten that win."

It seemed like the Bulls would the way the rookies were playing, especially Carter with Hutchison still hesitant offensively. Though Hutchison was especially active defensively. Antonio Blakeney has his three-point shooting eye. He had 15 points making all four of his threes and is 11 of 17 on threes the last four games.

The highly entertaining game had 16 lead changes and 11 ties with a whipsaw fourth quarter with five lead changes. The Bulls 9-0 run midway through the fourth quarter gave them a 94-88 lead with just over four minutes left on a pair of unlikely bail out scores by LaVine, teammates handing him the ball with five seconds or less on the shot clock and moving away. LaVine added another tough one with 2:32 left and it looked like the Bulls had come all the way back from that Monday defeat. But Zach didn't have enough magic this time, missing a 20 footer with 1:39 left and then that strip and block in the last seconds.

"Zach hit a couple of tough shots," noted Hoiberg. "We continued to put the ball in his hands and, unfortunately, those same shots didn't fall the last few minutes. But we have all the confidence in the world in Zach. He's done it in his career and earlier this year in a win. I thought that last one (with 13.6 seconds in overtime leading by one) was down. It was a great stroke, great shot, he created separation. Unfortunately, it didn't go."

And so went the Bulls with the loss, but perhaps finding much more along the way.

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Carter Jr. shines as Bulls fall to Nuggets in OT thriller, 108-107

The 2018-19 NBA season opens Tuesday with the Golden State Warriors favorites to complete their first three-peat, and fourth championship in five years on the way to perhaps being the NBA's greatest dynasty since the 1960s Boston Celtics.

Forget the Warriors! Urgent, urgent! ESPN is reporting that Jimmy Butler told friends that his hard boiled egg for breakfast wasn't tougher than he was; how dare it call itself hard boiled!

LeBron James, the greatest player of this current NBA generation, is about to begin his 16th season playing for another of the NBA's royals, the Los Angeles Lakers. Will they eventually become the Warriors' obstacle? Will they raid the Warriors' great talent inventory?

Forget LeBron! Bulletin, bulletin! ESPN is breaking in with exclusive details of Jimmy Butler copyrighting the word "work" so that no one ever can use it again without his permission.

C'mon, is there a more fun league than the NBA?

Not only does the NBA have the most recognizable and famous players and personalities, but those stars think nothing of creating even more publicity and controversy. Like Butler, the former Bull who in the run up to another magnetic season has made the Warriors and LeBron incidentals in his bizarre combination of trade demand/holdout/show up/challenge everyone/TV tell all reality show. It all but reduced the nascent dynasty Warriors and larger-than-life LeBron to filings beneath the carving of a new statue.

And it's just the beginning because, really, how could anyone really diminish LeBron playing with Lance Stephenson, Rajon Rondo, JaVale McGee, Michael Beasley and being coached by Lonzo Ball's father? What, not yet? Or the amazing Warriors, playing their final season in Oakland before moving to a new arena in San Francisco and pretty much already commissioning the parade route. Win one for O-town?

And wait until the buzz really starts. Kevin Durant is a free agent and he's going to play with…LeBron? Klay Thompson is a free agent and he's going to play with…LeBron? Dwyane Wade is in his final season…unless he chooses to play one more season with LeBron? Has Dirk, also believed to be in his final season, always wanted to finish his career playing with LeBron? AD anyone?

Oh, yeah. And DeMarcus "Boogie" Cousins with the nickname too good not to use is going to play with the team regarded not to even have a serious opponent? The two-time champions evolve from Zaza Pachilia and JaVale McGee to Cousins. Really?

How about the Eastern favorite Boston Celtics? How did they come up with the idea of having six small forwards? Remember the No. 1 draft pick from a year ago who forgot how to shoot? He's back!

We know the Spurs were mad at Kawhi Leonard, but couldn't they have at least let him stay in the country? And is this finally, finally the end of the Spurs run that began in 1951?

Many want to see the Denver Nuggets, and they want to see Isaiah Thomas and Michael Porter Jr., both due soon to finish their isolations in Bioshere 11. Who'll destroy his team first, Carmelo Anthony or Dwight Howard? This really doesn't seem fair. But the Celtics unless it's the overall No. 1 pick, which it could be because the Kings will be awful again, should get Sacramento's No. 1 pick next June in what again looks like a loaded draft and a chance for the Celtics to get their potential eighth All-Star wing player.

There's some new rules, the most colorful being that players can now wear whatever color sneakers they want. Parents, get ready to spend. It used to be players had to match one of their uniform colors to their shoe. As Ed Sullivan may have said, "really big shoe tonight." Hey, I didn't know who Kanye West was until this week. So live with my references. The NBA also is looking to speed up its game by reducing the time clock to 14 seconds on offensive rebounds from 24. That's right, the game that lasts about half as long as a baseball game is looking to streamline at a time baseball is expanding its rosters so every batter faces a different pitcher.

There are nine new coaches that include the first Igor to run an NBA team; there's little or no chance a New York team contends for the playoffs for the 22nd straight season—or what seems like it and the NBA miraculously still survives—and there's the potential for the end of the Pelicans' run of one consecutive playoffs with a season of where Anthony Davis is going if they are out of serious contention. Maybe Minnesota. It appears like they may have an opening.

We're all pretty sure Golden State is going to be in the Finals again since Chris Paul likely gets injured earlier in the playoffs. But, anyway, here's a preseason look at how the conference races may play out:

No overachieving anymore like when Brad Stevens turned Isaiah Thomas into the real Isiah Thomas for a moment. They're loaded with talented wing players and if there's a championship of second units, they're winning easily. After all, this was a team that almost went to the Finals missing Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward. It will be intriguing to see how they now fit with all the guys who almost got them to the Finals.

If you're a rookie there, plan on taking a year off. Now it's Markelle Fultz time? Fultz was the prize of the 2017 draft, eventually going No. 1, a big guard who could dominate physically and with his shooting. Until he became the first basketball player ever who couldn't throw to first base. He was believed to have spent the summer after the draft golfing with Jon Lester, Steve Blass and Chuck Knoblauch. Now Fultz returns to start at point, and with Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons is that a true Big Three?

Quietly, which is the way everything is described in Indiana, the Pacers probably had the best summer other than the Lakers and the soccer kids in Thailand. They added Tyreke Evans, Doug McDermott, Aaron Holiday and Kyle O'Quinn to a deep roster of pretty good players with Victor Oladipo. And they've also good a good Sabonis who seems ready for a breakout season.

They added some shooting for Giannis with Ersan—it's a one name city, like Brat—but the big addition was Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer eventually in for Jason Kidd. That's like Steve Kerr replacing Mark Jackson: One gets you to a good place; the other takes it from there. Many this season now are prepping Antetokounmpo for MVP since he now takes off from midcourt on dunks and has signed to star in Marvel's Rubber Man.

I'm assuming the roster eventually includes Butler, who for all the joking is pretty darned good. The Heat have a lot of good and a good coach. Jimmy's more darned good than great, but the combination of goods like Dragic, James Johnson and other Johnsons should at least put them in the midst and middle. Plus, Dwyane Wade gets to close with former teammate Butler. Though based on past association, that wasn't always a great idea.

More speculation here given no one quite knows what's up with or what Kawhi Leonard is about to or capable of doing. Presumably he plays out the season to earn his ticket to Los Angeles, but even if he doesn't are the Lakers or Clippers saying no? There's also a new coach who's taking about rotating starting lineups all season to feature matchups, which suggests the analytics department  is in charge. Has anyone seen their mouths move at the same time as the coach's.

Not exactly a coaching upgrade from Stan Van Gundy to Dwane Casey, but perhaps more stability given Van Gundy was also running personnel. Blake Griffin? Remember when he was a star. Look, if you want to get back to jumping over cars, what better city to be in? It's hardly the modern NBA with two giants inside, but you're not rebounding a lot against them. And now they've got ZaZa to perform some of those Bad Boys tricks from the 80s. Casey's challenge will be trying to persuade Reggie Jackson that he needs to be more than Mr. October.

This is a team that could be ready for some magic, like a disappearing act. Bringing in Dwight Howard should ease that locker room tension we heard about last season. Does anyone know John Wall next season begins an extension that averages more than $42 million a year? That also should help with locker room camaraderie with more than half the roster free agents. And Howard with a mid level exception. Talk about draining the swamp in DC.

If only...Lauri were around. The Bulls may still have a chance, but losing Markkanen well into November was disastrous. He and Zach LaVine could have been a heck of a one/two scoring tandem the way LaVine came out scoring in preseason. And they may still be. But it's difficult to see Markkanen stepping right back in and up at a high level while trying to mesh with an evolving group. Then what happens with Portis, with Parker? With Payne? Just felt like using another P guy. It could be training camp all over again in December.

The NBA All-Star game finally is going there now that we all can use the rest rooms, though there's the question of where their All-Star is going for the rest of his time. It sounded like last season Kemba Walker was on the way out. But they had a coaching and management reset and who knows what it means for Tony Parker with Michael Jordan upset about the Ryder Cup results in France. They continue with the mish mash of guys, several pretty good, but uncertain what it all means.

We figure all to be witness now to 32 wins. They're not a dumpster fire without LeBron. They've got Kevin Love—hey, how about Jimmy for Love back to Minnesota? Jimmy would be the man for sure on that team—several veterans for trading deadline action in George Hill, Kyle Korver, J.R. Smith, Tristan Thompson, Channing Frye and Rodney Hood, and…Yikes, that's a lot of guys to trade. Next year should start the rebuild.

They keep adding interesting, supplementary talents, though it's unclear what they mean together. Kenneth Faried and Alan Williams are tough front court players who can't shoot. D'Angelo Russell does little but that. Anyone interested in DeMarre Carroll or Ed Davis? Another team that will scratch out wins and will come at your hard.

Did anyone know Jeremy Lin was there? Wonder if Trae Young did. Their big story is Young, and also giving up the rights to draft Luka Doncic, whom many project for top rookie. Young's a really good passer, though it's unclear who exactly is going to make those shots. Vince Carter, by the way, also is there in what also is likely to be a farewell season. Typical of the star who eschewed the spotlight more than any with his talent, no one is likely to notice.

It will be all about the Porzingis return watch, though after enough losses they'll probably head for the draft. They may have gotten a good one with Kevin Knox and, amazingly, seem uninterested in building through free agency. Except they do think they are getting Kevin Durant. Shush, don't tell them. Enes Kanter may set offensive rebound records with their misses, they're stocking up on point guards who missed like Emanuel Mudiay and Trey Burke and security has now been told to keep Oakley and Joakim Noah away from Dolan.

If the Suns fired their GM for being unable to get a point guard, what happens here? Jerian Grant? They're again accumulating talent with Mo Bamba and Jonathan Isaac from the 2017 draft, two of the longest and skinniest in the NBA. It continues to be an odd mix with Nic Vucevic and Aaron Gordon seemingly their two most productive players. No magic yet.

The theme around the NBA this season is the Warriors last run. I don't think so. I doubt anyone is leaving without going into their supposedly amazing new arena in San Francisco next year. Plus, you're in a grass not only is not greener scenario, but probably brown and patchy if you're leaving that team. Sure, Draymond Green probably drives you nuts some days. But they regularly play with more joy and enthusiasm than any team in the league, have an incredibly understanding and involved coach and probably the most enthusiastic fan base in the NBA. And sour dough chowder bread bowls. C'mon. Oh, yeah, Boogie. That should make it more interesting.

They don't have the talent of most of the top four or five-or eight—in the West, although Donovan Mitchell is pretty good. But they play with such precision and persistence. Rudy Gobert anchors the basket. OK, he's an anchor on offense, but they find the right players for their style like Jae Crowder, Joe Ingels and now Grayson Allen, the latter who probably would have been booed by Mr. Rogers.

Never underestimate the LeBron effect. He's not about to come to LA in front of all those potential guests for his barber shop show and have a hairy season. Most point to the curious addition of Lance the Ear Blower, JaVale the Shaqtin a Fool co-star, Michael Any Shot Beasley and Rondo the Ray Allen Fan. But it all overlooks some really good, young talent led by Brandon Ingram and Kyle Kuzma.

It's the Woolridge Effect with the addition of Carmelo. Generally teams he comes to get worse, or at least aren't as happy. Much has been mentioned about the departures of some of the defensive guys like Trevor Ariza, though he was slowing down. They still have P.J. Tucker and he was the best of them, and Mike D'Antoni knows how to work with militants, though Carmelo did get him fired in New York. Much depends on how long before Chris Paul's hamstring explodes. Two more games last season and it would have been a title. They're still very good, but how much with ‘Melo?

We're probably more interested in seeing the guys not there as the ones who are, namely injured rookie Porter and injured mini Thomas, Isaiah. They're the upstart favorite of many after missing the playoffs last season. They do get Paul Millsap back, but really have no true point guard, but a lot of guards who like to shoot. This is where the West really gets interesting with a half dozen teams looking at the last four spots.

Russell Westbrook supposedly is close to returning from what's actually his fourth knee surgery, though no ACL. Still, can he continue to play with that sort of frenzy? Paul George surprised everyone by resigning. Few understood his love of chicken fried steak and singing Surrey with a Fringe on Top. They lose Andre Robeson again and add Dennis Schroder, who supposedly wasn't a team favorite in Atlanta. Heck, they did survive ‘Melo.

They didn't do much of anything despite all sorts of rumors they would break up their fabulous backcourt. Of course, why? Maybe center Nurkic gives them more. They're one of those teams about whom you ask just what is it they need? Their guys to be just a little bit better.

There's much speculation about Anthony Davis' future again, and if it's a first round ouster, or maybe not making the playoffs, is this finally the summer he's red faced and had enough of that spicy shrimp? No Boogie this season, but with Nikola Mirotic and Julius Randle it's an interesting front court. The backcourt is fragile without Rondo, but Davis does a lot. For whom will be the question next summer.

Really, this has to be the end of the playoff streak. Of course, they're not exactly empty with adding DeMar DeRozan. After all, Kawhi didn't play last season and they still won 47 games. So there's no surprise if they're still a playoff team. But the gang is gone with Tony Parker in Charlotte and Manu probably in South America. Losing point guard Dejoute Murray was tough. But Popovich generally figures out something.

Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy. What have you wrought? The latest we've heard is Jimmy's coming to play—he's officially become a first name guy now—but is ready to leave as soon as the ice freezes and matches his demeanor. This is going to be the car wreck of the league, everyone preferring to turn away but unable to keep from looking. Jimmy's scolding of Towns and Wiggins was awful, both being good very guys. Talk about losing your team. Hey, we thought Thibs was the guy who coached hard like Jimmy wanted. Does Jimmy stay with it or with a history of injuries does he come up with something? As the Jimmy turns. Stay tuned.

As Dirk exits, Luka enters, and they may begin to have something going again. Perhaps most amazing was after being punk'd by DeAndre Jordan in free agency a few years back they actually signed him when the Clippers fired everyone else. I'm also looking forward to seeing Jalen Brunson.

This is the GM job you'd want now with Devin Booker, DeAndre Ayton and Josh Jackson. Mikal Bridges, too. They finally seem to have the core of promising young talent, though Tyson Chandler isn't the right veteran presence any longer.

With Avery Bradley and Patrick Beverley they get back two of the better defenders. And add another in Luc Mbah a Moute. Just how they'll score to make them relevant is the issue.

Mike Conley returns after a year away, but they're still stuck with Chandler Parsons. And who knows what Marc Gasol has left. Rookie Jaren Jackson looks like he'll be a nice replacement, but it seems like they should be looking to make more trades of their veterans.

Oh, my, and they don't even have their draft pick. They're accumulating young players with De'Aaron Fox and now Marvin Bagley. Harry Giles is giving them something after knee issues and there's Buddy Hield and Willie Cauley-Stein, but they don't much seem to fit or work.

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Sam Smith ranks the East and West going into the 2018-19 season

The Bulls weren't that prominently mentioned last week in the annual NBA general managers' survey of the league's best and best to be. The Bulls got a few mentions, which were encouraging, like tied for third in Most Promising Young Core, Wendell Carter Jr. tied for second in most likely Rookie of the Year and Draft Steal, Jabari Parker tied for second in Underrated Player Acquisition and Lauri Markkanen tied for fourth in Most Likely Breakout Season.

The survey just omitted the category in which the Bulls might have been No. 1: Most Athletic Shooting Guard Position.

That's because with Zach LaVine finally looking back in his dunk champion form after his ACL surgery in February 2017, the Bulls may have unusual strength at shooting guard with the developing and often overlooked play of Antonio Blakeney.

"He has a knack for being able to get his shot off," acknowledged Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg. "I love his attack and the way he got to the rim; very good in the open court when he got the ball off the rim or with the outlet. We love what Antonio showed."

It's just two games with the Bulls next playing 6:00 p.m. Monday in Charlotte. The Bulls are 1-1 with an encouraging opening game win against New Orleans and then a discouraging failure in Milwaukee. But through the two games, Blakeney has been one of the most consistent performers for the Bulls.

Blakeney was the only Bulls player in the 34-point loss to the Bucks with a plus rating on the court. He and Wendell Carter Jr., the latter who has been quietly effective but probably not used enough, are the only Bulls players with combined plus ratings for the two games.

Blakeney is tied with LaVine at 14.5 points for second in team scoring and in free throw attempts. But surprisingly Blakeney is second on the team in assists after leading in the Milwaukee game and fourth in rebounding, playing an effective all around game for a player who was regarded as a shooter with blinders.

"That's something I worked on in the G-league and that's something the coaches harped on with me, to make those simple plays," Blakeney says. "I try to make the simple ones when they are there. I'm more comfortable out there now. I know what I want to do and I'm not rattled, so that's why it's pretty easy for me."

Two of the best Bulls plays in a game with few good plays in Milwaukee were Blakeney driving into the lane, going up for his shot and then passing to Carter for easy scores. The plays drew gasps in not only the sense of making that kind of pass in the air after committing to a shot, but that they were made by Blakeney.

The 6-4 college teammate of the 76ers Ben Simmons, a celebrated high school scoring guard from Florida who wasn't drafted and seemed to fall off the NBA radar, merely hoped to get a chance in the 2017 Summer League in Las Vegas. Blakeney got an invitation to Bulls training camp last season. But he seemed shaken and unsure in games. Still, the Bulls took a shot on him for the new two-way G-League contract that allows a limited of NBA games. Blakeney showed a glimpse of what he can do with a 15-point quarter in an early season go from ahead loss to the Lakers.

But he seemed to be pressing too much in his mostly limited play, forcing shots. He then became something of a G-league legend, averaging 32 points per game and showing he was too good for that league. Was he good enough for the NBA?

Blakeney got a bit of a run last March amidst all the Bulls juggling and losses, quietly scoring in double figures in five of six games before sitting out the last month. In those six games, he averaged 10 points in about 23 minutes. But more impressively playing with a team that was averaging losing those games by about 10 points, Blakeney had an overall rating of about plus-10 for those six games.

The Bulls always seemed to gain ground when Blakeney was on the floor, and it's continued into this season in the small sample.

He's not going to be a great defender, but Blakeney has a rare ability to get a shot whenever he wants without it being forced. He has a quick dribble and then is able to rise up and shoot with his high level athletic ability. He's been playing generally in a group with Carter, Portis and Cameron Payne that has been the most efficient for the Bulls.

"Right now, I feel more comfortable," Blakeney acknowledged. "The game kind of slowed down for me on both ends. I know when I get out there I'm not like rattled anymore. I kind of go out there and play. The year in the G-league and the little bit I played in the NBA really helped me."

It's also a benefit of having that G-league team being part of the Bulls organization. That figures to help someone like rookie Chandler Hutchison this season, potentially enabling a talented player to gain confidence and playing time while also working with the NBA team.

The Bulls still are undermanned with Markkanen and Denzel Valentine injured. So Justin Holiday has been starting. Which would raise the question when the team is healthy, if it ever can be given the bad luck the Bulls have encountered, is who emerges for those reserve shots. We know Bobby Portis will get his share. Will it be Valentine, Holiday or Blakeney? Or some combination?

Valentine has proven a good three-point threat, but doesn't have the ability to free himself for a shot with explosive moves like Blakeney. Blakeney seems to have a chance to develop into that electric sixth man type of scorer like Lou Williams, Eric Gordon or Jamal Crawford with his size and quickness. Blaleney probably needs more consistency, however, with his three-point shot.

"I feel like I can be somebody who can come and compete hard every game," Blakeney said. "Someone who can get a basket and get baskets for others; easy shots. I can get into the paint pretty much at will and kick it out. I want to be able to bring the energy and not only score for myself, but get other guys shots. I've got a lot of expectations for myself and want to do more."

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Antonio Blakeney continues to bring energy and develop his game

It was the running of the Bulls Sunday night in the United Center. It also was the shooting of the Bulls, 99 field goal attempts, and mostly the scoring of the Bulls in a 128-116 victory against the New Orleans Pelicans to open the preseason.

Zach LaVine, Bobby Portis and Antonio Blakeney each scored 21 points and Jabari Parker had 15. Kris Dunn added a dozen points with eight rebounds and a pair of blocks and Wendell Carter Jr. had a plus debut with 11 points and seven rebounds.

But it mostly was the style of play, perhaps an identity, that was the star of the game for the Bulls, a smooth, scoring oriented, quick shooting game, finally, with enough players to make it work. And that was even without the injured Lauri Markkanen, one of the team's best scorers, and hardly anyone who could make a three-point shot, the Bulls just four of 18.

So much for the modern game. That's right; teams used to average 120 per game before the three-point line.

It doesn't seem like a team that is going to play much defense, and yes we know defense wins championships. But this is a team many say cannot win 30 games. Scoring more points than their opponent, and they likely will more than 30 times this season and perhaps many more, should be viewed as positive. After all, that is the most important statistic.

"Really excited to have a lot of offensive weapons," said LaVine. "A lot things we have to do better, especially on the defensive end. It was a good run for the first time going out there. We miss Lauri, obviously, but he'll come back and jump right into the mix. We're gonna run fast, get open shots. Whenever someone has it going we're going to look to go to him. I think we played with a good pace; everyone contributed.