Does The NBA Have A Chicago Bulls Problem?
Listen up because what’s happening in Chicago right now should have every NB front office executive thinking about why they didn’t take these players at night. While everyone’s been obsessing over the Thunder Championship run and the Lakers latest drama, the Chicago Bulls have been quietly assembling something that hasn’t been seen in a long time in the Windy City, perhaps even since the Jordan and Dro eras. And I’m not talking about just making the playoffs. I’m talking about building a legitimate problem for the rest of the league. See, most people think the Bulls are still stuck in mediocrity, still trying to figure out what they want to be. But here’s what they’re missing. Chicago just pulled off one of the most underrated roster constructions in recent NBA history, at least in Shetown. And it all centers around three players that nobody saw coming together like this. Josh Giddy, the 22-year-old Australian point guard who’s been putting up near Russell Westbrook prime numbers minus the triple doubles. Mattis Puzzalis, the 610 wing who fell to 11th in the draft but is already showing why he was once projected as a top five pick and potentially an absolute steal for the entire draft. And Yuki Kawamura, the 5’8 Japanese sensation who’s making NBA veterans look foolish with passes that shouldn’t be physically possible. But here’s the thing that’s going to blow your mind. This isn’t just about three talented young players getting better. This is about the perfect storm of skill sets, salary, camp timing, and championship DNA that could turn Chicago from an afterthought into the most dangerous young team in the wide openen Eastern Conference. And if you think I’m exaggerating, stick around because by the end of this video, you’re going to understand exactly why the NBA has a serious Chicago Bulls problem on their hands. The Giddy transformation. Let’s start with Josh Giddy because what he’s doing right now is absolutely insane. Now, I know there’s a free agency standoff right now, but when Chicago finally signs him officially, they will have a very excited youth movement on board. Over his last 10 games of the year, Giddy has totaled 207 points, 96 rebounds, and 92 assists. That puts him in the company with only seven other players in NBA history to hit those numbers over a 10-ame stretch. Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Nicola Jock, and Luca Donic. Read that list again. That’s not just company. That’s legendary company. Before the All-Star break, Giddy was averaging pedestrian numbers. 12 points, seven rebounds, six assists on a 45% shooting. Solid, but nothing that screamed future All-Star. Then something clicked. Since the All-Star break, Giddy has exploded to 21.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, 9.3 assists, and 1.5 steals per game while shooting over 51% from the field. Those aren’t just improvement numbers. Those are borderline MVP level numbers from a 22-year-old who’s supposed to still be figuring out the game. And here’s the scary part for the rest of the league. This isn’t some unsustainable hot streak. Giddy’s three-point shooting has jumped from 34.5% to 51.7% since the break, but he’s also getting to the free throw line 5.9 times per game and converting 81% of those attempts. When a player improves the free throw shooting to that level, it usually indicates their jump shot improvements are legitimate. The Bulls are 8 and six in games Giddy has played since the All-Star break, and he’s been a plus 155 in that span, a top 25 mark among all NBA players with at least 100 minutes played. The Balis factor. Now, let’s talk about Mattas Bzelis because this kid might be the steel of the 2024. At 610 with elite guard skills, Buzzelis was once projected as a top five pick before an ankle injury during his GLeague Ignite season caused him to slide to 11th overall. What Chicago got was a player with the physical tools and basketball IQ that you simply cannot teach. He’s got game on comparisons to even NBA champ. Alis brings that rare combination of size and that skill that modern NBA offenses are built around. He can initiate offense, grade his own shot, and his court vision for a player his size is absolutely ridiculous. His defensive instincts are already NBA ready. In his rookie season, Jose is shooting 36.1% from three onsignificant volume while averaging 1.1 blocks per game. That block percentage puts him in the 91st percentile among all NBA players. And his rim protection numbers show opponents shoot 8.5% worse at the basket when he’s defending. The real magic happens when you put Buzzel on the floor with Giddy. Since the All-Star break when both players are on the court together, the Bulls have outscored opponents by 12.3 points per 100 possessions. That’s elite territory. The eye test shows that he is a true baller. He loves the game and it shows. Plus, it’s Josh Giddy’s playmaking that unlocks everything for Buzz. Whether it’s finding him for catch and shoot threes, hitting him on the cuts of the basket, or setting up those beautiful lob connections, their chemistry is already at the level that usually takes years to develop. But if Gideon Buzz are the foundation, then Yuki Kawamura might be the secret weapon that puts this whole thing over the top. He gives us that JJ Bara comparison. You know, the X-factor for the Dallas Maps championship run that took out the great LeBron and DW led to Miami Heat. Kawamura can be that X-factor. the unpredictable force that everyone needs when you get a bucket. At 5’8, Kowamura shouldn’t be able to do what he’s doing against NBA level competition. But in summer league, he averaged 10.2 points, 6.2 assists, and 2.2 steals while shooting 42% from three. His 31 assists were the most by any Bulls player in a single Vegas summer league since 2013. His basketball IQ is off the chart. His court vision rivals players twice his size, and his ability to control pace and create easy shots for teammates is something the Bulls haven’t had since the Derek Rose era. Watch Kawamura play and you’ll see passes that shouldn’t be possible. No look dimes through traffic. Behind the back assists in transition, the kind of playmaking that makes highlight reels and more importantly makes teammates better. Here’s what makes Kamura truly special in the context of his Bulls team. He is the perfect compliment to both Giddy and Boozelis. When Giddy needs a breather, Kawwamura can run the offense without missing a beat. When they’re on the floor together, defenses have account for two elite playmakers, which creates chaos that benefits everyone. Defensively, don’t let his size fool you. Kaw’s quick hands and anticipation allow him to generate steals and deflections at a rate that disrupts opposing offenses. He might give up on size, but he makes up for it with effort and basketball IQ. What the Bulls have created isn’t just potentially bringing together three good young players. It’s a perfect storm of complimentary skills that addresses every weakness in modern NBA team building. Now, we know it’s still a long shot for Kawamar to even make the team, but the NBA and the Bulls cannot overlook him for much longer. Yuki is showing out in the summer league, and it’s only a matter of time before he gets his shot on the main stage. First, the playmaking. Imagine the chemistry that will build between Giddy and Kawwamura. The Bulls have two players who can create for others on an elite level. That means constant ball movement, easy shots for role players, and the kind of unselfish basketball that wins championships. Second, the size and versatility. Getty at 6’8 and Buzz at 610 gives Chicago length at every position. They can switch up defensively, create mismatches offensively, and play multiple positions depending on matchups that cover for Yuki on the defensive end. Third, the shooting. All three players can knock down threes at a respectable clip, which means spacing won’t be an issue. Defenses can’t help off any of them, which opens up the driving lanes and post up opportunities. But here’s the most important factor. They are all incredibly young and coast controlled contracts. Giddy is 22 and will be a restricted free agent, meaning Chicago can match any offer. Buzzalees is 20 and locked up on his rookie deal for the next four years. Kawamura is 24 and on a two-weight contract that gives Chicago flexibility to develop him without major financial commitment. In an NBA where teams are getting crushed by luxury tax penalties and second apron restrictions, having three potential all-star level players on cheap contracts is like finding gold. The Eastern Conference is wide open right now. The Celtics are good, but not unbeatable. The Knicks have talent, but question marks. The 76ers are aging. The Heat are in transition. Meanwhile, the Bulls are building something sustainable with players who haven’t even hit their primes yet. Giddy won’t turn 23 until October. Uzel just turned 20. Even Kawamura, the old man of the group, is only 24. Most players don’t peak until their mid to late 20s, which means Chicago’s best basketball is still ahead of them. But they’re already competitive now. Since the All-Star break, the Bulls have been playing 0 571 basketball, which would be good enough for a top six seed in the East over a full season. And here’s what should really scare opposing teams. They’re doing this while still learning how to play together. Giddy and Buzz have only played 30 games together. Kawa Mura just joined their team. Their chemistry is still developing. Their roles are being defined, and they are already looking good. Billy Donovan has proven that he can develop young talent. He took a young Thunder team to the playoffs multiple times. He knows how to manage egos, maximize strengths, and put players in positions to succeed. The Bulls front office, led by Arurus Carnosovas, has shown that they’re willing to be patient with young talent while making smart moves to complement their core. Trading for Giddy was brilliant. Drafting Buzzel was a steal. Signing Kawamura shows that they’re thinking outside the box. This isn’t the same Bulls organization that made questionable moves in the past. This is a front office with a clear vision and the patience to execute it properly. The Eastern Conference just got a lot more interesting. Teams that thought they had the clear path to the finals might need to reconsider. The Bulls, who were supposed to be rebuilding, might be ahead of their schedule. More than that, the NBA has a new model for team building in the salary cap era. Instead of trading for expensive veterans or signing aging superstars, Chicago found three young players with elite skills and complimentary games. They’re not just trying to win now at the expense of the future. They’re building something sustainable that could compete for the next decade. Look, I know what some of you are thinking. It’s just one hot stretch. Let’s see them do it for a full season. And you’re not wrong to be skeptical. The NBA is littered with young players who looked great for a few months before reality set in. But this feels different. The skill sets are too complimentary. The ages are too perfect. The financial situation is too advantageous. Josh Giddy putting up triple double numbers. Mattis Buzzale is showing two-way star potential. Yuki Kawr creating magic that shouldn’t be possible at his size. Individually, they’re impressive. Together, they might be unstoppable. The NBA has a Chicago Bulls problem, and it’s only going to get worse. So, what do you think? Are the Bulls about to shock the league, or am I getting ahead of myself? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
Does The NBA Have A Chicago Bulls Problem? NBA’s BIGGEST SLEEPER TEAM revealed. Josh Giddey extension CHANGES EVERYTHING
Why NO ONE is talking about the Bulls (yet). Matas Buzelis + Yuki Kawamura = DEADLY combo
Eastern Conference DARK HORSE exposed
Bulls rebuild SECRETLY working?
The Chicago Bulls just made WAVES by signing Josh Giddey to an 100M extension alongside rising stars Matas Buzelis and Yuki Kawamura – creating one of the most EXCITING young cores in the Eastern Conference. But here’s the problem: NOBODY is talking about it yet!
In this video, we break down why the Bulls might be the NBA’s biggest sleeper team and whether the league is sleeping on Chicago’s potential playoff push. From Giddey’s playmaking to Buzelis’ versatility and Kawamura’s international flair, this Bulls roster is STACKED with untapped potential.
β‘ TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 – Intro: Bulls Problem Explained
2:15 – Josh Giddey Extension Breakdown
4:30 – Matas Buzelis Rising Star Analysis
6:45 – Yuki Kawamura International Impact
8:20 – Eastern Conference Standings Prediction
10:30 – Why Nobody’s Talking About Chicago
π KEY TOPICS COVERED:
Chicago Bulls roster analysis 2024-25
Josh Giddey contract extension details
Matas Buzelis rookie season expectations
Yuki Kawamura NBA debut impact
Eastern Conference dark horse teams
Bulls playoff chances realistic?
NBA sleeper teams to watch
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#chicagobulls #joshgiddey #nba #easternconference #matasbuzelis Buzelis #yukikawamura #nbaanalysis #bulls #basketball #nbanews #playoffpush #SleeperTeam #nbarookie #nbacontracts #chicagobasketball
22 comments
jokick and donkick, bro what
As a bulls fan we ainβt going nowhere with this but I hope itβs fun to watch
Bro why did you pronounce Jokic and Luka like youβre an Ai?
What happened to the black young ball players on the club
Make this country white again
See enough white bread enough with the damn shit
I don't hear nothing about the black young ball players on the bull
billy will make sure we go 41-41
Blacks are being pushed out as usual
you are getting ahead of yourself……lol. we have POTENTIAL. we still need some pieces though. defensive shot blocker, a couple of wiley veterans or underachievers from other teams and we might be on to something. coby white s/b replace yuki. yuki will be the x-factor off the bench.
Short answer….nope.
Bro we fucking suck lmao
Da Bulls are going NOWHERE!!! …all three of these guys will be busters!
Kawamura gets no play time sorry bro
Letβs Go Bulls
Y do u say all the last names so weird
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Buzelis and Coby White make my team so fun to watch but, no. Just no.
As a lifelong Bulls fan and routine optimist this just fueled my delusions so thank you! I genuinely think their guard rotation is one of the best in the league with Giddey/Coby/Ayo/Tre/Yuki. Okoro was an underrated addition as well.
The bulls haven't done anything since Jordan and this team will be lucky to win 40 games and I'm from Chicago but come on this team is mediocre at best
Talk to me when they are out of the play in.
As a fan of every Chicago team, this may be one of the very little good things that happened other than the Cubs making it to NLDS