The Bulls Might Be WAY Deeper Than We Thought | Tre Jones Thriving & Giddey Looking Like a Steals

The Bulls Might Be WAY Deeper Than We Thought | Tre Jones Thriving & Giddey Looking Like a Steals

The Chicago Bulls have now started off the season 2 and 0 with the win over the Detroit Pistons and a win over the Orlando Magic last night. On today’s episode, I want to talk about my way too early overreactions when it comes to the Chicago Bulls. And of course, we’re not going to just talk about the good. We also got to talk about where some things are concerning this team. We’re get into all that, plus the mailbag right after this. [Music] What’s going on, Bulls fans? Welcome to another episode of Chicago Bulls Central, your number one spot for everything Chicago Bulls related. I’m the host Hayes, but more importantly, you guys can follow the channel at Bull Central Pod on every social media platform we happen to be on. With that said, let’s go ahead and get into this content today, y’all. And uh yeah, overreactions through two games, right? And I just want to talk about and it really, you guys know I’m a lot more reasonable to have crazy overreactions. But, you know, it it’s it’s hard to really say things are trends through two games, right? I think we won’t really have a good idea of really being able to say trends until about 10 or 15 games in, but we can look at the data and and review it, right? And so the first thing that I want to talk about with this team is this team is going to be deep, right? And that was something that we a lot of people talked about, you know, to start the season is how deep this bench could be. Billy Donovan and and people talked about it and there are a lot of kind of doubts around some more casual fans and and and Bulls fans in regards to that. Like just because you have a lot of players doesn’t necessarily mean your team’s going to be deep. And I think that that’s a fair statement. I do know I you guys know I think there’s some Bulls fan PTSD in regards to people just kind of, you know, they just want to fill it out and feel like it’s really safe before they they trust that this Bulls team is going to, you know, do do anything really well, right? So through two games, and keep in mind these are two games uh which we’re still missing Zack Collins and Trey Jones, who’s going to be on the bench as well, is in the starting lineup, right? Through two games, the Chicago Bulls are averaging 46 and a half points off the bench per game. I just want to put that in perspective. In no way do I expect that to stay up, but that would put the Bulls in top three categories of benches in in as far as as far as production in the league, right? And we don’t even necessarily have like scorers off the bench, right? Of course, we have IO who was absolutely a scorer in college, hasn’t been just a scorer for in the NBA, right? But we know that IO can fill it up. You got Kevin Herder is a really good shooter. And then, you know, uh you know, at at that point, you know, Trey’s in the starting lineup, so I can’t even count him. But it’s been by committee. like you just have guys just going out there and doing their job. And that could be one of the this the standouts when you already have an unselfish team, which the Bulls are, right? They like to get everybody involved. And then on top of that, you have these um you know, these players that are just finding a way to step up off the bench. P Will was huge in last night’s game, especially with Miles Bales in trouble. And that’s the thing that can make this team special, right? is the fact that when you need to go to your bullpin and that’s kind of the way that I like to like what what tools do you have and what varying styles do you have in do you have guys that if if a guy like Modis gets into foul trouble you have guys that are going to step up and through Jaylen Smith and P will they basically combined for the entirety of the game and they they more so than filled in with the lack of modest bellas that we were having on the team right now I’m I’m saying in different ways right Jaylen finally kept his big ass in the paint you know he still took three uh two three-pointers he made both of those Patrick Williams came into the game and gave the Bulls some really good minutes. And you look at how through those um through Modis Bzelis and the time that he was on the bench, Pill really had to step in into that role playing that good defensive uh you know ability on Fron and Paulo, we just didn’t have anybody else who can guard those guys. between Pwell and Jaylen Smith like you had two guys that came in off the bench and gave you un unexpected production to go along with Kevin Herder and I would assume what you’ve kind of come to expect from those guys and they filled in perfectly and that that’s what is truly how you have a deep team right when you have guys that can step in when you need to and still give big performances and the Bulls had that. Now, like I said, we need to see how much of that trend is going to maintain a full season for for the Chicago Bulls, right? before we can say for sure that those guys are going to be able to do that, but through two games so far, it just looks like the Bulls bench not only understands the balance, they understand, hey, when I come into the game, this is what I need to do. Kevin Herder has like come in, he’s been a solid passer, a solid defender, even when his shots not falling, and that’s been major cuz, you know, typically look at Kevin Herder like, hey, if his shot’s not falling, what is he giving you? So, you know, that is really good. in, you know, 58 points off the bench last night against the Detroit Pistons after a game where you had over 30 in the game before that. Like, so things are looking really good for the Bulls in that area, right? Um Trey Jones is stepping in and giving basically everything we we got from Lonzo Ball. He’s not the three-point shooter that Lonzo Ball was. And of course, he’s not like the in the passing lanes, but you look at Trey and what he’s giving you with solid defense, uh, you know, uh, running the offense at times, like through the two games, you could tell when teams are trying to scheme Josh Giddy out of it, right, with keeping the ball out of his hands. Trey Jones is able to do that. He’s averaging eight assists, uh, you know, for over the two first two games as well, shooting the ball over 50% from the field, 66% from three, even though he’s only taken one three per game. Like, he’s just a smart player. And there’s something to be said about point guards who are just smart, solid passes, and can hit an open shot. Like, there’s always going to be roles for those guys on the team. He’s averaging three rebounds, eight assists, 12 and a half points through two games. Yes, he’s doing that as a starter, and that that that those opportunities are going to be there a little bit less for him when he does move back to the bench. But just the fact you can go to him, right, we he can play with Josh Giddy, he can play with Kobe White, there’s still going to be a lot of minutes. He’s averaging 30 minutes per game over the first two. that’s probably going to reasonably go down more like to 22 to 24 once Kobe White’s back and he’s on the bench. But one thing that you can bet on is that the Trey Jones minutes he’s going to give you total effort. He’s going to fight over those over those minutes he’s going to give you. And again, having that solid production off the bench is huge for a Bulls team that needs every bit of it. Josh Giddy is picking up where he left off last season. Um, now it hasn’t been the most beautiful and admittedly he’s shooting 40% from the field which is not good and we know that Josh Giddy can be better than that and he will be right but he’s shooting 42% from three showing that that three-point shooting that he continually improves on year after year is still a big part of his game. We’re still seeing Josh Giddy continue to improve as a three-point shooter. How does it look for the entirety of the year? We shall see. But he’s taken three and a half per uh per game over the first two hitting at a 42% clip. He’s also getting to the free throw line eight and a half times a game. Keep in mind last season was the most of his career and he only averages only averaged 3.2 over the season. Josh Giddy, if he’s going to be getting to the free throw line eight almost nine times a game, that’s going to extend the offense and and that makes it like me more comfortable with the 40% shooting from the field, but he’s going to have to get that back up to 46 47% from the field. But Josh Giddy averaging 20 points, seven assists, uh you know, six and a half rebounds per game. He is completely filling the stat sheet. Yet again, for everybody that doubted Josh Giddy, he’s he’s looking like he’s going to make that contract a steal for the Chicago Bulls. An absolute steal if he continues to put that up. Again, two games, but you know, and and the thing with Josh Giddy, too, is that he ramps up as the game goes on. It seems like Giddy is doing a better job at kind of filling out what the defense is going to do. And then once he kind of realizes, all right, this is how they’re going to guard me. This is who they’re going to switch on me. All right, I I can I can get to this guy using more power. I can get to this guy trying to use more of a step or my broad shoulders. He’s doing those things. There were a couple of times last night where I feel like Josh Giddy could have had uh you know more free throw calls if he just went you went harder to the paint, but he was passing. He was being unselfish and he didn’t have turn a lot of turnovers. Only two turnovers from Josh Giddy last night. So no real big criticism there, but you know, it’s just something that you’re seeing with this team. Josh Giddy is making that contract to steal and that’s really good to see. Um Modest, we got to talk a little bit about Modest is still learning. Um, you know, yesterday was a game that, uh, six fouls in 12 minutes is a bit extreme, right? And I want to be clear there. And there were some tickytac fouls, things like that for Modis. But I will say this, the thing about Modis that continues to stand out for me personally is the fact that um, you know, he he doesn’t get too far down. Even when he fouled out, like you he was still being a really good teammate on on the on the sideline, things like that. But this is just a reminder that it’s not going to be linear. It’s just not for for, you know, progression. It’s not going to be linear. He’s going to have hopefully not games this bad, but he’s going to have games of getting in foul trouble, right? He’s going to he’s going to do those type of things. It was a bad game for Modis. The turnover was timely as well before he went out in that first stretch. Like he he it was some things that stood out about, you know, Modis as far as it just wasn’t the strongest game for him. But again, he’s 21 years old. Those games are going to happen. It was never going to be this thing where it was just pretty straightforward. He just keeps ascending. But, you know, he had almost as many turnovers as points. He had three rebounds though, one steel. But um it’s it’s still going to be a growing process for Madison and you know we’ve always said it he’s gonna have some moments of it being a little tough for him. Um next Isaac Okoro. Um this is going to be a sore topic for Bulls fans until he either starts playing better or um he starts hitting shots at a better rate. Right? Those are going to be things that continue to plague Isaac Aoro until he’s able to do that. And these are things that have really stood out as far as negative about his game so far. But listen, he had a game where he made a huge impact in the first game. The second game, not so much. Um, and we’ll just see how it continues to go. Like, uh, but there’s I’ll say this, he hasn’t played in any way where you can say he’s 100% safe as a starter. He’s just not. And we’ll see how long Billy D how long of a leash Billy Donovan gives him before he, you know, makes that decision to maybe pull him or something else. But, um, yeah, we’ll see. It’s just it’s been it’s been a bit of a rough go for Isaac Aoro, but the hope is is that he’s able to fill in. I get it that Billy Donovan really isn’t too worried about a Cororo’s offense and maybe once Kobe comes back he’s worried about it even less, but I won’t act like the the the missing wideopen shots is is a big concern for him and it’ll be a big concern for any basketball player regardless of what your role is. Like you still have to be able to hit wide openen shots at a better rate than what Isaac Aoro is doing. And hopefully that comes along for him a little bit as well. As far as overall the team stuff, the team is definitely picking up on where it left off last season. The Bulls are top 10 in rebounding, top 10 in assists through two games. um you know top 10 as well in in uh blocks per game. They’re 12th in steals per game as well. And the Bulls are doing that without with only being 23rd in scoring. They’re only averaging 112 points per game. We a we were we were eighth in scoring last season, averaging, you know, about eight points more per game. So, you know, the Bulls got to get that together. But the fact that they’re doing this and the defense is legitimate. Like you’re seeing this defense, this team improve defensively. you’re seeing them give give better effort defensively and all these things are really standing out for this team that is trying to get it together and make a postseason run. That’s what they’re trying to do and um you know we’ll see what they’re going to be able to do with that. The steel rate is really good. The assist rate is going to be the third in the league in assist, right? But surprisingly enough through two games the Chicago Bulls have the number one defensive rating in the game of basketball. This why I said it’s o it’s overreactions. It’s only two games but that’s been really good. They’re 18th in true shooting percentage. Um we got to get those turnovers together. So, we’re going to end up leading the league in turnovers if we can’t get that together. We have to we have to be better at turnovers. Um, but the assist to turnover thing is really good. And again, this team being as unselfish as what it is is something that really stands out about why this team has the potential it does to really improve over where they were last season. So, those are kind of my overreactions. Those are my things looking at, you know, the first two games for the Chicago Bulls. But, as you guys know, it is Sunday. That means it’s mailbag day. We got four voicemails we’re going to get into. This first one, this one’s from Todd. Hey, what’s up, bro? It’s Todd, man. It’s been a minute, but um checking back in with you, and I wanted to pose an interesting question that I don’t know if we’ve discussed, but what does Billy Donovan have to do to be in consideration this year for coach of the year? I’m calling after the second game and I’m not jumping out the window based on us being 2 and 0, but I am thinking about how he’s managing this team with no stars. Even with Kobe coming back, we still don’t have a superstar. We still don’t have in our last two games Cade or Paulo or anything like that. And to me, if we get in the 45 win range, and I know like Tibs won it in I think it was 21 or 20 with 41 wins, but if we get in like that 42 to 45 win range, I think he should be considered for coach of the year. And I wanted to get your thoughts on that because I hadn’t heard that take before, really a thought even of him getting to that place, but I think it’s possible. and I think what he’s doing with this squad is worthy of it even if it’s not a 50- win season which is typically your coach of the year. So, let me get your thoughts on that and um I’d be interested to hear. All right, take care. Talk soon. Funny enough, Todd, somebody did ask this exact question on the live stream last night after the game. And I do think Billy Donovan could get votes for mo for coach of the year with the team hovering around maybe 42 to 45 wins, right? I I think I I could see it doing something then. But if they if he truly wants to be one of the best candidates for coach of the year, I think you got to get 50 wins. Now, like you said, it’s happened before where coaches have won it with less than that. And it really becomes about the narrative. Do they win big games? What the national media conversation is Mus Buzzelis and the fact that there’s so many people interested in him. He has a big uh leap as well this year that can play into it. So, I’m not going to say it’s impossible. I just, you know, I’m a probability over possibility guy. And um I just think to increase that possibility of actually winning it, you got to win at least 50. Now he’s going to be in votes. If the Bulls are above 500, I think he’s going to be votes. Top five will probably be somewhere in there. If this Bulls team wins between 42 and 45, he could be top three in votes. But to really seal and want to have the one of the best chances I look at it, you got to have 50 wins. That’s the way that I look at it. Again, not saying that that is the end all be all, but you know, we shall see. And if Billy wins coach of the year, shout out to Billy. All right, let’s get into this next one, man. This one’s from Kaden. Paige, man. Uh, it’s your boy Kaden from the south side of Chicago. But any anyway, like uh hitting you up after a while, I wanted to talk about porn and talking about the Kobe White thing. And I know I might be a little bit late on it, but bro, no bad vibes, no attacks, but you lack basketball knowledge if you believe that this team is better without Kobe White. If you believe that Kobe White is a six-man, if you believe in any world that Kobe White is not that guy for this team, bro, you you lack basketball knowledge. Like, straight up. Um, one other thing I wanted to talk about is the ascension of Modis Bzelis and the possibility for it to be three different 20 point per game scores on the Bulls this season. Do you think it’s possible that BC, Cody, and Modest average 20 points per game? Let me know what you think. Hayes, it’s your boy Kayen. Like I said, man, thank you for everything you do. I’m up out of it. I think my brother K would be the first to admit that he’s a prisoner of the moment. And he and again, love Korn, no knock on K, but he very much is a prisoner of the moment. He makes knee-jerk kind of reactions to things. Um, uh, without really kind of thinking about them in full. Um, but reportedly he’s going to be coming back with some more facts on his next voicemail to explain the Kobe stance. You guys know I definitely got the numbers, so we’ll see how that’s going to go. Now, as far as having three players average 20 points per game, yeah, it’s possible. I think that goes back to the possibility over probability thing. I think the pace that we play with, it’s definitely possible to have 20 uh three 20 point per game scores, but I think how unselfish this Bulls team is, I don’t know if you get that to be honest with you. You may get one 20 point per game score, two other players being close, but keep in mind this team likes to spread it out. They like to spread out the love. They like to, you know, get everybody involved. And because of that, I don’t know if necessarily I see us having three players averaging over 20, but again, it’s definitely possible. And um I wouldn’t be mad if it happens. like it’s all about to me it’s all about whatever you need to do to win and that’s what it seems like this the mindset of this team is as well everybody’s willing to do whatever it takes to make this team a winning team and a big part of me is is so happy to hear that about this basketball team so I think that’s the most important thing I don’t care what people averages I care care care what that win number is at the end of the season and we shall see let’s get into this next one man this one’s from Reginald hey haste this is Regginal just calling up the Bulls win against the Orlando Magics And I got to say I’m impressed with some of the Bulls players, but I’m not surprised like I’m not surprised that Trey Jones and I are doing as well as they are. Um, I was on the one of those Bulls fans where like if Trey Jones wants a contract where he’s making anywhere between like 12 or 13 million a year, you give it to him because we all remember what it was like not having a point guard or only having one, you know, main point guard and if anything happened to him, you know, it would be a disa. It was just bad. the team will be far far less effective. And that’s what that’s why I really wanted him to stay. Like I was thinking when I heard that he took a threeyear like what was it 27 $30 million deal? I was like you should have made it five years because that’s a great deal. You know he’s a really good point guard. He can catch the ball. He gets steals. He starts fast drives. uh why not, you know, give him a big deal. But I’m glad he’s, you know, everybody sees what we see and how a good point guard he is. I’m a little concerned with having him and Giddy on the floor at the same time. Not because it’s, you know, not working, but because Giddy’s not really an off ball player. He has to have the ball in his hand. So, let’s see where that goes. Um, lastly, Okoro, let’s let’s see let’s see what what he does. You know, him not being able to put the ball on the basket is a major concern. You know, I know some people might say the only problem is for his defense, but he’s a professional NBA player. He needs to be able to make a shot. the same problem uh we have with Jaylen Smith taking a bunch of shots and not be able to hit. If he needs to attack the basket, then attack the basket. That’s how they started making his shots and that’s what I want to see uh the bull do more. When you see a a way to the hole, you take it. you know, you drive and you make sure you hit your free throws, you hit your float or you hit a dunk. So, uh, my question to you is how far do you think the Bulls could go with this current roster and what improvement do you think they need to make? Let’s hear me out. Reggie, I got to get like this is your best quality voicemail yet as far as sound quality, not as far as content. Like, whatever you did, keep doing that, right? I hate having to pass up on some of your voicemails sometimes because of the the quality of them, but that was really good. Um, but yeah, I think Trey Trey probably wanted three years as well to maximize on his earnings. Keep in mind like players also look at and say, “Hey, if I have a really good role here in Chicago for the next three years, even if I want to stay in Chicago, I get more money.” So, you know, locking players into five-year deals, I think you’re going to see a lot more with the money and the increases, you’re going to see a lot more players, you know, unless they’re getting a max signed closer to three or four year deals with an option uh to get back out there. And and Trey’s next contract may be his last time for a big contract as well. Um, you know, he’s already 25 years old, he’ll be 28 and that’ll probably be his time to get his next big contract. So, rather than go back out in the market when you’re already 30, give yourself, you know, a couple more years before you hit that to sign a a sizable deal. And I think that’s probably what you saw with Trey also. So keep that in mind with Aoro. I agree. Right. I don’t need you taking eight shots per game. But I need you to hit the wide open shots. And that’s where the biggest problem has come from Isaac Aoro is that he like Josh Giddy, Trey Jones, even Io. They’re getting him shots. He’s just not hitting. He hasn’t made a single shot this season yet. And I know two games overreactions, but it’s a bit of a concern there when it comes to him. And I hope that he’s able to improve it because defensively can absolutely help this team. But you have to be able to at least hit wide open shots. If you can’t hit the wide openen shots to keep the defense honest, you’re basically playing fouron-one when you’re on offense because they just know they don’t have to guard you. So those wide openen shots are really important for Isaac to be able to hit. All right, the last voicemail we’re going to get into. Man, this next one, this one’s from Shay. What’s up, H? This is Shay. Look, I know you could probably care less about this, but what do you think about this whole gambling investigation with Johnson and Terry Roier getting arrested? Look, I’m not Look, I know this is a bullet thing, but what if some if somebody a part of the Bulls organization is involved? Hell, what if Billy Donovan is probably involved? What would be your reaction? You’ll probably be shocked, but I’m hoping and I’m praying that nobody in our organization, nobody on our team as in players are involved in this mess. Anyway, tell me what you think, please. The gambling investigation is wild. Like, it really sounds like some James Bond type X-ray tables, X-ray glasses. Um, it’s crazy. And it’s another thing for the NBA on top of the Kawhi Leonard scandal all that’s going on right now. Adam Silver is probably stressed that Nas Faratu is stressed the hell out. Now as far as do I think anybody I don’t want to speculate on that. You know we’ll talk about it if it happens. I hope that nobody in the Bulls organization is involved in that cuz I just don’t want to deal with the drama. But overall around the NBA this is a a black eye on the NBA until Adam Silver handles it. And I do think if he is charged for anything, um, you know, and Adam Silver’s already been indicted, not indicted, but he’s been subpoenaed to come, uh, you know, on Halloween and and give an interview. Um, but lifetime bans are coming from this. If they are proven, Terry Roier and John Bips and anybody else refwise or anything else is going to be banned for this and the NBA has to act swiftly and harshly when it comes to integrity of the game type questions. And we’ll see. I have more details on that on NBA Central. So, if you guys kind of want, I did a whole video on it on NBA Central. So, if you guys want more details, go over there. But, thank you guys for tuning in. Make sure you guys are following us at Bull Central Pod. You send us any feedback, questions, comments, concerns, bulls central.com. And lastly, if you want to leave a text message and our voicemail for the mailbag, the number to do so, 773-270-2799. We are the number one spot for everything uh Chicago Bulls related. and like like every episode on. Go Bulls. Love you guys. See you ready if we can y’all. Peace. This has been a presentation of the break media. [Music]

The Chicago Bulls might be DEEPER than anybody expected. Through just two games, the Bulls bench is averaging over 46 points per game, showing a level of depth this team hasn’t had in years.

Tre Jones has stepped into that Lonzo Ball role seamlessly — pushing pace, defending, and running the show with confidence. Meanwhile, Josh Giddey’s early-season numbers (20 PPG, 6.5 REB, 7 AST, 42.9% from three) are making that contract look like an absolute STEAL.

We’ll also talk about Matas Buzelis’ learning curve, Okoro’s shaky start, and what it all means for this Bulls team as they start to find their rhythm. Plus, listener voicemails from Todd, Kayden, Reginald, and Seyi weigh in on everything from Billy Donovan’s potential COTY buzz to the wild gambling investigation story

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