Here We Go Again…..

This is one thing I have a hard time with when it comes to following and talking about sports because it’s crazy to me how quickly narratives change, how onesided takes can be all because of the happenings of just a few games. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying, you know, there isn’t an argument for some of the current narratives going on around this Bulls team. I do think there are issues about the Bulls that absolutely do need to be addressed, glaring holes when it comes to late game execution. But to me, context is always important when talking about these things because yes, the Bulls have been outplayed in the fourth quarter for the third straight game. Now, the last two in particular were situations in which the Bulls had the lead in the final two minutes of the game and could not close it out. And yes, in all three of those games, the opposing team had their superstar, that guy, as everyone likes to say, to put them in a position to run the Bulls out of the gym. But need I remind everyone that before the season started, when we all looked at the Bulls opening stretch of the schedule and then also knowing that Kobe White was going to be missing some time, we all thought, all right, this opening stretch could get really ugly to the point where it would be a real possibility in the first 11 games of the season that the Bulls go 2-9, maybe even 1 and 10. And that’s not hating or being overly negative. No, it’s because the Bulls in their first 11 games were going to be going up against all teams with the exception of probably the Sacramento Kings. All teams that were expected to be playoff contenders. All teams that finished above 500 last season after playing the Spurs tonight. The Bulls now rank number one for the hardest strength of schedule in the NBA right now. And yet the Bulls are sitting through their first 10 games 6 and4. We talked about how hey if the Bulls can win five games in those first 11 on the season that would be incredible. I would have said they exceeded expectations if they can win five of their first 11 games. The Bulls at worst now will be 6 and5 in those first 11. And outside of that game against the Bucks, they were in every single one of those games. And even in that game against the Bucks, they were in it up until the final minutes and then the Bucks obviously ran up the score because it was a cup game. But anyway, my point in all this is despite all this, despite the fact that the Bulls so far this season really have not had a bad game, like a really bad game where they just get embarrassed, despite the fact that, you know, they’ve already exceeded expectations with their first stretch of the season and still a winning record even in the hardest schedule in the league thus far, all of the sudden the sky is falling again and it’s back to, well, see why the Bulls, they need a superstar. They’re not going to truly compete without having that guy. Man, the Bulls were not supposed to win this game tonight. Not without Josh Giddy and Kobe White in the lineup. And I fully expected the Bulls to get blown out of this one. And at the start of the game, it looked like that was going to be the case, that it was going to be a long night for the Bulls. But no, the Bulls actually played pretty well in this game all things considered without their main offensive engine and of course their offensive firepower of Kobe White. They actually held their own. They actually played well against WBY except for the final minute and a half where they just let him pull up from three. But they weren’t letting Wimi get anything easy inside. They drew a couple charges against him, forcing him to turn the ball over when he was moving through the paint. Yeah, he’s still Wimby. He’s still got his. He’s one of the best players in the league. In my opinion, he’s already a top five player in the NBA. So, it’s not like you’re going to completely lock him down, but for a Bulls team whose interior defense has been below average, they did better than what I would have expected. even scoring in the paint more than I would have expected the Bulls to do. Knowing Wimi is roaming around the basket just waiting to swat things away, which it’s still hilarious to me how much just his presence alone deters shots where guys will drive to the basket and then just bring it out just sensing when he is nearby, not even trying to put it up because they know it’s not worth it. But anyway, as I was saying, the Bulls were not supposed to win this game. But because they kept this one close, because they came within the final minutes of having a lead and then blowing said lead, the argument goes back to being fixated on, well, this is why the Bulls need a star. Whereas, if the Bulls had just gotten blown out like most of us had anticipated, it would have been, okay, yeah, makes sense. They’re playing Wimi and they don’t have Josh Giddy or Kobe White, and everyone would have carried on with their day. Not that it matters, you know, the fact that the Bulls did beat the Pistons with Kate Cunningham or Paula Vono from the Orlando Magic. They beat the Hawks who have Trey Young. They did beat the Knicks in one of those games against Jaylen Brunson. I mean, the Bulls have gone up against stars, superstar level players. Even Tyrese Maxi, the Sixers, the Bulls beat them. Don’t forget that. They shut them out in the last final 6 minutes of the fourth quarter. But people forget that, right? So instead of focusing on the positives of what the Bulls have done well, of what the Bulls have done despite the odds being against them in these last two games to be in these matchups, bringing it down to the wire, playing their game, keeping up the pace of play, keeping up the energy because they didn’t execute in the final minute, all that goes out the window and it’s well, you need a superstar. As if getting a superstar generational talent is just so easy to come by. And look, this isn’t me saying, well, the Bulls don’t need a star. They don’t need superstar talent for them to compete for championships. They just need eight to nine really good players like AK said last year. No, every team needs that star or stars. But the Bulls aren’t there yet. This was expected to be another year where they weren’t going to be competing, where they were going to be focusing on development and still trying to win games. No one thought they were going to be competing for a championship. And if you thought, oh, after that 5-0 start that they were going to be suddenly competing for a championship, you’re kidding yourself. But it doesn’t mean the Bulls can’t get to a place where they could be in a position to land a star or develop one of their own into a star. And it also doesn’t take away from the fact that the Bulls are still playing good solid basketball. So, I know I kind of digressed from what happened in this game specifically, but yeah, it just it bothered me because I thought the Bulls played pretty well all things considered, much better than expected. They played a fun game, a competitive game against a contending team in the West. But the takeaway from a lot of fans right now is see no superstar even though the Bulls have beat teams with superstars already this season. And I just think that’s a lazy narrative that doesn’t give the full context of what’s going on. Now, as far as this game, I love what I saw from Kevin Herder and Trey Jones both taking the next man up mentality. Didn’t like that last shot from Kevin Herder to try and tie up the game after Wimby sank that three to put the Spurs up three. Uh that wasn’t a good shot. Tough shot, but overall Herder had a nice game where he made smart plays, great shot selection, good cuts to the basket when Wimi was overcommitting to his man on defense. 23 points, five rebounds, five assists for Herder, hit some big threes as well. And Trey Jones, I mean, what impressed me most about him was him getting into the teeth of the Spurs defense, scoring inside despite the Spurs size and obviously him being a very undersized player. 20 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, two steals for Trey Jones. Just one of the more underrated players in the league on one of the best contracts. IO had a great game as well. 20 points on 50% shooting, three for five from three. Modest actually a solid game. And I was surprised he wasn’t in there to close things out. 15 points on five for nine shooting, five rebounds, a steal of the block. Vu Vu had a weird game because he actually shot it well from deep even when he was being contested by WBY. Of course, like a lot of bigs do who are being defended by Wanyama, you’re going to struggle in the post. He tried, but only hit one shot in the paint in this game. And that weird missed airball layup where he was wide open, that was painful to watch. I guess he just didn’t expect to be that open or something on that cut. But it’s little things like that that can be the difference in a game that ends up being so close. And then of course that lane violation in the final minutes that gave Luke Cornett that extra free throw that he initially missed. That was bad. and of course Lenny Wimby go off in those final seconds. So yeah, not the best game for Vevich, but you I go back to you know how important it is, how critical it’s going to be to have Kobe White to help in close out game situations and getting some points when the opposing team is going on a run. Obviously, he’s not the quote unquote star everyone keeps talking about, but he is one of those guys that can close out games. He can get you a bucket when you need it. And in a game like tonight and a game like against the Cavs as well, he was definitely missed. It’s unfortunate though because the Bulls really being eight and two right now on the season was very practical. Could have been a real thing. They really were that close. But the Bulls fall to six and four. They’ve got the Pistons now on Wednesday in Detroit. Then they finally get a long break, some time off, and finally get some easy teams to go up against. Starting with the Jazz on Sunday. Hopefully Kobe White will be back by then. But anyway, guys, I would love to hear what you think, your thoughts on this game. Let me know in the comments. As always, be sure to subscribe and I will see you in the next

Reacting and recapping the Bulls loss to the Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs

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47 comments

  4. The fact that Billy Donnovan saves challenges like theyre mother F'ng rollover minutes is maddening.

    The thing is, Billy needs to use that challenge when a player is particularly upset about a call that was egregious. Even if he loses it, showing the player you have faith in their urging to challenge as well as winning it, is a momentum shifter. Getting in that players ear about getting after it etc would be valuable. If nothing else, simply showing a player you trust them and using the challenge at their discretion would go a LONG way.

    Zach Collins and Coby back will help. I still worry about efficiency and Coby. Seriously. We say we miss Coby and he will help us so much, but what are we getting from Coby we didnt just get from Tre Jones in this game?

    Seriously. What was Jones box score? Is anyone arguing Coby would have been THAT much better? Jones went 20 7 7 w/2 steals…. unless cony has a streaky shooting night where he doesnt miss, outcime will be the same or worse imo.

  5. Spurs fan here. Very impressed with how the bulls moved the ball. You do need an alpha for when things break down, but White and Giddey should be enough for now. Spurs had no business winning this game, but Wemby went nuclear.

  12. Loving the bulls game man, we have been playing great just been struggling to close!! Not really mad at the losses just disappointed cause we could of had a shot at winning

  14. Hey hey we're 10 games in they're still multiple games to go we should not be freaking out this early bulls can honestly fix it Plus it'll be a tough game without Josh Getty

  16. Completely agree with everything you said. So annoying to be 6-4 when everyone expected to be 3-7 at best and get all the complaining. We should be enjoying what we’re seeing. The growth as a team is incredible and we don’t know what we’re going to look like after Coby comes back. So frustrating.

  17. We played 3 great teams, wished we pulled at least one. Giddey and Coby been banged up, I love our competitiveness but 4th quarter chokes are the worst, still a lot of hope for this team.

  18. Like to cast my ballot for MVP Victor Wembanyama✔ I think they would of won if Giddey was there but not by much. Yeah we all thought the Bulls needed super effort to win but it was there if they only apply themselves in the 4th quarter. Shooting less than 25%. Not sure what was the number in that quarter. We played pretty good for 3.5 quarters. But Victor has a way of changing your mind going to the basket.

  20. Its shows that most fans are very low IQ, and have been trained by media to have 0 ability to think critically and without all or nothing emotion. You see it with this bulls team, you even see it with wemby…first few games he's mvp, Suns show how to defend him…he has a bad game….he's then exposed etc…now he's MVP again. Emotions and narratives are controlled by clickbaiters who all copy each other. Very unfortunate.

  21. Still believe we make the playoffs.. I was there in person and vooch is not it for us. I know ppl don’t want to hear it but he’s too slow. We also missed Coby down the stretch.

  23. Spurs have a tough schedule also they faced lakers , rockets , bulls , and next is warriors twice , now that’s a tough schedule, bulls are good and have it easier in the east to win games .

  25. @4:50 Bulls do not need a star. I agree and this is why I’m so critical of this front office to make the necessary moves when they commit to who’s going to be apart of the core and who will be traded to fill key roles. Billy already knows this, this season is riding on the backcourt of Coby & Josh and the development of Buz. Tre was a very key signing whose skill set matches the philosophy going forward. The Bulls have the assets to go get a starting 3&D wing to play alongside Buz and sign their center for the future next offseason. These holes are glaringly obvious if people are really analyzing these games.

  28. The Bulls played surprisingly well last night, I'm not mad about the results. They weathered that first storm, and almost had it in the end. The main issue was everyone making 1 or 2 too many passes. Matas is in a slump, but he'll be back to normal soon.

  32. My opinion is Wemby was gonna get his. And I think the Bulls did an okay job on him. The problem was allowing Luke Kornet to have 16points many of them were from offensive rebounds and lob dunks.
    Don’t know why slow footed Vooch was defending Wemby when you have Jalen Smith that can move better. Waited too late to use a double big lineup. And then didn’t use it well.

  35. 6-4? Missing key players, tough schedule, competitive in every game, challenging San Antonio without Giddey and White…shoot, l'll take it.
    True, no moral victories, but there's no disputing that we've shown some fight. We don't need a "superstar". We need to execute in the 2nd half and 4th quarters of games.
    Gotta crawl before you can walk. Gotta learn how to win. Doesn't happen overnight. We have Giddey, White, and Collins on the mend, and an emerging Buzi Vert, in a wide open Eastern Conference. I like our chances.

  39. They don't have white, they didn't have Giddey, and Collins is out. Those 3 would have made a very big difference. Not going into panic mode now.

  44. Billy though. He’s just not it. Great mentor for young players but that’s it. This losing when we are up double digits is something that’s been happening since he came to chi.

  45. There are issues..and it’s really the same issues as always..The bulls are weak when it comes to protecting the basket, and every other team knows that. Vuc is the problem..Sure he’s still capable of being a powerhouse on offense some nights, but his defensive limitations are what’s keeping the bulls from being a good playoff team. That last game against Wemby proved it..Vuc was tasked with defending Wemby during the last moments of the game, and he couldn’t hold his own and stop Wemby from scoring the ball. A big part of me is angry but I also understand that Wemby made tough shots down the stretch and maybe I’m being too harsh on Vuc. But I can’t help with how I feel. Vuc always disappoints me whenever I try to have faith in him.

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