Bulls guard Zach LaVine refuted the idea that the team hosted a players-only meeting following last week’s season opener, as detailed by Yahoo Sports’ Vincent Goodwill. LaVine said the players didn’t have a team meeting, as suggested by head coach Billy Donovan, but instead had “a basketball conversation.”
“We’re having conversations from top to bottom,” LaVine said. “If we don’t want the coaches in there while we are talking, that’s not a team meeting, it’s players talking amongst ourselves. I don’t know if coach got that misunderstood or not.”
Goodwill writes the Bulls are at an inflection point. Notably, LaVine has been in trade rumors, Nikola Vucevic had a tense exchange with Donovan in the opener, and the team hasn’t been able to come to terms on an extension with DeMar DeRozan. On top of that, as Goodwill observes, Donovan has multiple years left following the extension he signed before last season and owner Jerry Reinsdorf hasn’t historically given up on long-term coaching contracts.
“You know, we’re on our third year now, and I’ve been saying since training camp: It’s time to put pen to paper,” LaVine said. “If it don’t work, we understand the business of basketball. We have three All-Star players. We gotta make this work, from top to bottom. It’s not just the players. We gotta make this click.”
We have more from the Central Division:
- Donovan made a big change to the Bulls‘ starting lineup on Friday, substituting former No. 4 overall pick Patrick Williams out for Torrey Craig, who signed in the offseason. Williams is off to a disappointing start to the season, averaging 5.0 points and 3.5 rebounds while shooting a poor 33.3% from the floor in his first six games (five starts). According to NBC Sports Chicago’s Ryan Taylor, Williams took a mature approach to the move to the bench. “I was just going through a stretch there where I really couldn’t make a shot,” Williams said. “I wouldn’t say it’s difficult though [playing with the first group]. That’s a unit that has so much talent and can do so many different things on the court. It’s just more opportunity for whoever is playing in that second unit.“
- Following last season’s trade that sent Malcolm Brogdon to the Celtics from the Pacers, there was a sentiment on social media that Boston didn’t give anything of value in the swap, according to The Athletic’s Jared Weiss. Flash forward to now and Indiana forward Aaron Nesmith, who was part of the package, has become a crucial member in the Pacers’ rotation. Since arriving in Indiana, Nesmith is averaging 10.2 points per game and admitted he felt overlooked last summer. Now, he’s won over the coaching staff. “He’s been one of our best defensive players and obviously, we all know he can shoot the ball really well and he’s developed other parts of his game,” said head coach Rick Carlisle. “He drives it now, he’s making really good, simple reads and a very important part of what we’re doing here.“
- On Wednesday, the NBA’s then-league worst offense in the Raptors dropped 130 points on the contending Bucks. According to Eric Nehm of The Athletic, head coach Adrian Griffin spent the first few games of the season experimenting with defensive anchor Brook Lopez, putting him out on the perimeter more to help generate turnovers, though the Bucks wound up with the league’s second-worst defensive rating through their first four games. However, as detailed by Nehm in a separate piece, Griffin put Lopez back in drop coverage for Friday’s game against the Knicks, and New York mustered just 105 points against Milwaukee.
Is that Lavine or Captain Semantic?
Another Reinsdorf example of ‘C.Y.A.’. Be good enough to sell tickets, but not to win.
This just shows how much of a clown show the Bulls org is in the leadership dept and how much the players seem to still be thinking of themselves instead of the team.
I get some fans do want to hear this, but time to blow it up. Lavine, DeRozen, and Vucevic all ‘appear’ in a handful of games, then appear to not want to be around, until they have to come get their check. Keeping this team intact was a massive mistake, but the Bulls compounded it with dumb contacts and having poor production. If they wanted to get something out of these guys tell them you want to be able to trade them to a contender, then I’m guessing they’ll show up every night until traded.
Blow it up I agree with, but management got the mix wrong, not a lack for trying. They have all stars and a coach who’s been successful, this just isn’t the right mix. They have trade capital and acquiring draft picks is probably the best way to go. Plenty of teams that would be interested in Levine and DeRozen immediately (yes, Al would sponsor a DeRozen to the Knicks move). They can easily reset fast and be back within a couple of years. Or ride this mess out and have nothing to show for it.
Absolutely correct
I went from being a hardcore fan to wishing the bulls lost almost every night, in order for my hooping expectations to have been met by reality.
Ownership still didn’t issue an apology for their GM saying that organizations win championships while having MJ and for firing a coach during his second threepeat.
Demar seems like a nice person but his style of play is inefficient.
Zach barks a lot but does not bite.
Vuc lives under the Jokic shadow.
Coach is basically an 8 year old.
Coby was great before Covid and seems depressed ever since.
Javonte and Lonzo made it work for awhile in despite all of the above…
Bulls are way overdue for an A-Z rebuild. They should still able to sell tickets next season, based on the legacy of MJ, if they start tanking this year, despite what they also did to D-Rose.
Sometimes the pieces are more valuable than the collection. The Bulls could move LaVine for 2, 1st rounders & a player. DeRosen 1, 1st & a player, Vuc a 1st & player, Caruso a protected 1st. Package Williams & White for a late/protected 1st. They could accumulate picks and clear the books. They won’t do it but If the goal is to win a Championship that should be the plan.
Bulls have Trade Partner in 76ers. DeRozan and all the clipper trash and the 2 picks back. DeRozan is a great 3 wheel for Philly. Who else can Philly get maybe a Raptor. Morey will make a move.
DeRozan wouldn’t work in Philly. On paper he seems like he’d be a good fit but he’s use to being the man. He might defer to Embiid but I don’t think he’d defer to Maxey.
That’s a big part of why it isn’t working in Chicago. DeRozan thinks he’s their best player and he just might be right but that gives a player like LaVine the mindset of I better get mine while I can, yet neither DeRozan or good enough to be the 1A player. Meanwhile White and Williams defer because they are the young guys.
Bucks are really missing Grayson and Jrue. The mediocre Knicks were right there at the end, Bucks were lucky to pull that game out.
Zach is 28, in his peak yrs. He’s the guy you retool around. That’s the smart move.
I’m not a Bulls fan. Frankly after what MJs Bulls did to my Knicks. I could care less what happens to them ……
DeM DeR is a FA to be and is 34 yrs old. He’s your big trade chip. Even if you don’t want a Knicks package. He can be moved to another team. I just believe a Knicks package. Of Quickley (24yrs old), Grimes (23yrs old), Fournier (31yrs old) helps the Bulls now and for the future. DeR helps us now for next 3-4 yrs. He can retire a Knick and help get us get back to contending. NYC will love him for that.
He’s a vet Randle will respect. And mixes well with Jalen. And he’s a clutch bucket we need desperately. DeM DeR is about right now for Knicks. He makes everyone on Knicks better. That’s why I want him.
Fournier can still play. He gives you scoring off the bench. He’s a FA next yr. So easily moved by TD. Quickley has potential to be an all star PG. Grimes has potential (2way player) to be a solid 2. At worst a solid rotation piece. I would even throw in a late #1 pick. Don’t see a better trade than that.
What could Sixers offer ?
What could Lakers offer ?
Who else would trade for DeM DeR ….
He fits us like a Glove …..imo.
Fournier expiring contract plus picks. Gets you a solid PF. Then you can play Williams where he belongs at SF.
DeM DeR >>>> to Knicks ….
Grimes is unnecessary and would require the Bulls to waive someone to open a roster spot. They do not need to pay Fournier for another year when they can just let DeRozan go and Reinsdorf is cheap. Ain’t gonna happen man. Maybe just sign him into cap space next year if you want him, you won’t have much competition, he is not a modern player, but if you liked Carmelo he is your guy.
No.
In fairness, the Lonzo injuries wrecked the team. Remember they were the East’s 1st seed at the time of his injury. That was remarkable. DeRozan top-5 in the MVP race. Caruso’s injury also caused an important dropoff.
At the time, the FO Made bold moves in FA and had brougtht immediate dividends.
They were all playing well. Lonzo was playing really well, adding a 40+% from 3, to his usual very good defense and pass-first guard skills.
That was a nice five minutes, but that was years ago