Cordaro Johnson (Haize) here, the host of the daily Locked On Bulls podcast, with your daily Locked On Bulls newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Bulls and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Chicago Bulls’ Fourth Quarter Collapse: A Deep Dive into the Struggles
Have you ever witnessed a team crumble so spectacularly that it leaves you questioning their entire strategy? In our latest episode of Locked On Bulls, we dissect the Chicago Bulls’ shocking fourth-quarter collapse against the Minnesota Timberwolves. This episode is a must-listen for any Bulls fan trying to make sense of the team’s current trajectory.
The Fourth Quarter Meltdown In a recent game, the Chicago Bulls experienced one of the most dramatic fourth-quarter breakdowns against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite leading by nine points at halftime, the Bulls were outscored by 21 points in the final quarter, ultimately losing the game. This collapse was not just a fluke; it highlighted ongoing issues within the team.
Shooting Efficiency: A Tale of Two Halves The Bulls started strong, shooting 60% from the field and 58% from three-point range in the first half. However, their performance plummeted in the second half, with shooting percentages dropping significantly. This inconsistency is a recurring theme, raising questions about the team’s ability to maintain momentum throughout a game.
Defensive Woes and Turnovers Defense has been a persistent problem for the Bulls, as evidenced by the 66 points they allowed in the paint against the Timberwolves. Additionally, turnovers continue to plague the team, contributing to their inability to sustain leads. These defensive lapses are a critical area that needs addressing if the Bulls hope to turn their season around.
Lack of Identity and Leadership One of the most pressing issues facing the Bulls is their lack of a clear identity. The team seems to lack the “it” factor, with no standout leaders emerging to guide them through tough situations. This absence of leadership is evident in their inability to close out games, despite having the talent to compete.
The Trade Rumor Mill As the trade deadline approaches, rumors are swirling about potential moves involving key players like Nikola Vucevic and Zach LaVine. While both players have had strong starts to the season, the Bulls may consider trading them to capitalize on their current value. This strategy could be a step towards rebuilding and finding a new direction for the team.
Is It Time to Embrace the Tank? With the Bulls’ current struggles, some fans and analysts are questioning whether it’s time to embrace a rebuilding phase. The upcoming draft class is considered one of the deepest in recent years, offering a potential opportunity for the Bulls to secure a top pick. While tanking is never an easy decision, it might be necessary for the long-term success of the franchise.
Call to Action As we continue to analyze the Bulls’ performance, I encourage you to reflect on these insights and consider what changes you believe are necessary for the team. Whether it’s embracing a rebuild or making strategic trades, the future of the Bulls depends on decisive action.
For a more in-depth discussion on these topics, be sure to listen to the full episode of Locked On Bulls. We delve deeper into the team’s challenges and potential strategies for moving forward. Tune in to stay updated on all things Bulls and join the conversation about the future of this storied franchise.
The Nuggets did it (Nikola Jokic did it), the Warriors did it (the death lineup and defensive efficiency), the Celtics did it (switching one through five, pre-switching, neutralizing open lanes), and now the Thunder are doing it.
It’s been described as pestering, smothering, swarming, but I‘d like to put “car wash” into consideration. That’s the set up awaiting opponents. The car (the opposing team) gets locked into those self-driving tracks and the gauntlet begins. Lu Dort and Alex Caruso appear as those cylindrical spinning brushes, stripping the ball outright and early or else funnelling players into the next wave of guards. Pressure continues from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jaylen Williams but it becomes more targeted, thinking of the jet streams of water now being directed at the car from every angle — and those spinning whirlwinds of Caruso and Dort haven’t relented.
If, somehow, an opposing player finds a sliver of daylight in the so-small-its-micro-ball switching scheme the Thunder are playing, if they manage to get out from the many hands reaching in, pressuring, forcing turnovers, then they will meet Chet Holmgren at the rim. Holmgren is like those long, slapping shammy tentacles that come down on the hood, sides and roof of the car from every angle, though his reach and hands are much more expertly deployed. The Thunder have a defensive rating of 96.5 (for context the Warriors, at second best, seem light-years behind with a respectable 103.8) and lead the league in steals (13.4) and blocks (7.3). The cars are coming out spotless, utterly worked.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Trade The Chicago Bulls face challenging trade scenarios due to limited draft assets, affecting potential strategic moves this season. (Chicago Sun-Times)
Analysis The Bulls’ current lineup struggles to meet expectations, emphasizing the need for strategic changes and improvements. (Chicago Sun-Times)
Watch Defense wins games? Here’s an insightful breakdown of OKC’s defensive schemes. (Thinking Basketball)
Must Read The Influence of Sedona Price: Take a fascinating look at the domino effect of NIL on college athletics, women’s sports, social media and athlete health. (The New Yorker)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Basketball Impact of Miles Bridges’ Injury
Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) holds his knee after a collision at the basket against the Detroit Pistons during the second half at Spectrum Center.|Photo by Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
With only three games on Thursday, there was ample time to delve into the latest injury news and its implications for fantasy managers.
Injury Updates and Their Impact
Miles Bridges’ knee injury is a significant concern. After initially returning to play, he’s now sidelined for at least two weeks with a knee bone bruise. This situation opens up opportunities for other players. With Nick Richards and Mark Williams also out, Taj Gibson steps in as the starting centre. Grant Williams, who has been getting centre minutes, will likely shift to playing more at the four, alongside Tidjane Salaun. This reshuffling could push Williams into a more prominent role, making him a potential pick-up in 12-team leagues.
The absence of Bridges also means increased usage for Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball. Tre Mann is another player to watch; holding onto him could be beneficial as the team adjusts to these injuries.
Ja Morant’s hamstring injury is another blow, with expectations of a two-week absence. Memphis’ injury reporting is notoriously vague, so fantasy managers should prepare for an extended period without Morant. Tyrese Maxey’s situation is similar, with the Sixers indicating a reevaluation in a week, but realistically, it could be longer. Kyle Lowry is a suitable replacement in the meantime.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Bulls podcasts.
Chicago Bulls Cut Onuralp Bitim & Kenny Lofton Jr | Is THT A Lock To Make Roster? Haize welcomes Bobby & C-Dub to the show to discuss the Bulls moving closer to finalizing their roster by cutting Onuralp Bitim & Kenny Lofton Jr. The guys also break down what they want to see in the Bulls’ final preseason game & more.
Lonzo Ball Looks Great In Return To To The Court | Bulls Offense Has Best Game Yet Haize reacts to Lonzo Ball’s performance in his first game back. He also talks about Coby White’s big night and the team’s offense.
Chicago Bulls Reportedly Eyeing Contract Extension WIth Josh Giddey Haize reacts to reports the Bulls could be looking to extend Josh Giddey’s contract before the start of the season. He also asks of the Chicago Bulls should be playing their starters in tonight’s preseason game and gets excited over Lonzo Ball’s return to the court.
