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: Road Challenges and NBA Cup Hopes
Are the Chicago Bulls ready to turn their season around with a challenging road trip and the NBA Cup on the horizon? In a recent episode of Locked on Bulls, I explored these pressing questions and more, diving into the team’s current dynamics and future prospects.
The Road Ahead: A Test of Resilience
The Bulls are embarking on a crucial two-game road trip, facing the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers. With four of their next five games on the road, this stretch is pivotal. The Bulls’ recent performances have been marked by inconsistent fourth quarters, a trend that needs addressing if they are to capitalize on this road stint. The loss of DeMar DeRozan, a key clutch player, has left a void in late-game situations, and the team is still learning to navigate these challenges.
Fourth Quarter Woes: A Pattern to Break
The Bulls’ struggles in the fourth quarter have been a recurring theme. Against the Minnesota Timberwolves, they conceded 45 points in the final period, while they managed to outscore the Atlanta Hawks in a similar situation. These inconsistencies highlight the need for the Bulls to find a rhythm and maintain it throughout the game. The ability to close out games is crucial, especially for a team with a narrow margin for error due to defensive shortcomings.
Learning to Win: A Young Team’s Journey
This season is a learning curve for the Bulls, particularly in clutch situations. With players like Zach LaVine and Coby White stepping up, the team is still figuring out how to win close games. The absence of a reliable clutch performer like DeRozan has been felt, and the Bulls are working to fill that gap. The upcoming games against competitive teams like the Knicks and Cavaliers offer a chance to test their mettle and build confidence.
The NBA Cup: An Opportunity for Growth
The NBA Cup presents a unique opportunity for the Bulls to find their rhythm. As part of Group C in the East, alongside Boston, Cleveland, Atlanta, and Washington, the Bulls have a chance to advance as a wild card. Competing against teams like the Hawks and Wizards, whom they can realistically challenge, could provide the Bulls with the momentum they need. The condensed schedule of the NBA Cup could help the team develop a consistent playstyle and improve their execution under pressure.
Call to Action: Embrace the Challenge
As the Bulls navigate this challenging period, it’s crucial for them to focus on improving their defensive play and minimizing turnovers. Fans and players alike should embrace the opportunity presented by the NBA Cup to gauge their progress and identify areas for improvement. The road trip and the Cup games are not just about winning but about building a foundation for future success.
For a deeper dive into the Bulls’ strategies and insights from the latest games, listen to the full episode of Locked on Bulls. Join us as we continue to follow the team’s journey and explore what lies ahead.
Klay Thompson’s homecoming to The Bay started well before he hit the floor last night at Oracle with the Mavs and roughly 19,000 fans started waving nautical Captain hats.
It started mid-way through last season, when Golden State didn’t signal they’d immediately be resigning Thompson as the franchise had, up to then, always been in a hurry to. There were shades of it along with Thompson’s frustrations in his game changing, the splashy shots not falling as fluidly as they used to. Clues came in the way the Warriors felt their frustrations as a team: once together, a cohesive unit, and then splintering and individually.
“Even from July, when Klay decided to go to Dallas to us showing up for training camp and him not being here, it was kind of like a slow build to this night for everybody,” Warriors point guard, Steph Curry, said after last night’s game.
Basketball isn’t played in a vacuum, and Curry sharing the psychic and emotional timeline of the team underscores that in a rare glimpse behind the curtain. Sometimes its brightest full-circle moments have to struggle through discomfort, angst and loss in order to come back around. Often, the storylines with the most ups and downs are the ones that end the most cathartically.
Since this season began, Thompson’s been candid about how necessary the move to Dallas was for him. “Every pro athlete’s human, and uncertainty can bear on you,” he told ESPN prior to Tuesday night’s homecoming game.
“Honestly, it’s rejuvenated me and done something I needed bad just for my mental [state] and my career,” Thompson said.
It’s a knife’s edge between animosity for an athlete’s who’s left a franchise they share a storied history with and sympathy for their decision. What tips fans to one side or the other can skew personal, so isn’t always easy to predict, but Thompson’s tendency toward honesty helps. He’s always been someone who wears what he’s feeling on the floor openly, and for that fans — for the most part — respond with empathy. There’s a sense that through all the years he played for the Warriors there was an open conduit of conversation between him and the fanbase.
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
Analysis The Bulls are struggling in the NBA’s tanking race, facing a tough numbers game that could impact their future prospects. (Chicago Sun-Times)
Biz Chicago sports fans can now access a direct-to-consumer service for the Blackhawks, Bulls, and White Sox games, bypassing traditional cable. (Chicago Sun-Times)
Legacy Klay Thompson feels “free” after his late-career move to Dallas. (ESPN)
Fantasy Basketball Takeaways From Tuesday - Robert Williams Day
Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (35) shoots the ball against Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) during the first half at Moda Center. |Photo by Soobum Im/Soobum Im-Imagn Images
Tuesday’s NBA games offered a wealth of insights for fantasy basketball managers. Here’s a closer look at the key takeaways and strategic moves you should consider:
Charlotte Hornets vs. Orlando Magic
- Grant Williams: With his move to the starting lineup, Williams is a viable short-term pickup, especially while the Hornets deal with injuries. His ability to contribute in multiple categories makes him a solid addition in deeper leagues.
- Moussa Diabate: Diabate’s rebounding prowess is noteworthy, especially with the Hornets’ frontcourt injuries. He’s a strong option for those in need of rebounds in deeper formats.
- Franz Wagner: Wagner’s performance underscores his value, particularly with Paolo Banchero out. Consider selling high if you can get a top-tier player in return, as his current production may dip once Banchero returns.
Miami Heat vs. Detroit Pistons
- Tyler Herro: After a 40-point explosion, Herro is a prime sell-high candidate. His shooting percentages are unlikely to sustain, so capitalise on his current form to bolster your roster.
- Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey: Both players showed their potential to fill the stat sheet. Cunningham remains a must-start, while Ivey’s bounce-back game suggests he’s worth holding onto for his upside.
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.
