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.
Bulls Fall Short Against Kings Despite LaVine’s Heroics
The Chicago Bulls put up a valiant effort but ultimately fell to the Sacramento Kings in a thrilling matchup at the United Center. Despite Zach LaVine’s impressive 36-point performance, the Bulls couldn’t overcome late-game execution issues and coaching decisions that proved costly.
LaVine continued his hot streak, notching his seventh consecutive game with 30 or more points. He shot efficiently, going 12-of-24 from the field and 5-of-8 from beyond the arc. His 10 rebounds and four assists rounded out a strong all-around game.
The contest came down to the wire, with LaVine and DeMar DeRozan trading blows in the fourth quarter. LaVine even took on the challenge of guarding DeRozan on several possessions, showing improved defensive awareness by not falling for pump fakes.
However, the Bulls’ fourth-quarter execution left much to be desired. Turnovers and missed opportunities plagued the team down the stretch. Billy Donovan’s inability to draw up effective inbounds plays in crucial moments continues to be a concern for the coaching staff.
While the absence of Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White was felt, Lonzo Ball stepped up with his three-point shooting. However, the team missed White’s scoring punch and playmaking ability, which could have eased the burden on LaVine in crunch time.
Patrick Williams’ role continues to be a topic of discussion among fans. His limited production raises questions about his future with the team and whether a change in his role or minutes could unlock his potential.
Looking ahead, the Bulls find themselves at a crossroads. With 18 wins on the season, the team is unlikely to secure a bottom-six finish, effectively ruling out the possibility of tanking for a guaranteed top-10 draft pick. The focus now shifts to picking a direction for the franchise.
Options include pushing for a play-in tournament berth, developing young talent like Dalen Terry and Julian Phillips, or exploring trades to acquire assets while maintaining the core group. The upcoming trade deadline will be crucial in determining the team’s path forward.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Bulls’ strategy moving forward, tune into the Locked On Bulls podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Bulls Podcast:
• Analysis of potential trade scenarios for the Bulls • The importance of execution in close games • Discussion on the future of Patrick Williams with the team
Monday movers: Isaiah Collier and the resilient Pistons
Jan 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Isaiah Collier (13) lays the ball up against the Brooklyn Nets during the fourth quarter at Delta Center. | Rob Gray/Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Isaiah Collier
If you thought tracking incremental improvements was just for teams, think again. Jazz rookie Isaiah Collier had himself a game on Sunday, with a career-high 23 points, seven rebounds and assists, plus a block, in 37 minutes on the floor. It was Collier’s longest sustained playing time this season.
I covered Collier over his McDonald’s All-American weekend in April 2023. As a USC signee he was in the shadow of Bronny James, also in the same “McDAAG” class. Collier was quiet, polite, and a little shy off the floor, on the floor, all those traits inverted. When I’ve circled around to check on how Collier’s been doing this season I haven’t been surprised to see him taking a secondary role. Sometimes the best thing for a rookie is to have a working balance between competitive pressure and developing at their own pace. What I have been surprised by is how much Collier, up to now, has been flying under the radar.
He had a sixth-sense for the game in high school, in his knack for passing, knowing where teammates would be, and dictating the pace of the game — a rarer thing for a young athlete. It showed it again in his single season at USC. The Jazz don’t necessarily want Collier to be the one deploying these things, they have Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson, and Keyonte George as a backup for them, but when Collier’s been trusted by the team to handle the ball it’s paid dividends.
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 Evaluating NBA contracts, the Chicago Bulls’ recent deals, including Zach LaVine’s extension, are scrutinized for value. (Bleacher Report)
History 26 years ago today, Michael Jordan retired from the Bulls for the second time. (Yahoo! Sports)
Watch Roundball Rock is (almost) back. Giannis, Jayson Tatum, and Wemby star in NBC’s NBA promo. (NBC Sports)
Analysis Amid struggles, what’s the end game for the Suns? (NBA.com)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Waiver Wire Wisdom: Navigating Fantasy Basketball’s Ever-Changing Landscape
Jan 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Noah Clowney (21) passes the ball away from Utah Jazz forward Cody Williams (5) during the first quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray/Rob Gray-Imagn Images
As we dive into Week 13 of the NBA season, it’s crucial to approach your fantasy basketball strategy with a keen eye on both the present and the future. The key is to play for the short term while keeping long-term potential in mind.
Donovan Clingan is an interesting addition. With Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams out, Clingan started and showed promise. However, his value may be limited when Ayton returns. This could be an opportunity to sell high on Clingan if you believe his current performance isn’t sustainable.
Noah Clowney and Nikola Jovic are two players with more long-term value. Clowney’s minutes may fluctuate, but he’s worth rostering for potential future gains. Jovic, despite coming off the bench, has shown promise and could see consistent minutes moving forward.
Click the button below to see which under-rostered players need to find their way onto your team.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Bulls podcasts.
The Chicago Bulls Want To Be Sellers At The Deadline.. So What’s Stopping Them? Explore the intricate dynamics of the Bulls’ roster management, including the challenges of retaining talents like Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu under the new CBA rules. Haize examines the front office’s past decisions, comparing the Bulls’ situation to more successful franchises like the Miami Heat and New York Knicks.
Zach LaVine’s Historic Night Propels Bulls to Victory Over Clippers Hosts Haize and Pat explore LaVine’s place in Bulls history, debating his status as one of the team’s top scorers alongside legends like Michael Jordan. They also discuss Matas Buzelis’ entry into the NBA dunk contest and touch on the evolving dynamics of race in sports.
From Derrick Rose Night to Rock Bottom: The Bulls’ Freefall Haize and Pat dissect the team’s defensive lapses and coaching challenges, questioning whether talent alone can carry them through the NBA season. The conversation also explores potential roster changes and the implications of keeping veterans during a rebuild.
