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 Falter Against Warriors
The Chicago Bulls showed a glimmer of hope in the first half against the Golden State Warriors, but their performance in the second half left much to be desired. Despite having a lead at halftime, the Bulls crumbled in the third quarter, scoring only 16 points and never regaining momentum.
One of the most glaring issues for the Bulls is the continued underperformance of Patrick Williams. His defensive prowess, once a highlight of his game, has seemingly vanished. Players are now scoring at a higher rate when guarded by Williams, and his impact on both ends of the court has diminished significantly.
In contrast, rookie Matas Buzelis has shown promise in limited minutes. Despite playing less than half of Williams’ minutes, Buzelis has demonstrated better defensive ratings and a more significant impact on the game. This raises questions about the distribution of playing time and the development of young talent on the team.
The Bulls’ struggles extend beyond individual performances. The team’s lack of energy and heart, especially in the second half, was evident. Despite having an extra day of rest compared to the Warriors, who were on the second night of a back-to-back, the Bulls were outworked in every facet of the game.
Looking Ahead
As the season progresses, it’s becoming clear that the Bulls may need to reassess their priorities. With a record that puts them on pace for only 34 wins, it might be time to focus on developing younger players like Buzelis, Julian Phillips, and Ayo Dosunmu.
The upcoming game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday presents another opportunity for the Bulls to prove themselves. However, given the team’s recent performances, expectations should be tempered.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Bulls’ struggles and potential solutions, tune into the Locked On Bulls podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Bulls Podcast:
• Nikola Vucevic’s performance and potential trade interest from the Golden State Warriors
• The emergence of Warriors’ rookie Quentin Post and its impact on potential trade scenarios
• Discussion on which young Bulls players deserve more playing time
Jan 23, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) reacts following the win over Sacramento Kings at Ball Arena. | Ron Chenoy/Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
If you watch NBA basketball then you know 3-pointers are up. You know because you’re seeing it, night after night, no matter the team you follow. Matter of fact, if you look at this season’s 3-point attempts there is going to be a deep-court shooter on your team. It doesn’t mean they are making those shots, but boy, are they chucking them.
You likely also know because we can’t stop talking about it. The royal “we” in this case of NBA media, and then onto fans, then back to media in a never-ending cycle. You may be sick of hearing about threes at this, the halfway point of the 2024-2025 season but I’m sorry say — tough luck.
At least half tough luck. Threes aren’t going away — we can pretty plainly see this to be true night after night — but the good news is their volume and habituality will make it so sooner or later our approach to them is less wide-eyed and speculative than accepting. They’ll become the new normal.
No other athlete embodies this normalization better than the greatest NBA player in the world at present: Nikola Jokic.
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
Rumor Bulls’ big man Nikola Vucevic is not surprised to be back in trade rumors, acknowledging the business aspect of the NBA. (Chicago Sun-Times)Ranking
Ranking As the trade deadline approaches, the Bulls’ position in the NBA power rankings is under scrutiny, reflecting their midseason performance. (Bleacher Report)
Analysis Victor Wembanyama is reshaping the NBA as we know it. (The Ringer)
Must Read The chosen one: Scottie Barnes as hope and saviour for the Raptors franchise. (Toronto Life)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Crucial Streaming Decisions in a Topsy-Turvy Week
Jan 15, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Guerschon Yabusele (28) in action against the New York Knicks during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher/Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
As we approach Friday’s NBA action, we’re faced with an unusual schedule that demands careful consideration for fantasy managers. With only three games on the slate, it’s a critical day for streaming, especially given the peculiar schedule ahead.
The coming week presents a unique challenge: over the next six days of NBA action, several teams have zero quality game days. This means that adding a streamer without careful planning could result in zero games played, effectively wasting a roster spot. Teams like the Nets, Celtics, Bulls, Mavericks, Nuggets, and Pistons all have three games over the next six days, but none on streamable days.
Portland stands out as the best team for streaming, with three quality games over the next six days. Philadelphia is the only other team with more than one, boasting two quality games. This schedule advantage makes players from these teams particularly valuable for the short term.
Friday’s games feature the Blazers vs. Hornets, Cavaliers vs. 76ers, and Pelicans vs. Grizzlies. All teams playing on Friday are part of a back-to-back, with Portland coming off a Thursday game and the others playing again on Saturday.
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.
