Twitter Rips Bulls for Joyless Play in Loss vs. Pelicans
Nov 17, 2022
New Orleans Pelicans guard Trey Murphy III (25) blocks a shot by Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine (8) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
The Chicago Bulls have a talented roster, but the team has struggled to find consistency to start the season. Chicago's flaws were on full display on Wednesday night in a 124-110 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center.
The Bulls trailed by as many as 26 during their third consecutive loss, which dropped them to 6-9. It was an abysmal showing against a Pelicans team that was without star forward Zion Williamson, who missed his second straight game with a foot injury.
To add to the disappointment of Wednesday's effort, the Bulls were off since Sunday and had ample time to rest, while the Pelicans were playing the second leg of a back-to-back. It was a surprise to see Chicago play with such a lack of urgency to try to end its skid.
DeMar DeRozan led the way with 28 points and Zach LaVine added 25, while Nikola Vucevic notched a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. No other player on the team made much of an impact on offense, and the team's defense was nonexistent as New Orleans shot 50.6 percent from the field and 51.5 percent from three-point range.
NBA Twitter didn't hold back its disdain for the Bulls' pitiful showing on Wednesday:
Remember how much fun this #Bulls team was just a year ago at this time? Remember the joy they provided just playing fun/winning basketball?? This is the exact opposite of that.
The Bulls definitely donāt lack talent. The eye test and the stats support this. But itās putting the pieces togetherā¦ the right rotations, putting players in positions to succeedā¦ itās a common trend at this point. Player development is great, but thereās more to the puzzle.
Donāt believe there are must-win games in November. But Friday at home vs. Magic is fairly large. Bulls follow with at home vs. Celtics and at Bucks before starting 5-game Western Conference trip. And OKC is playing well.
It's still early in the season, but the Bulls should be concerned. Chicago scored over 100 points in each of its last three losses, but the team is allowing opponents to average 121.7 points in that span. The team will need to address its defensive woes if it hopes to compete for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Bulls will try to bounce back when they host the Orlando Magic (4-11) on Friday.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Says Lakers' LeBron James Remains Face of NBA
Nov 14, 2022
CLEVELAND, OHIO - FEBRUARY 20: LeBron James #6 and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of Team LeBron celebrate after defeating Team Durant 163-160 during the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on February 20, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Giannis Antetokounmpo is a two-time MVP and an NBA champion, but the Milwaukee Bucks star still thinks the Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James is the preeminent name in the league.
Asked by teammate Serge Ibaka whether he's the face of the NBA, Antetokounmpo said he believes he's one of the faces but that he's not the face.
"LeBron's still playing," he said (6:59 of the video below) on Ibaka's show How Hungry Are You?
Antetokounmpo also listed the Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry, Brooklyn Nets' Kevin Durant, Denver Nuggets' Nikola JokiÄ, Dallas Mavericks' Luka DonÄiÄ and Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid as worthy competition based on their profiles.
To Giannis' point, James arguably remains in a class by himself into his 20th season.
Through the first half of the 2021-22 season, James had the highest-selling jersey in the league and stayed there through the second half of the campaign. That was despite the Lakers losing 49 games and missing the playoffs.
Los Angeles also got the second-most national television games when the NBA rolled out its 2022-23 schedule, which is owed partially to James' star power.
Sooner or later, LeBron will walk away from basketball. When that happens, Antetokounmpo is a natural candidate to succeed him as the NBA's biggest headliner.
Pistons' Cade Cunningham to Be Reevaluated in 1 Week After Suffering Shin Injury
Nov 12, 2022
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham plays against the New Orleans Pelicans in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham will miss at least one week with a shin injury.
According to NBA reporter Marc Stein, the Pistons announced their second-year guard will sit out their next three games and be reevaluated in one week with soreness in his left shin.
Saturday will be the second consecutive game Cunningham has missed. He sat out Friday's 121-112 loss to the New York Knicks.
The 21-year-old was limited to 24 minutes in Wednesday's loss to the Boston Celtics. He finished the game 1-of-11 from the field with four points.
Cunningham had some injury issues last season that kept him out of 18 games. He sat out five of Detroit's first six games with a sprained ankle.
Because of the NBA's health and safety protocols, Cunningham sat out four straight games from Dec. 23-Jan. 1. He suffered a hip injury that kept him out of the Pistons' Feb. 3 game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
When Cunningham played, he started to look the part of the franchise player Detroit hoped he would be after the team selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft.
Over his final 39 games last season, Cunningham averaged 18.8 points and 5.8 assists per contest. He picked up where he left off in the season opener with 18 points and 10 assists in a 113-109 victory over the Orlando Magic.
The Pistons are still in a rebuilding phase, but they have the makings of an exciting dynamic backcourt duo. They used the No. 5 overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft to select Purdue star Jaden Ivey to play next to Cunningham.
Detroit also added Bojan BogdanoviÄ in a trade with the Utah Jazz to provide more scoring. The team is off to a slow start with a 3-10 record heading into Saturday's home game against the Celtics.
Until Cunningham is able to return, head coach Dwane Casey could shift Ivey to point guard with Cory Joseph moving into the starting lineup.
NBA Trade Rumors: Grayson Allen Shopped by Bucks amid Jae Crowder Interest
Nov 11, 2022
Milwaukee Bucks' Grayson Allen during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, in Milwaukee. The Bucks won 110-108. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
The Milwaukee Bucks have reportedly "called numerous teams about Grayson Allenās trade prospects," according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
Milwaukee has shown interest in Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder, potentially setting up a swap between the two teams, but Phoenix reportedly still has its eyes on other impact players.
Allen has started 10 games for the 10-1 Bucks, averaging 10.8 points and 2.7 assists per game while shooting 42.6 percent from three-point range.
With the Bucks currently ranking just 18th in three-point shooting at 35.2 percent, Allen's ability to stretch the floor is extremely valuable.
The former Duke star set a career high with 11.1 points per game last season in his first year with Milwaukee, starting 61 of the 66 games he played. The 6'4" guard shot 40.9 percent from beyond the arc last year and has a 39.5 percent career mark from three.
Even if the Bucks want to move on from Allen, it's clear he could have value for a contender thanks to his outside scoring ability.
After going to the playoffs with the Bucks, Memphis Grizzlies and Utah Jazz during his short career, Allen is also battle-tested in big games.
Phoenix could use the scoring depth with Crowder not with the team and Cameron Johnson out with a knee injury. He would likely join Landry Shamet and Josh Okogie off the bench behind Chris Paul and Devin Booker in the backcourt.
Meanwhile, there are no shortage of teams that could use an added shooter as Milwaukee looks for upgrades in other areas.
Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo Out vs. Thunder with Knee Injury Described as Soreness
Nov 9, 2022
Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks Friday, Oct. 28, 2022, in Milwaukee. The Bucks won 119-108. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss Wednesday's game at the Oklahoma City Thunder because of left knee soreness.
The two-time NBA MVP missed Milwaukee's 108-94 win over the Thunder last Saturday for the same reason. He was originally considered questionable, so the team erred on the side of caution.
Antetokounmpo is poised to be an MVP contender once again. The Bucks are 9-0 despite Khris Middleton missing time from his offseason wrist surgery, and the Greek Freak is a big reason why.
Through nine appearances, he's averaging 31.8 points, 12.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3W2s2sExPY
Antetokounmpo is crucial to Milwaukee's hopes of winning a second title in three seasons. The roster is collectively strong enough to where it can manage without him for a game or two in the regular season, though.
In the aforementioned Thunder game, Bobby Portis took Antetokounmpo's place in the lineup and finished with 12 points and 21 rebounds.
As long as Giannis' knee trouble doesn't portend a more serious problem, the Bucks shouldn't be panicking.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Out for Bucks vs. Thunder Because of Knee Injury
Nov 5, 2022
Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo during the first half of Game 6 of an NBA basketball Eastern Conference semifinals playoff series Friday, May 13, 2022, in Milwaukee. The Celtics won 108-95 to tie the series at 3-3. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss Saturday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder because of left knee soreness.
Any injury to the 27-year-old, big or small, is going to be a concern in Milwaukee, and for good reason. He is a two-time MVP, six-time All-Star, the 2019-20 Defensive Player of the Year and a four-time first-team All-NBA selection.
Oh, and he led the Bucks to a title in the 2020-21 season.
Antetokounmpo has also continued to improve, averaging an impressive 29.9 points, 11.6 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.1 steals in the 2021-22 season. It was a testament to the strong seasons of Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid that he finished a distant third in the MVP voting to that pair.
While perimeter shooting remains his one weaknessāhe came into this season shooting 28.8 percent from beyond the arcāAntetokounmpo showed improvement at the free-throw line last year, bumping his average back up to 72.2 percent after dipping below 70 percent the previous two seasons.
The 2013 first-round pick did give the Bucks a scare in early September, leaving a EuroBasket game for Greece with an ankle problem. While he was seen limping after that game, national head coach Dimitris Itoudis played down the injury.
Antetokounmpo is one of the truly unique players in the NBA, and his impact for the Bucks is immense, so replacing him is impossible. On Saturday, look for Bobby Portis to take his place in the starting lineup.
Bulls' Lonzo Ball Improving After Surgery on Knee Injury, No Timetable for Recovery
Nov 4, 2022
FILE - Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball (2) dribbles up court against the Dallas Mavericks in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022. Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball will miss the remainder of the season following another setback in his recovery from surgery for a torn meniscus in his left knee, the team announced on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Tim Heitman, File)
Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan told reporters Friday that point guard Lonzo Ball, who has been out since January with a knee injury, has improved since his latest surgery.
K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago relayed the details.
Billy Donovan said everything is āvery, very optimisticā right now regarding Lonzo Ball. Has started running in water. No timeline for return.
"He feels a lot freer than he did prior to the surgery...Obviously, heās a ways away from running and cutting and doing all those things," Donovan added. "But there is optimism that this hopefully has helped him."
Ball had surgery in late September, per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium. He provided a further update at the time:
Both sides are expected to monitor the response over the next two weeks, and a return to play based upon Ball's rehab process.
Ball was diagnosed with a bone bruise and small meniscus tear in his left knee in January. He underwent surgery that month but experienced a setback in March that eventually ended his season.
In August, Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic reported that Ball's progress had been "slow" and that his return for the beginning of the season "remains in question."
Unfortunately, Ball was confirmed out for the beginning of the campaign when the Bulls announced Sept. 21 that he would undergo an arthroscopic debridement of his left knee and be reevaluated within four-to-six weeks.
Ball, who joined the Bulls on a four-year, $80 million contract during the 2021 offseason, averaged 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.8 steals in 35 games last year. Chicago went 22-13 with him in the lineup and 24-23 otherwise.
Chicago has turned to Ayo Dosunmu to start in place of Ball this year. The ex-Illinois star has averaged 12.5 points on 50.0 percent shooting for the 5-4 Bulls.
Bennedict Mathurin Talks Pacers, Haliburton, Call of Duty and More in B/R Interview
Nov 4, 2022
Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin (00) in action during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Friday, Oct. 28, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Bennedict Mathurin wants to clear something up.
While some NBA fans may have been introduced to the Indiana Pacers rookie when he was attempting to guard James Harden in the fourth quarter of a game against the Philadelphia 76ers and fell to the ground as the 10-time All-Star unleashed a move and hit a three, it wasn't the ankle-breaker it appeared to be on the broadcast.
"My welcome-to-the-NBA momentāwell it was not even really a welcome-to-the-NBA momentābut it was when me and James Harden had the little thing where he stepped on my foot and everybody thought it was an ankle-breaker," he told Bleacher Report.
Mathurin has since proved he is ready to hold his own against some of the league's best and has already faced Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets, Harden and Joel Embiid of the 76ers, Bradley Beal of the Washington Wizards, and DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls.
The No. 6 pick of the 2022 draft has quickly surpassed elevated expectations through his first eight games with averages of 20.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists.
He is shooting 42.9 percent from deep, is aggressive when seeking out his shot, attacks the basket with an explosive first step, makes plays in transition and can take advantage of the spacing on the outside when defenders collapse on Tyrese Haliburton and other Pacers.
"The biggest change I'd probably say is spacing," Mathurin said when asked about the adjustment from the college game to the NBA. "The spacing is way different. Guys are also bigger and stronger with a lot more spacing. The game is also faster."
While he was a Pac-12 Player of the Year and consensus All-American during his collegiate career at Arizona, he said the faster, more space-oriented game in the NBA "for sure" suits his style of play better.
That was fairly clear when he dropped 32 points behind six made three-pointers in a win over the Nets. The rookie already has more than 25 points in three of his eight games and has been an absolute game-changer off the bench for Indiana.
He's an early Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year candidate, but it is the behind-the-scenes work that has propelled him to this level this fast.
Mathurin said the biggest key to his success is "just being consistent. I watch a lot of film, so I know how the defense is going to play me, and I just try to take advantage of it. I'm just staying confident and knowing what to do at the right time."
Confidence was not an issue even before his career started.
The guard turned heads in June when he said LeBron James is "going to have to show me he's better than me" in comments that made waves but were more about confidence in himself rather than a knock of one of the greatest players of all time.
"I won't say it out loud because last time I did it ended up all over social media," he said with a laugh when asked who he is most looking forward to playing as his rookie season continues. "But LeBron James, Damian Lillard and Paul George."
A career of facing players like James in the NBA isn't the only new path he is taking this year.
He partnered with Call of Duty off the court and sees the game as a learning process as well.
"I love it," the Arizona product said. "I'm not a big gamer, to be honest, but I feel like I'm starting. All my friends told me this is a good place to start. I tried to play, but it was pretty hard. Everyone is good at it already. But I'm about to start a new gaming career."
Again, though, confidence is not an issue since he said he is "probably" going to win if there was a tournament featuring all the Pacers playing the new Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II game that recently launched.
While some of the Pacers may have difficulty defeating Mathurin in Call of Duty, the future is bright for the team on the court.
Indiana isn't a realistic contender this season and may end up trading big man Myles Turner, who has openly discussed the possibility of being moved to the Los Angeles Lakers. But there has been plenty of reason for optimism amid a 3-5 start.
Mathurin looks like the real deal at 20 years old, and Haliburton is a star in the making at 22 as a scorer and facilitator who can control the game and threaten for a double-double every time he steps on the floor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mhjg0kHdxwE
There are also some solid role players in place with 29-year-old Buddy Hield, 22-year-old Jalen Smith and 25-year-old Chris Duarte, plus the potential for solid draft capital as the youngsters learn to play with Haliburton as the franchise cornerstone.
"It's great," Mathurin said of playing alongside the primary ball-handler. "He likes to pass the ball, he's really unselfish and he's a really good team player. He's looking forward to winning a lot of games, just like me. I really love playing with him."
That is surely music to the ears of Pacers fans looking ahead to that bright future.
Myles Turner Rumors: Lakers Trade Target Seeking $20M Per Year on Next Contract
Nov 3, 2022
CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 26: Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers looks on during the game against the Chicago Bulls on October 26, 2022 at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
Wherever Myles Turner ends up playing at the end of this season, signing him to a long-term contract is expected to cost a team a lot of money.
Per HoopsHype's Michael Scotto, there is a belief around the NBA that Turner is seeking at least $20 million per season on his next contract.
Turner has spent his entire career with the Indiana Pacers, though his name seems to pop up in trade rumors at least once every year.
The 26-year-old is at the center of early-season trade rumblings because of previous rumors connecting him to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Shams Charania, Sam Amick and Jovan Buha of The Athletic reported last month the Pacers and Lakers had multiple talks during the offseason about a deal involving Russell Westbrook.
Multiple iterations of the trade were proposed, including some with one of Turner and Buddy Hield and others with both going to L.A. No deal was agreed upon at that time, but the teams could re-engage in talks before the Feb. 9 trade deadline.
Appearing on The Woj Pod with ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski this week, Turner even said the Lakers should "take a hard look" at making a move for him.
It seems unlikely the Pacers will keep Turner beyond this season, even if they don't trade him. They tried to add another center over the summer when they signed Deandre Ayton to a four-year, $131 million offer sheet, but he went back to the Phoenix Suns when they chose to match it.
The Pacers are still rebuilding and may look to bring in more long-term assets. Turner and Hield are the best trade chips they have on the roster right now.
Turner is known for his defensive prowess in the paint. He has averaged at least two blocks per game in each of the last four seasons, including leading the league in 2018-19 (2.7) and 2020-21 (3.4).
While not an imposing offensive player, Turner has made himself into a positive with the ball. He has averaged at least 12 points per game in each of the previous seven seasons and is a career 34.8 percent three-point shooter.
NBA Twitter Raves About Patrick Williams as Bulls Cruise Past Hornets
Nov 3, 2022
Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams dribbles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
On a night that saw both DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine struggle from the field, shooting a combined 6-of-27, the Chicago Bulls needed someone to pick up the slack.
Enter Patrick Williams.
The young Bulls forward put up his second straight strong performance after a rough start to the season, pacing the team with 16 points, five rebounds and two blocks in Wednesday's 106-88 win over the 3-5 Charlotte Hornets.
Javonte Green (17 points, eight rebounds) and Goran DragiÄ (16 points) added solid performances off the bench, spoiling a big game from Charlotte's Kelly Oubre Jr. (24 points).
But the night belonged to Williams, and NBA Twitter took notice:
Patrick Williams was lively and engaged last night, and tonight the aggression is at an extra level. Please let this be the kind of step weāve all been waiting for.
Williams looked lost out on the court in the team's first four games, averaging 5.3 points per game in those contests. But he's looked like a different player since, especially in Tuesday's 108-99 win over the Brooklyn Nets that saw him put up 12 points, seven rebounds and two blocks.
It was the sort of production that head coach Billy Donovan believes is regularly attainable for Williams.
"He has to make a decision that this is the kind of player that I want to be, that I know I can be," he told reporters after the game. "It's not like we're putting him in a box and saying, 'Hey, your job is to play defense and pass the ball to people.' He has to take advantage of his opportunities. And I thought [Tuesday] it came from within."
It appeared to come from within on Wednesday as well, on a night when the Bulls really needed their role players to step up. It's a promising sign for the 5-4 Bulls, who will be a much scarier team if Williams has found another gear.
