April 25, 2021: Summing It Up

It’s unfair to judge someone by one play, a couple plays, or let’s just say one quarter. Going into the season, their first, AKME were in the business of player evaluation; what do the Bulls really have on the roster? We knew there was work to be done; some already has been done. I think after last night’s loss to the Heat, it’s clear, at least to me, what else must be done.

Let’s start with the easy one, the one with the least amount of impact, either keeping or dumping. What he did last night at the end of the game has to be one of the worst shots I’ve ever seen; he then followed it up with his “trademark” defense, letting a guy get to the rim and score, while fouling him. I’m not sure who Denzel Valentine thinks he is. Yes, I can still remember watching the championship game of the NBA Summer League some years back; Denzel hit the game winning shot! That may have been where his career with the Bulls peaked. He has nice games here and there. I think he can be a serviceable bench player, hitting some treys, dropping some nice dimes off the bench. Unfortunately, Denzel thinks he is a poor man’s Zach Lavine, or after that shot yesterday, maybe he thinks he has a little Steph Curry in him. I’ll tell you what: after that series of plays, he wouldn’t see the floor again in a Bulls uniform. Is that too harsh? OK, he definitely wouldn’t have been back on the court last night for the last minute; no way, no how. After the Bulls battled back to get within striking range, and you’re pulling up, taking a shot from the next county? Bye Denzel.

This one hurts a bit more; OK, this one hurts a lot more. Unfortunately, I think Lauri Markkanen is playing his last games with the Bulls. He had another chance… he’s had plenty of them… to make a big shot late in this game. The ball got swung his way, with the Bulls needing someone else to step up, and he missed… again. I believe that Lauri was the player that suffered the most with Boylen being the coach, so I was willing to give him a lot of time to recover this year under Billy; maybe he needs more time? I just don’t think it’s going to be here. I do think there is value with Lauri; I think he fits the mold of a player who can benefit from a new beginning, kind of like Wendell. I think he will be playing in another uniform next year, and… I’d be OK with that. I’m upset, because I really thought he was going to be good, however, I do think AKME has seen enough to make this decision. And oh yeah, Marko Simonovic, the guy AKME took in the 2nd round of the draft last year, could be ready to step into a role with the team next year. I think the writing is on the wall here.

On the flip side of things, let me tell you something; Coby White earned some big time respect last night. He’s had his struggles, there is no doubt; I had him in that category of potential trade targets at the deadline. But after last night… the play that really got me was when he chased down Jimmy Butler and fouled him, not allowing him to get an easy dunk late in the game. I know he’s had a bunch of better plays, but that one, that showed me big time heart. And then the one after that where he muscled his way to the rim; he was really trying to will the Bulls to victory in this one… even more than Vucevic in my opinion, passing the ball when he was close to the rim; I’m sorry, but I just hate that. If you have a good shot at the rim a few feet away, why pass it back to the three point line, especially when YOU are supposed to be the man. But Coby… maybe he’s not a true point guard, maybe like Zach, he needs the ball in his hands to be successful, but there is always a place for someone like him; AKME and Billy should find a role for Coby to be successful, because I think he has the talent, and now that I’ve seen the heart… I want Coby in a Bulls uniform. Bravo Coby.

Like I said, it’s not fair to sum up a guy’s future in a quarter of basketball, but I’ve seen enough in each case over the season to feel good about my final judgements, but I’m sure AKME can figure this out by themselves. Slowing turning our attention to 2022, while still getting guys to play their asses off for the remainder of 2021. It may have been a disappointing season, but we have learned a lot, which sets up a pivotal offseason, preceding an even more important season next year. Go Bulls!