Anybody else feel like this about the Bulls this year? Shake my damn head is right… After the Brooklyn game on Wednesday night, at least I had a smile on my face too. Yes, the Bulls snapped the Nets 12 game winning streak at the UC on Wednesday evening. It doesn’t make any sense.
Last year, the Bulls started off red hot, lost Lonzo Ball, and others to extended injuries, finished not so great, and got knocked out in the first round. Also, they couldn’t beat any “good” teams. Their record against the top teams in the NBA was piss poor. That one felt like it was easier to understand: the Bulls just weren’t good enough. They would beat the teams they should, and lost to the teams that they couldn’t beat; their 6th ranked playoff seed was pretty much right on target. Losing to the higher seed Bucks also made sense based on how the season went.
Fast forward to this year. The Bulls still don’t have Lonzo Ball, but other than a few “knee management” days for Zach, have been relatively healthy. They started off like crap, and continue muddling around to a tune of a 17-21 record thus far. They’ve given up 150 and 133 points to 2 of the worst teams in the league in their losses; they’ve also beaten the best teams in the East, including the Celtics, Bucks, Heat, and now, the Nets… for the 2nd time. They can’t beat the Cavs though. So… what does it all mean? Well, it’s encouraging that the Bulls can “keep up” with the best teams in the league this year; winning games against them is exciting. It would be more exciting if the Bulls had shown anything close to a consistent performance from game to game. They’re under 500… we’re almost halfway through the season. At the end of the day, your record is who you are. But beating those heavyweights… you’re telling me if the Bulls get into the playoffs they could win a series???
It’s about effort I think… and mindset. The Bulls will put their best foot forward against the best teams, and thankfully, they do well. Against the other teams… the Bulls think they can just take the court and that’ll be enough, and… it’s not. This mindset, effort, is mostly seen on defense; the rebounding numbers tell a story as well. The shot selection, lazy at times, not zoned in enough, especially against poorer teams, but also when they have a lead. The Bulls are a good team, but they’re not THAT good. I’m not sure there are many teams in the NBA that are THAT good… to turn it on and off, either consciously or subconsciously, and think the result will be positive. It’s a dangerous game to play; super frustrating for us fans. Will this “game” continue, or will something finally click?
On to Philly on Friday, where if Embiid plays, it will most certainly mean a loss; we haven’t beat him yet. But hey, if he does play, and things go according to the script, then the Bulls should win then, right? Who knows. I do know we’ll be watching though. Go Bulls!
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