Here in Chicago, like most cities that have NBA & NHL teams, we share an arena. The United Center is where both the Bulls and Blackhawks play their home games; before that, it was the Chicago Stadium. They’re neighbors. These neighbors both have the same number of championships in their franchise history; I was alive for all 6 of the Bulls NBA titles, and have seen half of the Blackhawks 6 Stanley Cups. They both have red as a primary uniform color, along with road whites… or at least that’s how it used to be; there are many different uniform variations, but the primary color of red still is true. Both teams missed the playoffs in the 2022-2023 season. These neighbors have a lot of things in common. Over the next couple weeks, this will start to change. There will be one team going in one direction, and the other going the other direction… like two ships passing in the night. After the drafts, these franchises will be pointed in completely opposite directions. Too much?
As we’re all aware, the Blackhawks hit jackpot in the NHL draft lottery. They have the #1 overall pick; Connor Bedard will soon be a Blackhawk. This much, everyone knows. Did you know that the Blackhawks had other draft picks, like, A LOT of draft picks? They have another first round pick for starters, the 19th overall. They have 4 second rounders, 2 third rounders, and a 4th, 5th, and 7th round pick. 11 total draft picks for the Blackhawks!!! Sure, the game changer is Bedard, but he won’t be able to do it alone… and he won’t have to. The Blackhawks are reloading in a big way; the NHL is being put on notice.
As we’re all aware, the Bulls shit the bed in the NBA draft lottery. Thanks to the Vooch trade, and the position of our pick in the first round, we don’t have one. Because of the Tomas Satoransky (really?) trade we lost one of our 2nd round picks. Because of tampering in the Lonzo Ball acquisition (that worked out well), we lost our other 2nd round pick. Now you have an idea of what I’m talking about. With all this being said though, it doesn’t HAVE to be this way for the Bulls; we don’t HAVE to run back the same team expecting different results. The Bulls can do something about this position they’re in; the question is, will they? I gave AKME the benefit of the doubt; seeing Denver win it all, knowing his involvement in the rise of that franchise is promising, but… so far, not so great here in Chicago. It would be different if we were building up to something, but… we’re not. We’re in danger of repeating the same season again, if something drastic isn’t done. Not always a fan of drastic, but in this case, anything, and I mean anything other than running back the same team, is a good thing.
The NBA draft actually comes first on June 22nd, with the NHL draft to follow on June 28th. We know the Blackhawks are locked and loaded, for the good; what will the Bulls do in these next few days? Will they be a participant in the 2023 NBA draft like all other teams, or like this year’s trade deadline, just a bystander? I want to see the UC bros get better together. I want these ships headed the same direction. The Blackhawks are pointed the right way; your turn Bulls…
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