Reinsdorf:If we're interviewing someone and they're not sold on Billy and a Hall of Fame coach and person who has won championships in college and gone deep in playoffs in OKC and, given teams he was given, achieved good results in Chicago, then they're not right candidate for us
Bulls fans arguing with each other about the merits of tanking continues to be the only entertaining thing left this season (the correct answer is tanking works if done correctly btw).
I’m not upset the Bulls lost, but I do find it hilarious that anyone could find anything positive about the organization right now. That’s like failing a test but pointing out you didn’t get a 0…
To all the freedom of speech absolutists; freedom of speech protects you from being prosecuted for a crime. It doesn’t mean there aren’t still consequences from saying whatever the hell you want. The level of ignorance and normalizing bigotry on this app is astounding
The NBA presented three comprehensive anti-tanking concepts to its Board of Governors on Wednesday, with modifications expected to each before a formal vote in May, per ESPN sources.
1. 18 teams in draft lottery (seeds 7-15 in each conference) – flattened odds, with bottom 10 teams having an 8% chance, the remaining 20% odds distributed in decreasing order for 11 through 18, and and a lottery drawing for all 18 picks.
2) 22 teams in lottery using 2-year record (seeds 7-15, plus the four playoff first round exits in both conferences). Lottery teams would reach a minimum win total floor in each season, such as 25 wins. If a team falls short of the floor, it gets slotted to meet the floor. Top 4 drawn as part of lottery, as is currently.
3) 18 teams in a "5 by 5" lottery – bottom 5 teams have equal odds for the top pick, with lottery formed for picks 1-5. Bottom 5 teams have a floor at 10; those that fall out of top 5 get sorted in a separate drawing.
It’s gotten to a point where I think the Bulls should seriously consider letting Ivey walk this offseason. Just doesn’t seem like it’s going to work out, unfortunately.
Medical Updates:
Jalen Smith, who reaggravated his right calf during Wednesday’s game, will miss the remainder of the season.
Jaden Ivey, who has been managing left knee pain, will continue rehabilitation and miss the remainder of the season.
“Prediction market” companies (aka Kalshi and Polymarket) make sports betting companies look like saints in comparison.
No self-respecting sports league should ever partner with these companies.
Idk how Billy Donovan let DeRozan take a million midrange shots, but then doesn’t allow anyone else to attempt any at all. I know it’s one of the least efficient shots, but if literally all you do is shoot 3’s or go to the rim, you become incredibly predictable.
Here's Ayo Dosunmu talking about what he's reading in pick and roll coverage and why he's taking more midrange shots in Minnesota after those were prohibited in Chicago.
"In Chicago, midrange shots was really prohibited. It was 3s and layups, no midrange shots unless it's the end of the shot clock. Here, we got Rudy, he's setting big screens. So if you can set up pick and roll, you come off Rudy, you open."
Dosunmu took 4 "long" midrange shots in 45 games in Chicago this season before being traded to Minnesota. And he's taken 12 in 15 games for the Wolves. Dosunmu has also nearly doubled the frequency in which he's taking shots from floater range.
Dosunmu took 86% of his shots in Chicago at the rim or from 3. In Minnesota, he's becoming a three-level scorer. And his eFG% has stayed almost exactly the same.
Triple doubles are a very impressive individual stat-line, but between Westbrook and now Giddey, I don’t really think triple doubles are as impactful towards winning as they seem. Not sure if that’s supported by data, but it certainly feels that way.