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Because they haven't played a game in nine months, here are twenty (20!) of my best stories to catch you up on everything you need to know about the Chicago Bulls.
Read them. Share them. And if you haven't already, subscribe to @TheAthletic today!
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Read them. Share them. And if you haven't already, subscribe to @TheAthletic today!
A thread...
In May, Marc Eversely became the first Black general manager in Bulls history. This story tackled what his arrival means: https://theathletic.com/1918566/2020/07/13/what-it-means-for-marc-eversley-to-be-the-bulls-first-black-general-manager/
You might remember him as the man behind the ‘Wow, bro’ moment in the 2019 NBA Draft, but Coby White is now the Bulls’ starting point guard. His mission in year two: ‘Be better than I was last year’: https://theathletic.com/2071035/2020/09/16/be-better-than-i-was-last-year-coby-whites-singular-focus-entering-year-two/
Here are five impactful things new Bulls coach Billy Donovan brings to the table. You’ll like these: https://theathletic.com/2089190/2020/09/24/mayberry-5-impactful-things-billy-donovan-brings-to-the-bulls/
Lauri Markkanen was once considered a franchise player, a part of the package the Bulls acquired in trading Jimmy Butler. But he had a down third season. Now, his goal is simple: ‘Make the comeback’: https://theathletic.com/2100281/2020/09/28/i-can-make-the-comeback-lauri-markkanen-vows-to-bounce-back-from-down-season/
I loved this piece. We had four of our writers who covered Billy Donovan in Oklahoma City convene for a roundtable discussion on how we envision his fit in Chicago Check it out!: https://theathletic.com/2100955/2020/09/30/nba-roundtable-discussing-billy-donovans-fit-with-the-bulls/
If you’re thinking the Bulls are in rebuild mode, think again. GM Marc Eversley envisions a retool, not a rebuild, but certainly talent that is “Better than a 22-win team”: https://theathletic.com/2106082/2020/10/01/better-than-a-22-win-team-bulls-gm-marc-eversley-thinking-quick-turnaround/
Another one I had fun doing! Comparing each current Bulls player (with apologies to Patrick Williams, Garrett Temple and Dovon Dotson) to players from Bulls coach Billy Donovan’s past: https://theathletic.com/2170321/2020/10/30/new-names-same-game-bulls-coach-billy-donovan-has-been-here-before/
Many of you probably forgot about that heartwarming moment in Portland when Chicago native and Hall of Famer Maurice Cheeks saved that girl during the national anthem. Here’s your reminder of what the Bulls landed in their new lead assistant: https://theathletic.com/2180036/2020/11/05/what-mo-cheeks-brings-to-the-bulls-coaching-staff-beyond-xs-and-os/
Hopes are high in Chicago for fourth overall pick Patrick Williams. But no one has bigger dreams than Williams himself. Young fella is hungry!: https://theathletic.com/2207609/2020/11/18/patrick-williams-comes-to-the-bulls-with-a-versatile-skillset-and-big-dreams/
And here’s how Patrick Williams, the youngest American-born player in this year’s draft class, shot up NBA draft boards to become the fourth pick: https://theathletic.com/2210646/2020/11/20/patrick-williams-bulls-nba-draft/
OK, here’s some pub for Garrett Temple. Why the Bulls made the 11-year journeyman their lone veteran free-agent signing, and why they retained Denzel Valentine: https://theathletic.com/2213158/2020/11/21/garrett-temple-denzel-valentine-bulls/
If you don’t believe there is new energy surrounding this Bulls franchise, check out this Bulls fan survey in which management, yes management(!) received rave reviews: https://theathletic.com/2239099/2020/12/04/bulls-management-zach-lavine/
The Bulls have a brutal first-half schedule. Here’s what you should make of it: https://theathletic.com/2241133/2020/12/05/growth-or-groan-what-to-make-of-the-bulls-difficult-first-half-schedule/
Wendell Carter Jr. is one of the building blocks for this current core of Bulls players. Now in his third year and playing for a coach who is empowering him to showcase more of his versatility, is he ready to have a breakout season?: https://theathletic.com/2251604/2020/12/10/is-bulls-center-wendell-carter-jr-ready-for-a-breakout-season/
Don’t shoot the messenger, but, um, perimeter defense could be a big problem for the Bulls this season: https://theathletic.com/2249154/2020/12/09/perimeter-defense-is-the-biggest-challenge-facing-the-bulls-this-season/
Because most of you probably couldn’t care less about preseason basketball, catch up on what you missed, from Coby White’s progress to Zach LaVine’s offensive patience, in my 11 takeaways from the Bulls’ exhibition season: https://theathletic.com/2273371/2020/12/20/coby-whites-zach-lavine-bulls-preseason/
In this piece, I made 23 bold Bulls predictions, and I’m pretty sure I’ll get all 23 right!: https://theathletic.com/2275448/2020/12/21/patrick-williams-all-rookie-bulls-predictions/
What some insider takes on the Bulls? I spoke with three NBA scouts who gave their unfiltered opinions on Billy Donovan, Zach LaVine, Lauri Markkanen and more. Bulls basketball elicits some strong opinions!: https://theathletic.com/2276730/2020/12/22/nba-scouts-chicago-bulls/
Looking for a roster breakdown? You won’t find a more comprehensive analysis for the 17 players on the Bulls roster. Here’s what each does well and what they must work on: https://theathletic.com/2278279/2020/12/23/chicago-bulls-2020-21-roster-nba/
And finally, my best shot at projecting how Billy Donovan will manage minutes in a season unlike any other: https://theathletic.com/2280056/2020/12/23/bulls-rotation-projection-how-will-billy-donovan-manage-minutes/
