Bulls show why they are NBA’s worst offense in 105–87 loss
The good, the bad, and the really ugly from the humbling defeat. In better news, Benny the Bull gets inducted into Mascot Hall of Fame
As the college basketball season gets underway, the Bulls are rounding into tanking form with their second three-game losing streak of the year. In last night’s loss, Lauri Markkanen had a rough shooting night — 5 of 14 from the field — but showed some real toughness by still finishing with a double-double.
Overall, Chicago let Indiana shoot 51.2 percent from the field. And they dug themselves into an early hole by only scoring 16 points in the opening period. Here’s a quick look at highlights and low-lights from the terrible (depending on how you look at it) loss.
The Good
Benny the Bulls gets into the Hall
If anyone deserves a little respect this season, it is Benny the Bull for keeping smiling faces in seats through an otherwise rough year to be a Bulls fan. Shouts out to the hardest working mascot in the league. You can check out the full details here.
Kris Dunn is pretty good at “getting downhill” in Hoiberg’s offense
#RevengeTour Bobby Portis
Through two games Bobby Portis is averaging 20.5 points and 12 rebounds in 25 minutes per game. I think I forgive him.
Lauri Markkanen plays like a star player
Lauri Markkanen has almost overnight, become the face of the Chicago Bulls franchise. Fans are desperate for a player to root for, and he fits the mold. He averages 15.4 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, and has already had an impressive run through his first 10 games.
The big takeaway from last night’s loss was that Markkanen understands that the team has the best chance to win when he is being aggressive and hunting for his shot. Just like Kobe Bryant, when Markkanen started off with rough shooting he just kept pushing, and ended up with a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double despite the poor shooting.
Please Lauri, be more like Kobe.
The Bad
The transition defense
Hoiberg said that the defensive principles they stressed during training camp were no where to be found last night. Indiana outscored Chicago 20–6 in fast break points. The Pacers break was sparked by their +12 advantage in defensive rebounds, which allowed Indiana to brutalize a lackadaisical Bulls D.
The Bulls defense being so bad that people compare Bojan Bogdanovic to future Hall-of-Famers
This moment that personifies Chicago’s season in a nutshell
The really ugly
Whatever this was….
As you wait for tonight’s Bulls game to start, do me a favor and watch some Marvin Bagley, Duke highlights. I promise it’s worth your time. And I promise he is pretty, pretty good. The Bulls get back at it tonight on the road at 7:30 pm CST against the San Antonio Spurs.
