The Bulls still own the Cavaliers in the Hoiberg era
There’s no logical explanation for why the Bulls should have the Cleveland Cavaliers’ number under Fred Hoiberg. Of the eight meetings between the teams during Hoiberg’s first two seasons, the Bulls won seven. Tuesday’s 108–94 exhibition win in front of a nationwide TV audience won’t go down in the record books, but it’s still amazing how much they continue to dominate the series with the three-time defending Eastern Conference champions. Whatever the reason, it provides a small glimmer of hope.
Except for most of the second quarter, the Bulls had control of this game. Even when Nikola Mirotic had to leave with a sprained left ankle (he’s day-to-day), it was merely a scratch on this strong performance. Different players took the lead at different times on offense and mistakes were kept to a minimum. It also helped that many key Cavaliers had off nights (2 for 25 from the field for Dwyane Wade, Kevin Love and JR Smith combined).
If there was any remaining doubt about Justin Holiday’s value to this team, he erased it with a double-double (28 points, 11 rebounds). His scoring ability and frequency of 3-pointers dictated by this latest iteration of Hoiball could make him a sleeper for one of the best shooting guards in the East this season. And while 28 years old is a little young to step into the role of veteran leader, he’s showing exactly why the Bulls will count on him to be just that alongside Robin Lopez, who had 10 points.
Denzel Valentine might not get to start at season’s beginning, but he can still he should be the first player off the bench. He helped his case with 14 points and seven boards. He’ll get his opportunities to create while on the floor, so his goal is to make the most of them. This sophomore campaign will be critical for him and the Bulls’ future.
After a forgettable preseason debut Sunday against New Orleans, Lauri Markkanen made his proper entrance by scoring 15 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter. Twelve of his points came on four 3-pointers. Despite a timid start, his confidence picked up as if he’d played against the top basketball talent in the world before. If he can have games like that regularly and put himself in the Rookie of the Year conversation, he alone will make the Jimmy Butler trade worth it.
The story of the preseason continues to be the Bulls implementing Hoiball the way its architect envisioned it when he took the coaching job. The ball movement and hitting shots from downtown is reason enough for a basketball fan, let alone a Bulls fan, to want to tune in. Sooner or later, teams will pick up on this and take those opportunities away, so it will be up to Hoiberg and his staff to adjust in return. For the moment though, it’s fun to watch a free-flowing offense instead of the stagnant one we’ve had to watch in Chicago for too long.
The Bulls finish the preseason at the United Center on Friday against the Toronto Raptors, whom they’ll open the regular season against six days later. Expect a lot of minutes to go to players either headed out of Chicago or to the Windy City Bulls. Scouts are sure to be in attendance to look for someone who might have a future elsewhere. Besides that, we don’t need another injury incident like the ones that have befallen Mirotic and Kris Dunn, so give guys fighting for their basketball lives one more shot.
