What did we learn from the Bulls Exit Interviews?
First and foremost, Robin Lopez has a really cute dog.
Today is exit interview day for the Chicago Bulls, which means that all the players and media are holed up in the Advocate Center all day, with each player telling us one by one that Chicago is exactly where they want to be. Info comes out in spurts throughout the day, so this post will be updated as the interviews progress. Here are some highlights so far:
Robin Lopez
LOOK AT ROBIN LOPEZ’S DOG.
LOOK AT HIM.
I have no idea how Lopez feels about how the season went, but I do know that the dog’s name is Muppet, that he’s never ever done anything wrong and that he probably shoots the ball better from 3-point range than Michael Carter-Williams.
Dwyane Wade
Wade being open to potentially coming off the bench is a new development, and something that could be good for the Bulls next season should Wade decide to pick up his player option. This is obviously contingent upon the roster having players that are good enough to start over Wade, and that’s not a given by any means. Speaking of Wade’s option…
We’ve been here longer, Dwyane. Clarity from management is not coming.
Wade was able to recruit Lebron James and Chris Bosh to come to his team in 2010, but the differences between that Heat organization and this Bulls organization could fill several books. It’s unclear how much of a plus this would really be.
This is a fair point, and Fred Hoiberg did an ok job coaching the Boston series. He definitely will be coaching the Bulls to start next season. And K.C., I hope you’ve got a charger because we’ve got a lot of interviews left to do.
#coachonthefloor #bestpracticeoftheyear #theyoungguyslovehim
Jimmy Butler
Butler has endured a whole season of giving a heck of a lot more than he’s received, so he can skip a media session if he wants to. No hard feelings.
Bobby Portis
#coachonthefloor #bestpracticeoftheyear #theyoungguyslovehim
It’s tough to determine if Bobby Portis had a good season or a disappointing one. I guess that’s what inconsistency does. Hopefully this burn on his foot doesn’t impede his offseason work too much. I would say that I’m hurt that the great NBA (summer league) team of all time won’t be reunited this summer, but I’ll save the waterworks for when Jack Cooley announces that he won’t be returning.
This would be pretty great. Portis could up his effectiveness exponentially if he could just gain a little more competence on the defensive end. He proved time after time that he was hopeless guarding centers, so he seems destined to be a tall stretch-four, but he needs practice staying with guys on the perimeter and keeping his head on a swivel.
Muppet Lopez Part 2
Muppet is still just as cute as he was this morning, in case you were curious.
Denzel Valentine
They also said he would have a significant role after the Taj Gibson trade. Tell that to his 20 playoff minutes. I’m not prepared to say whether Valentine should be in the rotation or not. I’m saying that Gar and Pax aren’t prepared to say it either.
This is all I care about #SummerBulls #ThomasAndMackMagic
Valentine was abysmal on the defensive side of the floor this season, so any improvement would be a welcome addition to his game.
lol
Paul Zipser
Paul Zipser is probably too good for Summer League, and I love it.
Zipser was absolutely one of the bright spots of this season for the Bulls. He showed on multiple occasions that he was capable of being a solid 3&D player, and Bulls fans should be excited to see what he adds to his game this summer.
The Rondo praise just keeps coming and coming, you guys.
Rajon Rondo
Oh. Well then.
It looks like we’ll have to wait for Rondo’s takes.
