Bulls Podcast #47
It’s the Bulls Podcast #47 hosted by Marcus Couch and Wyse Black. We’ve got full Bulls vs Grizzlies Reaction, Our State of the #Bulls, The Rumor Mill and Game predictions for the coming week.
Welcome to the Bulls Podcast, coming to you from BullsPodcast.com. This is where we bring you the latest news, reviews, rants, rumors and opinions on the players, coaches and front office of the Chicago Bulls.
* We’ve got several topics for this episode. Including:
* Bulls vs Grizzlies Rundown
* State of the Bulls: Gar on the outs?
* Game predictions for the coming week
We’ll be right back after this quick time-out.
Bulls vs Memphis Grizzlies Post-Game
The Bulls took on the short-handed (Without Ja Morant) Memphis Grizzles tonight, leading the game wire to wire and winning with a final score of 106-99
The Bulls finally got their first back to back win, but at the expense of Memphis, a game worse than the Bulls coming into tonight’s action.
Zach Lavine led all scorers with 25 and 6 rebounds in 33 minutes
Wendell Carter Jr continues to be the double double machine with 16 points and 13 rebounds
Lauri Chipped in with 15 points going 4-8 from 3 and 5-9 overall. Kris Dunn, and Tomas Satoransky both scored in double figures for the Bulls. Notable is Coby White going 1-8 and ending with just 3 points. He is fun to watch, but we’re seeing just how hot and cold Coby is with his streaks. He’s either on or off. Not much in-between.
State of The Bulls:
Chicago Bulls head coach Jim Boylen’s message to Bulls fans:
“We have a young, competitive team that is working and learning. I understand your frustration with not winning more. But this is a team that is improving and trying and caring.”
Rumor Mill:
* Lauri on the trade block all over social media
* Jerry Cleans House: Gar OUT?
* Doug Collins as Interim Coach at the same time?
* Kris Dunn Getting the Last Laugh – Next Pat Bev Payday?
Let’s predict our next few games for the coming week
FRIDAY DEC 06 7:00PM CT
vs. Golden State United Center
WYSE: W
MARCUS: W
SUNDAY DEC 08 5:00PM CT
@ Miami American Airlines Arena
WYSE: L
MARCUS: L
MONDAY DEC 09 7:00PM CT
vs. Toronto United Center
WYSE: L
MARCUS: L
WEDNESDAY DEC 11 7:00PM CT
vs. Atlanta United Center
WYSE: W
MARCUS: W
CLOSING:
Wyse Social Links:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/radical_creator
Instagram: http://instagram.com/radical_creator
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6vBYCVNxRnzuxvdQVkWfgg
Marcus Social Links
Twitter: http://twitter.com/marcuscouch
Instagram: http://instagram.com/marcuscouch
Everything show related you can find @bullspodcast. Please make sure you are connected with us everywhere we are.
If you can’t remember any of these, you can check out our show notes for this show over at our website, which is BullsPodcast.com where we have all the links we mentioned in today’s show.
Until next time, Thank you for listening everyone, Go Bulls!
Bulls Podcast #46
It’s the Bulls Podcast #46 hosted by Marcus Couch and Wyse Black. We’re covering Zach Lavine’s career-high “answer” to the doubters (and coaches). Is the new Duo now Zack and Coby? Our State of the Bulls and Game predictions for the coming week.
Welcome to the Bulls Podcast, coming to you from BullsPodcast.com. This is where we bring you the latest news, reviews, rants, rumors and opinions on the players, coaches and front office of the Chicago Bulls.
And joining us once again is sports blogger, podcaster and admin to one of the best Bulls FB groups there is, it’s Kenyatta Wright!
We’ve got several topics for this episode. Including:
What a difference 24 hours makes
State of the Bulls: Are we too hard on the team?
Game predictions for the coming week
Bulls win the game of the year
What an incredible 24 hours in Chicago Bulls team history.
Let’s break this all down for you.
Friday night, the Bulls were flat out punched in the face by Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat. The 116-108 score was nowhere near the reality of the game. The Bulls never had a chance against the Heat.
The Bulls played absolutely awful, already down 34-16 in the first quarter. Including a scoreless streak of nearly 10 minutes to start the game.
Zach Lavine was visibly frustrated after the game. His initial comment was “We’re all out of rhythm and we’re trying to find it. We’re obviously trying to win. I think we’re a really good team. We have some things we have to continue to get better at. We’re just not there yet.”
Jim Boylen chopped his players off at the knees, pulling Zach Lavine out early in the 4th. When asked about it in his post-game press conference, Boylen stated “I just pulled him. Not combative. Guys know. Zach LaVine and Lauri Markkanen and our starters got to play better for us to become what we can become. That’s how it works,” Boylen told reporters. “I want him to be a two-way player. That’s what I want him to be.”
LaVine said he thought he was used as a scapegoat for the Bulls’ struggles.
After a reporter told Lavine what Boylen said, he replied “I guess I was to blame for it. I’ve gotten pulled early before by him. I guess that’s just his thing to do,” LaVine said. “I have to take it in stride. I’m not the coach. What did he say I got pulled for?”
Zach LaVine says he senses a lack of trust from coach Jim Boylen after the guard was temporarily pulled in the first quarter of Friday’s loss to the Miami Heat.
“I’m trying my best, I’ll say that,” LaVine told Yahoo Sports “I’m playing my minutes and trying to do the best I can do. It’s tough, especially when you’re in a rut. If he doesn’t trust me, it’s hard to trust someone who doesn’t trust you.”
The Next Game – Bulls vs Charlotte
One night after questioning his relationship with coach Jim Boylen, the Chicago Bulls’ Zach LaVine came through with a big game.
LaVine had a career-high 49 points, including the winning 3-pointer with 0.8 seconds left to give the Bulls a 116-115 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday night. It was undoubtedly the game of the year. I watched nearly every NBA game from every single team this season. There’s been nothing like this so far this year, and there’s not been a last-minute comeback finish like this for the Bulls in years.
After the game, Zach Lavine was all smiles. We talk about revenge games a lot, but it’s usually revenge against a team you previously played for. This was something completely new. A revenge game against your own coach and what he said not even 24 hours earlier.
Coby White’s 12 made field goals in the game were the most by a Bulls rookie in a single game since Derrick Rose did it in 2009. At one point in the game, Lavine turned to Coby and said: “It’s you and me..”. This may be the start of the desperately needed DUO that we’ve been begging fo…
Bulls Podcast #45
It’s the Bulls Podcast #45 hosted by Marcus Couch and Wyse Black. We’re covering Coby White Craziness, Are we contenders yet? The Bulls are still a horrible team. Bulls Player Injuries begin to mount, what will be the effect? Plus our Predictions for the upcoming week.
Welcome to the Bulls Podcast, coming to you from BullsPodcast.com. This is where we bring you the latest news, reviews, rants, rumors and opinions on the players, coaches and front office of the Chicago Bulls.
We’ve got several topics for this episode. Including:
Coby White’s Record-Setting Crazy Night
Bulls Player Injuries begin to mount, what will be the effect?
Are we contenders yet? The Bulls are still a horrible team.
Game predictions for the coming week
In celebration of Bulls Podcast Episode #45, we celebrate the number #45 throughout Bulls History:
Scott Lloyd 1979, Ed Nealy 1989-1993
* Michael Jordan 1995
Paul Shirley 2004, Luke Schenscher 2006, Rasual Butler 2011,
* Denzel Valentine 2017-2020 (In the League on Layaway)
Before I forget I also want to say hello to the newest listener to the Bulls Podcast, Kristin Ledlow who does reporting for TNT and is an outstanding student of the game. She just started up a new podcast with Candace Parker called Ledlow & Parker that you should definitely check out to get a really fun take on a lot of the inside NBA talk. They are both great and it’s a really fun show to listen to.
COBY! COBY! COBY!
What an incredible night we all got to witness on Tuesday 11/12 when Coby White set and NBA Rookie and Chicago Bulls record by hitting 7 3’s in the 4th quarter to seal the win, and seal Coby’s legend in Chicago history. It was one of the most exciting individual performances we’ve seen in the last few years as Bulls fans. Something truly worth getting excited about.
With Coby’s College Coach, Roy Williams in attendance, Coby once again re-ignited his Sub-Zero attitude, shooting a cold-hearted 7 for 11 from three and ending the night with 27 points.
One of the highlights was seeing Ryan Arcidiacono turn around to raise his hands in the air before the ball even made it halfway to the hoop. He knew it was going in the whole time. When asked about it, Arch said, “
Jim Boylen on Coby White’s historic 4th Quarter: “We honored what he was doing – we kept feeding him, we kept getting him, kept finding him. And I thought that group did a hell of a job. Obviously, he was terrific, and we helped him be that way, which is what I think good teams do.”
After the game, Wendell Carter Jr was once again vocal about being a leader within the team. It appears as if WCJ is emerging as the true alpha of this team now..
Wendell Carter Jr. said, “We see exactly what we’re capable of doing. So now, that’s my expectation — nothing lower than that. Whenever that doesn’t happen, I’ve found my voice on this team where I can talk to each individual player in a manner where they will understand.”
WCJ also says he would like to find something to juice the #Bulls up every game if he can. That was part of his motivation in vowing that Bobby Portis wouldn’t go off on the Bulls again.
Injuries are taking their toll early in the season
The injuries seem to be mounting up. Zach turned an ankle and is probable for the Bucks game on Thursday. Otto Porter Jr is still out of action with his foot injury and listed as day-to-day, though is already ruled out of action in the Milwaukee game. Cristiano Felicio is suffering the worst injury of all with a broken right wrist.
Bulls Podcast #44
It’s the Bulls Podcast #44 hosted by Marcus Couch and Wyse Black. We’re covering the Bulls wild week, Goodbye to PA Legend Tommy Edwards, Why Boylen Can’t Coach, Valentine and Gafford to the G-League with Bol Bol and Predictions for the upcoming week.
Welcome to the Bulls Podcast, coming to you from BullsPodcast.com. This is where we bring you the latest news, reviews, rants, rumors and opinions on the players, coaches and front office of the Chicago Bulls.
We’ve got several topics for this episode. Including:
Bulls Say Goodbye to Tommy Edwards
Does Coach Boylen Care?
Valentine and Gafford Head to the G League to join Bol Bol.
Game predictions for the coming week
In celebration of Bulls Podcast Episode #44, we celebrate the number #44 throughout Bulls History
Paul Ruffner 1971, Tom Kropp 1977, Andre Wakefield 1979, Quintin Dailey 1983-1986, Corie Blount 1994-1995, Mario Bennett 1999, Dalibor Bagarić 2001-2002, Trenton Hassell 2003, Adrian Griffin 2005-2008, Brandon Sampson 2019 and the most prominent in our hearts and minds is #44, Nikola Mirotic. He was the three point sensation that never was. We heralded his arrival in Chicago as the second coming of Ray Allen. Unfortunately he played with the court vision of Ray Charles instead.
Niko is out of the NBA now, making headlines this past offseason season by turning down over 30 Million to instead return to Europe and be done with the league forever.
Tommy Edwards Steps Down as Bulls PA Announcer and calls it a Career
A number of generations of fans have had the opportunity to hear his voice during games at the Chicago Stadium and the United Center. But after three different stints with the team, Tommy Edwards has decided to step away from the mic.
The public address announcer said on Thursday that this coming Saturday’s Bulls game against the Rockets will be his final at the United Center, deciding to retire after 25 years of work for the team.
“My time with the Bulls has been a dream come true, and I feel so fortunate to have spent a total of 25 seasons with this iconic franchise,” said Edwards in a statement released by the team. “I want to extend my sincere thanks to Jerry and Michael Reinsdorf, the entire Bulls organization and the world’s greatest fans for their unwavering support. I will forever be a Bulls fan.”
Edwards was behind the mic for games at Chicago Stadium from 1976-1981 and then again from 1983-1990. Sixteen years later, Edwards returned to the team to be the PA for games at the United Center and continuing in that role for 13 years.
In total, Edwards was behind the mic for over 1,000 games.
Now secretly, and not so secretly if you follow me on social, I want RAY CLAY to resume his former role as the Bulls PA Announcer. For those of you new to the show that don’t know who Ray Clay is, Let me refresh Your Memory..
Beyond being the voice of the Bulls throughout the Jordan Championship years, he’s also the guy you hear at the beginning and end of The Bulls Podcast. He was gracious enough to do that intro for us and we are keeping it forever. So if you’re on social, Tweet, IG, whatever.. Tell the Bull that you want Ray Clay to come back. We need that energy again. Energize the fans and the fans energize the players. It’s all full circle.
State of The Bulls: Coach Boylen Doesn’t Care
When we started the year. Things were looking really great for the team. It seemed like we had all of the pieces to do a substantial run into the playoffs this year. That was the goal that Gar/Pax, Coach Jim Boylen and the rest of the team repeated over and over. “Our Goal is to make the playoffs this year and we think we can do it..”
Well, things haven’t worked out so far this year. The excuse that Boylen doesn’t have all of his players healthy at the same time, is not the case this year.
Bulls Podcast #43
It’s the Chicago Bulls Podcast 43 hosted by Marcus Couch and Wyse Black. We’re covering the Bulls loss to the Cavs, Way Too Early ROY Odds and predictions for the upcoming week.
Welcome to the Bulls Podcast, coming to you from BullsPodcast.com. This is where we bring you the latest news, reviews, rants, rumors and opinions on the players, coaches and front office of the Chicago Bulls.
We’ve got several topics for this episode. Including:
Bulls vs Cavs Recap
Way too early Rookie of The Year Odds
Game predictions for the coming week
In celebration of Bulls Podcast Episode #43, we celebrate another #43.. Corie Blount, who wore #43. As a Bull he played 4 seasons total, playing in 231games total.
June 30, 1993: Drafted by the Chicago Bulls in the 1st round (25th pick) of the1993 NBA Draft.
June 30, 1995: Sold by the Chicago Bulls to the Los Angeles Lakers.
July 31, 2002: Signed as a free agent with the Chicago Bulls.
March 2, 2004: Waived by the Chicago Bulls.
Initially drafted for his athleticism, Blount developed a reliable midrange jumpshot over the course of his career, and he retired in 2004 with 2,287 career points and 2,690 career rebounds. He also appeared as himself in the 1996 film Eddie.
Bulls vs Cavs Recap
The Bulls played the Cleveland Cavs tonight. The Bulls XXX the game by the score of 117 to 111. It seemed to be the Tristan Thompson vs Otto Porter show for the first half. The Bulls maintained a steady 8-10 point lead and let the Cavs get back right before halftime.
The 3rd quarter featured a lot more back and forth, with the Bulls and Cavs trading leads on several series and exchanges.
In the 4th, Tristan Thompson took over for the Bulls/Cavs and sealed the game down the final 2-minute stretch, closing out the game with 23 points 10 rebounds, 5 blocks.
Kevin Love had 17 points, 20 rebounds and 6 assists for the Cavs.
For the Bulls it seems like we’re calling the storage armory and getting out the TANK.. ALREADY.
Lauri Markkanen had 16 points and 8 rebounds
Otto Porter Jr had 15 points 5 rebounds and 3 assists and for a long stretch seemed like he was the only Bull really trying hard out there.
Thad Young played well in the first 3 quarters but became a liability down the stretch.
What is Luke Kornet doing Granted he had 9 points on 4-6 shooting, but just 2 rebounds for a 7 foot 1 guy?
Coby White had only 8 points in 20 minutes on the floor. Shooting just 3 for 12 and only 1 assists.
Team Performance
The Bulls are -57 rebounding through 5 games, the second-worst rebounding margin through 5 games in the last 7 NBA seasons
Tomas Satoransky and Kris Dunn are a combined 16-of-51 overall and 2-of-16 from 3 to start the season.
Lauri seems to be less and less of a driving playmaker in the games this season.
Zach said he was mad that they were pissing away games and that they should have a flipped record of 3-1 (yesterday) right now.. And he goes out and basically shits the bed in Cleveland on 6-14 shooting, no rebounds and 2 assists.
Way too early Rookie of The Year Odds
There is an updated odds card already making the rounds for Rookie of the Year candidates, or at least according to who Las Vegas thinks it will be.
Coby White is actually 4th on the list of favorites, with Zion right above him at #3 with Ja Morant the #2 favorite to take rookie of the year. The top pick of the bookies for ROY this year is NY Knick Duke standout RJ Barrett.
So Right now with White at #4 with +700, I would be able to go to Vegas and lay down $100. If Coby wins it, I win $700. Vegas must have hacked into the Pelican’s front office or at least Zion’s doctor. If we were to lay down $100 on Zion, we would take home $400 if he won it. NO ONE would have guessed this a month ago. We were talking about the next LeBron.
Bulls Podcast #42
It’s the Bulls Podcast #42 with Marcus Couch and Wyse Black. We’re talking Bulls vs Hornets post-game from the 126-125 loss. A look ahead to the first week of the season and Kenyatta Wright drops in and expresses his disappointment with the first Bulls effort. You don’t want to miss this one!
Welcome to the Bulls Podcast, coming to you from BullsPodcast.com. This is where we bring you the latest news, reviews, rants, rumors and opinions on the players, coaches and front office of the Chicago Bulls.
We’ve got several topics for this episode. Including:
* Bulls vs Hornets Recap
* Game predictions for the coming week
OK, opening night on the road didn’t go as well as we thought, but the Bulls played a good game overall against the Charlotte Hornets, but lost in the closing minute with a score of 126-125.
Lauri Markkanen had a monster game with 35 points and 17 rebounds. Zach Lavine had 16 points and 5 turnovers and Coby White and Thad Young each poured in 17 points off the bench.
But ultimately it was such a tight game, there was really no room left for error down the stretch, and the Bulls just ran out of time. Zach probably should have taken a three, Dunn should have reacted differently on the sequence before that, but all in all it was a good game down to the wire.
Some thoughts from the team after the game:
“I thought we battled back. Down 16 in the second quarter. We had a good talk at halftime and got ourselves back in the game. I’m really proud of the fact we battled, but we have to do a better job of executing down the stretch.” – Coach Boylen
“A lot of good moments, some bad. Just have to learn from it and build. I feel like I played hard, but I could have hit more shots. Would have love to come out with the win.” – Coby White
“They made a lot of shots, but we didn’t execute on defense and offense like we wanted to. Transition defense hurt us. We didn’t communicate the way we wanted to. They got comfortable and made the shots.” – Lauri Markkanen
OK we’ve got a number of games coming up out of the gate and they are going to be a big test for our young Chicago Bulls. Wins early on in the season come a lot easier than those late in the season, injury ridden, tired player games that seem to slip away from us in recent years. Let’s build some W’s early on and ride the momentum..
So here’s what we have coming up..
On Friday the 25th the Bulls travel to Memphis to take on the Grizzlies.
This game features the attack of the J’s Ja Morant, Jae Crowder, Jaren Jackson Jr the Memphis Grizzlies.
Predictions:
Wyse: W
Kdub: W
Marcus: W
It’s a Back-To-back, as the very next day the Bulls will take on the NBA champs, the Toronto Raptors for the United Center home opener.
Predictions:
Wyse: L
Kdub: L
Marcus: W
Then on Monday you have the Bulls taking on Bobby Portis, Taj Gibson, Kevin Knox, RJ Barrett and the NY Knicks
Predictions:
Wyse: W
Kdub: W
Marcus: W
We’re still trying to work out our schedules for Wyse and I to record on a regular basis. We’re going to finalize that within a week or so.
Next week we’re going to try and get Kay-Dub, Kenyatta Wright on the pod and see what his take is on the 2019-2020 Bulls.
Wyse and I are going to be guests on The Bully Pulpit pretty soon, and also on Bawl! On Bulls with Big Dave and C-Dub. I am REALLY looking forward to that and I might revive the game show over there..
Wyse Social Links:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/radical_creator
Instagram: http://instagram.com/radical_creator
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6vBYCVNxRnzuxvdQVkWfgg
Marcus Social Links
Bulls Podcast #41
It’s the Bulls Podcast #41 with Marcus Couch and Wyse Black. We’re covering the first 2 preseason games and a look ahead to the Pacers, Raptors and Hawks.
Welcome to the Bulls Podcast, coming to you from BullsPodcast.com. This is where we bring you the latest news, reviews, rants, rumors and opinions on the players, coaches and front office of the Chicago Bulls.
We’ve got several topics for this episode. Including:
Our Take on the Bulls Off-Season
Impressions of the Bulls First Two Pre-Season Games
Things to watch for in upcoming games
Our take on the Bulls off season
Bulls Trained together all of September
Felicio Got new glasses and gained 20 lbs to 285!
Boylen hung out with all of the players (Bahamas with Zach, Finland with Lauri, DC with Otto)
Impressions of the Bulls First Two Pre-Season Games
Milwaukee Bulls lost 121-112
Yannis is even more of a beast
Robin Lopez still loves the Bulls, hates his brother
New Orleans – Bulls Lost 127-125
Wyse Impression of the game in person
Scoreboard
Entertainment
Pre-Game
Food
Game Highlights
Zion
Luke Kornet
Coby White show
Thad Young is awesome
Sato is really good
Why can’t we hold the lead?
Things to watch for in upcoming games
Upcoming Games:
Friday Oct 11th – Bulls at Pacers
(Thad Young homecoming game)
Sunday Oct 13th – Bulls at Raptors
(Let’s see if they still got it without Kawai Leonard)
Thurs Oct 17th – Bulls at Atlanta
(Jabari Parker revenge game. Vince Carter, Trae Young, Cam Reddish and De’Andre Hunter)
Wyse Social Links:
* Twitter: http://twitter.com/radical_creator
* Instagram: http://instagram.com/radical_creator
* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6vBYCVNxRnzuxvdQVkWfgg
Marcus Social Links
* Twitter: http://twitter.com/marcuscouch
* Instagram: http://instagram.com/marcuscouch
Everything show related you can find @bullspodcast. Please make sure you are connected with us everywhere we are.
If you can’t remember any of these, you can check out our show notes for this show over at our website, which is BullsPodcast.com where we have all the links we mentioned in today’s show.
Until next time, Thank you for listening everyone, Go Bulls!
Bulls Podcast #40
It’s the Chicago Bulls Podcast 40 hosted by Marcus Couch and Wyse Black. We’re talking about the future of White and Gafford, Off-Season Training Wish Lists, and a Spin Around the NBA Rumor Mill.
Welcome to the Bulls Podcast, coming to you from BullsPodcast.com. This is where we bring you the latest news, reviews, rants, rumors and opinions on the players, coaches and front office of the Chicago Bulls.
We’ve got several topics for this episode. Including:
White and Gafford Predictions for the Season
Our Wish List for Player Off Season Training
Another spin around The NBA Rumor Mill
We’ll be right back after this quick time-out.
Bulls Summer League
White was a mixed bag in Las Vegas, showing the ability to push the pace, get to the rim with a lightning-quick first step and knock down some mid-range jumpers. But he was also careless with the ball, made just 3 of 30 3-point attempts (and two of those makes came in a 20-second span) and didn’t shoot above 44% in any of the five games he appeared in. He’s still quite raw running the point, so the inefficiency was expected. The flashes he showed at times told much more of the story.
In comparison, let’s frame those stats with a common reference point to Bulls fans. Cam Payne.
Coby White Summer League Stats: 15.0 points, 4.8 assists, 33.7% FG, 10.0% 3FG, 3.8 turnovers, 30.8 minutes
Comparison: Cameron Payne, 2015, Thunder: 18.8 points, 4.0 assists, 43.6% FG, 28.6% 3FG, 2.5 turnovers, 30.0 minutes
Don’t let this fool you though, as a lot of our guys didn’t do well in Summer League:
Summer League rookie stats:
Marquis Teague: 10.6 points, 29.4% FG
Derrick Rose: 9.5 points, 29.4% FG
Tyrus Thomas: 16.2 points, 44.4% FG
Lauri Markkanen: 14.0 points, 29.3% FG
Erik Murphy: 11.6 points, 54.8%
Cam Bairstow: 10.2 points, 53.1% FG
Joakim Noah: 6.4 points, 47.4% FG
A couple of days before the 2019 NBA draft, Donovan Mitchell talked to USA Today Sports about Coby White being a sleeper in the draft. Mitchell on White: “He’s a dog. He’s good, really good.” Let’s see if that recognition holds true.
Wyse, what do you think Coby White is going to have to do RIGHT NOW in the offseason to improve the holes that we saw in him during those Summer League games?
Gafford
The Chicago Bulls filled a much-needed role when they drafted Arkansas big man Daniel Gafford with the 38th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Frontcourt depth was an issue for Chi-Town last season, and it wasn’t going to improve for future seasons unless the Bulls made some smart decisions. Drafting Gafford was brilliant, but there were still some questions as to how NBA-ready he was coming out of college.
In the 2019 NBA Summer League, Gafford was amazing. He showed he’s ready to be the Bulls’ backup center immediately. Wendell Carter Jr. still projects as a far better player than Gafford, so it’s not like the Bulls found a starter in the second round. But Gafford showed he’s ready to provide at least 20 meaningful minutes per night, which says a lot about his NBA-readiness.
One of the most desired types of big men in today’s NBA is a rim-running, shot-blocking athlete (see Clint Capela, Jarrett Allen and Willie Cauley-Stein). Gafford fits that mold. He rolls to the basket hard after setting screens and he protects the rim ferociously. He also crashes the offensive boards with tenacity – something that the fans are going to love once the season starts.
Gafford was clearly one of the best big men in Las Vegas this summer. But there are still parts of his game he needs to improve. For example, sometimes when he catches the ball near the bucket, it takes him too long to get his shot off, allowing him to get blocked at the rim. This is something he’ll learn with time, so I’m not worried. But it’s important to note that he wasn’t perfect this summer.