All eyes on Arturas Karnisovas and five other keys for the Bulls season
Arturas Karnisovas is about to venture out on the toughest challenge facing him as Bulls lead-dog executive.Firing Jim Boylen, overturning the roster for the start of the 2021-22 season … child’s play considering what’s on Karnisovas’ plate for the 2024-25 campaign.If he does this right, Karnisovas will be looking to showcase movable talent, while still developing his wave of younger players, and doing so at a clip that keeps the Bulls in the top 10 of the draft lottery. Three difficult hoops to jump through at the same time and he can’t miss on any of them.Of course he’s going to say the right things like he did on media day when asked about the season’s plan.“I think the ultimate goal is to win, right?” Karnisovas said, when discussing the outlook. “Because the development is not learning how to dribble the ball, shoot, all this stuff. Part of it is adversity, and also to teach those guys what goes into winning.”Considering the league came down on the Bulls organization with the Lonzo Ball sign-and-trade a few years back and punished them for what was deemed tampering, a word salad from Karnisovas to keep eyes off of him.Those on the inside, however, understand what he’s trying to pull off. Now it comes down to can he actually do it? That’s the main storyline for this team. Not the only one, but the most important. Here are the others: 1. Zach attackZach LaVine has shown signs of looking more like the two-time All-Star than the guy who seemed disgruntled with his situation and his head coach in Billy Donovan, and that’s a great sign.Moving the three years, $138 million left on his contract will be difficult enough for the franchise, let alone moving a guy who is pouty. If LaVine can flash in November and December, it would take only one desperate team to take him off the Bulls’ hands.Better yet, Nikola Vucevic and Ball also showing they can be valuable assets puts Karnisovas in even better position to make sure he keeps his top 10 protected draft pick away from San Antonio once the 2025 draft is underway. 2. The Rook The Bulls haven’t had a young player with as much attitude and fearlessness since Bobby Portis was punching first and asking questions later.Matas Buzelis is showing all the signs of being a legit top five talent that slid to the Bulls at No. 11 last June. Now, it’s about making sure he develops the right way and joins the young talented wave of Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu and Josh Giddey. 3. Ball game The entire league is pulling for Ball as he returns from what was basically a full left knee transplant. It’s not only a great story but also a chance for Ball to get his career back on track, last playing a regular-season NBA game on Jan. 14, 2022.Because Ball and the medical staff are venturing into unknown territory there will be some speed bumps, but the hope is there are no cliffs.4. White out White feels like he is on the cusp of being an All-Star player, especially on the offensive end. The next big leap he needs to take, however, is on the other side of the floor, making vast improvements in his defensive game.He has the size and want-to, but until he shows that two-way dog mentality, he will continue to reside on the outside looking in.5. Billy ballBulls coach Billy Donovan is still listed on the betting sites as having the best odds to be first coach fired, but Las Vegas is obviously ignoring the facts.Donovan is well liked by his bosses and ownership.The best thing he can do to calm the oddsmakers is pull off this change in philosophy to be more up tempo and shoot more threes. The Bulls are going to struggle on defense and likely won’t win more than 30-plus games, but that’s not what this season is about for Donovan. Latest on the Bulls Bulls Lonzo finally back on the ball for Bulls Ball’s return to the court marks a fresh start for him, the Bulls and the fans, who hopefully will give him the grace they should. By Scoop Jackson [month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone] Blackhawks Chicago Sports Network president says he's ready to make a deal with Comcast, but it is refusing Jason Coyle, president of the new TV network for the Blackhawks, Bull
Arturas Karnisovas is about to venture out on the toughest challenge facing him as Bulls lead-dog executive.
Firing Jim Boylen, overturning the roster for the start of the 2021-22 season … child’s play considering what’s on Karnisovas’ plate for the 2024-25 campaign.
If he does this right, Karnisovas will be looking to showcase movable talent, while still developing his wave of younger players, and doing so at a clip that keeps the Bulls in the top 10 of the draft lottery. Three difficult hoops to jump through at the same time and he can’t miss on any of them.
Of course he’s going to say the right things like he did on media day when asked about the season’s plan.
“I think the ultimate goal is to win, right?” Karnisovas said, when discussing the outlook. “Because the development is not learning how to dribble the ball, shoot, all this stuff. Part of it is adversity, and also to teach those guys what goes into winning.”
Considering the league came down on the Bulls organization with the Lonzo Ball sign-and-trade a few years back and punished them for what was deemed tampering, a word salad from Karnisovas to keep eyes off of him.
Those on the inside, however, understand what he’s trying to pull off. Now it comes down to can he actually do it? That’s the main storyline for this team. Not the only one, but the most important.
Here are the others:
1. Zach attack
Zach LaVine has shown signs of looking more like the two-time All-Star than the guy who seemed disgruntled with his situation and his head coach in Billy Donovan, and that’s a great sign.
Moving the three years, $138 million left on his contract will be difficult enough for the franchise, let alone moving a guy who is pouty. If LaVine can flash in November and December, it would take only one desperate team to take him off the Bulls’ hands.
Better yet, Nikola Vucevic and Ball also showing they can be valuable assets puts Karnisovas in even better position to make sure he keeps his top 10 protected draft pick away from San Antonio once the 2025 draft is underway.
2. The Rook
The Bulls haven’t had a young player with as much attitude and fearlessness since Bobby Portis was punching first and asking questions later.
Matas Buzelis is showing all the signs of being a legit top five talent that slid to the Bulls at No. 11 last June. Now, it’s about making sure he develops the right way and joins the young talented wave of Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu and Josh Giddey.
3. Ball game
The entire league is pulling for Ball as he returns from what was basically a full left knee transplant. It’s not only a great story but also a chance for Ball to get his career back on track, last playing a regular-season NBA game on Jan. 14, 2022.
Because Ball and the medical staff are venturing into unknown territory there will be some speed bumps, but the hope is there are no cliffs.
4. White out
White feels like he is on the cusp of being an All-Star player, especially on the offensive end. The next big leap he needs to take, however, is on the other side of the floor, making vast improvements in his defensive game.
He has the size and want-to, but until he shows that two-way dog mentality, he will continue to reside on the outside looking in.
5. Billy ball
Bulls coach Billy Donovan is still listed on the betting sites as having the best odds to be first coach fired, but Las Vegas is obviously ignoring the facts.
Donovan is well liked by his bosses and ownership.
The best thing he can do to calm the oddsmakers is pull off this change in philosophy to be more up tempo and shoot more threes. The Bulls are going to struggle on defense and likely won’t win more than 30-plus games, but that’s not what this season is about for Donovan.
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