State of the Rebuild, Contd.

The 10-32 Bulls lost on the road to Golden State Friday by a score of 146-110.  The heirs of Jordan were outscored in the opening quarter 43-17, for the biggest first-quarter deficit in team history.  But what did Bulls’ coach Jim Boylen focus on?  Why, the second quarter, when the Bulls bettered the Warriors 38-33.  “I think you’ve got to talk about that,” Boylen was quoted in the Tribune.  “Win the next moment.  Break it down.  Try to win two of four quarters, three of four quarters.”  Yo, Jim, how about a game?

On Saturday, the Bulls travelled to Utah for a contest against the Jazz.  Let me quote the headline from the team website:  Improved Bulls Come Up Short in 110-102 Loss to Jazz.  Chicago’s seventh straight loss puts their record at 10-33.  But is the Bulls’ front office worried.  Apparently not.  The Sun-Times reports that Coach Boylen has earned himself a raise, no doubt for that “improved” play.

 

The Bulls embarked on their rebuild with the Jimmy Butler trade after the 2016-2017 season.  Only forward Lauri Markkanen looks to have regressed from an impressive rookie season, and guard Zach LaVine has yet to show much interest in defense; only guard Kris Dunn is playing anything close to a complete game.  Then again, the Bulls could’ve kept Butler.

 

I’ve always liked the guy from his rookie season back in 2011; he was starting off in the NBA just as my daughter was starting her second year of college softball.  Butler also went to Marquette, just like my late nephew, except my nephew never took to dressing by himself away from other players the way Butler came to do in Chicago.  A hardworking rookie turned into a hardworking young veteran turned into a head case.

 

Things didn’t work out much better Minnesota.  Butler decided his teammates were soft and coach Tom Thibodeau wasn’t going to make them much tougher.  After just one season, Butler wanted out, went on a publicized tirade or two and forced a trade to Philadelphia.  Thibodeau’s inability to handle his onetime Bull cost him his job.  Oh, and Butler is reportedly unhappy in Philadelphia.

 

So, like I said, it could be worse for the Bulls and their fans.