Bulls '21-'22 Season Thread

[ChiCubsFan]

Caruso back tonight

 

But in 2021-2022 Bulls fashion that announcement comes with an announcement that Lavine is out. Sounds like just maintenance on the knee but strange after 2 straight off days

 

Yeah. Not great. Hopefully it’s just trying to use the spaced out schedule this week to give him a longer stretch of rest. Like MLB giving someone a day off before an off day. Also, the Cavs are beat up and on a back to back. Should be able to take care of business without him.

[bukie]

42 points allowed in the first half is the fewest since January 3rd against the Magic, which the roster was a bit healthier.

[SpongeWorthy]

the caruso effect is real

[UMFan83]

The last time the Bulls allowed under 100 points in a game before tonight: the last game Caruso played

[Old Style]

The last time the Bulls allowed under 100 points in a game before tonight: the last game Caruso played

[17 Seconds]

our offense is hideous

[squally1313]

It was a fun stretch when they looked like they might be able to achieve more than being the next regular season all star bulls team. But hey, im sure our 34 year old star will probably stay healthy next year after carrying this team for 90 games.

[ChiCubsFan]

Think about where this franchise was a year ago. Or pre-AKME. We are no longer a joke.

 

We are also in dire need of Lonzo and his 3 point volume. Ayo is nice, but the gap between him and Lonzo is immense.

[Old Style]

It was a fun stretch when they looked like they might be able to achieve more than being the next regular season all star bulls team. But hey, im sure our 34 year old star will probably stay healthy next year after carrying this team for 90 games.

I'm more concerned about Vooch next season than I am DeRozan. But hopefully we will add a full season of healthy PWill and Ball to help offset any decline from the older guys. I wonder if they re-sign Thompson. DJJ is also a FA. I like what he brings but with LaVine about to get paid we might not be able to re-sign him.

[SpongeWorthy]

why don’t we try and do any of the things defensively that bothers us on offense…no picking up full court, blitzing the pick and roll

 

also Billy’s adjustments to those tactics on offense are non existent

 

Sad!

[We Got The Whole 9]

This 2nd half has been dogshit.

[17 Seconds]

i predicted a play-in spot after the injuries to caruso and lonzo, but i didn't expect the falloff to be this sharp. what sucks if they'd likely have to play brooklyn in the first play-in game.

[UMFan83]

i predicted a play-in spot after the injuries to caruso and lonzo, but i didn't expect the falloff to be this sharp. what sucks if they'd likely have to play brooklyn in the first play-in game.

 

Honestly, all they have to do is beat Toronto next week at home and they are probably making a top 6 seed as they'd clinch the tiebreaker. Also Cleveland is only 0.5 ahead of Toronto so they would have to pass us too for us to end up there.

[Wilson A2000]

Caruso is in pain. Not good.

[UMFan83]

Caruso is in pain. Not good.

 

I tell you it is absolutely shocking the bulls might have mismanaged an injury. Unprecedented even

Edited March 17, 2022 by UMFan83

[Wilson A2000]

[squally1313]

I know very little about basketball, but it seems like we've reached the level where we're good enough that all the top teams are going to give us a full effort (yay?) and usually win, but not good enough that the bad teams just completely mail in a 30 point loss.

 

A few weeks ago it was getting Zach, Caruso, and Lonzo healthy. Now it looks like this is the Zach we're going to get, and not sure if you can much more than that about Caruso. Putting a lot on Lonzo coming back all of a sudden (as the miles pile up on Demar).

[We Got The Whole 9]

Just entirely outclassed

[UMFan83]

I know very little about basketball, but it seems like we've reached the level where we're good enough that all the top teams are going to give us a full effort (yay?) and usually win, but not good enough that the bad teams just completely mail in a 30 point loss.

 

A few weeks ago it was getting Zach, Caruso, and Lonzo healthy. Now it looks like this is the Zach we're going to get, and not sure if you can much more than that about Caruso. Putting a lot on Lonzo coming back all of a sudden (as the miles pile up on Demar).

 

There’s no guarantee that Lonzo will be back this year at this point. Sounds like his recovery is going much slower than anticipated

[Wilson A2000]

[UMFan83]

Possibly the biggest game of the year for the Bulls tonight.

 

If they win, they will effectively be 3.5 games up on the Raptors for the play in spot with 11 to play. (3 games ahead and clinch the tiebreaker due to 3-1 H2H)

 

If they lose they will be just 0.5 games ahead of the play in spot with 11 to play and the tiebreaker would be up in the air (Bulls hold a slight lead in the 2nd tiebreaker which is conference win %)

 

Bulls still have the 5th hardest remaining schedule in the league with games against Miami, Milwaukee x2, Cleveland, and Boston. They also have 5 consecutive road games after this where they are 16-19 for the season.

 

Raptors are playing on a back to back on the road and their 3rd game in 4 nights. The Bulls have had 2 days off since their last game. Patrick Williams is returning in an unknown role. It's at home. Should be several things in our favor. If we win I feel pretty confident that we'll get a top 6 seed. If we lose I don't feel good at all about it.

[ChiCubsFan]

Possibly the biggest game of the year for the Bulls tonight.

 

If they win, they will effectively be 3.5 games up on the Raptors for the play in spot with 11 to play. (3 games ahead and clinch the tiebreaker due to 3-1 H2H)

 

If they lose they will be just 0.5 games ahead of the play in spot with 11 to play and the tiebreaker would be up in the air (Bulls hold a slight lead in the 2nd tiebreaker which is conference win %)

 

Bulls still have the 5th hardest remaining schedule in the league with games against Miami, Milwaukee x2, Cleveland, and Boston. They also have 5 consecutive road games after this where they are 16-19 for the season.

 

Raptors are playing on a back to back on the road and their 3rd game in 4 nights. The Bulls have had 2 days off since their last game. Patrick Williams is returning in an unknown role. It's at home. Should be several things in our favor. If we win I feel pretty confident that we'll get a top 6 seed. If we lose I don't feel good at all about it.

 

Pretty much spot on. Get the W

[SpongeWorthy]

so how did we look

[itisallpartoftheplan]

so how did we look

 

Pulled away with a good stretch in the 3rd playing aggressive D and got points off turnovers. Toronto never really got it close after that.

 

With tonight’s win the Bulls clinched at least a play-in game at minimum.

[UMFan83]

so how did we look

 

Pulled away with a good stretch in the 3rd playing aggressive D and got points off turnovers. Toronto never really got it close after that.

 

With tonight’s win the Bulls clinched at least a play-in game at minimum.

 

Wouldn't quite say clinched but were 95% of the way there. Bulls still have the 7th hardest remaining schedule vs. 21st for Toronto and 16th for Cleveland. Next 5 are on the road where the Bulls are not nearly as good, but I'd say 2-3 on the road trip will make me feel pretty solid about finishing on the top 6. Definitely 2 or 3 very winnable games on the trip (which is @ Milwaukee, @ New Orleans, @ Cleveland, @ New York, @ Washington)

 

After that 5 of the remaining 6 are at home, albeit against very strong opponents but If we're still 2-3 games up at that point I'll exhale lol