Chicago Bulls vs. San Antonio Spurs: Takeaways from Christmas Day Loss

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LaMarcus Aldridge beats up the Chicago Bulls quite often.

Dec 25, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) looks to pass the ball before going out of bounds as Chicago Bulls power forward Taj Gibson (22) and Jimmy Butler (21) defend during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

2. The Bulls had no answer for LaMarcus Aldridge

You’ve heard the story about the Bulls trading LaMarcus Aldridge for Tyrus Thomas on many different occasions since the 2006 draft.

Do you want to take a guess at who Aldridge scores the most points against over his career with the Spurs and the Portland Trail Blazers?

LaMarcus Aldridge has scored 32 points or more 5 times against the Bulls, more than against any other team in the league.
— Jeff Mangurten (@JeffGurt) December 26, 2016

The Bulls started Robin Lopez on Aldridge defensively and it was clear that it wasn’t the right option. Aldridge was walking into bread-and-butter jumpers inside the arc right out of the gate and finished the night with a season-high 33 points on 15-of-20 shooting from the floor.

It was a long day for Lopez.

Lopez is a -26 now. The Spurs ran pnr with whoever he was guarding (Lee, Gasol), forced him to guard in space. Can't play him in the 4th.
— Steph Noh (@StephNoh) December 26, 2016

The Spurs are built around Aldridge and Leonard and on Sunday night, they showed why the organization has such a belief in the both of them carrying them into the future.

(Plus, it helps when you can play the Bulls.)

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