4. There are no Bulls in the Rising Stars Challenge. Thoughts?
Berry: I really can’t say I’m surprised in the slightest there are no Bulls in the Rising Stars Challenge. Jerian Grant, Denzel Valentine and Bobby Portis have no business taking anybody’s spot on the USA roster. Grant hasn’t impressed in his consistent playing time, Portis and Valentine often find themselves glued to the bench. While I love Paul Zipser and think he’s played well in his increased role, his per game averages aren’t particularly impressive. He or Cristiano Felicio had the best chance of any Bull of getting into the challenge, as the World Team roster is a tad weak. The homer in me says Felicio deserves the nod over Willy Hernangomez. Hernangomez has produced well for the Knicks since getting more minutes (sounds similar to somebody!) and is a good pick, but give the people some of that Cristiano baby face!
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Kuffel: That was a very astute decision by the selection committee. Of course I’m going to ride hard for our son Cristiano Felicio, but I get that he’s not the flashiest name out there. Past him, it would be weird if anyone labeled another young player on the Bulls as a “Rising Star.” It just wouldn’t feel right. Now, if there was a “Destined to sign with the Nets for the minimum in 3 years” game this weekend, my answer would change in a hurry.
Whitlow: It’s not a good look for the “younger and more athletic” Bulls at all. Nikola Mirotic and Doug McDermott were supposed to take positive steps this season and it’s been the complete opposite of that for the both of them. Bobby Portis hasn’t been great in limited action and Jerian Grant played sporadically at times with the weird guard rotation from Fred Hoiberg until lately. Cristiano Felicio has been a bright spot in a weird season. It’s a bit surprising his name wasn’t thrown around more for the game, but it’s not shocking the Bulls don’t have anyone in the game this year.
Coughlin: Gar Forman and John Paxson are bad at their jobs. McDermott is an extreme and bitter disappointment. Valentine has done nothing and I can’t tell if that is because Hoiberg doesn’t want to play him or because he has done absolutely nothing to secure backup two-guard minutes or steal point guard minutes from a trash rotation. I would gladly trade McDermott and Valentine for Jonathon Simmons right now, but I’ve been riding with Juice since his jump to the pros so I’m biased.