Can you believe we’re already 50 games into this heavily anticipated Chicago Bulls season? (The term “heavily anticipated” used lightly). Here are my grades for the Chicago Bulls through 50 games.
Overall Team Grade: D+
Previous grade: C-
Since my last column grading the Bulls, they have gone 4-5, which isn’t too bad. The last nine games actually started with a three game winning streak, but unfortunately, they’ve lost their last four games and five of their last six. It’s hard to get a grasp on if their trending up or down at this point but with their next stretch of tough games, we should be able to decipher more.
Bulls are currently 18-32 and have the seventh worst record in the league. There have been a few stretches this season where some people thought the Bulls might be making a playoff push but then the Bulls always seem to prove them wrong a few games later.
Lauri Markkanen has continued his stellar breakout season during this last nine game stretch, averaging 17 points per game to go along with 8.4 rebounds per game. That’s not too bad for someone considered by many to be a terrible draft pick at the time the Bulls took him.
One thing that really hurts the Bulls is the absence of Kris Dunn. Both their offense and defense have taken major hits sine his injury and the it’s quite noticeable to anyone watching the games. Kris Dunn’s ability to get in the paint and break down an opposing defense is something the Bulls really need to create shots for their scorers (Lauri, Valentine, etc.).
Oh yeah, and I forgot to mention – the Bulls might have just traded their leading scorer, Nikola Mirotic. That’s bound to hurt the win totals. (Apparently the deal has fallen apart for now, but it’s looking like Niko won’t be a Bull for much longer).
Tanking Grade: A-
Previous grade: C+
The Artist Formerly Known as Threekola Mirotic (actually, they’ll probably still call him that but you know what I mean) is (probably) no longer a Bull. Despite the fact that the New Orleans deal reportedly fell through for the time being, it’s still likely that Niko ends up getting traded sooner than later. It’s bittersweet to me. When the Bulls were winning (you know, before the whole decision to trade their best player and take the tank route), Niko was an awesome bench piece. But now, he’s just been hurting their lottery spot.
Niko definitely provides a spark off the bench that helps this Bulls team to scrape out some victories that fans cheering for the tank (like myself) might find annoying.
If this trade ends up happening, this is good for both parties. Niko didn’t have a future in Chicago. With the skills Markkanen has already shown not even through his first full season, there is no doubt that he is their future power forward. And with the recent season-ending injury to Boogie Cousins, New Orleans could use another big that can stretch the floor and play off of Anthony Davis.
I’m excited about this. I’ll miss yelling “Threekola” in an annoyingly loud voice at my T.V. but I’ll be happy when we get a better pick out of the deal.
The tank grade deserved the big bump after this deal. This was an excellent move for the tank. It’s back on, folks!