Pippen Ain't Easy
Fansided

Chicago Bulls: Ranking the 3 best moments of 2018

By Luke Askew

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 10: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Lauri Markkanen #24 and Robin Lopez #42 of the Chicago Bulls in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 10, 2018 in New York City. The Bulls defeated the Knicks 122-119 in double overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 10: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Lauri Markkanen #24 and Robin Lopez #42 of the Chicago Bulls in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 10, 2018 in New York City. The Bulls defeated the Knicks 122-119 in double overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Wendell Carter Jr. meets Russell Westbrook at the rim

Wendell Carter Jr. has had a rollercoaster start to his professional career. He’s shown flashes of brilliance on both offense and defense, but his inability to remain on the floor consistently has halted his growth as a player. Once he learns how to stay out of foul trouble, he’ll make a giant leap forward.

Despite all of the ups and downs that Carter has had during his short time with the Bulls, arguably the best moment of this season for any Bull came on December 7 when the Oklahoma City Thunder came to town.

Thunder guard Russell Westbrook has been known to dunk on guys every once in a while. One of his most famous (and feared) dunking styles is when he takes a few hard dribbles with his left hand, elevates and then cocks back his right arm for a tomahawk dunk.

via GIPHY

Westbrook tried this same thing against the Bulls, but Wendell Carter Jr. wasn’t having any of it.

https://twitter.com/NBA_AU/status/1071256717642543104

There are two things that stand out to me on this play:

  1. Carter had the confidence to see Westbrook take those hard dribbles with his left hand and still jump with him.
  2. Carter had the skill, athletic ability and timing to successfully complete the block without fouling.

The Bulls would end up winning this game by a close margin (114-112), giving Jim Boylen his first win as an NBA head coach. Even though this wasn’t Carter’s best game as a Bull, it was definitely his best moment.

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