Chicago Bulls: What does the Kris Dunn/Robin Lopez altercation mean?
By Luke Askew
The Chicago Bulls made headlines yet again as Kris Dunn and Robin Lopez reportedly got into a heated exchange during practice. What does this mean going forward?
According to Malika Andrews of ESPN.com, Kris Dunn and Robin Lopez exchanged words after an “aggressive play” involving the two players at a Chicago Bulls practice.
This isn’t the first time the Bulls have made headlines this season. Heck, this isn’t even the first time a Bulls practice has made headlines this season. Now the question is, does this altercation between Dunn and Lopez actually mean anything?
Both Dunn and Lopez have had relatively frustrating seasons. Dunn has played well when on the court, but injuries have sidelined him for a large chunk of the season. Lopez, on the other hand, has been sidelined due to lineup decisions made by the coaching staff.
On the season, the 19-year-old rookie, Wendell Carter Jr., has started in all 43 of the Bulls’ games and is getting 25.1 minutes per game, compared to Lopez’ 16.3 minutes per game. Lopez has also had to deal with the fact that he’s a valuable trade asset for the Bulls, meaning he could be on the move at any moment.
I can’t imagine the 30-year-old Lopez enjoys playing limited minutes for a terrible organization that might trade him on any given day. I also can’t imagine Kris Dunn is a happy camper, though. I mean, the guy is constantly scrutinized (often times by me), and most fans aren’t convinced that he’s ready to be the point guard of Chicago’s future. Plus, the Bulls are 10-33 and currently on a seven-game losing streak. There probably isn’t anyone on the roster that’s happy with how things are going.
If you add all that up (and throw in an “aggressive” play involving Dunn and Lopez), it equals words being exchanged – and not nice ones.
Sure, a situation like this could mean the Bulls’ locker room is in turmoil. It could also mean that Kris Dunn and Robin Lopez simply don’t like each other. But what I’m guessing it means, is that Dunn and Lopez are two competitive dudes who really want to see the Bulls get better.
Remember when Bobby Portis Superman-punched Nikola Mirotic in the face? (I made up the Superman part, but it’s way more fun to picture it that way.) That altercation during practice actually meant something. The words exchanged between Dunn and Lopez, on the other hand, do not.
My best guess: Dunn and Lopez will be all fine and dandy for the Bulls’ next game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Maybe I’m wrong, though. Maybe something’s brewing in the Bulls’ locker room.