Chicago Bulls: Sights and sounds vs. Charlotte Hornets

In a nail-biter down the stretch, the Chicago Bulls dropped what should have been a must-win game against the Charlotte Hornets.

The Chicago Bulls took to the hardwood at the Spectrum Center Wednesday night for its regular season debut against the Hornets.

Before tip-off, some top headlines that were expected to be big talking points—Kris Dunn’s rookie contract extension that didn’t happen and Otto Porter’s load management—came into focus, in part, because of how minutes were distributed. Rookie Coby White was the first guard off the bench. Dunn took to the floor a short time later.

The conscience of Dunn and the Bulls could have been potentially aired a bit like dirty laundry, but he didn’t take the head coach’s decision as a snub. He’s embraced his role coming off the bench. Dunn did not prove to be in his feelings like the rapper Drake. He was a Bull. Period.

Alongside White, Thaddeus Young, Luke Kornet and Ryan Arcidiacono, Dunn and the Bulls may have concocted a recipe for success. Dunn made an impact at both ends of the floor, virtually harassing the Hornets by getting after steals and making acrobatic shots look easy. He finished the game with 11 points, 2 assists and 4 steals.

However, it’s never been a question if Dunn has the athleticism to compete at a high level in the league. It’s rather a question if he’s confident taking shots from deep in rhythm when the opportunity presents.

Still, the question marks surrounding the starting lineup for opening game were highlighted with Tomas Satoransky getting the start over Kris Dunn for the third-consecutive time since Bulls’ preseason matchup with the Toronto Raptors.

Eyeing the intangibles

As pointed out by the broadcasters, Wendell Carter Jr. wore a wrap around his left leg during the season opener. As such, load management was given priority by the head coach. Carter would have a strong showing considering the time he missed last season. He had missed all but one preseason game heading into Wednesday’s regular-season opener. Not surprisingly, Carter helped provide the anchor the Bulls needed to get stops at the defensive end. Foul trouble and load management would keep him off the floor at times.

Also doing the dirty work most notably was Arcidiacono, which should come as no surprise to anyone. He does a lot of good things when he’s on the floor, although he doesn’t always get the recognition.

Arcidiacono continues to show there’s value in doing the dirty work that doesn’t chart statistically.

This does not mean that defensive lapses didn’t occur when Carter and Arcidiacono took to the floor. The Bulls struggled as a team to defend when mismatches arose at times during the game. Also worth noting is the transition defense and effort to close-out shooters were virtually absent. As such, several opponents had a field day from the beyond the three-point line. The Hornets went on to make franchise history completing 23 three-pointers.

Live on the Fan Cam with the GOAT

It wouldn’t be a Bulls-Hornets game without a Michael Jordan sighting. A Fan Cam captured the GOAT late in the third quarter.

With the way the Bulls’ roster is constructed, the next in line dethrone Jordan could arguably be Zach LaVine. The problem is he did not have a good outing against the Hornets. Zach LaVine got off to a cold start shooting one-for-seven in opening minutes. Getting into foul trouble did not help his case. LaVine finished the first half with an abysmal statistic line of 2 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists.

Twin tower sighting

Kornet and Lauri Markkanen briefly joined forces in the front court during the second quarter. At 7 feet-plus, the two big men compliment one another’s game well, although it didn’t show during the game. Markkanen and Kornet would see limited action on the floor at the same time.

Markkanen seems more engaged and involved in the Bulls’ offense during its matchup with the Hornets than it appeared during preseason. He’s making his presence felt cleaning the glass and using his handles to bring the ball up the floor himself.

Kornet appeared to struggle defensively, which in turn prevented him from making an impact on the game offensively.

Hornets topped the Bulls 63-55 at halftime.

Dunn not done

With a bucket at the rim in transition, Tomas Satoransky and the Bulls rally back early in the third quarter narrowing the point differential to two.

This ultimately led the Bulls to take the lead after a 16-point swing. How, you ask? Take this play, for example:

Much to the surprise of many, Satoransky was sidelined at a critical point in the game with time running out. The Bulls’ defensive woes continued to be exploited after a preseason where the team was believed to be exercising good habits.

Dunn’s name is called to the floor twice to provide the team with defense. His contributions would not go unnoticed. Take a look:

The outpouring  of support for Dunn didn’t end there. Check it out:

The Bulls get some much-needed stop enabling the team to keep the game within reach of one possession. Ultimately, things wouldn’t go according to plan for the Bulls. The team failed to extend the game into overtime or take the lead.

GOAT’s got game

The final score read, 126-125.

In closing the broadcast, the camera pans toward Jordan again as he is seen clapping his hands in celebration of the Hornets’ win over the Bulls.

What’s interesting is Markkanen closed the game with 35 points and is named the Player of the Game. Check it out:

Not too many players in Bulls history can tout such a feat. Markkanen joins a select club comprised of  Jordan, Guy Rodgers and Orlando Woolridge.

With a loss to the Hornets, that means the Bulls are one game down with 81 to go.