The Feb. 8 game against the Washington Wizards at home gives fans a preview of two of the leagues most prolific scorers and should be an easy win for the Chicago Bulls. Or it may come as a big challenge, if this Bulls defense allows Bradley Beal to drop 50 on them.
Add in Russell Westbrook who is capable of a triple double any given night. Westbrook could pose another challenge for this Bulls young struggling defense if he plays. Westbrook is listed as day to day in the Wizards injury report as of Monday morning.
Otto Porter Jr is already ruled out. This comes as no surprise, as Bulls fans are used to being without his services. Lauri Markkanan is listed as day to day, my guess would be he will be out a few more weeks. With that said this should be a exciting high scoring game.
Injury Update: Lauri Markkanen is expected to miss 2-4 weeks after an MRI confirmed his original diagnosis of a sprained right acromioclavicular joint.
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) February 8, 2021
The Bulls are 9-13 to start this season and need to start taking advantage of the weaker teams in the Eastern Conference. We have to start mustering up more back to back wins, if we want to get back to a respectable .500 record.
The Bulls looked poised to start closing teams out in the back end of the first half of this 20-21 seasons. It starts with becoming a more dominant home team, most importantly man handling weaker competition on their home court. Currently they hold a 3-7 record at home.
It’s just too bad Westbrook’s contract is so ridiculous, he would fit perfect next to star shooting guard Zach LaVine and this young Bulls team. He’d fill that gaping hole we have at point guard. Westbrook brings a ton of physicality to the floor every night and is a fierce competitor and plays with a chip on his shoulder.
As much as I love me some Westbrook, a $40 million rental is all he would be though, he’s is not any team’s future. His declining game is shining about as bright as LaVine ‘s new found light under new head coach Billy Donovan. As fun and competitive as Westbrook is still, makes him one of my favorite players to watch.
I just don’t see a fit with the Bulls. Leadership has never been a strength of his either, which could end up hurting this young core.
Then there’s Beal, instant offense, an organizational center piece to win now and years to come. Could you imagine Beal in a Bulls uniform. With LaVine and Beal on the floor together every single night, the Bulls would put up 150 points per game. That’s a dream that will never come true! The Bulls would have to give up way to much and the Bulls would still struggle to win games with their terrible defense.
What the Chicago Bulls can do against Beal
LaVine and Beal are very alike as offensive juggernauts in the NBA. Therefore, in my opinion the Bulls already have their star and franchise player in LaVine. Honestly the Bulls already have that second star in Patrick Williams.
At just 19 Williams is just getting his feet wet in this league and he will take a huge leap in year two. That is just exciting for fans and his teammates to look forward to.
Tonight should be another coming out party for LaVine, he’s on a mission to be an All-Star this season. He also is now taking on these challenges willingly this season. As soon as Zach develops his killer instincts and starts taking over games from the jump ball, I suspect he will take an even bigger leap to his new found super stardom.
As two top scorers are about to battle it out head to head, keep an eye out for Williams tonight. This is a great match up for him tonight and he has been putting up solid numbers this season in back to back games.
As a fan, it’s been fun to watch so far this year. Of course I’m picking the Bulls to win a high scoring game tonight. Beal and LaVine should be battling it out for buckets. LaVine is averaging 27 points per game shooting over 50 percent from the field. While Beal is averaging a league best 33 points per game just under 50 percent, sitting at just above 48 percent from the field.
The Bulls are giving up 115 points at the United center. While the Wizards are giving up 117 point a game on the road this season. Both Chicago and Washington are shooting around 48 percent from the field as a team. Fans can expect a show tonight. High scoring fast pace game, with little defense.
I’m excited to see these two stars going head to head in an Eastern Conference showdown. The Bulls need to start piling on back to back wins. Tonight should be another W in the win column for the Bulls, and another reason why fans and coaches alike need to cast that vote to make Zach LaVine a first time All-Star. He’s already got my vote!