Road to nowhere

[Guru]

AK wants to be competitive…

We have NOT been competitive since Zo’s injury.

This is not accurate we were competitive with Patrick Beveley running point

[ChettheJet]

As this season drags on already I'm starting to see where things went south.

Of Course Lonzo being injured and out so long while they had Zach, Demar, Vuc, Caruso in place was bad. But more than that I think resigning Lavine even if there didn't seem to be a suitable replacement scorer out there was the first move that doomed the team to be mediocre at best. I've said many a time, Zach is not a team leader, top scorer sure but no leadership. I go back to Scottie, Hinrich, Deng and others playing with the second unit. They tried to guide those players to bring their games and keep things close. Zach should have been able to do that but instead just sees his opportunity to hoist up more shots while the other 4 guys stand around.

Then resigning Vuc when they'd seen where he was and uninspired most of the time, becoming so in love with the 3 ball and getting even worse on defense. Like Zach, there my not have been an obvious replacement out there but to lock him in at $20M for 3 years was being too complacent with what you had and look where it's leaving them now. They made the move for Drummond and that looks better now, it would have force fed some of the other guys to shoot more but they're still passing to Vuc at the arc.

Had the Bulls not brought back Zach and Vuc they may have slipped a little but then they might have traded Caruso sooner and gotten a pick or two back if team was getting him for 2 seasons and not the one that OKC did.

The Bulls may make one, two or even three deadline deals but at this point I think they might have to be perfect because I'm guessing that AKME are on a very short leash. I think they will have to run any deal past Michael Reinsdorf and his in house advisers because they're likely to be fired after the season and aren't going to be allowed to make moves that aren't helping their replacements.

[TheSuzerain]

What are the odds AK gets fired this calendar year? I actually think they are decently high.

[jnrjr79]

What are the odds AK gets fired this calendar year? I actually think they are decently high.

I would think that if they are unable to make any significant trades at the deadline, it's possible AK would be on the hot seat, particularly if the end result is play-in, losing the pick, and not making the playoffs. If they miss the playoffs and keep the pick, he may still be on the hot seat, but at least that can in a sense be viewed as a better result.

If they unload Zach/Vooch and intentionally take a step back, that might actually provide more breathing room for AK. And if they do something dramatic like trade for Zion, I think that may also keep him around at least another season.

[MrSparkle]

What are the odds AK gets fired this calendar year? I actually think they are decently high.

I would think that if they are unable to make any significant trades at the deadline, it's possible AK would be on the hot seat, particularly if the end result is play-in, losing the pick, and not making the playoffs. If they miss the playoffs and keep the pick, he may still be on the hot seat, but at least that can in a sense be viewed as a better result.

If they unload Zach/Vooch and intentionally take a step back, that might actually provide more breathing room for AK. And if they do something dramatic like trade for Zion, I think that may also keep him around at least another season.

Well, I would imagine ME and BD are fired first in some varying order... or maybe PaxDorf over-ride, fire AK, and promote BD to GM or EVP and hire a new HC. I don't know if it's BullsDorf style to clean house. 2020 was the first time they did something like that. They like their chain of very minor moves (like this year's "shake up" of the assistant coach staff... a 1-for-1 player trade, and S&T'ing an UFA for basically nothing).

Maybe they keep this sub-500 lot for their full duration. Heck of a decade to be a Bulls fan. Will likely see 1 playoff (game) win in 10y, unless we do something impulsive and stupid that'll set us up for another 5 mediocre years. We're in the fine company, with the post-Webber Kings and pre-Edwards Wolves!

[jnrjr79]

What are the odds AK gets fired this calendar year? I actually think they are decently high.

I would think that if they are unable to make any significant trades at the deadline, it's possible AK would be on the hot seat, particularly if the end result is play-in, losing the pick, and not making the playoffs. If they miss the playoffs and keep the pick, he may still be on the hot seat, but at least that can in a sense be viewed as a better result.

If they unload Zach/Vooch and intentionally take a step back, that might actually provide more breathing room for AK. And if they do something dramatic like trade for Zion, I think that may also keep him around at least another season.

Well, I would imagine ME and BD are fired first in some varying order... or maybe PaxDorf over-ride and promote BD to GM or EVP and hire a new HC.

Or maybe they keep this sub-500 lot for a full 8-year duration. Heck of a decade to be a Bulls fan. Will likely see 1 playoff win in 10y, unless we do something impulsive and stupid that'll set us up for another 5 mediocre years- we're in the fine company, with the post-Webber Kings and pre-Edwards Wolves!

I'm not sure about the sequencing and I don't really know that a ME firing by AK is going to have any impact on AK's job security.

It also makes no sense to fire Donovan and hope for better - whatever you think of him, this team's results are, if anything, a bit better than the talent level would suggest (and better than Vegas predicted).

If AK is out, I'd certainly expect them to clean house, including the coach, just because presumably the new GM would want to bring in his own guy.

[CROBulls]

What are the odds AK gets fired this calendar year? I actually think they are decently high.

I would think that if they are unable to make any significant trades at the deadline, it's possible AK would be on the hot seat, particularly if the end result is play-in, losing the pick, and not making the playoffs. If they miss the playoffs and keep the pick, he may still be on the hot seat, but at least that can in a sense be viewed as a better result.

If they unload Zach/Vooch and intentionally take a step back, that might actually provide more breathing room for AK. And if they do something dramatic like trade for Zion, I think that may also keep him around at least another season.

Something needs to be done. Everybody almost everybody knows that Bulls staying in this lingo is not good for league. Make a move. If you cannot get rid of Zach without taking bad contract, then you need to look how to build around Zach or let's be clear around Zach's contract.

Yes, you cannot force deals, but i am getting suspicious that AKME truly wanted bring same team as last year and year before and year before. And didnt want to get rid of DeRozan, but guy wanted his money and Bulls cannot go to lux (under this ownership). And that's why he hesitant to get rid of Vuc. AKME are still hoping that they gonna catch lighting in bottle with someone on roster so they just bringing same team and this is gonna magically make Bulls good. That's insanity in my definition. But I am not in medical field so I want experties on this.

[MrSparkle]

I would think that if they are unable to make any significant trades at the deadline, it's possible AK would be on the hot seat, particularly if the end result is play-in, losing the pick, and not making the playoffs. If they miss the playoffs and keep the pick, he may still be on the hot seat, but at least that can in a sense be viewed as a better result.

If they unload Zach/Vooch and intentionally take a step back, that might actually provide more breathing room for AK. And if they do something dramatic like trade for Zion, I think that may also keep him around at least another season.

Well, I would imagine ME and BD are fired first in some varying order... or maybe PaxDorf over-ride and promote BD to GM or EVP and hire a new HC.

Or maybe they keep this sub-500 lot for a full 8-year duration. Heck of a decade to be a Bulls fan. Will likely see 1 playoff win in 10y, unless we do something impulsive and stupid that'll set us up for another 5 mediocre years- we're in the fine company, with the post-Webber Kings and pre-Edwards Wolves!

I'm not sure about the sequencing and I don't really know that a ME firing by AK is going to have any impact on AK's job security.

It also makes no sense to fire Donovan and hope for better - whatever you think of him, this team's results are, if anything, a bit better than the talent level would suggest (and better than Vegas predicted).

If AK is out, I'd certainly expect them to clean house, including the coach, just because presumably the new GM would want to bring in his own guy.

Well, either way... Turns out Donovan is in the lower-paid half of NBA head coaches. There are 15 guys making more than him. I could see the Bulls sitting on that extension all the way until 2028.

And I dunno - AK got that quiet contract extension. Looking at the deals, I think ME might be the first to go (expires in 2026), if they decide to not resign him. This is still one of the lamest builds I've ever seen. In terms of their draft and trade misses, lack of trade activity and creativity, sitting on a broken roster... promising we won't settle for mediocrity, but being perhaps the finest example of NBA mediocrity anybody has seen in the NBA the last 5y, capped with getting whipped by the Wizards... yet still winning enough games to deliver an 11th pick on top-10 protection to a looming contender once their potential GOAT can legally drink a bottle of Corona. Must feel nice watching ORL and SAS be better today and tomorrow, with (probably) 3 of our lotto picks.

The general order of business though... you fire the assistant(s)... you fire the head coach... you fire the GM... if all else fails, you fire the EVP... This is a 3-4 process for most teams (for better or worse), if results don't come. 3y for Thibs in MIN. For the Bulls, I guess it'll be 8y. The thing is, AK has his weakest hand since before he got the job. I'd hate to negotiate contracts with Giddey, Lonzo, Coby and Ayo the next 2 summers. There is nothing good that will come of those conversations, other than overpays and more mediocrity.

[HomoSapien]

If BD leaves, I'm confident Unseld would be our next head coach.

[Guru]

I am ok with either AKME staying or going but I think he(they) have a long leash. You don't fire good people because of extenuating circumstances.

[TheSuzerain]

I am ok with either AKME staying or going but I think he(they) have a long leash. You don't fire good people because of extenuating circumstances.

Ok but what does that have to do with the inept AK?

[Guru]

I am ok with either AKME staying or going but I think he(they) have a long leash. You don't fire good people because of extenuating circumstances.

Ok but what does that have to do with the inept AK?

He rebuilt a team on the fly nearly flawlessly and had them in first place before an unprecedented injury sidelined the plan. He's signed incredible veterans-really hasn't missed.

[HomoSapien]

I am ok with either AKME staying or going but I think he(they) have a long leash. You don't fire good people because of extenuating circumstances.

Ok but what does that have to do with the inept AK?

He rebuilt a team on the fly nearly flawlessly and had them in first place before an unprecedented injury sidelined the plan. He's signed incredible veterans-really hasn't missed.

Oh my god.

[othawhitemeat]

I am ok with either AKME staying or going but I think he(they) have a long leash. You don't fire good people because of extenuating circumstances.

Ok but what does that have to do with the inept AK?

He rebuilt a team on the fly nearly flawlessly and had them in first place before an unprecedented injury sidelined the plan. He's signed incredible veterans-really hasn't missed.

He sucks honestly. That team would not have gone far as while Lonzo got hurt and is a good player, he was always injury prone and that team had no legit superstar. That team was built around 3 offense-minded players and otherwise defense, but not power forward. His misses are huge

1) Re-signing Zach max contract and letting his value tank
2) Pat Williams drafted and then a crappy contract that is on our hands for a while
3) Re-Signing Vuc for no real reason
4) Letting Coby's value not be so great when it was a great, value contract
5) Lauri Mark's awful return

Good:

1) Drafting Buzelis
2) Drafting Ayo

He has put us square in mediocrity.

[Guru]

Ok but what does that have to do with the inept AK?

He rebuilt a team on the fly nearly flawlessly and had them in first place before an unprecedented injury sidelined the plan. He's signed incredible veterans-really hasn't missed.

That team would not have gone far as while Lonzo got hurt and is a good player, he was always injury prone and that team had no legit superstar. That team was built around 3 offense-minded players and otherwise defense, but not power forward. .

There is no evidence of this and it's not as if the plan was over then. That was the beginning part of the plan and the unknown of Ball meant it was harder to pivot.

[Bulls_MIT]

I've watched almost every game this season unfortunately. It seems to me that this team is under-performing. The coaching and leadership is terrible. There is no accountability. Players do not have defined roles. In training camp they practiced with a 14 second shot clock, but that strategy has backfired since there is not real leadership.

Shot selection is our biggest weakness. Why are our centers and power forwards shooting so many 3 pointers early in the shot clock with no team mates in the lane to rebound? Vuc has the worst shot selection, it's as though he's just lazy and doesn't care. Vuc should be playing near the basket or taking mid range shots. He should be rebounding. Even though he can hit the open 3, those shots should only be taken if wide open late in the shot clock. Lavine has the second worst shot selection. I wish he could develop a mid range game. I wish coach would design plays to get him open other than 3 pointers. So our two best players are creating a bad example, so the whole team is joining in on the 3 point contest.

Finally the effort is not there this season. If they focused on team oriented offense and hard work defense, they'd be winning these winnable games. It feels as though nobody wants to make the playoffs to get embarrassed in the first round. But the reality is individual improvement happens more often when the team has good leadership and not under-performing. If this can change and our young players develop throughout the year, our future is better than trying to tank at this point. It's almost too late to out tank teams like the Hornets.

[dougthonus]

What are the odds AK gets fired this calendar year? I actually think they are decently high.

It's an interesting question. I think he'll get next season. I think one of the reasons he doesn't want to undergo a rebuild is he knows there is a 0% chance he'll survive one. That said, undergoing a rebuild might be the best way he survives longer, even if he only gets 2 years to rebuild, if he aims to be successful and continues to miss the playoffs that isn't going to help his case either.

[CROBulls]

I've watched almost every game this season unfortunately. It seems to me that this team is under-performing. The coaching and leadership is terrible. There is no accountability. Players do not have defined roles. In training camp they practiced with a 14 second shot clock, but that strategy has backfired since there is not real leadership.

Shot selection is our biggest weakness. Why are our centers and power forwards shooting so many 3 pointers early in the shot clock with no team mates in the lane to rebound? Vuc has the worst shot selection, it's as though he's just lazy and doesn't care. Vuc should be playing near the basket or taking mid range shots. He should be rebounding. Even though he can hit the open 3, those shots should only be taken if wide open late in the shot clock. Lavine has the second worst shot selection. I wish he could develop a mid range game. I wish coach would design plays to get him open other than 3 pointers. So our two best players are creating a bad example, so the whole team is joining in on the 3 point contest.

Finally the effort is not there this season. If they focused on team oriented offense and hard work defense, they'd be winning these winnable games. It feels as though nobody wants to make the playoffs to get embarrassed in the first round. But the reality is individual improvement happens more often when the team has good leadership and not under-performing. If this can change and our young players develop throughout the year, our future is better than trying to tank at this point. It's almost too late to out tank teams like the Hornets.

I actually thing our coaching is strenght this year. We playing modern offense, actually watchable, most of nights team is competing. I am not fan of Donovan, but he is not issue on this team. This team on paper lost legit All-Star calibre player who finished close game. Only way for Bulls to stay in games or win games is by shooting so many 3's. Some night you gonna go out and win against Celtics and others nights you gonna lose against Wizards. There is no talent or enough plays made at high level where team can overcome lack of high end talent. That's our equalizer and only chance where AKME can take tissues in dark room and with his leftie overcome his orgasmic needs. Because this is a team he wants.

Yes there are no actual leaders on this team. I will say there is no hope on this team where you say, yes we lost game but this guy is soon gonna be one of best guys in a league. This doesnt exist. This is not just this year, this team is like this since 2021. Everyone hoped Williams would growth into great player and today is getting outplayed by rookie.

I want everyone to watch this video. Because this is neither positive or negative view of Bulls.

[img]

Watch on YouTube

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I dont agree in only that he thinks Bulls play down the level of opponents. I actually think we are bad team which just usually overrachive in certain games where we play lights out. Which is not possible most of games and you come back to level where you belong over 82 games. And that's this team slighly below middle of nowhere. You cannot say Bulls are bad on defense sometimes, when you look at roster and see it there is actually no good defensive players on roster. That's a fact and if Bulls actually look good on defense that's because coach made them look that way on certain nights. They still terrible defenders, but that's coaching. So lapses are not suprising.

[sco]

What are the odds AK gets fired this calendar year? I actually think they are decently high.

It's an interesting question. I think he'll get next season. I think one of the reasons he doesn't want to undergo a rebuild is he knows there is a 0% chance he'll survive one. That said, undergoing a rebuild might be the best way he survives longer, even if he only gets 2 years to rebuild, if he aims to be successful and continues to miss the playoffs that isn't going to help his case either.

Yeah, the worst thing is a FO on the hot seat. That's when they mortgage the future on high risk deals. I could totally see another Vuc-like deal for a guy like Zion.

[Guru]

What are the odds AK gets fired this calendar year? I actually think they are decently high.

It's an interesting question. I think he'll get next season. I think one of the reasons he doesn't want to undergo a rebuild is he knows there is a 0% chance he'll survive one. That said, undergoing a rebuild might be the best way he survives longer, even if he only gets 2 years to rebuild, if he aims to be successful and continues to miss the playoffs that isn't going to help his case either.

Yeah, the worst thing is a FO on the hot seat. That's when they mortgage the future on high risk deals. I could totally see another Vuc-like deal for a guy like Zion.

If we end up in first place again I am all for it.