Bulls vs Pacers 7pm CT Mar. 10 2025

[WindyCityBorn]

Yep. The Spurs lost today, so the Bulls went from the 8th pick to the 9th.

You can add the Heat on this list because they have 29 wins. Bulls could pass them too (but hopefully not).

It's crazy that the Bulls front office don't see the value in getting a high draft pick.

It’s crazy you don’t see the value in a 23 year old playing like a legit star. I’ll take Giddey’s rise now over a CHANCE at a higher pick.

This franchise suffered enough of Nikola Mirotic and Killpatrick legends around here. I am glad you are fan of another one. Hope it makes you very happy and fullfilled because it makes me only puke

Comparing Giddey those guys is a joke.

[WindyCityBorn]

Yep. The Spurs lost today, so the Bulls went from the 8th pick to the 9th.

You can add the Heat on this list because they have 29 wins. Bulls could pass them too (but hopefully not).

It's crazy that the Bulls front office don't see the value in getting a high draft pick.

It’s crazy you don’t see the value in a 23 year old playing like a legit star. I’ll take Giddey’s rise now over a CHANCE at a higher pick.

I'm glad Giddey is doing well. I'm not against that.

However, I do think the team needs more talent and to get it they need better draft picks.

Is your takeaway from the season going to be that Giddey improved, got a 30+ million a year contract, and the Bulls drafted a mid-level talent with the 10th pick? Because that's where it seems to be headed.

Then next year where does Giddey lead the team? Another 30 something wins?

I’m sorry where the guarantee that we get star if we finish 8th instead of 9th? I don’t want to make the actual playoffs but other than who cares? Teams jumping from 10 or higher into the top 4 happens every year now. It’s gonna take extreme luck no matter what. The tank was ruined months ago.

[burlydee]

I think the problem is that it would be really hard for the Bulls to sit Hiddey in a contract year. Obviously he and his agent would have a fit. Perhaps you sit Coby?

But the Bulls have sat Vuc, Ayo, Pwill, Ball. They traded Zac. Cut Craig, who is apparently Celtics material. They are playing and starting Matas. The Bulls traded for 3 guys who supposedly suck and are playing them big minutes. I don't watch the Heat, Nets or Spurs. I don't know why they're losing. But the Bulls seem to be trying to lose and are facing a team of guys fighting for contracts (Giddey, Tre) reputation (Coby, Matas) or their place in the league (Collins, Philips, Terry).

I don't want to say I told you so, but F it. I thought the Bulls might be better without Zach and Vuc. And I think I was probably wrong about Zach overall, the Coby/Zach pairing never worked and now the ball is in Giddey's hands more (with Ayo and Ball out too) and he's thriving.

But separating Vuc from Giddey and Coby has made them so much better defenders. Which makes me think the problem wasn't them. It was Vuc. He can't guard his man. He's terrible in help D. He doesn't block shots. Can't guard on the perimeter. Doesn't have great length for the position. He's a backup.

Big picture, a 23 year old with his first chance to really have the ball full time playing great is good. I don't ultimately think it changes my opinion of whether he can be a top 3 on a championship contender, but the Bulls are a long way from that. Now they have at least 2 guys who look like top notch rotation players on a good team long term. 8 9 10? We're due some lottery luck.

[Muzbar]

It’s crazy you don’t see the value in a 23 year old playing like a legit star. I’ll take Giddey’s rise now over a CHANCE at a higher pick.

I'm glad Giddey is doing well. I'm not against that.

However, I do think the team needs more talent and to get it they need better draft picks.

Is your takeaway from the season going to be that Giddey improved, got a 30+ million a year contract, and the Bulls drafted a mid-level talent with the 10th pick? Because that's where it seems to be headed.

Then next year where does Giddey lead the team? Another 30 something wins?

I’m sorry where the guarantee that we get star if we finish 8th instead of 9th? I don’t want to make the actual playoffs but other than who cares? Teams jumping from 10 or higher into the top 4 happens every year now. It’s gonna take extreme luck no matter what. The tank was ruined months ago.

It's happened twice in the last 10 years, so that's not true.

I bet you actually do want to make the playoffs, and that's fine, you're allowed to want that, just like others would prefer to go the tanking route and try and secure the highest pick possible.

It's great that Giddey is playing super well, but then what? Hope the 10th (or 15th) pick is a hidden superstar? There is currently no path forward unless Matas has Giannis type development.

What others are saying is that trading LaVine shouldn't have been the only move they made, Coby and Vuc should also have been traded and others.

[Dan Z]

It’s crazy you don’t see the value in a 23 year old playing like a legit star. I’ll take Giddey’s rise now over a CHANCE at a higher pick.

I'm glad Giddey is doing well. I'm not against that.

However, I do think the team needs more talent and to get it they need better draft picks.

Is your takeaway from the season going to be that Giddey improved, got a 30+ million a year contract, and the Bulls drafted a mid-level talent with the 10th pick? Because that's where it seems to be headed.

Then next year where does Giddey lead the team? Another 30 something wins?

I’m sorry where the guarantee that we get star if we finish 8th instead of 9th? I don’t want to make the actual playoffs but other than who cares? Teams jumping from 10 or higher into the top 4 happens every year now. It’s gonna take extreme luck no matter what. The tank was ruined months ago.

When I said: "It's crazy that the Bulls front office don't see the value in getting a high draft pick" I mean from the start of the season (in other words tank asap). I'd even add last season and the season before that. The front office doesn't see the value in tanking and doesn't want to do it, but how will they add talent to this team? Free agency doesn't work like it used too. Top players re-sign and then get traded (something the Bulls would need assets to do...same with regular trades).

Giddey is playing well and I have no problem with that, but what's the plan going forward?

The Bulls haven't made the playoffs the last two years (three if you count this one and it looks like they won't make it). The only reason why this bad season isn't talked about more is because the East is awful. If they were in the West they'd be the third worst team (Spurs are only one game behind the Bulls...they'd be ahead if Wemby didn't get hurt). The Bulls are currently on pace to win 34 games.

[WindyCityBorn]

I'm glad Giddey is doing well. I'm not against that.

However, I do think the team needs more talent and to get it they need better draft picks.

Is your takeaway from the season going to be that Giddey improved, got a 30+ million a year contract, and the Bulls drafted a mid-level talent with the 10th pick? Because that's where it seems to be headed.

Then next year where does Giddey lead the team? Another 30 something wins?

I’m sorry where the guarantee that we get star if we finish 8th instead of 9th? I don’t want to make the actual playoffs but other than who cares? Teams jumping from 10 or higher into the top 4 happens every year now. It’s gonna take extreme luck no matter what. The tank was ruined months ago.

It's happened twice in the last 10 years, so that's not true.

I bet you actually do want to make the playoffs, and that's fine, you're allowed to want that, just like others would prefer to go the tanking route and try and secure the highest pick possible.

It's great that Giddey is playing super well, but then what? Hope the 10th (or 15th) pick is a hidden superstar? There is currently no path forward unless Matas has Giannis type development.

What others are saying is that trading LaVine shouldn't have been the only move they made, Coby and Vuc should also have been traded and others.

No I absolutely do NOT want to make the playoffs. I want Giddey to keep playing like a real star. If the byproduct of that is an unwanted playoff appearance it is what is. I care more about players on the roster than some hypothetical player we might luck into.

[WindyCityBorn]

I'm glad Giddey is doing well. I'm not against that.

However, I do think the team needs more talent and to get it they need better draft picks.

Is your takeaway from the season going to be that Giddey improved, got a 30+ million a year contract, and the Bulls drafted a mid-level talent with the 10th pick? Because that's where it seems to be headed.

Then next year where does Giddey lead the team? Another 30 something wins?

I’m sorry where the guarantee that we get star if we finish 8th instead of 9th? I don’t want to make the actual playoffs but other than who cares? Teams jumping from 10 or higher into the top 4 happens every year now. It’s gonna take extreme luck no matter what. The tank was ruined months ago.

When I said: "It's crazy that the Bulls front office don't see the value in getting a high draft pick" I mean from the start of the season (in other words tank asap). I'd even add last season and the season before that. The front office doesn't see the value in tanking and doesn't want to do it, but how will they add talent to this team? Free agency doesn't work like it used too. Top players re-sign and then get traded (something the Bulls would need assets to do...same with regular trades).

Giddey is playing well and I have no problem with that, but what's the plan going forward?

The Bulls haven't made the playoffs the last two years (three if you count this one and it looks like they won't make it). The only reason why this bad season isn't talked about more is because the East is awful. If they were in the West they'd be the third worst team (Spurs are only one game behind the Bulls...they'd be ahead if Wemby didn't get hurt). The Bulls are currently on pace to win 34 games.

Maybe we suck next season for a full season. I don’t know. Maybe we get lucky and jump to into top 4 and get a franchise altering player this Summer. I have zero control over that and I know we are not gonna tank. Donovan and AK won’t do it no matter how much sense it makes. I just want to see the young guys currently on the roster play well.

[Muzbar]

I’m sorry where the guarantee that we get star if we finish 8th instead of 9th? I don’t want to make the actual playoffs but other than who cares? Teams jumping from 10 or higher into the top 4 happens every year now. It’s gonna take extreme luck no matter what. The tank was ruined months ago.

It's happened twice in the last 10 years, so that's not true.

I bet you actually do want to make the playoffs, and that's fine, you're allowed to want that, just like others would prefer to go the tanking route and try and secure the highest pick possible.

It's great that Giddey is playing super well, but then what? Hope the 10th (or 15th) pick is a hidden superstar? There is currently no path forward unless Matas has Giannis type development.

What others are saying is that trading LaVine shouldn't have been the only move they made, Coby and Vuc should also have been traded and others.

No I absolutely do NOT want to make the playoffs. I want Giddey to keep playing like a real star. If the byproduct of that is an unwanted playoff appearance it is what is. I care more about players on the roster than some hypothetical player we might luck into.

I don't know if Giddey is playing like a 'star' but he's definitely playing very well at the moment.

What other players on the roster outside of Giddey and Buzelis are worth caring about? Genuine question.

The Bulls, IMO, will make the playoffs this year which will then move them out of the lottery and AK will run it back because his young core of 'very good' players were the ones to get them there (despite barely winning 30 games).

[BullChit]

It's happened twice in the last 10 years, so that's not true.

I bet you actually do want to make the playoffs, and that's fine, you're allowed to want that, just like others would prefer to go the tanking route and try and secure the highest pick possible.

It's great that Giddey is playing super well, but then what? Hope the 10th (or 15th) pick is a hidden superstar? There is currently no path forward unless Matas has Giannis type development.

What others are saying is that trading LaVine shouldn't have been the only move they made, Coby and Vuc should also have been traded and others.

No I absolutely do NOT want to make the playoffs. I want Giddey to keep playing like a real star. If the byproduct of that is an unwanted playoff appearance it is what is. I care more about players on the roster than some hypothetical player we might luck into.

I don't know if Giddey is playing like a 'star' but he's definitely playing very well at the moment.

What other players on the roster outside of Giddey and Buzelis are worth caring about? Genuine question.

The Bulls, IMO, will make the playoffs this year which will then move them out of the lottery and AK will run it back because his young core of 'very good' players were the ones to get them there (despite barely winning 30 games).

So Muz I take it your not buying into the Australian media hype that Giddey is the greatest basketball player ever and Australias greatest export haha

[Dominator83]

This team has actually become fun to watch and their confidence is sky high. 3 in a row now, whole team played well but Coby and Giddey stood out once again. Vuc would be really good off the bench but doubt he stays there for long. If Giddey misses time they’ll probably go back to losing again.

Some hot takes Giddey trade was a rip off in favor of the bulls, AC was just a role player who was often injured, Giddey is becoming something a lot better and is young.

Tre Jones, Huerter, Collins > Zach Lavine. Especially when others stepped in to fill in for Zach’s scoring.

Tre Jones > Ayo. Tre has a higher basketball IQ and is more effective.

It was ALWAYS a rip off. I don't know what people here were bitching about. We got a 21 year old player with stud potential, for a 30 year old defensive specialist thats only useful on a contender. And people here were moaning about not getting presti to throw in some 2nd round picks Sam presti isn't Billy king people.

[Muzbar]

No I absolutely do NOT want to make the playoffs. I want Giddey to keep playing like a real star. If the byproduct of that is an unwanted playoff appearance it is what is. I care more about players on the roster than some hypothetical player we might luck into.

I don't know if Giddey is playing like a 'star' but he's definitely playing very well at the moment.

What other players on the roster outside of Giddey and Buzelis are worth caring about? Genuine question.

The Bulls, IMO, will make the playoffs this year which will then move them out of the lottery and AK will run it back because his young core of 'very good' players were the ones to get them there (despite barely winning 30 games).

So Muz I take it your not buying into the Australian media hype that Giddey is the greatest basketball player ever and Australias greatest export haha

The Australia media calls every Australian basketball player playing in the NBA, a 'star', it's just a general term for them.

Giddey has been amazing since the LaVine trade and I'm happy he's on the Bulls but I'm certainly not ready to call him a star after 20 games.

Good to have a good Aussie on the Bulls.

[Dan Z]

I’m sorry where the guarantee that we get star if we finish 8th instead of 9th? I don’t want to make the actual playoffs but other than who cares? Teams jumping from 10 or higher into the top 4 happens every year now. It’s gonna take extreme luck no matter what. The tank was ruined months ago.

When I said: "It's crazy that the Bulls front office don't see the value in getting a high draft pick" I mean from the start of the season (in other words tank asap). I'd even add last season and the season before that. The front office doesn't see the value in tanking and doesn't want to do it, but how will they add talent to this team? Free agency doesn't work like it used too. Top players re-sign and then get traded (something the Bulls would need assets to do...same with regular trades).

Giddey is playing well and I have no problem with that, but what's the plan going forward?

The Bulls haven't made the playoffs the last two years (three if you count this one and it looks like they won't make it). The only reason why this bad season isn't talked about more is because the East is awful. If they were in the West they'd be the third worst team (Spurs are only one game behind the Bulls...they'd be ahead if Wemby didn't get hurt). The Bulls are currently on pace to win 34 games.

Maybe we suck next season for a full season. I don’t know. Maybe we get lucky and jump to into top 4 and get a franchise altering player this Summer. I have zero control over that and I know we are not gonna tank. Donovan and AK won’t do it no matter how much sense it makes. I just want to see the young guys currently on the roster play well.

I just don't think the front office is doing anything that will lead anywhere (the road to nowhere....as per Doug's thread from awhile back).

If you enjoy watching the young players do well, that's fine. It's good to have stuff to look forward too. Like I said I'm glad that Giddey is doing well, but I'm often thinking about the bigger picture.

[pipfan]

Fun game to watch-everyone played well except PWill

I think I'll remain hopeful that PWill has a great summer and comes ready to play next year-SUCH a disappointment of a pick, and his deal is now super-toxic.

[jordanwilliams6]

If Billy is actually playing to win, is he going to make the braindead move of giving Vuc his starting job back?

If we want to win, it’s clear as day that Collins should be the starter due to the fit with the rest of the starters.

I expect Vuc to get his starting job back and for us to go on another losing streak.

[ChettheJet]

I know Haliburton was out but every team has injuries and the Pacers have a deep enough bench that they should have been more in the game. Had the Bulls not had so many lazy first half turnovers this wold have been a bigger rout. The Bulls got 2 guys back but still had 2 out. I think Vuc sat out more games than he needed to or would have if they didn't have Collins. Patrick having had a leg injury will take some time to get into any kind of form because he couldn't run or jump while he was out.

I think Billy might have to go with 2 centers playing and one out depending on matchups. He can't try to manage 16 minutes each while still playing 3 guards out of 9 and trying to get Phillips and Patrick in the game. The rotations would just be too choppy. Overall I think everybody is going to end up with a 1 or 2 game mystery injury so everybody plays decent minutes on a rotating basis.

[sco]

Fun game to watch. Indy has owned us, but missing Hali I think Indy has lost every game. Of course we were missing Ball.

Giddey was phenominal attacking the paint. I want to give him the nickname "The Banker" because he's been so effective with his shots off the backboard...because he's been money! Again, his defense has trended up to above average...that block on Turner was crazy.

Coby surprised me with his success attacking off the dribble in the paint. That is where Indy is strongest.

The new guys Huerter, Jones and Collins all made meaningful contributions on both ends. Their defensive ability has been a positive surprise for all 3 guys.

Matas struggled a bit but made a few nice plays, but also some rookie mistakes.

The most obvious change came with Vuc's return. It is painful to watch how he slows down our offense, needing to be fed the ball. And also, how little he does away from the ball.

Pat, to both his credit and detriment, was trying to be aggressive, but he looked even rustier and slower than before. The right thing to do this season is just give his minutes to Smith, because Pat, Terry and Phillips aren't very good. We're stuck with them next season, so we can hope for productive off-seasons for them, with at least one making strides.

[League Circles]

It's happened twice in the last 10 years, so that's not true.

I bet you actually do want to make the playoffs, and that's fine, you're allowed to want that, just like others would prefer to go the tanking route and try and secure the highest pick possible.

It's great that Giddey is playing super well, but then what? Hope the 10th (or 15th) pick is a hidden superstar? There is currently no path forward unless Matas has Giannis type development.

What others are saying is that trading LaVine shouldn't have been the only move they made, Coby and Vuc should also have been traded and others.

No I absolutely do NOT want to make the playoffs. I want Giddey to keep playing like a real star. If the byproduct of that is an unwanted playoff appearance it is what is. I care more about players on the roster than some hypothetical player we might luck into.

I don't know if Giddey is playing like a 'star' but he's definitely playing very well at the moment.

What other players on the roster outside of Giddey and Buzelis are worth caring about? Genuine question.

The Bulls, IMO, will make the playoffs this year which will then move them out of the lottery and AK will run it back because his young core of 'very good' players were the ones to get them there (despite barely winning 30 games).

IMO, Coby, Smith, Patrick and Ball are all worth caring about. Coby because he's pretty good and a leader even though it might make sense to move on from him this summer especially if he doesn't sign a team friendly extension. Smith because he has the most potential among our 3 centers and has had a great year. Patrick because he has a very significant long term contract, and Ball because he's a notable overall talent on a flexible deal to trade or utilize long term (with another extension).

[jnrjr79]

Looks like a high ankle sprain. Landed on a foot. Probably done for the year. This should end any talk of the 15 seed.

Why would that end any talk of making the playoffs and picking 15th? The Bulls are still making the play-in regardless and there's plenty of time for Giddey to come back.

I think the Bulls will get up to the 7th seed if Giddey stays healthy.

Giddey left in a walking boot, so there's no "staying" healthy at this point. The question is how long he's out.

[jnrjr79]

If Billy is actually playing to win, is he going to make the braindead move of giving Vuc his starting job back?

If we want to win, it’s clear as day that Collins should be the starter due to the fit with the rest of the starters.

I expect Vuc to get his starting job back and for us to go on another losing streak.

Yeah, Billy stated in his press conference yesterday that Vooch will go back to being the starter. Coming off the bench seemed to just be a function of it being his first game back and being on a minutes limit.

[MrSparkle]

If Billy is actually playing to win, is he going to make the braindead move of giving Vuc his starting job back?

If we want to win, it’s clear as day that Collins should be the starter due to the fit with the rest of the starters.

I expect Vuc to get his starting job back and for us to go on another losing streak.

Yeah, Billy stated in his press conference yesterday that Vooch will go back to being the starter. Coming off the bench seemed to just be a function of it being his first game back and being on a minutes limit.

Back to the tank, baby!

Makes you regret winning 3 in a row and giving up our position to SAS (doubt they give it up anymore). Now we’re in the thick of it with them, Miami and Portland. 1-2 wins from turning 20% top-4 odds into 9%. Quite the drop.

I don’t know what it is, but Giddey’s ankles are very injury prone. That’s my #1 hang-up on a big deal.