Game 1 GT: Bulls vs Pistons 7pm CT

[Repeat 3-peat]

Opening night is finally here.

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Starting 5:
G: Josh Giddey
G: Tre Jones
F: Isaac Okoro
F: Matas Buzelis
C: Nikola Vucevic

[dougthonus]

Really blows going into this game (and start of the season) without Collins and Coby.

[DASMACKDOWN]

Really blows going into this game (and start of the season) without Collins and Coby.

It was going to be tough even with them healthy, but its going to be worse now. its a really tough 10 game stretch to start the season. I think we will be lucky to be 2-8

As long as Matas and others are still showing out, that is all that matters anyway.

[DuckIII]

This is the most interested in a Bulls season I have been since going into Lonzo’s first year. Every season since then has basically been the lowest low point for me as a die hard Bulls fan since 1986.

I’m hoping for the lottery one more year, but believe the Bulls are on the cusp of something that can be really fun and exciting for years. I’m not going to bother “rooting for losses” or “tanking” because the team is too talented for that. But we need one more high value asset.

Stoked for this season and excited to watch these specific players grow and run.

Unfortunately, in the most bizarre conflict I can remember, I will be at my son’s girlfriend’s senior night for volleyball in a town I don’t live in that he himself cannot attend. Won’t be watching until late.

Have a fun season everyone! Go Bulls!

[dougthonus]

I’m hoping for the lottery one more year, but believe the Bulls are on the cusp of something that can be really fun and exciting for years. I’m not going to bother “rooting for losses” or “tanking” because the team is too talented for that. But we need one more high value asset.

Soft tissue injuries like Coby's can be wildly unpredictable. Coby is the only guy on this team I feel like we really can't afford to be out. If his injury drags on for 2 months then I could easily see how this ends up being a tanking season, and we may even pursue that as a strategy. I'm also not starting out there, but wouldn't be shocked if we got there given the early injuries.

Unfortunately, in the most bizarre conflict I can remember, I will be at my son’s girlfriend’s senior night for volleyball in a town I don’t live in that he himself cannot attend. Won’t be watching until late.

This made a lot of sense up until "he himself cannot attend"

[DuckIII]

I’m hoping for the lottery one more year, but believe the Bulls are on the cusp of something that can be really fun and exciting for years. I’m not going to bother “rooting for losses” or “tanking” because the team is too talented for that. But we need one more high value asset.

Soft tissue injuries like Coby's can be wildly unpredictable. Coby is the only guy on this team I feel like we really can't afford to be out. If his injury drags on for 2 months then I could easily see how this ends up being a tanking season, and we may even pursue that as a strategy. I'm also not starting out there, but wouldn't be shocked if we got there given the early injuries.

Unfortunately, in the most bizarre conflict I can remember, I will be at my son’s girlfriend’s senior night for volleyball in a town I don’t live in that he himself cannot attend. Won’t be watching until late.

This made a lot of sense up until "he himself cannot attend"

When I told my wife I was going to miss opening night for it, she said “You used to refuse to go trick-or-treating with the kids when the Bulls played on Halloween.” Which is true. That did happen once.

As for Coby, my biggest concern with his injury is the extent to which the organization is denied a meaningful opportunity to: (a) see if he can maintain his output and blend with this new group; (b) compare and contrast him with a healthy Ayo.

I know some disagree, but I see no room for both on this roster with what I anticipate they will cost. A decision will have to be made this year and possibly before the deadline.

Not worried about the wins part.

[League Circles]

I know some disagree, but I see no room for both on this roster with what I anticipate they will cost. A decision will have to be made this year and possibly before the deadline.

Not worried about the wins part.

Assuming they're both still worth something in trade at the deadline, I'd go so far as to say the decision DEFINITELY must be made before the trade deadline. There's no reason to proceed with both of them under new long term contracts, and wins this season aren't critical, so IMO they basically must trade one or both before the deadline. Ayo should likely be the odd man out IMO.

[meekrab]

"Whole squad READY" and the two guys dead center of the frame aren't ... ready?

[jnrjr79]

This is the most interested in a Bulls season I have been since going into Lonzo’s first year. Every season since then has basically been the lowest low point for me as a die hard Bulls fan since 1986.

I’m hoping for the lottery one more year, but believe the Bulls are on the cusp of something that can be really fun and exciting for years. I’m not going to bother “rooting for losses” or “tanking” because the team is too talented for that. But we need one more high value asset.

Stoked for this season and excited to watch these specific players grow and run.

Unfortunately, in the most bizarre conflict I can remember, I will be at my son’s girlfriend’s senior night for volleyball in a town I don’t live in that he himself cannot attend. Won’t be watching until late.

Have a fun season everyone! Go Bulls!

I don't know if anyone else is like this, but I tend to have a pretty substantial (and irrational) separation in how I feel watching a game vs. how I feel about the season overall. Right now, my 10,000 foot view is I want the Bulls to make the lottery this year, and then next year with all these expiring contracts and likely roster turnover, target that season to make the leap. But when I'm watching an individual Bulls game, I can't help but be rooting for them to win.

[kodo]

The worst would be a rough start that clearly shows we should tank 1 more year. Then the entire squad makes some late season run to worsen our lottery chances. Then we miss Flagg/Doncic/Dybantsa by a win or two.

But it would be a very Bullsy season.

[drosestruts]

Can't wait to feel old when trying to cast CHSN from my laptop or phone to my tv.

If we maintain a fast pace I think we get some surprise wins. Even without Coby this team should be out and running.

Curious to see if that earns us some early season wins as teams still round into shape.

[Chi town]

I know some disagree, but I see no room for both on this roster with what I anticipate they will cost. A decision will have to be made this year and possibly before the deadline.

Not worried about the wins part.

Assuming they're both still worth something in trade at the deadline, I'd go so far as to say the decision DEFINITELY must be made before the trade deadline. There's no reason to proceed with both of them under new long term contracts, and wins this season aren't critical, so IMO they basically must trade one or both before the deadline. Ayo should likely be the odd man out IMO.

Sounds like Duck is anticipating an Ayo breakout.

I don’t think he will breakout to the point we can’t pay him because when Coby returns there won’t be enough shots.

Someone will be traded at the deadline. My money is on Huerter.

[Chi town]

Sounds strange but I’m actually excited to see how they handle the adversity with Coby Collins out.

My hope is Buz arrives and flashes franchise player to keep us competitive.

[drosestruts]

early season injuries aren't unique to Chicago. Detroit will be without Ivery and Sasser and may be without LeVert as well.

That's potentially 2 of their top 3 of four scorers.

[dougthonus]

I know some disagree, but I see no room for both on this roster with what I anticipate they will cost. A decision will have to be made this year and possibly before the deadline.

Anticipating their costs is a really interesting question. Unless Coby has a breakout year well above what he did this last year, I'm at 25M a year for Coby, and Ayo's cost to me is all over the board, but probably MLEish. I could get behind bringing them both back at those price tags, but who knows what the market will bring.

[Chi town]

early season injuries aren't unique to Chicago. Detroit will be without Ivery and Sasser and may be without LeVert as well.

That's potentially 2 of their top 3 of four scorers.

Yep. It’s all over the league too.

We just have to be competitive every night. If we hang in there early we will go on a run later when healthy.

[Stratmaster]

I’m hoping for the lottery one more year, but believe the Bulls are on the cusp of something that can be really fun and exciting for years. I’m not going to bother “rooting for losses” or “tanking” because the team is too talented for that. But we need one more high value asset.

Soft tissue injuries like Coby's can be wildly unpredictable. Coby is the only guy on this team I feel like we really can't afford to be out. If his injury drags on for 2 months then I could easily see how this ends up being a tanking season, and we may even pursue that as a strategy. I'm also not starting out there, but wouldn't be shocked if we got there given the early injuries.

Unfortunately, in the most bizarre conflict I can remember, I will be at my son’s girlfriend’s senior night for volleyball in a town I don’t live in that he himself cannot attend. Won’t be watching until late.

This made a lot of sense up until "he himself cannot attend"

I would offer that if Coby is the only guy on the team we can't afford to be out, with the overall roster talent, then it is bound to be a tanking season and we should pursue that as a strategy regardless. However, I think Giddey, Coby and Matas all fall into the "can't afford them to be out" category. For the bulls to avoid a poor season they will need those 3 firing on all cylinders for 70+ games each.

[Stratmaster]

I know some disagree, but I see no room for both on this roster with what I anticipate they will cost. A decision will have to be made this year and possibly before the deadline.

Anticipating their costs is a really interesting question. Unless Coby has a breakout year well above what he did this last year, I'm at 25M a year for Coby, and Ayo's cost to me is all over the board, but probably MLEish. I could get behind bringing them both back at those price tags, but who knows what the market will bring.

I would swallow hard at 25 mil for Coby. But I know everyone else is expecting a lot more from him than me. So I would agree and would be glad to see 25 mil as compared to the crazy 30-35 mil that seems to be what everyone is talking about.

[dougthonus]

I would swallow hard at 25 mil for Coby. But I know everyone else is expecting a lot more from him than me. So I would agree and would be glad to see 25 mil as compared to the crazy 30-35 mil that seems to be what everyone is talking about.

It's hard to say without knowing what the next year will bring, but if Coby repeated last season, I'd let him walk in the 30s (much like Giddey).

[kodo]

A common theme in our Ls to the Pistons is allowing C&S options wide open. We have historically allowed some of the most 3PA of any team in the league in the Billy/Vuc era, because we need the guards to collapse in the paint.

Malik Beasley from 3 shot 16/27, 59%, on a huge volume of 9 3PA per game. In bench player minutes.
With Beasley out, it will remain to be seen if Duncan Robinson can replicate that vs Chicago.

But our typical L scenario would be everyone collapsing because we can't stop Cade getting into the paint or one of their bigs from demolishing our bigs, and so we leave the 3P line wide open and one of their roleplayers gets nice & comfortable and puts up 20+ points on low touches. This is really the formula in our bad Ls for years now, be it Beasley or Nic Batum or Strus or Korkmaz or whoever.