Opening night starting line-up predictions.

[Dez]

Giddey
White
LaVine
Williams
Vucevic

Ayo
Smith
Craig
Ball
Buzelis

If we are keeping Lavine and he stays healthy, am I crazy to think this team could win some games? Like enough to compete for the play-in? Definitely not a tank for Flagg or at least tank to keep our pick type of roster. I can live with it because we have some young and exciting guys.

Team won't be able to stop a cold let alone an NBA offense.

[sco]

Somethings gotta give we cant move Zach and there is no way Zach, Coby, and Ayo can co exist anymore and the inability to move Zach may force them to have to move either Coby or Ayo.

Coby played 35 mpg last season
Ayo played 30 mpg

Zach when healthy plays 35 mpg

They just traded for Giddey who I would bet big money on that they are planning on putting the ball in his hand and playing him at least 30+ mpg .

?? Zo may be able to give us 20 mpg as a 3 and d guard maybe more who knows but hes left one of the best three point shooters in the leaguer even if hes not fullcourt Zo next year he could still be our Klay

I cant see Coby or Ayo agreeing voluntarily to go back to being 15-20 mpg game players again and if Billy says well they are good players they will figure it out one more offseason I will be in the rafters of the UC ready to take him out .

There is going to be a price to pay for not being able to move Zach the question is whose agent forces the issue first and we certainly shouldnt be trying to purposely run out yet a another small ball lineup

Coby (34), Ayo (14)
Zach (32), Ayo (16)
Giddey (30), Williams (4), Craig (14)
Williams (24), Buzelis (20), Smith (4)
Vuc (30), Smith (18)

There's plenty of minutes there. I don't like the lineup with Zach in it but there's more than enough minutes for Coby & Ayo to go around. Coby & Zach just need to be staggered so one is one the court at all times.

Totally agree!

IF they want to win games this season (that's a big IF), they can stagger the minutes to get Ayo, Smith, Craig (and Ball if he can play) to improve our defensive balance. Line-ups these are probably our best ones:

Giddey, Ayo, Zach, Pat, Vuc
Ball, Coby, Ayo, Craig, Vuc
Giddey, Ayo, Matas, Craig, Vuc
Coby, Zach, Matas, Pat, Smith
Ball, Coby, Zack, Pat, Smith
Giddey, Coby, Ayo, Matas, Smith

Vuc should really be getting most (really all) of his minutes with the bench unit, he is really terrible against many of the starters, but he's still pretty good against bums.

[Chi town]

Shanowski reporting that after Billy met with Zach that starting 5 will include Giddey Coby Zach.

So we know Pat and Vuc will fill starting lineup.

Read on Twitter

?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1820267876848193776%7Ctwgr%5Ec9a6ed1777ba7d6519f1f173afec5416e23d8a7e%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bleachernation.com%2Fbulls%2F2024%2F08%2F05%2Fchicago-bulls-lavine-app%2F

[League Circles]

Shanowski reporting that after Billy met with Zach that starting 5 will include Giddey Coby Zach.

So we know Pat and Vuc will fill starting lineup.

Read on Twitter

?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1820267876848193776%7Ctwgr%5Ec9a6ed1777ba7d6519f1f173afec5416e23d8a7e%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bleachernation.com%2Fbulls%2F2024%2F08%2F05%2Fchicago-bulls-lavine-app%2F

How do we know Vuc is going to start?

Nice crop top / mustache combo look for Giddey lol

[Jcool0]

Shanowski reporting that after Billy met with Zach that starting 5 will include Giddey Coby Zach.

So we know Pat and Vuc will fill starting lineup.

Read on Twitter

I think this is more speculation then reporting.

[jnrjr79]

Shanowski reporting that after Billy met with Zach that starting 5 will include Giddey Coby Zach.

So we know Pat and Vuc will fill starting lineup.

Read on Twitter

?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1820267876848193776%7Ctwgr%5Ec9a6ed1777ba7d6519f1f173afec5416e23d8a7e%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bleachernation.com%2Fbulls%2F2024%2F08%2F05%2Fchicago-bulls-lavine-app%2F

How do we know Vuc is going to start?

Nice crop top / mustache combo look for Giddey lol

I don't think there's any reporting on it. It's just common sense. Absent an injury, there's basically no chance the Bulls would ever try to bring him off the bench. The best you can hope for is some reduction in minutes.

[MrSparkle]

So just to echo this concern (not really a concern if we're tanking)....

This is going to be an intriguingly horrendous defensive starting roster. These 4 all have an argument for bottom-5 defender (if not worst) at their positions:

Coby
Giddey
Zach
Vuc

Then there's also a chance Pat has a slow return (if he's even ready in Nov).

It'll just be interesting to see what Billy does. Is he going to try and get these guys to rotate and defend, or is he going to just focus on transition offense, D'Antoni style?

I'm actually looking forward (out of curiosity) to seeing how easily this defense gets carved up. IMO there's a reasonable chance we start 0-10, depending on schedule. I can't think of any team that has started this many defensive liabilities, in the last few years.

Of course injuries can decimate a team, so if Charlotte or Atlanta are playing SFs at center again, then of course they'll be bottom-3. But GEEZ. They do have wing-span and foot-speed on the perimeter that we don't have.

Just going to be interesting. 3 turnstile defenders and 1 short-armed small guard holding the fort down is going to be wildly intriguing. Kudos to Billy if he figures it out.

[Ballerkingn23]

Giddy
White
Lavine
Williams
Vuc

Book it, I think Ayo is 6 man of the year candidate and Dalen MIP candidate.

[sco]

Giddy
White
Lavine
Williams
Vuc

Book it, I think Ayo is 6 man of the year candidate and Dalen MIP candidate.

Hard to argue on the starters (although I really want Smith over Vuc). If Ball handles the bench PG duties, I could see Ayo thriving without having to worry about whether to distribute vs. score. A bench of Ball/Ayo/Terry/Matas/Smith could be fun to watch.

[WindyCityBorn]

So just to echo this concern (not really a concern if we're tanking)....

This is going to be an intriguingly horrendous defensive starting roster. These 4 all have an argument for bottom-5 defender (if not worst) at their positions:

Coby
Giddey
Zach
Vuc

Then there's also a chance Pat has a slow return (if he's even ready in Nov).

It'll just be interesting to see what Billy does. Is he going to try and get these guys to rotate and defend, or is he going to just focus on transition offense, D'Antoni style?

I'm actually looking forward (out of curiosity) to seeing how easily this defense gets carved up. IMO there's a reasonable chance we start 0-10, depending on schedule. I can't think of any team that has started this many defensive liabilities, in the last few years.

Of course injuries can decimate a team, so if Charlotte or Atlanta are playing SFs at center again, then of course they'll be bottom-3. But GEEZ. They do have wing-span and foot-speed on the perimeter that we don't have.

Just going to be interesting. 3 turnstile defenders and 1 short-armed small guard holding the fort down is going to be wildly intriguing. Kudos to Billy if he figures it out.

Pat said he good to go weeks ago. All that worry about his injury taking longer to heal was blown out of proportion and he squashed it.

[sco]

So just to echo this concern (not really a concern if we're tanking)....

This is going to be an intriguingly horrendous defensive starting roster. These 4 all have an argument for bottom-5 defender (if not worst) at their positions:

Coby
Giddey
Zach
Vuc

Then there's also a chance Pat has a slow return (if he's even ready in Nov).

It'll just be interesting to see what Billy does. Is he going to try and get these guys to rotate and defend, or is he going to just focus on transition offense, D'Antoni style?

I'm actually looking forward (out of curiosity) to seeing how easily this defense gets carved up. IMO there's a reasonable chance we start 0-10, depending on schedule. I can't think of any team that has started this many defensive liabilities, in the last few years.

Of course injuries can decimate a team, so if Charlotte or Atlanta are playing SFs at center again, then of course they'll be bottom-3. But GEEZ. They do have wing-span and foot-speed on the perimeter that we don't have.

Just going to be interesting. 3 turnstile defenders and 1 short-armed small guard holding the fort down is going to be wildly intriguing. Kudos to Billy if he figures it out.

Pat said he good to go weeks ago. All that worry about his injury taking longer to heal was blown out of proportion and he squashed it.

It would have been great if Pat had gone to work with Johnny dribbles too much this summer.

[WindyCityBorn]

So just to echo this concern (not really a concern if we're tanking)....

This is going to be an intriguingly horrendous defensive starting roster. These 4 all have an argument for bottom-5 defender (if not worst) at their positions:

Coby
Giddey
Zach
Vuc

Then there's also a chance Pat has a slow return (if he's even ready in Nov).

It'll just be interesting to see what Billy does. Is he going to try and get these guys to rotate and defend, or is he going to just focus on transition offense, D'Antoni style?

I'm actually looking forward (out of curiosity) to seeing how easily this defense gets carved up. IMO there's a reasonable chance we start 0-10, depending on schedule. I can't think of any team that has started this many defensive liabilities, in the last few years.

Of course injuries can decimate a team, so if Charlotte or Atlanta are playing SFs at center again, then of course they'll be bottom-3. But GEEZ. They do have wing-span and foot-speed on the perimeter that we don't have.

Just going to be interesting. 3 turnstile defenders and 1 short-armed small guard holding the fort down is going to be wildly intriguing. Kudos to Billy if he figures it out.

Pat said he good to go weeks ago. All that worry about his injury taking longer to heal was blown out of proportion and he squashed it.

It would have been great if Pat had gone to work with Johnny dribbles too much this summer.

I would be happy if he just gets a quicker release on his shot becomes a better rebounding better. Mykal Bridges can barely dribble and we see how highly he was valued. 3 and D plus moving without the ball is Pat’s calling next season. If he pulls a Coby with handles that would be amazing, but not counting on it.

[drosestruts]

Pat said he good to go weeks ago. All that worry about his injury taking longer to heal was blown out of proportion and he squashed it.

It would have been great if Pat had gone to work with Johnny dribbles too much this summer.

I would be happy if he just gets a quicker release on his shot becomes a better rebounding better. Mykal Bridges can barely dribble and we see how highly he was valued. 3 and D plus moving without the ball is Pat’s calling next season. If he pulls a Coby with handles that would be amazing, but not counting on it.

I've used Bridges as a comparison for Williams multiple times. Bridges came into the league a little older, but didn't average double digit points in the NBA till he was 24 years old.

Bridges averaged 8.5 points his first two season, followed by 14 points n years 2 and 3, then finally broke out when he was 26 scoring 20 points a game.

Patrick Williams will be 23 this season and should see more opportunities. Remember in December prior to his injuries his scoring jumped up to 14 points per game on 62.5% TS%. If he were able to sustain that over an entire season, with his excellent defense, i'd be very happy. Ecspecially at the deal we signed him to

[Ballerkingn23]

Giddy
White
Lavine
Williams
Vuc

Book it, I think Ayo is 6 man of the year candidate and Dalen MIP candidate.

Hard to argue on the starters (although I really want Smith over Vuc). If Ball handles the bench PG duties, I could see Ayo thriving without having to worry about whether to distribute vs. score. A bench of Ball/Ayo/Terry/Matas/Smith could be fun to watch.

Vuc makes too much money to come off the bench.

[bullskokie]

Quick question. Do we still have a slot? Can we still sign someone like Yabusele of France? He said he is seeking an NBA return.

[Ballerkingn23]

Quick question. Do we still have a slot? Can we still sign someone like Yabusele of France? He said he is seeking an NBA return.

No we don't unless its for 2 way contract. Not sure if Yabusele wants a two way contract so he's a no get. I think someone will offer him a nba contract and we could if we moved Zac/Vuc or cut Bitcoin as his contract is non guaranteed.

[bullskokie]

Quick question. Do we still have a slot? Can we still sign someone like Yabusele of France? He said he is seeking an NBA return.

No we don't unless its for 2 way contract. Not sure if Yabusele wants a two way contract so he's a no get. I think someone will offer him a nba contract and we could if we moved Zac/Vuc or cut Bitcoin as his contract is non guaranteed.

Alright. I saw his game and thought he can be a Big Ben lite with a bit mobility and offense. May be better than Sanogo or any of our G league guys.

[drosestruts]

It's probably just summer boredom, but I feel like I'm talking myself more and more into starting:

Giddey - LaVine - Williams - Buzelis - Vuc

For me - Giddey, Williams, and Buzelis represent our 3 highest potential players

Zach is our best player

And Vuc, well is a veteran center who I feel like will continue to start until he's simply not on the team anymore.

In general I feel like most people have 4 of these 5 players in their projected starting lineup, with many projecting White to start in place of Buzelis, but as I look at our team I can't help but question - Why?

Short-term I don't see us being better than a play-in team (granted making the play-in with a younger team feels a whole lot different than making it with an older team)

Long-term - it's hard for me to not prioritize someone like Buzelis over someone like White.

Is White getting shafted a little? I don't know - I think he'll still get plenty of minutes as a 6th man. And honestly he was only ever starting due to injuries. If Ball and Zach had stayed healthy we're not even talking about starting Coby White.

For the record I like Coby.

I think Coby-Ayo-Ball/Terry-Craig-Smith could be a really good second unit.

Very happy for Coby's improved play last year - was 100% rooting for him to win MIP. He'll make a great 6th man/spot starter

I just think that's what's best for the Bulls is Giddey-LaVine-Williams-Matas-Find a starting center. I mean Vuc.

[jnrjr79]

Quick question. Do we still have a slot? Can we still sign someone like Yabusele of France? He said he is seeking an NBA return.

The Bulls don't exactly have a slot, but they have the non-guaranteed Bitim contract by which they could create one.

Yabusele has signed with the 76ers, though.

[jnrjr79]

Giddy
White
Lavine
Williams
Vuc

Book it, I think Ayo is 6 man of the year candidate and Dalen MIP candidate.

Hard to argue on the starters (although I really want Smith over Vuc). If Ball handles the bench PG duties, I could see Ayo thriving without having to worry about whether to distribute vs. score. A bench of Ball/Ayo/Terry/Matas/Smith could be fun to watch.

Vuc makes too much money to come off the bench.

It's not just the money. It's that, plus is prior All-Star pedigree, plus the fact he has already in the past griped about his role/touches. If you put Vooch on the bench, it is likely to be very poorly received by him and cause some drama. IMO, the only way this happens is if Vooch really sucks this year and Smith plays really well. I find it basically impossible that Vooch would be relegated to a bench role *on opening night.*