Chicago Bulls fans got their first look at what the new core will look like, as well as what to expect this upcoming season. Here are 3 takeaways from Media Day. As the Chicago Bulls opened up today’s media day session, the brass of Executive VP of Basketball Ops, John Paxson, general manager, Gar Forman, and head coach, Fred Hoiberg took to the podium to answer questions about where the outlook of this Bulls team lies as they head into year 2 of their rebuild. John Paxson reiterated that although this team may be young, they’re not as inexperienced as you may think when you look at the roster on paper. Lauri Markkanen – who’s entering his second season – played 66 out of 82 games during his rookie year, which is equivalent to 2 collegiate seasons. He also thinks that this team does have talent and how they piece it all together and how they play will ultimately determine what kind of win total they will end up with. As far as the three new pieces that the Bulls added this off-season (Chandler Hutchison, Wendell Carter, Jr. and Jabari Parker), Gar Forman thinks that aside from where they fit in today’s NBA, each one of them has something to add to this team and can bring a real versatility to this team moving forward. The front office is really excited to add them to the young core that they already have in place. That being said, I bet you’re dying to hear what my three takeaways from today’s Media Day were. Let’s begin, shall we?<doc-sep>No American sports league cooks up a dish quite like the NBA. With NBA training camps opening and preseason games beginning later this week, controversies already are simmering, tensions boiling and expectations and anticipation appear to be preparing us for another season of a classic main course. OK, I just had to get my tortured metaphor out of the way early for my Edward Bulwer-Lytton contest entry before considering LeBron in LA, ‘Melo in—where the heck is he now?, Kawhi having been kicked out of the country, the Warriors trying to make it nine straight titles to pass Bill Russell (what, it’s just two? ), Jimmy really, really mad this time and wanting to win with perennial powers the Clippers or Nets, Boogie in the Bay, Boston now using three balls, nobody capable of winning the Central Division, or the Southeast, actually, Dirk on the way out, the West being wild again and the top of the East pretty darned good, and, hey, did anyone mention LeBron is in LA? Oh, right, the Bulls, who have media day Monday and officially open camp Tuesday with most of the NBA, appear on the NBA schedule for 82 games, too. The way things are it may be a few more games even if no one really thinks so. There’s been a lot to see and hear in Chicago basketball for the last decade with D-Rose and Thibs, D-Wade, Jimmy and Rondo, C-Booz and his hair paint, Jo and Nate, fighting off the court and on, captain Kirk, Vinny, almost topping out with the conference finals and nearly bottoming out in the lottery. It should be a very interesting and intriguing Bulls 2018-19 season, the second season of the current reboot, with five young, lottery selected players trying to become a team. But it should be a lot quieter than here previously and than in most places around the NBA — are those Timberwolves fans putting up that Hire GarPax billboard in the West Loop? — but the Bulls still will have plenty of questions. We always were told in journalism class you discovered what was happening by answering the five Ws and the H, Who, What, When, Where, Why and How. So let’s apply those to the new Bulls: Who’s the Man? This may be the most difficult and the key to unlocking the season’s vault. Ouch, there I go again. A developing, good or great team doesn’t need just one great player, though it helps. Rebuilding teams by definition have no great players, but are trying to find some. The Bulls are holding auditions this season. You want to be a star? OK, this is the place. The job remains open. That “man” thing often is defined by who takes the last shot, makes the clutch play, scores the most points, has the most rips in his jeans. The Bulls have a bunch of candidates. You can see Zach LaVine would like the job based on what he says and even just those 24 games last season; dunk you very much. Jabari Parker thought he’d have the job in Milwaukee, but he was thwarted by freak and Greek Freak occurrences. He says he’s ready. Kris Dunn made the most end game plays last season, however few there were, Lauri Markkanen looks most ready and Wendell Carter Jr. deferred last season; he may be done with that. The essential element in team success is playing well with others. Can they? Will they? What’s the Point? It’s a Dunn deal, as we know, with Cameron Payne apparently the secured backup for now. Though Dunn’s further development may be the most important factor in the team’s ultimate fate. The point guard is like my favorite Casey Stengel story when he took over the expansion Mets and selected mediocre catcher Hobie Landrith with the first expansion draft pick. Casey explained if you don’t have a catcher, the ball rolls to the backstop every time. Well, if you don’t have a point guard, that’s a lot of eight-second violations and turnovers. And if you don’t have one who can make plays for others, especially in this point guard driven NBA, the other guys are mostly standing around waving for a taxi. Dunn recovered mentally last season from Thibs’ boot camp, but missed about 30 games with various freak injuries. That’s a lot of games. Health remains everyone’s greatest skill. Dunn seems to be a fine defender, and we’ve heard plenty about the need to improve his shot. That can be done. But you don’t teach point guard instincts. Either you have those or not. Coach Fred Hoiberg will emphasize speed and running. But opponents pretty much know that and don’t let you do so often. Dunn’s ability to run a team while reducing turnovers and keeping teammates happy with passing may define the team’s destiny. Who’s the Center? Not necessarily the center of attention, though the job will get a lot of scrutiny now with the drafting of Carter, who opened as many eyes in Vegas as the slot machine jackpot. The Bulls may have hit the jackpot with the No. 7 draft pick, who showed remarkable versatility, talent and maturity. It’s just that the Bulls have a starting center, great guy in Robin Lopez. Wearing No. 42, from Disneyland… Really, who doesn’t love that guy? The speculation has been the Bulls would trade Lopez sometime this season to open a spot for Carter, though Carter will play plenty. But given the lesser role of centers in the NBA these days and Lopez unable to shoot long range or guard on the perimeter, his value is limited. So start him to keep his value up? Sure, that’s the usual justification. Plus, teams generally are loath to bench a veteran out of respect — Lopez ended up not playing most of the last two months last season rather than having a bench role — and often are uncomfortable with the image of a healthy veteran being demoted like that. Though the Lakers did it comfortably with Luol Deng. Carter for this NBA may be the better player even now and even if he’s just 19. So start him? Or let him watch a year like most rookie NFL quarterbacks? Or until the team loses the third game in a row? Where’s Lauri? Is that Markkanen wearing a red and white horizontal striped shirt and stocking cap? Getting him to stand out in the crowd may be one of the Bulls’ biggest challenges this season. Markkanen in a phenomenal rookie season looked the most like a star on the roster with his three-point shooting, toughness and varied game. LaVine is more athletic with his two dunk contest wins and Parker was drafted higher than Michael Jordan. Markkanen looks closest to star billing. But it’s the perimeter guys who mostly control the ball in the NBA these days. And if Lopez is starting, Markkanen will be relied upon for a lot of rebounding. Markkanen will run the break well, but will teammates be able to pick him out of the crowd in the half court and often enough. You want to find his talent. When is somebody going to make a shot? It often seemed like that last season with the Bulls ranking last in shooting and basically in the lower third in the other shooting categories. Not a great plan for this NBA. LaVine should be better—and has looked impressive in preseason workouts — in his first full season after ACL surgery. Yes, it takes well over a year. Markkanen is a natural, Dunn has been practicing, Carter’s pretty darned good, Parker was good from three last season. Sounds like a plan, but thus far it’s been more like a good day at the driving range. It hasn’t often carried over to the course. A lot of this has to do with spacing the court, movement and creating good opportunities. You know, the way the game is played and what the triangle did. Will some one emerge as that reliable threat? Some two? It has to be more than a shot in the dark. How are they going to play defense?<doc-sep>Chuck Checks In is back! Send me your emails and comments to cswirsky@bulls.com It was an absolute pleasure to return to the Advocate Training Center renewing acquaintances with many staff members and players alike from a year ago. With every season, several new players join the fray and the Bulls are no exception as they welcome veteran Jabari Parker, along with two first round draft choices in Wendell Carter Jr. and Chandler Hutchison. I am NOT in the prediction business, but I am cautiously optimistic that as these young Bulls develop, the 2018-19 season could be very intriguing. Notes and quotes from Media Day: Lauri Markkanen split time between Chicago and Finland. Those social media pictures of a ripped Markkanen were confirmed and was a tribute to his work in the weight room. He's gained 17 pounds in the offseason. Jabari Parker on his offseason involvement working with young people in Chicago: "I do it pretty much often so it's second nature for me. It's making my rounds around the community if they need some help. Some things that are dear to my heart is equality; fighting for human rights and civil rights and just trying to push forward a better environment for community and for our country and for the world." Jabari was asked on a segment of Facebook Live to comment about his ongoing developing relationship with Coach Hoiberg: "I've had quite a few (conversations). Fred has been developing a relationship that is essential and since I'm so new coming around, I need his guidance. I need his experience to help me."" Bobby Portis on his sleeping habits: "I slept a lot this summer, six or seven hours a night." Portis gained some weight and strength in the offseason. He ended last season at 246 pounds, he's now at 259. According to Portis, his body fat went from 10.4 to 8.6 percent. Robin Lopez on his offseason: "I was on the west coast quite a bit in the offseason. I did head to Europe, Paris, Florence. When I go and travel, in my mind, I think I'm going to accomplish so many different things. That I'm going to discover and uncover so many wonderful mysteries but find the biggest challenge is getting out of bed and trying to drag myself out of my hotel room. I get so comfortable in a hotel bed with television, and if there's room service all the better. That's the constant trouble for me." (Everyone loves Rolo) Media Day is for everyone including Benny the Bull with a role reversal moment! NBA news and notes On Monday in SoCal, Magic Johnson rolled out LeBron James, Rajon Rondo, Lance Stephenson and the new look Lakers. Make no mistake about it, there will be some growing pains, more than a few in fact, but they will get better as the season progresses. Checking out the Spurs roster and I had to do a double take. No Parker. No Ginobili. No Leonard. The big story in the NBA is the Jimmy Butler trade request. Take a deep breath and let this thing breathe a bit. There are tons of rumors and you know what I think of rumors. With so much discussion about the robust free agent class of 2019, is it possible we can dial it back and enjoy what's happening ON the court for the 2018-19 season? Hey, I'm a fan too but let's not waste our time and energy on months of speculation. Live in the moment and the moment is watching NBA ball! Love this from former All Star turned broadcaster Chris Webber: "If you’re a little girl and you love basketball, and you’re only 5-foot-4, I’ll tell you the same things I tell my friends that are 5-foot-4: You’re either gonna be really fast and a great guard and maybe get your shot blocked some, or you could be a coach. You could be a film guy. There’s a lot of room in the business of basketball." (Courtesy Sacramento Bee) It also applies to young men as well. Take it from a 5-9 sportscaster entering his 21st year as an NBA broadcaster. Read more here: https://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/article218932890.html#storylink=cpy Always a pleasure. Would enjoy your questions, comments about the Bulls and the NBA at cswirsky@bulls.com or follow me on Twitter @ctsbulls<doc-sep>
Chicago Bulls media day followed the usual script. Everybody is 0-0, everything is happy and optimistic, and we get to hear two hours worth of how hard guys worked during the summer and how excited guys are for the upcoming season. Here are the most interesting sound bites from each of the Chicago Bulls main speakers at media day. Gar Forman/John Paxson/Fred Hoiberg: Nobody would give an expectation for a win total next season. They wouldn’t even really provide a nebulous goal, it’s as if they saw our read on this situation and concurred. John Paxson isn't caught up in the label of whether this is a "competitive" year or a"developmental" year for the #Bulls. — Cody Westerlund (@CodyWesterlund) September 24, 2018 But don’t worry, everybody in the building ‘feels pressure’ (a.k.a: there’s no pressure) Zach LaVine: LaVine’s self-awareness seemed improved. “I’ve always been really good on the ball, I’m not going to allow you guys to tell me that I’m not good on the ball. I’ve always had trouble off of it, weak side, stuff like that. That’s the main thing you try to focus on.” But he also said that ‘everybody’ in the NBA can play defense. The Bulls defense will probably be horrendous next season. If LaVine actually worked on his off the ball defense and improves in that facet of the game that’d be huge for the Bulls. LaVine also made mention of his weight loss to what he thought was an ‘ideal’ playing weight. Jabari Parker: Frankly, Parker’s face time with the media wasn’t that interesting. He was hammered with questions about building continuity with his new teammates, but wouldn’t fall into the trap of speculating on a pecking order. He also looked...less svelte than Zach LaVine Kris Dunn Dunn addressed a Joe Cowley report that the Bulls aren’t pleased with his work ethic, calling it ‘unprofessional’. Was Cowley standing just a few feet away when he said it? If so, awkward.... Also, give credit to Dunn for stepping up where what GarPax wouldn’t: #Bulls' Kris Dunn: "One of our goals is to make it to the playoffs." Finally, seven individuals into media day, someone expressed an expectation or at least a clear goal. — Cody Westerlund (@CodyWesterlund) September 24, 2018 Wendell Carter Jr.: Carter Jr. also didn’t get the memo that on media day you revert to the clichés and avoid making concrete expectations. “We are going to be in the playoffs this year,” Carter Jr. told the Chicago Sun-Times. “Just that simple.” Lauri Markkanen: Outside of downplaying his troll job of the Minnesota Timberwolves last week, Markkanen’s most interesting quip of the day came in the form of quantifying his muscular gains and then the ensuing Twitter exchange that happened after the Chicago Tribune’s K.C. Johnson tweeted out this information. Added muscle should give Markkanen more positional versatility and make him a better paint defender than he was last season. Other Tidbits: The legend of Robin Lopez grew a little larger today. not sure when robin lopez became doctor strange but honestly i’m cool with it pic.twitter.com/RNGqe7aluz — Jeremy Woo (@JeremyWoo) September 24, 2018