Two 2022 All-Stars Zach Lavigne When demar derozan and former all-star center Nikola Bucevich, chicago bulls They were hoping to become a serious contender in the Eastern Conference and build on last season’s results of the 6th seed. But this season the Bulls have held onto his disappointing 11-18 record, star points while playing without his guard. Lonzo Ball A lingering knee injury has raised serious questions in the locker room as to whether the two star wings will be able to work together at a high level on the court after this season.
According to team and league sources, the Bulls have held multiple team meetings to resolve the issue, including a one-on-one face-to-face roundtable between DeRozan and LaVine. We have the authority to speak publicly about team dynamics. DeRozan and Lavigne have always had a strong respect for each other.Just 10 months ago, at his All-Star weekend in Cleveland, the stars showed themselves NBAbest duo. They maintain good personal relationships. However, so far their encounter has not led to any in-game consequences. The level of stylistic tension on the court has simply gotten worse over the course of the season, magnified for win-loss records.
“I think everyone goes through their ups and downs, as any team does,” Lavigne said. athletic When asked about the matter on Tuesday. “Obviously, if you don’t win the game, not everyone will be happy. It won’t look like it used to. When you’re winning the game, it’s all glitter and show. But , if you lose the game and try to do the same thing it’s a mess everyone has the right to have their own opinion in my case i keep my head down i work on my game and my team I try to help, I try to lead the team, that’s where I stand, I try to take it every day and evaluate how we’re doing. increase.
Additionally, multiple league sources and sources close to the organization say Lavigne and the Bulls are in disagreement. Over the past few weeks, there’s been a palpable feeling of disconnection over Lavigne’s situation in Chicago in various parts of the franchise. Five-year, up to $215 million deal It was signed this summer.
“There is a certain amount of frustration with people trying to figure out what they can do to fix the ship,” Lavigne said. athletic“I think with the players we have, we’re trying to do that with each other to right the ship. There’s and then we’re all coming together.It doesn’t take one person.It takes us all as one unit.I think that’s what they’re trying to figure out how to help the group. ”
As the saying goes, victory cures all. A year ago, DeRozan, Lavigne and these Bulls were clicking on every cylinder. Jason Tatum, Jalen Brown and the celtics I was having trouble finding my way. A year later, the roles seem to have reversed, and it pops out when you look at the standings.
The third season of Billy Donovan’s tenure sees growing skepticism even within the locker room about the head coach and coaching staff. The task of doing so looms large. Donovan’s job is safe now, athletic he reported signed a multi-year contract extension before the start of the season.
Deeper
Bulls coach Billy Donovan sets tone for next season: ‘We still have more to prove’
The Bulls’ season started optimistically. They brought back 12 of his players from last season’s roster. The hope was that continuity equated to increased chemistry and better results. The Bulls are, of course, a much more complete and dynamic team with the ball healthy, as they had the ability to push the pace they needed last season and set the table for DeRozan and LaVine.
But despite Ball’s status being up in the air as to when he might return, Bulls Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas said at the team’s media day in September that now is the time. I set expectations for the season.
“Obviously what we want to see is an improvement,” he said. “I think if you go to the playoffs and get a healthy body, a lot will happen. Some teams are missing a key player or two and they can get them in one round, so those are the expectations.”
But from the start the Bulls faced a bumpy road.
LaVine unexpectedly missed the team’s first two contests this season. LaVine battled through the second half of last season with knee problems and showed tremendous resilience and fortitude to stay on the floor for the first postseason appearance of his career. LaVine could have had knee surgery during the season, but opted to wait until after the Bulls’ playoffs to ensure his availability with the team.
DeRozan arrived for the Bulls in the 2021 offseason, intended to be the second option for most nights behind LaVine, and provided support to help LaVine win more games. , he emerged as one of the best performers in the league, but with clutch moments, multiple game winners and consistent leadership.
“Now is the time to figure out how to make this work for the whole group. I have never played with a player as talented as Zack in a wing position. I want to share with him everything I have experienced in 2018 and win together.” DeRozan said last October.
The duo had a successful first season, leading the Bulls to a 46-36 record and earning their first playoff spot in four years. They seem to really enjoy each other’s presence. It’s clear that the ball is the driving force behind these Bulls. The team went 22-13 with him in the lineup and 24-23 without him. DeRozan and Lavigne seemed to establish the foundations of their partnership last season, but this season everything has been called into question across the organization.
For Karnisovas, the best move during his tenure was to become an All-NBA Second Team and acquire DeRozan, who received the MVP vote a season ago. have been playing He is averaging 27.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists, while his goal completion percentage on the field is his 50.4% and his throw completion percentage is his 88.1%. As a fourth quarter performer, he ranks among the best in the NBA.
DeRozan joined the Bulls on a three-year, $85 million deal in 2021 and is eligible for a maximum four-year, $153.7 million extension this summer. Will the Bulls see DeRozan as a centerpiece for years to come?
Lavigne denounced the idea that the weight of expectations from his maximum allowable contract had affected him.
“It didn’t weigh anything on me. I don’t understand how that could be put into context,” Lavigne said. athletic“Is it supposed to be weighted just because I signed a contract? But everyone is open to their opinions.
“I’m coming back from injury and improving every day. If you’re losing, you don’t see it. It’s not coming from us, it’s coming from an outside source, it’s something you have to deal with, it’s attached to the territory, I know. I think the team understands that, it doesn’t bother me, I think it comes with that.”
Additionally, Vucevic is eligible for up to four years and $118.2 million in extensions, but is currently expected to become a free agent in the offseason.
The Bulls’ direction moving forward is clouded by the fact they still owe orlando magic Top four protected first-round picks in the 2023 NBA Draft. The Bulls’ front office could pivot from competing for a playoff and play-in tournament spot to a complete rebuild, so they risk falling out of the top four and giving Orlando a pick.
Still, even with all this talent, if these Bulls continue down this path anyway, they may run out of options for the organization.
Goran DragicHe is the oldest and most experienced player on the team. Minnesota on sunday.
“We’re not playing for each other,” he said. “It’s as easy as that.”
The veteran point guard’s comments followed Donovan’s equally candid post-game interview. Donovan has openly challenged his star trio through the media, but was more outspoken than ever on Sunday.
“We need to get out of the mindset of worrying about the score and the tone of the offense and notice the ball scoring,” Donovan said. “And if the ball moves and the person who scored passes, you score.”
Donovan agreed with Dragic that the Bulls were playing too individualistically and that the results wouldn’t change until the teams changed.
“Once you get that mentality of ‘I feel like I’m doing it for him,’ and I’m going to do it for him, and I’m going to do it for him. I won’t let the guy down there,” said Donovan.
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(Photo: Michael Reeves/Getty Images)
