Taj Gibson - 60.2 career WAR, 6th among the 2009 draft class, behind Jrue Holiday, ahead of Jeff Teague.
James Johnson - 27.4 career WAR, 17th among the 2009 draft class, behind Tyreke Evans, ahead of Jonas Jerebko. Drafted 16th, ranked 17th, solid pick. 18 WAR 2014-2018. Played more than 2000 minutes once. Weird Career. Note to future draft picks, to maximize your NBA career you must learn to fight.
As discussed on the last thread, I think the Bulls are ultimately a 41-win team, Vegas picked them as a 31-win team, but I'd say that over the past few games they're performing closer to the level of a 21-win team (and maybe even that's generous).
This past week's iteration of the team is maybe the worst version of what they are (and could be a great tank candidate). Tired legs and injured at spots where they lack depth. Interested to see how they perform against these inferior but potentially friskier teams. The next week may very well go badly, but even if it does, unless the injuries keep piling up, the Bulls will likely have going many more weeks in the future when health and energy won't be as depleted, and the "frisky level" of their opponents will continue to drop in Jan/Feb/March.
The Bulls have a lengthy injury report ahead of Friday’s contest in Charlotte, notes Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic (Twitter link). Kevin Huerter (left pelvic contusion), Dalen Terry (left calf strain), Nikola Vucevic (right patellofemoral syndrome), Coby White (right calf strain injury management), and Patrick Williams (left wrist sprain) are all questionable, while Isaac Okoro is doubtful to suit up because of left lumbar radiculopathy.
Jalen Smith out vs Indiana. He's won them a few games but was useless in Charlotte
Kind of weird that Okoro and Terry have no lengthy absence updates. Especially with a Calf strain like in Terry's case, that's typically not a day to day thing. I suppose since it's the Bulls role players nobody cares.
Taj Gibson - 60.2 career WAR, 6th among the 2009 draft class, behind Jrue Holiday, ahead of Jeff Teague.
James Johnson - 27.4 career WAR, 17th among the 2009 draft class, behind Tyreke Evans, ahead of Jonas Jerebko. Drafted 16th, ranked 17th, solid pick. 18 WAR 2014-2018. Played more than 2000 minutes once. Weird Career. Note to future draft picks, to maximize your NBA career you must learn to fight.
As discussed on the last thread, I think the Bulls are ultimately a 41-win team, Vegas picked them as a 31-win team, but I'd say that over the past few games they're performing closer to the level of a 21-win team (and maybe even that's generous).
This past week's iteration of the team is maybe the worst version of what they are (and could be a great tank candidate). Tired legs and injured at spots where they lack depth. Interested to see how they perform against these inferior but potentially friskier teams. The next week may very well go badly, but even if it does, unless the injuries keep piling up, the Bulls will likely have going many more weeks in the future when health and energy won't be as depleted, and the "frisky level" of their opponents will continue to drop in Jan/Feb/March.
Hoopsrumors.com:
The Bulls have a lengthy injury report ahead of Friday’s contest in Charlotte, notes Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic (Twitter link). Kevin Huerter (left pelvic contusion), Dalen Terry (left calf strain), Nikola Vucevic (right patellofemoral syndrome), Coby White (right calf strain injury management), and Patrick Williams (left wrist sprain) are all questionable, while Isaac Okoro is doubtful to suit up because of left lumbar radiculopathy.
What’s funny is that the East actually is wide open, but the list of surprise contenders STILL doesn’t include the Bulls.
We’ve got a playoff team taking a leap (Pistons) a play-in team improving (Heat) and a bad team taking a huge step forward (Raptors).
Meanwhile, the Bulls have the ninth seed…again.
OhNoWeSuckAgain.jpg
Jalen Smith out vs Indiana. He's won them a few games but was useless in Charlotte
Kind of weird that Okoro and Terry have no lengthy absence updates. Especially with a Calf strain like in Terry's case, that's typically not a day to day thing. I suppose since it's the Bulls role players nobody cares.
And if there was a thought Essengue would fill in tonight... He's also out with a shoulder ailment