Absolutely NO excuse for these two plays. With Tiago emphasizing four guys crashing the offensive glass, the Bulls will inevitably surrender some transition buckets. But that’s NOT what happened here. The last play is especially appalling…starters padding stats against end-of-bench guys, but completely oblivious to transition d. Inexcusable.

The only player to not play for the Bulls tonight in a 43-point blowout makes 18 million per year for 3 more years.

We’re losing by 40+, and we have 81 more games. An injury at this point while playing against the end of bench Raptors….the reward ain’t worth the risk.

WTF are Matas-Caleb still in this game? We are down 121-77….Hey Thibs, get em out.

Starters….more turnovers than assists…SMH

All this game did was further validate that Arturas Karnisovas is the worst front office official in Bulls’ history…and maybe in Chicago sports history. He left Bryson w/ just a bunch of guys & an 18-million per year albatross (PWill)…few would garner a FRP, none would garner a lottery pick.

I really hope Matas unleashes that mid-range game in Q4, since 1-6 from the field, & 3 points w/ 2 minutes left in Q3 ain’t gonna cut it.

I miss preseason Leonard Miller.

You know this Bulls game has been awful when I’m looking forward to the Burlington House of Burl and Ron Kittle in Will County commercials.

One thing is for certain….it wasn’t Billy’s fault.

I can’t wait for the Buddy Hield era to be over.

Really curious who the Raptors stick Kawhi and Scottie on tonight. My guess is Matas and Caleb draw those matchups. Should be fun to see!

The Biggest Issue With the 2026-27 Bulls: Defensive Geometry - See Red Fred Bulls Historian/Podcast Host/Prophet The Chicago Bulls are in a rebuild, and the single biggest problem on the floor right now is their defensive geometry. The three players with the greatest All-Star potential (Caleb/Matas/Giddey) are all best suited defensively to guard the same position (PF). That creates a “defensive” logjam that will shape everything else this season. Today, Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson’s greatest defensive asset is blocking shots/providing some rim protection. You’d prefer to keep both of them closer to the basket than asking one of them to chase quicker 3’s out on the perimeter, but both will be thrust into that role for much of the season. Josh Giddey is likely optimized defensively guarding 4’s as well. He may also end up as one of the team’s top 3 rebounders, which further ties him to the frontcourt. Leonard Miller looked awesome in the preseason, & he’d be your 4th player best suited to play the 4 defensively. If you believe in Noa Essengue, he becomes the 5th player optimized at power forward. That’s 5 players whose defensive home is the PF position. This is not a sustainable setup. The center position offers no relief while Claxton/Collins remain injured. There is currently no one on the floor to clean up the mess that will inevitably occur in the paint. On the perimeter, the Bulls have only 1 player (Okoro) who is considered above average in perimeter defensive versatility (He can guard every PG-SG-SF in the league & many PF’s) Tre Jones is fantastic, but his size will always limit his effectiveness against bigger/more physical wings. The results are predictable. This team is going to have many defensive disasters this year, nightd where the geometry simply does not work…where the paint is soft…where quick perimeter players create advantages the roster is not built to answer. Hard decisions will have to be made over the next 3 years to address the logjam at PF. Some of these players will need to develop into more versatile defenders. Others will need to be moved. The current configuration cannot stay intact if the goal is long-term competitiveness. All that said, that problem doesn’t need to be fixed today. The focus for this season should be around one thing: Determine what players can play with Caleb Wilson, and cut/move/maximize the return for: 1. everyone who cannot compliment CW. 2. Players than can compliment him but are not on his timeline (Powell/Collins). Regardless, it’s rare to see a player so gifted athletically with the skills/motor/attitude of Caleb Wilson. He alone will be worth the CHSN subscription cost. Enjoy the season. Go Bulls.

For Okoro to get no DPOY votes on this latest pod….@BigDaveBawl @Bulls_Peck and especially @WillGottlieb ….@CHGO_Bulls

Chicago Bulls 2026 Preseason 3PT Shooting: 🏀 Leonard Miller: 55.6% (10/18) 🏀 Norman Powell: 50.0% (8/16) 🏀 Jalen Smith: 47.1% (8/17) 🏀 Buddy Hield: 41.2% (7/17) 🏀 Josh Giddey: 31.3% (5/16) 🏀 Caleb Wilson: 31.0% (9/29) 🏀 Matas Buzelis: 30.4% (7/23) 🏀 Patrick Williams: 28.6% (4/14) 🏀 Noa Essengue: 8.3% (1/12) The Bulls’ young core needs to improve its perimeter shooting when the games count.

As we embark on the journey toward title #7, let’s stay positive through the inevitable speed bumps this young Bulls team will face in a much-improved East. We have 3 players with near-term All-Star potential: Caleb Wilson (20), Matas Buzelis (22), and Josh Giddey (24)…& maybe Norm again. But for the first time in a long time, every team will be trying to win, and we will suffer for it. But big picture, we finally have some competence in the front office, and the next 6 years will not only improve on our 1 playoff win total, but likely 1 title or more titles, now that we have a “that guy” leading this team.

Hard not to chuckle even now…