this is a basketball thread

The Bulls are the best team in the NBA.

This little streak has been bizarre. 4-0 now since Niko returned to the lineup. I'm pleasantly surprised by Kris Dunn and I've enjoyed watching the Bulls a lot more this season after he took over the starting PG duties from Grant. David Nwaba is a lot of fun to watch as well.

When LaVine comes back in a month or so this team might drag itself out of the basement, which isn't good.

I didn't watch most of the game because I didn't want to flip off the Sixers - Thunder game. I'm pissed that shit went to 3OT and Embiid had a career high in minutes because he is definitely going to be rested now for Mondays game at the United Center, which I am going to.

Five game win streak!

I watched the Bulls game & came away thinking both teams looked terrible for stretches which ended up working in the Bulls favor.

The Bucks were hyped too much at the start of the season. That team is an 8 seed at best & nowhere close to being fun to watch.

What the Buck?

I'd agree that they aren't very fun to watch actually. They were rotating really deep into their bench during that Bulls game which was bizarre. Gary Payton Jr. got a start the other day against the Jazz as well. I don't follow the team closely enough to know exactly why some of these decisions are being made but I think the fanbase is rightfully losing their patience with Kidd.

I think the Bucks could be a lot more fun if they were more creative with their lineups. They really don't seem to like playing Brogdon and Bledsoe at the same time. It makes sense to stagger their minutes, but a 3-guard lineup with Giannis and Thon in the front court is a lot of fun on paper. It would be interesting to see how it would translate on the court.

I still think they will be a fourth or fifth seed in the East this season and will be a tough out in the playoffs though. The question marks surrounding this teams future though are really interesting. I would be really surprised if they were to extend Jabari's contract after all these injuries and his abysmal defensive game. They are relying a lot on Thon Maker's development and so far that isn't paying off. He's still young and people who follow the Bucks much closer than myself, including Kevin Arnovitz, speak really highly of Maker's basketball acumen and dedication to improving his game. He's young and still needs to fill into his frame so we will see.

It could be worse though. They could be the Minnesota Timberwolves!

They are going to make the playoffs this year for the first time in 12 seasons and they are still totally fucked. Maxing out Wiggins is looking like a bad decision, KAT is literally the worst defender at his position in the entire league, and Thibs keeps refusing to rotate these guys and monitor their minutes.

It doesn't make any sense that a Thibodeau coached team that includes Taj Gibson, Jimmy Butler, and Jeff Teague could struggle this much defensively. Does KAT just not even fucking care? Embiid was embarrassing him out there. If this is the Timberwolves ceiling then this really painful decade-long rebuild was all for nothing.

Kris Dunn is gonna be a good player in the years to come. It helps that the Cavs sorta had an off night with TOs. Denzel Valentine needs to relax a bit. That last shot was terrible... highly contested and he had bad footing. He also has potential to do more but I think he needs to become more patient. The Bulls actually had like 10seconds to shed and be a little patient with the finish but they scrambled like there were 2seconds left. Cluster and Eno are weeping in the background while I type this.

did the Raptors do anything to get better this year?

they changed their offensive system from an ISO-heavy system based around high usage of DeRozan and Lowry to a ball-movement system where they shoot more 3's. they've also got promising young players in OG Anunoby, Jakob Poeltl, Pascal Siakam, Dwight Powell, etc. Ibaka has been very good this year as well, carrying over from last year.

still not enough to compete with LeBron, but they're a cool team.

why wasn't Lauri Markkanen drafted higher than #7?

I really hope Mirotic isn’t playing so well to look attractive for the Spring. These Bulls have so much comraderie since his return, at least on the court.

i think it's funny Mirotic has been getting so much press this season after being absolute drivel for so many years.

whichever team ends up acquiring him is going to be incredibly underwhelmed, i predict.

He’s getting press because he’s playing well. Not everyone comes into the NBA and succeeds immediately. Also, he’s being used more ideally this season. Butler and Wade took a high percentage of the teams shots last year. With his role being more important I think he’s showing more of his versitality. I’ve been watching these games live and I gotta say whether it’s hitting 3s, driving, or posting his shots seem to be going in. They’ve won 10 out of 12 since his return so whether you like it or not the press is warranted.

Also, Jordan Bell has been great for GS. It’s sad the Bulls threw him away for so little cash. I think if his role were larger than just ‘in while Curry’s out’ he’d be in the Rookie debate with Markkanen, Mitchell, Simmons, Kuzma, and Ball*

*Ball is not part of my debate but others seem to like him. The hype is keeping him in the convo, imo.

yes, i understand that the Bulls winning streak is a "story" and that he has been playing well. i'm just pointing out that many many players have played well for 10-20 games and never consistently put it together. Mirotic is almost 27, a stretch forward who has trouble hitting the 3 consistently (aside from 12 games this year), and is playing on a team that no one gives their best effort against. i don't think he's a plus player on a good team, that's all.

it's cool that there's something to get behind as a Bulls fan, though as you say that enthusiasm is tempered by the disgraceful dealing of the 35th pick for cash considerations. i'm happy for you guys, as the current lack of continuity in GS and the grind of trying to make a fourth straight finals is wearing on the entertainment value of the team.

I consider myself an expert on when men need to start shaving their head. I also appreciate men deal with hair loss in their own unique way.

But Jesus Christ, Lebron it is time.

That loss will haunt my dreams. Some of the worst play this season... no defense and WAY too many turnovers.

We're just lulling the league into a false sense of security. It's all a part of the plan.

Zachariah LaVine 4 MVP?

What they do at 0:05 is really weird. Or maybe it's a basic basketball play that nonplayers would never notice, idk

It's like he's grabbing onto Justin Holiday and swinging himself around or something

I almost feel bad for Minnesota Timberwolves fans after this fleecing.

More like, Jimmy McSuckets!

I didn’t watch the game but they won.... what happened that got you so upset?

Is this going to be a game or not