Page 17 - Rob Schaefer News Today

Markkanen "Did Everything" He Could to Get a Deal Done, But the Bulls Final Offer Wasnt Particularly Close Social Navigation Markkanen “Did Everything” He Could to Get a Deal Done, But the Bulls Final Offer Wasn’t Particularly Close Selected with the seventh overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Lauri Markkanen has just one more year on his contract before hitting restricted free agency next offseason. But it didn’t have to be that way. Until yesterday’s deadline passed without a deal, ...

Taking a Long-Term Approach to Roster Evaluation, "Night and Day" Offensive Attack, Williams Upside, and Other Bulls Bullets Social Navigation Taking a Long-Term Approach to Roster Evaluation, “Night and Day” Offensive Attack, Williams’ Upside, and Other Bulls Bullets Tonight: Warriors-Nets, Clippers-Lakers (aka A SNOOZEFEST) Tomorrow: Hawks-Bulls (a.k.a. THE GAME EVERYONE IS WAITING FOR, DUH!) •   Lauri Markkanen said he had a rich girlfriend, but you wouldn’t know her, because sh...

I don’t believe athletes for a second when they act all calm and collected about their contract negotiations, especially guys like Lauri Markkanen. They all say, “I’m just focused on basketball, and my agent will take care of it.” Uh, we’re talking about millions and millions of dollars here. Not to mention, financial security for several years to come. I mean, I guess just knowing you’ll get millions regardless is a good problem to have, but I’d still be all up in my agent’s gr...

The Chicago Bulls No. 4-overall pick could receive his first NBA start (albeit, in the preseason) in Wednesday night’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. When asked by the media this afternoon whether or not he would be in the team’s starting lineup, Williams replied with a simple “we will see.” And while that doesn’t sound like the most convincing response, it certainly feels that much more interesting after head coach Billy Donovan reportedly said yesterday he didn’t know if ...

Balancing Offense v. Defense, Making a COVID-Free Trip to OKC Today, LaVine Disrespect, and Other Bulls Bullets Seeing NBA highlights across my social media timeline again feels like putting on a sweater right after it comes out of the dryer – so damn good. •   Bulls fans far and wide would probably agree that, if forced to pick, the team has more potential on the offensive side of the ball. I would agree with that assessment. I trust the Bulls backcourt defense as much as I trust Pinocch...

•   One thing Donovan wants to see a lot more of tonight: Effort. I know that sounds a bit Boylenish, but we always talk about how effort is half the battle on the defensive end. The Bulls failed to close-out on open 3-point shooter numerous times, and they also displayed extremely poor help defense. NBC Sports Chicago’s Rob Schaefer shared Donovan’s thoughts on the matter after yesterday’s media availability: “We have to be a help-orientated team. And we did not help each other. We...

Billy Donovan has fewer than two weeks to make some pretty big decisions.