<body><div><p><em> Cheers! Ciao! Buongiorno! Prego! </em></p><p><em> *pretentiously takes a sip out of tiny espresso cup before lighting cigarette* </em></p><p> If you can’t tell, I’ve returned from my honeymoon abroad. My beautiful wife and I ( <em> that will take some getting used to! </em> ) spent the majority of our time on the Amalfi Coast in Italy. Everything from the wedding to our European adventure went perfectly, and I couldn’t feel more fortunate. </p><p> I want to give Matt a big shoutout for covering my butt while I downed a lot of wine and ate a lot of carbs. The BN Team allowed me to fully disconnect from the real world and completely enjoy this important time in my life. I’ll be eternally grateful for that. </p><p> Nevertheless, the time has come for me to sober up. And what better way to do that than by sitting in an arena while Giannis Antetokounmpo dunks on Jalen Smith and Damian Lillard exposes the Bulls’ embarrassing perimeter defense? WELCOME HOME TO ME! </p><p></p><ul><li> Per usual, I’ll be in the Fiserv Forum for tonight’s Bulls-Bucks battle. My wife (I wrote it again!) is a diehard Bucks fan and will whisper one-sided trash into my ear the entire game. Perhaps the Bulls will surprise me with a reason to clap back, but the one player who could normally allow me that opportunity is now in Sacramento. Instead, I expect this to be a blowout loss or at least something pretty close to what we saw during Wednesday night’s season-opening loss. </li></ul><ul><li> Indeed, I think the Bulls’ 123-111 stumble against the short-handed Pelicans will be representative of many games this season. Thanks to their offensive firepower, I do believe there is a world where they find themselves keeping things pretty close in the first half against a slew of opponents. Whether it be Zach LaVine catching fire from 3, Coby White leading the fastbreak, or Josh Giddey taking advantage of passing lanes, the Bulls are dynamic enough on that side of the ball to give opposing defenses a hard time. The problem is that their <em> own </em> defense – particularly at the rim – will remain a huge issue. Not to mention, the roster is missing a closer. DeRozan’s absence was felt immediately on Wednesday. The Bulls weren’t able to stop the bleeding in the second half as the Pelicans shot 52.1 percent from the field. </li></ul><p></p><figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en"> Friday night hoops in MKE 🏀 <br><br> ⏰: 7 pm CT <br> 📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/CHSN__?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"> @CHSN__ </a><br> 📻: <a href="https://twitter.com/670TheScore?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"> @670TheScore </a><a href="https://t.co/rM0fkzsTKK" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> pic.twitter.com/rM0fkzsTKK </a></p> — Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) <a href="https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1849782974956400648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"> October 25, 2024 </a></blockquote><script async charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></figure><p></p><ul><li> Keeping things close later this evening starts behind the arc. The Milwaukee Bucks shot 16-37 in their opener against the 76ers, whereas the Bulls finished just 10-34. The good news is that Chicago genuinely did look more willing than in previous years to chuck up these long-range shots. Patrick Williams, Julian Phillips, and even Matas Buzelis looked confident letting it fly in catch-and-shoot situations. Coby White also isn’t going to go 0-5 from downtown on many nights. To be sure, I don’t think the Bulls will be a particularly good 3-point shooting team this season. But I’m at least relieved to see there is a more concerted effort to create those shots. </li></ul><ul><li> I also think tonight could be a big Ayo Dosunmu game. The Bucks may have added Gary Trent Jr. and Delon Wright, who are two solid on-ball defenders, but Damian Lillard remains a net negative on the defensive end. Dosunmu finished 4-6 from the field against New Orleans and continued to flash some impressive driving skills in the halfcourt. While Antetokounmpo protecting the rim is always a concern, Dosunmu should have some opportunities to penetrate this defense and either finish strong at the rim or kick out to some open teammates. </li></ul><p></p><figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2tv37C_0wLww4Xr00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2tv37C_0wLww4Xr00" width="1210" height="600" ><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">© Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports </figcaption></figure><p></p><ul><li> Yves Missi finished with 12 points and 7 rebounds in his NBA debut against the Bulls. So, yeah, I guess you could say I’m worried about what Antetokounmpo will do against this interior defense tonight. As good as Jalen Smith looked off the bench in New Orleans, he is going to have a really hard time against Antetokounmpo’s physicality. I know that’s the case for most bigs in this league, but Andre Drummond at least gave the Bulls a more physically imposing presence to lean on. What Smith offers offensively and in the open floor will also fail to stand out nearly as much against someone as athletic as Antetokounmpo. This could be a rough night for Chicago in the paint. </li></ul><ul><li> How many eyeball emojis do you think AK sent out to rival execs during Zach LaVine’s first half? </li></ul><p></p><figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-bleacher-nation wp-block-embed-bleacher-nation"><blockquote class="wp-embedded-content"><a href="https://www.bleachernation.com/bulls/2024/10/24/bulls-lavine-10-24/" rel="nofollow"> The Bulls Lost, But Zach LaVine’s Night Was A BIG Positive For Chicago </a></blockquote><iframe class="wp-embedded-content" height="338" src="https://www.bleachernation.com/bulls/2024/10/24/bulls-lavine-10-24/embed/#?secret=pTzpVDEfQ8#?secret=juQ3d0tp1H" title="“The Bulls Lost, But Zach LaVine’s Night Was A BIG Positive For Chicago” — Bleacher Nation" width="100%"></iframe></figure><p></p><ul><li> Oof. The Pelicans immediately lose their big offseason addition for over a month. <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1849827933155885480" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"> Dejounte Murray fractured his hand against the Bulls </a> . </li></ul><p></p><figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en"> Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray has undergone successful surgery on his fractured left hand and will miss four-to-six weeks, sources tell ESPN. <a href="https://t.co/puRV7jmhtd" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://t.co/puRV7jmhtd </a></p> — Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1849827933155885480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"> October 25, 2024 </a></blockquote><script async charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></figure><p></p><ul><li> I love that Coby White was included in this graphic. </li></ul><p></p><figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en"> Which young star is making the All-Star leap this season? <a href="https://t.co/xjCnGTZ2xI" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> pic.twitter.com/xjCnGTZ2xI </a></p> — NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNNBA/status/1849155961379831883?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"> October 23, 2024 </a></blockquote><script async charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></figure><p></p><ul><li> ICYMI: Angel Reese continues to make some big moves! The Chicago Sky superstar has reportedly agreed on <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1849552750356595156" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"> a multi-year endorsement deal with Rebook </a> . While she’s already put out <a href="https://www.bleachernation.com/bulls/2024/08/08/angel-reese-rebook/" rel="nofollow"> some signature clothing and sneakers </a> with the brand, the plan now is for her to unveil her own signature shoe line in 2026. </li></ul><p></p><figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en"> Chicago Sky star Angel Reese has agreed to a multiyear endorsement contract extension with Reebok – with a signature shoe release in 2026, ESPN has learned. Reese set the rookie record for rebounds in a single season while averaging the most rebounds (13.1) in WNBA history. <a href="https://t.co/2J3MebfJZY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> pic.twitter.com/2J3MebfJZY </a></p> — Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1849552750356595156?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"> October 24, 2024 </a></blockquote><script async charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></figure><p></p><ul><li> Is Chicago now becoming a Reebok town!? Matas Buzelis also joined the company earlier this week. </li></ul><p></p><figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-bleacher-nation wp-block-embed-bleacher-nation"><blockquote class="wp-embedded-content"><a href="https://www.bleachernation.com/bulls/2024/10/21/matas-buzelis-reebok/" rel="nofollow"> Matas Buzelis Has Signed His First Shoe Deal! </a></blockquote><iframe class="wp-embedded-content" height="338" src="https://www.bleachernation.com/bulls/2024/10/21/matas-buzelis-reebok/embed/#?secret=GOuAv259ZR#?secret=xRulVO51eM" title="“Matas Buzelis Has Signed His First Shoe Deal!” — Bleacher Nation" width="100%"></iframe></figure><p></p><ul><li> So are we getting Caleb vs. Jaylen Daniels or not? Luis has <a href="https://www.bleachernation.com/bears/2024/10/25/bears-bullets-1025/" rel="nofollow"> more </a> . </li></ul><ul><li> The Blackhawks’ prospect pool <a href="https://www.bleachernation.com/blackhawks/2024/10/25/espn-ranks-blackhawks-prospects-among-nhls-best/" rel="nofollow"> is viewed as one of the best in hockey </a> ! We love a bright future. </li></ul><p><strong> HAPPY FRIDAY FROM BN! </strong><a href="https://fantasy.bleachernation.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"> Check Out BN Fantasy </a> | <a href="https://newsletter.bleachernation.com/subscribe" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"> Subscribe to The BN Newsletter </a></p><p></p><ul><li> A big reminder that we’re having a Bears Watch Party next weekend! It’s totally free, so come hang with us and drink Old Style! </li></ul><p></p><figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en"> PUMPED for our <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bears?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"> #Bears </a> Watch Party with <a href="https://twitter.com/ankinlaw?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"> @AnkinLaw </a> for the Bears vs Cardinals game in a few weeks! <br><br> When: November 3rd at 2 PM <br> Where: Jefferson Tap &amp; Grill <br> RSVP: <a href="https://t.co/oGwqSt2rAO" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://t.co/oGwqSt2rAO </a><br><br> It's totally free! Hope to see you there! <a href="https://t.co/rS6uekN7pC" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> pic.twitter.com/rS6uekN7pC </a></p> — Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) <a href="https://twitter.com/BN_Bears/status/1848381926131777996?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"> October 21, 2024 </a></blockquote><script async charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></figure></div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Get Used to Game 1, Keep on Shooting Please, A Horrible Matchup in Milwaukee, and Other Bulls Bullets

Cheers! Ciao! Buongiorno! Prego! 



*pretentiously takes a sip out of tiny espresso cup before lighting cigarette* 



If you can’t tell, I’ve returned from my honeymoon abroad. My beautiful wife and I (that will take some getting used to!) spent the majority of our time on the Amalfi Coast in Italy. Everything from the wedding to our European adventure went perfectly, and I couldn’t feel more fortunate.



I want to give Matt a big shoutout for covering my butt while I downed a lot of wine and ate a lot of carbs. The BN Team allowed me to fully disconnect from the...