CHATTING ABOUT DA BULLS' CHANCES

Patrick: Our Chicago Bulls are looking pretty good at the moment in regard to standings. We’ve definitely had some ups…and, certainly, some downs. So, what do you guys think about the season so far, and what’re we thinking about for the playoffs?

John: Listen, the Bulls have come a long way since hiring Billy Donovan as their head coach, which puts the Jim Boylen disgrace in the rearview mirror. Coach Donovan brings instant credibility to the team. Shoot, just look at the signings of DeMar DeRozan and Lonzo Ball.

Patrick: Even newly-arrived Tristan Thompson.

John: Yes, the once-boyfriend of Khloe Kardashian. So, he definitely has star power, plus he won a championship with LeBron in 2016 with the Cleveland Cavaliers and, even, played with the Lakers, so not afraid of the lights.

Russ: He’ll also help with the rebounding. A big body. Something we need.

Donald: True. But I must say, fellas, it’s not looking too good. They’re never healthy at the same time, whether through injuries or COVIDrelated absences. So, the key is going to be getting everyone together out there on the floor and becoming comfortable with one another.

Russ: All right, so I’m a diehard fan, right? But, even with that, I know this Bulls team won’t win it all this year. Unfortunately, they’re unable to beat the top teams in the East, e.g., Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers. Our Bulls are good, but the issue could be matchups. If the playoffs began today, the Bulls would play the Boston Celtics, who are now, simply, awesome. Even if we beat them, we’d still be faced with playing top-seeded Miami or, even, the defending champs, Milwaukee Bucks.

Patrick: Or, in a weird twist, the Brooklyn Nets.

John: If Brooklyn remains at the back of the pack, in the final 8th spot, they could beat Miami in a helluva first round matchup and, then, we’d play the Nets, who’d have on the floor Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving and, possibly, newlyacquired but now-injured Ben Simmons.

Russ: It’s not an easy path no matter how you shake it.

Donald: Agreed.

John: We just don’t have enough depth to knock off the Philadelphia 76ers, the Bucks, or, especially, the Phoenix Suns, who are the favorites from the Western Conference.

Patrick: So, basically, you all feel the Bulls have no chance at all to do anything significant in the upcoming playoffs?

Donald: Yeah, there’s just no chance for them to go all the way. I can see them winning their first-round series, but that’s about it.

Russ: Bulls fans, I’m sorry, but our Bulls are not ready to climb to the mountaintop. Perhaps next year, though, but only if management lands a big win or two in the freeagency market and gels into a championship team.

John: There’re just too many high-powered teams in the Bulls’ way for them to get through them all.

Patrick: You’re right. All matchups in the playoffs are doozies. Personally, I believe the Bulls can get on a streak and move down into that #3 or, even, the #2 spot; this would make the journey a bit more enjoyable and successful. All the playoff teams have a chance at the championship; with ideal matchups or a random injury to an important piece of a team, anyone can pull it. I’ll roll with the Bulls to, at least, get to the NBA Finals, but the journey has a pretty good chance of ending title-less for our Chicago Bulls. But it’s not impossible.

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Vendor Russell Adams

Vendor John Hagan

Vendor Donald Morris

Executive Assistant Patrick Edwards