The Chicago Bulls are not the best basketball team in the ALLCITY network.
They’re probably not even top four (there are five ALLCITY sites). The Denver Nuggets still stake that claim, beating the Bulls 124-117 on their home court.
The third stringers were able to claw back to within ten, but make no mistakes, this was not a competitive basketball game.
The key buzzword for the Bulls in training camp has been ‘physicality’, but perhaps they’ve leaned too much into that, fouling the Nuggets nine times in the first quarter, putting them to the line for 17 free throw attempts.
The Bulls toned down the aggression, but weren’t ever able to dig themselves out of their hole. Trailing by as many as 24, starters from both teams played into the fourth quarter, giving us the longest look of regular season-style basketball. The Nuggets were in complete control behind their 41 free throw attempts and only nine total turnovers.
Matas Buzelis had another encouraging start, scoring 20 points and blocking five shots. More on that below.
Josh Giddey got hot from three to start the game, making his first three attempts from deep. He did well to fill up the box score with 25 points on 7-of-14 shooting with nine rebounds and six assists.
Ayo Dosunmu continued his strong play during the preseason, earning the start with Tre Jones (foot), Kevin Huerter (groin), Julian Phillips (knee) and Coby White (calf) on the injury report. His scoring has been incredibly efficient since returning from injury, and he had 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting against the Nuggets.
Next up: The Bulls conclude their preseason play against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday.
Tune in to the CHGO Bulls post game show:
The Bulls are limited when it comes to rim protection — their primary defensive anchors aren’t elite shot blockers nor are their perimeter defenders cutting off drives before they happen. But Buzelis is here to clean up the mess.
Blocking four shots in the first half alone, Buzelis is building on the flashes he showed as a rookie, and already establishing himself as not only the best shot blocker on the team, but one of the best non-center rim protectors league-wide: Buzelis was one of just nine non-center players in the NBA with 75 or more blocked shots. He did it in the second fewest total minutes.
The Bulls have a long way to go on the defensive end, they were down by as many as 24 during the competitive portion of the game after all, but having someone back there to make life hard on opposing offenses can only help. — Will Gottlieb
Initial reaction? The Nuggets are going to be a very good team again this season. Legit title contenders. The Bulls? …Not so much.
Another big early deficit, which has been a steady theme in each preseason game. But tonight it stayed that way through all the meaningful minutes.
The Nuggets cruised all night, getting easy looks inside, and feasting from the free throw line. The Bulls’ new “defensive identity” and increased physicality plan looks to be a looong way from being realized. Put more bluntly: I think the Bulls are going to be a BAD defensive team this season. But Buzelis is blocking a lot of shots, so that’s fun! — Matt Peck
Dosunmu has been spectacular this preseason. I know I sound like an awesome broken record but seriously he’s been great. No matter where you put him, he shines.
Zach Collins is on pace to win 15 Goon Of The Night Awards.
Buzelis. Whew. He is fun to watch on both sides of the floor. I can’t wait to watch him when the season starts. I expect to see him and Giddey connect on many plays above the rim.
Giddey had another good game. Still needs work on his defense (as the team does) but to see him be consistent and comfortable.
Watching (Lee) Patrick Williams be aggressive on both ends on the floor makes me smile. Noa Essengue is also coming along nicely.
Defense and free throw shooting is gonna be an issue.
D’Angelo’s music influence and sound will live forever. Thank you for all you have done and will do for the current and future generations that you undoubtedly inspire. Rest and Love. Peace to Angie Stone. — Big Dave
