Should NBA REWARD teams like Chicago Bulls for NOT tanking? | CHGO Bulls Podcast

The CHGO Bulls crew discuss the pros and cons of the Chicago Bulls punching their ticket to a third consecutive Play-In Tournament appearance. Michael Pina, senior staff writer for The Ringer, wrote a great column weighing the good (playing faster, shooting more threes, the play of Coby White and Josh Giddey, the promising potential of Matas Buzelis) with the bad (misleading March wins, killing their draft lottery odds, toiling in mediocrity, upcoming contracts) of this Bulls season. How should Bulls fans approach the Play-In experience? What’s the best case scenario? Peck, Big Dave and Will Gottlieb also react to a new commercial where Buzelis stars alongside Will Smith.

The CHGO Bulls crew break down the Chicago Bulls 137-118 win over the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night. The win officially punched the Bulls' ticket to the NBA's Play-In Tournament for the third consecutive year. Continuity at its finest! Peck and Big Dave discuss a strong bounce-back game from Coby White after he struggled against the Thunder. Plus, the guys want to see more shot creating confidence from Matas Buzelis. Will Gottlieb joins from the United Center with his thoughts on the game and intel from the postgame locker room. Big Dave awards the Empire Today Goon of the Night.

The CHGO Bulls crew break down the Chicago Bulls 145-117 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night. That's called a reality check. After an upswell of wins and momentum in March, the Bulls finished the month with a thud against Josh Giddey's former team and the current top seed in the NBA. Peck, Big Dave and Will Gottlieb discuss what Bulls fans can take away from this game, including any positives or lessons for what comes next. Plus, Matas Buzelis had some impressive blocks on Chet Holmgren. The guys also shout-out some of their fellow Bulls fans who came out to the Hooters on Wells in Chicago for the watch party tonight!

The CHGO Bulls crew break down the Chicago Bulls 120-119 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night. Matas Buzelis scored 28 points and grabbed a career-high 9 rebounds, but he and Coby White couldn't quite muster another comeback. Peck and Big Dave, along with guests John Sabine and Kevin Anderson (formerly of Bulls Outsiders on NBC Sports Chicago) discuss the interesting lineup choices from Billy Donovan, including a Dalen Terry-led bench unit and sitting Josh Giddey down the stretch of the fourth quarter. Will Gottlieb joins from the United Center with his thoughts on the game and intel from the postgame locker room.

The CHGO Bulls crew break down the Chicago Bulls 119-117 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. The Bulls were down five with ten seconds to go. Patrick Williams corner 3, Bulls steal the inbound, Coby White 3. Austin Reaves goes glass on the other end. Josh Giddey halfcourt heave at the buzzer. That sequence actually happened! Peck, Big Dave and Will Perdue discuss the wild finish. Will Gottlieb joins from the United Center with his thoughts on the game and intel from the postgame locker room. Big Dave award the Empire Today Goon of the Night.

The CHGO Bulls crew get into the numbers of Coby White and Josh Giddey before and after the All Star break. Is what we’ve seen post all star break enough to conclude they are the backcourt of the future? Plus, with Giddey’s contract due to be renewed, we look at what other RFAs are in position to receive this offseason. Also will Giddey’s contract have any bearing on what Coby White will get on his next deal?

The CHGO Bulls crew discuss a recent column from ESPN NBA reporters Tim Bontemps and Kevin Pelton on the league’s tanking problem. Efforts have been made - like flattening the lottery odds - to do away with tanking and incentivize competition. Unfortunately, it hasn’t worked, as finding superstars at the top of the draft is still the model for NBA success. What other possible solutions exist, and where do the Chicago Bulls fit into that picture? Peck, Big Dave and Will Gottlieb break it down. Plus, the guys look at the star-level play of Coby White and Josh Giddey over the past ten games. Do the Bulls already have their star duo?

The CHGO Bulls is joined by ESPN's Tim MacMahon via the Hooter's Hotwing Hotline! MacMahon discusses how his brand new book, The Wonder Boy: Luka Doncic and the Curse of Greatness (available now!) and his reaction to the NBA's most shocking trade. He also, of course, breaks down some recent Chicago Bulls moves and shares his opinion on the state of the team.

The CHGO Bulls crew break down the Chicago Bulls 129-119 win over the Denver Nuggets on Monday night. Coby White extended his streak of scoring 20+ points to thirteen games, the last three of which he's scored at least 35. Peck, Big Dave and Will Gottlieb discuss the possible star ascension of Coby down the stretch this season. Plus, Josh Giddey continued his high-level production on the Bulls' surprising 4-2 road trip. What does this late season winning trend mean? And how about Dalen Terry! Big Dave awards the Empire Today Goon of the Night.

The CHGO Bulls crew break down the Chicago Bulls146-115 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night. Josh Giddey was two steals shy of the fifth quadruple double in NBA history, Coby White scored 36 points, and Matas Buzelis tacked on a career-high 31 in the blowout road win. Peck, Big Dave and Will Gottlieb discuss the magnitude of Giddey's performance. Plus, Coby's streak reached twelve straight games scoring 20+, and he's now averaging 20 points per game on the season. Is this one of his typical hot streaks, or something different? And how excited can Bulls fans be about Matas after tonight? Big Dave awards the Empire Today Goon of the Night.