Bulls Talk: New hirings and I’m surprisingly hopeful for the future

Hello and welcome to the latest edition of Bulls Talk. Today’s post will be a little different from my usual Bulls Talk posts, where I cry over my keyboard as I type my grievances away. It might seem strange to some (and even to myself), but the post you’re about to read may even sound, dare I say, hopeful!

Yes, you read that correctly. I think I’m about to do something really stupid…let myself have hope in this team. You see, the reason for my newfound optimism is simple: the Bulls appear to be doing this “rebuild” right. As you read in my last edition, they fired their front office, the head coach resigned, and they have great draft picks (If I didn’t speak on the draft picks last time don’t worry, we will go over them again in this post!). 

Let’s see where to start…where to start…Oh, don’t mind me, I am just casually thinking/typing out loud here. I have an outline of my topics today, but to put it simply, my mind is a mess. There’s so much news and so much I want to say that I’ve had a hard time gathering my thoughts. Okay, I’ve got it, we’re going to start with the head coaching hire. 

Sources: Bulls reach deal to hire Tiago Splitter as head coach

This is being reported by Shams Charania over at ESPN. 

“The Chicago Bulls have reached a deal to hire Portland Trail Blazers interim coach Tiago Splitter as the franchise’s new head coach, sources told ESPN on Monday. Splitter succeeds Billy Donovan as the Bulls’ head coach after stepping into the head coach job in Portland last season and excelling. [He] guided the Trail Blazers to a 42-40 record and a postseason berth as the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference amid adversity stemming from Chauncy Billups’ federal charges.” 

So Tiago Splitter sounds like THE GUY. The article goes on to report that Splitter is the first head coach in Portland to produce a winning record in his first season as head coach since 2001-02, and the first to give the franchise a win in the playoffs in his debut season in Portland since 1997-98. I’m sure you can see why I’m hopeful about this hire. This man stepped into an unprecedented situation and turned his team into a playoff contender. Imagine what he could do as a head coach with an actual game plan going into the season. I doubt he had a gameplan when he took on the role in Portland and he took them to the playoffs. I’m very interested and excited to see what he does with this team. So far, great hire.

Bulls hire Hawks executive Bryson Graham to head front office

This is being reported by Shams Charania and Jamal Collier over at ESPN.

“The Chicago Bulls are hiring Atlanta Hawks senior vice president Bryson Graham as the new executive vice president of basketball operations. Graham spent 15 years in New Orleans (2010-15) with the Pelicans….Graham, 39, is known across the NBA for having a tremendous scouting eye….Graham also helped facilitate negotiations between the Pelicans and the Hawks during the draft last year that saw Atlanta gain a New Orleans’ 2026 first-round pick, one of the more coveted draft assets in the league this year.” 

This is another hire I like and that I am hopeful for. Bryson Graham sounds like the type of leader this Bulls organization needs. He apparently knows what he’s doing, he knows how to find talent, and he has a great amount of experience within the NBA. He knows how everything works. The thing I enjoy most about him so far is that he seems to be respected throughout the league. We didn’t see that with our last front office duo. They were a laughing stock. 

I have also read that he’s already working tirelessly on the upcoming draft. I can’t wait to see what he does with the 4th, 15th, 38th, and 56th picks. I’ve read rumors about Graham allegedly wanting to trade the 4th or 15th to move even further up in the draft. We’re talking trading for picks 1 or 2. I would be shocked if that actually happened, but we will just have to wait and see. Like I said, I’m hopeful about him.

Bulls Hire Mervis and Law IV

This is reported by Bulls.com.

“The Chicago Bulls have added Stephen Mervis and Acie Law IV to the team’s basketball operations department – Mervis as Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations and Law as Vice President of Player Personnel. Mervis will primarily be responsible for salary cap strategy and analytics, and Law will primarily be responsible for the draft and scouting, in addition to being involved in all player personnel matters.” 

I don’t know what most of that means, but I hear they are great hires. We shall see!

My overall thoughts

I have to keep saying it because I still can’t believe it: I feel hopeful. I’m happy with the direction the organization is going. I believe they have made great hires and I trust in Bryson Graham to draft at least one incredible talent. I truly think he could grab two from the draft, that’s how much I’m believing in him. I may sound silly when it’s all said and done, but that’s okay. 

I also have to add that I’ve said a lot of things about the Reinsdorf’s (the family that owns the team), specifically Jerry. I’ve called him names and I’ve said many things I probably shouldn’t have. However…this is sports and this is fandom. I love the Bulls and I just want the best for them, so when it appears as if ownership doesn’t care at all I’m going to call it out. I don’t hate Jerry Reinsdorf or his family, though. I was thinking about that earlier as I outlined this post. It probably seems like I do, but I don’t. I just get frustrated with them at times. I’m saying all of this because the Reinsdorf’s also own the White Sox and they are CRUSHING IT this season.

They are first in their division, they’re beating all the best teams in the MLB, and they are so much fun to watch and cheer for. That is why I’m so hopeful about the Bulls’ future, because ownership made great decisions with the White Sox, and they’re starting to make great decisions with the Bulls. I’m so excited to see how this new front office and head coach reshape the Bulls. It feels like everything is falling into place. 

I hope you enjoyed this happier edition of Bulls Talk! If you did, you should subscribe.

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Peter