Well the Bulls did predictably bad on their Annual Circus Trip of Death, but did manage to get their first win of the season. So now at 1-10, it seems that there is little chance for anything to happen this season. However, I am on a neverending quest to drum up false interest and optimism in this team, especially since there are 6 more games that I have already purchased tickets for (and expensive ones at that), and don't want to come across as a *complete* moron for doing so.
So let's take a look at an easy scapegoat, the schedule. Here's what the Bulls have had so far, with their records:
NJ
2-11
@ IND (pre-fight)
10-4
PHO
11-2
LAC
8-6
@ SAC
8-5
@ GS
3-10
@ DEN
7-6
@ LAL
8-6
@ PHO
11-2
@ UTA
8-6
@ CLE
9-4
TOTAL
85-62
.578
Besides the obvious turkeys residing in Golden State and New Jersey, those are all very tough opponents, and most of them on the road. Not that the Bulls have exhibited any type of home court advantage in the recent past, but in theory there should be some relief in knowing that 11 of the 15 games in December are at home. And in January the schedule takes a much easier turn, with plenty of games against the East.
Speaking of the East:
(1) Indiana
10-4
(2) Miami
10-5
(3) New York
6-6
(4) Cleveland
9-4
(5) Orlando
8-4
(6) Washington
7-5
(7) Detroit
6-7
(8) Philadelphia
6-7
(9) Toronto
6-9
(10) Milwaukee
4-7
(11) Boston
4-8
(12) Charlotte
3-9
(13) New Jersey
2-11
(14) Atlanta
2-11
(15) Chicago
1-10
As bad as the Bulls have been, there are several teams I still think they can leapfrog pretty quick, namely Atlanta, Charlotte, New Jersey, and Milwaukee. The next tier of Toronto, Boston, Washington, Philly and New York (I throw them in since I loathe them) aren't exactly earth-shakers either. However this is nothing new to anyone who follows the NBA: the East is really bad. The key for the Bulls to gain some sort of respectability (and sadly that's all I'm asking for at this point) this season is to win most of the games they should win, as few as they may be. That means any home game against the non-elite Eastern Conference teams, and also road games against the truly horrid. Any winnable one that they may let slip away (like a should've win against Jersey in the season opener), can be made up by the random surprise win (Utah on the road).
I can take some solace in knowing as the team gets better, the schedule will also be easier. However, as I say that, there are fans in Atlanta, Oakland, Charlotte, and New Jersey who already have the Bulls circled on their schedule.
Hm...I didn't do a great job of building up that optimism, did I? But what I guess I'm trying to convey is that this early schedule has been tough for a young (and bad) team, and I doubt there will be more 1-10 stretches in the future. At least I sure hope not.
And that can bridge our sanity until the trading deadline, when some bigger questions can be answered.
******
Comedic note:
Former Bull Chris Jefferies lasted
until the 6th round in the
NBDL draft.