The draft assets for the next few years have dried up, the salary cap for the mediocre product is bumping against the ceiling and the face of the franchise is making max money with minimal return.
This is the very description of “NBA Hell.’’ And it’s a place where the Bulls comfortably reside, feet up on the table, beer in hand.
And they’re not alone.
The Timberwolves, Hawks, Mavericks and Nets share some or all of these stains, and the cleanup in some cases is hazmat-suit worthy.
The big questions for teams residing in area code 666 is simple: What’s the plan to turn it around and who is accountable?
In the case of the Bulls, “continuity’’ is the plan, and all indications are accountability will fall on the players this season.
The front office and coaching staff were quietly extended before the 2022-23 season, and the Reinsdorfs have taken the stance that executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas walked the organization into the mud and needs to get it out.
Would making the playoffs for the second time in Karnisovas’ four years on the job be enough? Considering where the bar is set, yes. And there’s no reason the Bulls shouldn’t accomplish that.
The Eastern Conference improved over the summer and could be very top-heavy, but there are a lot of flawed teams after the Celtics and Bucks.
The problem is Karnisovas not only is banking on the Bulls’ 14-9 record after the All-Star break, but he’s holding on to the idea that the team was three minutes away in the final play-in game from beating the Heat, who went on to the NBA Finals.
It’s dangerous thinking, considering the Bulls no longer have Patrick Beverley and have no one who comes close to Jimmy Butler.
“For this group, we want to get in the playoffs,’’ Karnisovas said when training camp started. “Last year was an example that once you get in the playoffs, there’s an opportunity for a lot of teams.’’
The Bulls likely will get that opportunity.
But it doesn’t change where they are. Kick the feet up, pop open the beer. Welcome to “NBA Hell.’’
PREDICTED ORDER OF THE NBA BOTTOM
5. San Antonio Spurs
4. Detroit Pistons
3. Houston Rockets
2. Washington Wizards
1. Portland Trail Blazers
PREDICTED ORDER OF THE EASTERN CONFERENCE REGULAR SEASON
1. Milwaukee Bucks
2. Boston Celtics
3. Cleveland Cavaliers
4. New York Knicks
5. Philadelphia 76ers
6. Miami Heat
7. BULLS
8. Indiana Pacers
EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS
Bucks over Celtics in five
ALL-EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM
G – Damian Lillard – MIL
G – Donovan Mitchell – CLE
F – Jimmy Butler – MIA
F – Giannis Antetokounmpo – MIL
C – Joel Embiid – PHI
ALL-EASTERN CONFERENCE SECOND TEAM
G – Jalen Brunson – NYK
G – LaMelo Ball – CHAR
F – Jayson Tatum – BOS
F – Jaylen Brown – BOS
C – Bam Adebayo – MIA
EASTERN CONFERENCE HONORS
MVP – Giannis Antetokounmpo – MIL
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Cade Cunningham - DET
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR – Ausar Thompson - DET
COACH OF THE YEAR – Tom Thibodeau - NYK
COACH ON THE HOT SEAT – Steve Clifford - CHA
MOST UNDERRATED PLAYER – Nic Claxton - BRK
MOST OVERRATED PLAYER – Trae Young - ATL
BIG-NAME TRADE CANDIDATE – James Harden – PHI
PREDICTED ORDER OF THE WESTERN CONFERENCE REGULAR SEASON
1. Denver Nuggets
2. Phoenix Suns
3. Los Angeles Lakers
4. Memphis Grizzlies
5. Sacramento Kings
6. Golden State Warriors
7. Oklahoma City Thunder
8. Los Angeles Clippers
WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS
Suns over Lakers in seven
NBA FINALS
Bucks over Suns in seven
ALL-WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM
G – Luka Doncic – DAL
G – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – OKC
F – LeBron James – LAL
F – Kevin Durant - PHX
C – Nikola Jokic – DEN
ALL-WESTERN CONFERENCE SECOND TEAM
G – Devin Booker – PHX
G – Anthony Edwards – MIN
F – Zion Williamson – NOR
F – Kawhi Leonard – LAC
C – Anthony Davis – LAL
WESTERN CONFERENCE HONORS
MVP – Luka Doncic – DAL
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Anfernee Simons – POR
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR – Victor Wembanyama – SAS
COACH OF THE YEAR – Frank Vogel – PHX
COACH ON THE HOT SEAT – Jason Kidd – DAL
MOST UNDERRATED PLAYER – Brandon Clarke – MEM
MOST OVERRATED PLAYER – Kyrie Irving – DAL
BIG-NAME TRADE CANDIDATE – Karl-Anthony Towns – MIN
