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Justin Lewis Hype, A Promising Defense, In-Season Tournament, and Other Bulls Bullets

Elias Schuster Elias Schuster
Jul 06, 2023
Chicago Bulls

Only one more day until I start to talk myself into Julian Phillips somehow being the rookie of the year!

Here’s What You Need to Know About Bulls’ Draft Pick Julian Phillips

  • In all seriousness, I’m not going to be shocked if I walk away from Summer League sitting first class on the Justin Lewis bandwagon. I’ve already been riding in coach since his second season at Marquette, so it might not take much to push me up a handful of rows. He flashed some real positive signs before tearing his ACL during last year’s Summer League showcase, and the Chicago Bulls’ latest clip from Summer League practice might suggest he’s ready to do that again.

  • While I understand that it’s silly to get hyped over one seven-second video, I do think that clip above demonstrates precisely why Lewis remains such an intriguing prospect. He may have entered the league with a bulky 235lb frame, but he stands just six-foot-seven and has a fascinating blend of fluidity and explosiveness. He can put the ball on the ground to attack closeouts, get ahead of the defense in transition, and switch to multiple positions on the defensive end. At the same time, Lewis averaged nearly 8.0 rebounds per game and can (theoretically) battle with the big boys in the post. When we think about the way the modern game is played, Lewis feels like a rock-solid fit at the power forward position.

  • Now, of course, I say all of that knowing two things: (1) He is fresh off a torn ACL, and (2) he isn’t currently under contract. As far as we know, Lewis isn’t entering Summer League on one of the Chicago Bulls’ two-way deals as he did last year. Could this be because they plan to sign him to a minimum contract and a full-time roster spot? Sure. But I guess it’s also possible that how he performs during Summer League will dictate whether the team even keeps him around. While I’d think that the fact he stayed alongside the organization during his entire rehab process suggests he’s here to stay, you never really know until we hear the official word.

  • Speaking of two-way deals, center Adama Sanogo reportedly has one locked up. I’m extremely curious to see how he begins to fit alongside NBA talent. It really isn’t easy to find a good comp for a player like him. Sanogo is a pretty severely undersized center, but where he lacks in height he makes up for with insane efficiency. Whether it be backing guys down in the post with his brick-wall-like build or making some push shots off one foot, Sanogo just has tremendous touch around the rim. Will that translate against more traditional size in the NBA, though? That’s the big question, particularly when we consider he isn’t the most robust athlete.

  • There will be a PACKED gym for the first-ever Victor Wembanyama show.

  • When a team loses in the Play-In Tournament and misses the playoff altogether, it’s hard to know how much weight to put into a top-5 defense. Especially when we consider that the Chicago Bulls aren’t centered around a true rim-protector in the paint, it’s always going to feel like their defense is susceptible to breakdowns. With that said, I do have relatively high hopes for what this team can do on that end of the floor again this year. If they can force the 4th-most TOVs per game and hold opponents to the 7th-lowest field goal percentage last year, I like their chances of at least matching that with additions like Jevon Carter and Torrey Craig.

  • Both Carter and Craig are high-end perimeter defenders who will help Caruso plug up the obvious holes around Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan. Craig’s length and switchability will be a real asset in the rotation, while Carter’s pesky on-ball defense will give the Chicago Bulls another option to defend the opposing team’s lead guard. Let’s also not forget the continued ascent of Patrick Williams. While I understand he hasn’t burst onto the scene in the way that many have hoped, he has been an above-average defender since entering the league. Not only is he always a threat to swoop in for the weak side block, but he has the strength to battle with some of the game’s more physical wings.

  • Nikola Vucevic getting in some extra work at a Pro Run. Looks like old friend Tony Bradley is also in attendance.

  • The NBA is on the brink of announcing more details for the In-Season Tournament expected to start this week. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, early December will mark the neutral site final four for the mid-season trophy. I still think this is a pretty silly idea, but I also had my doubts about the Play-In at first and that turned out great. So, yeah, I’ll give it a chance.

  • Nah, the Kings are just wrong for unleashing this man on all the rookies.

  • Get ready to buy some new jerseys!

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  • You love to hear it!

    • Two Bears Are Already Generating Buzz for the NFL All-Rookie Team

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    written by

    Elias Schuster

    Elias Schuster is the Lead Chicago Bulls writer at Bleacher Nation. He started with BN full-time in 2019 immediately after graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign with a degree in Journalism (yes, he started with the Jim Boylen Era). Since joining, Elias has been the driving force behind Bulls and NBA content for both the site and social accounts. You can follow him on Twitter/X @Schuster_Elias.

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