daltontr

2027-2028 SEASON - PLAYOFFS - SECOND ROUND (GAME 2) Giannis was once again named the Player of the Game after scoring 26 points, dishing out 8 assists and grabbing 12 rebounds. That's not bad for a 33-year old player who is well past his prime. Gregory Hawkins returned to the Bulls bench after suffering a mild concussion in practice a few days ago. His plus/minus was an outstanding +14, but he struggled on offense, going 1-7 from the field and 1-5 from three in 34 minutes of play. In my opinion, Hawkins should be the starting shooting guard, but coach Starks thinks otherwise and therefore Hawkins must come off the bench to relieve Nowell. Nevertheless, despite being a rookie and being forced into a sixth man role, Hawkins has been getting the majority of playing minutes and since no one is complaining, I won't either. EASTERN CONFERENCE WESTERN CONFERENCE Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W CLE(4)| 26 | 31 | 25 | 22 | -- | 104 (0) | DEN(8)| 20 | 14 | 31 | 21 | -- | 86 (0) CHI(1)| 28 | 31 | 27 | 31 | -- | 117 (2) | MEM(5)| 24 | 35 | 27 | 31 | -- | 117 (2) Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W PHI(3)| 41 | 24 | 25 | 34 | -- | 124 (2) | HOU(7)| 20 | 23 | 25 | 27 | -- | 95 (0) ORL(2)| 26 | 31 | 32 | 22 | -- | 111 (0) | SAS(3)| 34 | 28 | 16 | 23 | -- | 101 (2) ---------------------

2027-2028 SEASON - PLAYOFFS - SECOND ROUND (GAME 1) The Greek Freak was virtually unstoppable and the Cavaliers simply had no answer for him. Giannis went 8-10 from the field, 3-4 from three and 16-18 from the free throw line. His 35 points, 9 assists and 8 rebounds earned him Player of the Game honors. However, I would be remiss if I didn't mention Justin McCuthison's 31 points and 13 rebounds or D'Angelo Russell's 29 points and 12 assists. Truthfully, this game was a veritable shootout. The Cavs shot 50% from the field, 54% from beyond the arc and 86% from the charity stripe. On a normal night, that might be tough to beat, but the Bulls almost couldn't miss, shooting 67% from the field and 45% from three. It will be interesting to see if this game is a trend or simply an anomaly. EASTERN CONFERENCE WESTERN CONFERENCE Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W CLE(4)| 25 | 38 | 36 | 43 | -- | 142 (0) | DEN(8)| 33 | 24 | 18 | 35 | -- | 110 (0) CHI(1)| 34 | 37 | 43 | 39 | -- | 153 (1) | MEM(5)| 37 | 27 | 32 | 24 | -- | 120 (1) Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W PHI(3)| 20 | 32 | 29 | 26 | -- | 107 (1) | HOU(7)| 25 | 30 | 17 | 19 | -- | 91 (0) ORL(2)| 20 | 25 | 25 | 31 | -- | 101 (0) | SAS(3)| 27 | 28 | 33 | 30 | -- | 118 (1) ---------------------

2027-2028 SEASON - PLAYOFFS - SECOND ROUND (PREVIEW) Three years ago the Cavaliers fired Stan Van Gundy after a dismal 26-56 season and brought in Doc Rivers. Rivers quickly turned the team around, finishing with a 44-38 record in his first season and their first playoff appearance since 2019. The following year the team improved to 44-38, but was once again knocked out in the first round. This season, the team finished 48-34 and swept the Knicks in the first round. The Cavs play a lot of small ball, with Darius Garland 6'1" (3.5 Stars) at point, Collin Sexton 6'1" (3.5 Stars) a true point guard playing at the two position, small forward Sharone Preston 6'-6" (3.5 Stars) who is arguably the best player on the team, power forward Alex Miller 6'8" (3.5 Stars) and Dean Burns 6'9" (2.5 Stars) at center. In a lot of ways this team is similar to the Atlanta Hawks. They are a very good offensively, but they can struggle on defense at times and they tend to get pushed around by bigger teams. However, they can also shoot teams right out of the building, as Garland, Sexton and Preston all average over 18 ppg and Miller regularly adds 15 ppg as well. TEAM INSIGHTS CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (OVERALL: 48-34 | HOME: 28-13 | AWAY: 20-21) OFF Rating: 109.6 (#5) DEF Rating: 107.2 (#24) NET Rating: 2.4 (#9) PPG: 112.4 (#2) PAPG: 110.2 (#29) FG%: .475 (#2) 3P%: .373 (#1) FT%: .799 (#9) APG: 23.6 (#8) RBP: 44.5 (#17) NBA Top 50 Players: SF Sharone Preston, PG Darius Garland ($209,650,535 Payroll - 6th Highest / $-56,650,535 CAP Space) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHICAGO BULLS (OVERALL: 76-6 | HOME: 41-0 | AWAY: 35-6) OFF Rating: 112.6 (#1) DEF Rating: 100.7 (#1) NET Rating: 11.9 (#1) PPG: 117.7 (#1) PAPG: 103.6 (#11) FG%: .489 (#1) 3P%: .342 (#5) FT%: .724 (#27) APG: 25.0 (#2) RBP: 48.5 (#1) NBA Top 50 Players: PF Giannis Antetokounmpo, SF Jayson Tatum, C Justin McCuthison, PG D'Angelo Russell ($173,351,825 Payroll - 21st Highest / $-20,351,825 CAP Space) ---------------------

2027-2028 SEASON - PLAYOFFS - FIRST ROUND (GAME 7) A back and forth series finally comes to an end with the Philadelphia 76ers advancing to the second round to face a well rested Orlando Magic. EASTERN CONFERENCE WESTERN CONFERENCE Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W TOR(6)| 24 | 24 | 26 | 10 | -- | 84 (3) | PHI(3)| 25 | 36 | 30 | 15 | -- | 106 (4) | ---------------------

2027-2028 SEASON - PLAYOFFS - FIRST ROUND (GAME 6) Wow! I can't believe that both the number one and number two seeds in the Western Conference were knocked out in the first round. The Denver Nuggets were predicted to finish 13th in the conference and 4th in their division, but instead they went out and knocked off the defending NBA Champions in the first round as the eight seed. To me the biggest surprise has to be the Houston Rockets. Coming off two terrible seasons of 13-69 and 16-66, the Rockets were predicted to repeat their dismal performance and finish last again in the league. That really wasn't a harsh assessment, as the Rockets haven't had a winning season since 2020 when they went 54-28 under Mike D'Antoni. However, the Rockets fired head coach Billy Donovan (their third HC in four years) and after one season and replaced him with Brad Stevens. Brad turned the team around and the Rockets finished the 2027-2028 campaign with a 40-42 record, which was good enough to earn them the 7th seed in the Western Conference playoffs. Not bad for a team that was predicted to finish last in the league. EASTERN CONFERENCE WESTERN CONFERENCE Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W | DAL(1)| 22 | 23 | 25 | 22 | -- | 92 (2) | DEN(8)| 21 | 19 | 27 | 29 | -- | 96 (4) Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W PHI(3)| 30 | 17 | 37 | 22 | -- | 106 (3) | TOR(6)| 35 | 30 | 37 | 15 | -- | 117 (3) | Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W | NOP(2)| 29 | 18 | 28 | 28 | -- | --- (2) | HOU(7)| 37 | 11 | 32 | 25 | -- | --- (4) ---------------------

2027-2028 SEASON - PLAYOFFS - FIRST ROUND (GAME 5) It is over...and not a moment too soon, with John Collins scheduled to return to the Hawks lineup for game six. Justin McCuthison scored 27 points and grabbed 9 rebounds for the Bulls, but it was Giannis Antetokounmpo who was named Player of the Game. The "Greek Freak" scored 24 points, had 6 assists and grabbed 11 rebounds. With the Hawks in our rear view, it's time to get a little rest and get ready to meet the Cavaliers in the second round. Also, Gregory Hawkins recieved a mild concussion and will out seven days. He should be back 4/29. EASTERN CONFERENCE WESTERN CONFERENCE Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W ATL(8)| 32 | 26 | 32 | 26 | -- | 116 (1) | DEN(8)| 15 | 31 | 34 | 25 | -- | 105 (3) CHI(1)| 39 | 32 | 40 | 24 | -- | 135 (4) | DAL(1)| 40 | 29 | 28 | 20 | -- | 117 (2) Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W | MEM(5)| 22 | 37 | 30 | 30 | -- | 119 (4) | LAL(4)| 25 | 24 | 26 | 24 | -- | 109 (1) Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W TOR(6)| 24 | 24 | 29 | 29 | -- | 106 (2) | SAC(6)| 26 | 37 | 20 | 23 | -- | 106 (1) PHI(3)| 36 | 25 | 26 | 39 | -- | 122 (3) | SAS(3)| 38 | 34 | 29 | 23 | -- | 124 (4) Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W | HOU(7)| 26 | 19 | 30 | 24 | -- | 99 (3) | NOP(2)| 23 | 23 | 32 | 28 | -- | 106 (2) ---------------------

2027-2028 SEASON - PLAYOFFS - FIRST ROUND (GAME 4) Not a great night. Poor shooting and missed opportunities allowed the Hawks to stave off elimination. It wasn't like Atlanta ran us out of the building, more like we couldn't hit water if we fell out of a boat. Seriously, 9-40 (22.5%) from three?!? Ugly game and I'm glad we can now head back to Chicago and end this series in front of our home town fans. Player of the game, Trae Young, scored 28 points, with 13 assists and 3 rebounds. D'Angelo Russell was the lone bright spot for the Bulls, finishing the game with 37 points, 8 assists and 4 rebounds. In other action, the Denver Nuggets defeated the defending NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks in overtime and are now poised to knock out the Mavs in the first round. That would be a huge upset and just as upsetting to the league commissioner, because even he knows what it would mean for the Bulls and Mavericks to once again face off in the NBA Finals. With the Mavericks looking for back-to-back titles and the Bulls looking for redemption, the story simply would write itself, but if the Mavs cannot find a way to win three straight, Mark Cuban can start booking early season tee times. EASTERN CONFERENCE WESTERN CONFERENCE Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W CHI(1)| 27 | 28 | 17 | 27 | -- | 99 (3) | DAL(1)| 27 | 22 | 29 | 29 | 12 | 120 (1) ATL(8)| 29 | 25 | 28 | 22 | -- | 114 (1) | DEN(8)| 23 | 35 | 32 | 18 | 18 | 125 (3) Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W CLE(4)| 25 | 32 | 23 | 32 | -- | 130 (4) | LAL(4)| 11 | 29 | 29 | 15 | -- | 84 (1) NYK(5)| 41 | 19 | 24 | 28 | -- | 123 (0) | MEM(5)| 16 | 21 | 31 | 34 | -- | 102 (3) Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W PHI(3)| 23 | 23 | 20 | 30 | -- | 96 (2) | SAS(3)| 31 | 29 | 19 | 37 | -- | 116 (3) TOR(6)| 25 | 20 | 36 | 17 | -- | 98 (2) | SAC(6)| 22 | 33 | 22 | 30 | -- | 107 (1) Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W ORL(2)| 31 | 16 | 25 | 29 | -- | 101 (4) | NOP(2)| 23 | 34 | 21 | 15 | -- | 93 (1) DET(7)| 17 | 25 | 24 | 19 | -- | 85 (0) | HOU(7)| 26 | 26 | 23 | 28 | -- | 103 (3) ---------------------

2027-2028 SEASON - PLAYOFFS - FIRST ROUND (GAME 3) This game was over at the half and Jayson Tatum was named Player of the Game with 27 points and 13 rebounds. The Hawks didn't play poorly, they just never really got on track and once they were down by more than twenty, that pretty much sucked the life out of the game. It also didn't help that we put up ninety-nine shots and shot 45.5% from the field. This is just my opinion, but I think the Hawks secretly know they can't beat us without Collins and his 20 ppg. Collins will be out for at least another four days and the series could be over by then. Well, I hope it is. I'd really like to sweep Atlanta and get the team rested for the second round. BTW, congrats to the Toronto Raptors. Up 51-50 at the half, the Raptors came out of the locker and embarrassed themselves. It's not every day that a team gets outscored 31-9...yea I said nine!...in the third quarter. Oh sure, they bounced back in the fourth, but the game was well over by then and the benches were empty. It really is shocking to see a team only manage to score nine points in quarter, but it's made even more astonishing when they bookend that nine points with 30 and 36 respectively. Gotta be record...right?!? EASTERN CONFERENCE WESTERN CONFERENCE Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W CHI(1)| 31 | 37 | 30 | 18 | -- | 116 (3) | DAL(1)| 28 | 26 | 28 | 41 | -- | 123 (1) ATL(8)| 24 | 25 | 29 | 21 | -- | 100 (0) | DEN(8)| 26 | 24 | 26 | 44 | -- | 120 (2) Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W CLE(4)| 35 | 31 | 31 | 29 | -- | 126 (3) | LAL(4)| 19 | 30 | 21 | 30 | -- | 100 (1) NYK(5)| 28 | 35 | 20 | 26 | -- | 109 (0) | MEM(5)| 32 | 26 | 29 | 28 | -- | 115 (2) Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W PHI(3)| 28 | 22 | 31 | 34 | -- | 115 (2) | SAS(3)| 29 | 23 | 17 | 35 | -- | 104 (2) TOR(6)| 21 | 30 | 9 | 36 | -- | 96 (1) | SAC(6)| 29 | 33 | 17 | 32 | -- | 111 (1) Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W ORL(2)| 32 | 28 | 30 | 35 | -- | 125 (3) | NOP(2)| 28 | 25 | 16 | 32 | -- | 101 (1) DET(7)| 23 | 17 | 36 | 45 | -- | 121 (0) | HOU(7)| 26 | 25 | 19 | 23 | -- | 93 (2) ---------------------

2027-2028 SEASON - PLAYOFFS - FIRST ROUND (GAME 2) Once again Bulls center Justin McCuthison was named the Player of the Game. McCuthison had 30 points, grabbed 7 rebounds and added 5 blocked shots. Of concern is an injury to McCuthison's hand, although coach Starks did not seem too concerned in his post game press conference. He said that McCuthison would be probable day-to-day. The bright spot for the Atlanta Hawks was point guard Trae Young who scored 37 points and had 12 assists in the loss. The series now shifts to Atlanta, with the Bulls leading the series two games to none. Interesting side note, the Atlanta Hawks had on one offensive rebound in the game. EASTERN CONFERENCE WESTERN CONFERENCE Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W ATL(8)| 28 | 28 | 33 | 18 | -- | 107 (0) | DEN(8)| 20 | 25 | 33 | 33 | -- | 111 (2) CHI(1)| 30 | 32 | 41 | 22 | -- | 125 (2) | DAL(1)| 25 | 28 | 24 | 21 | -- | 98 (0) Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W NYK(5)| 28 | 29 | 27 | 11 | -- | 95 (0) | MEM(5)| 32 | 26 | 27 | 19 | -- | 104 (1) CLE(4)| 21 | 37 | 33 | 26 | -- | 117 (2) | LAL(4)| 20 | 20 | 26 | 28 | -- | 94 (1) Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W TOR(6)| 26 | 30 | 26 | 22 | -- | 104 (1) | SAC(6)| 17 | 19 | 22 | 22 | -- | 80 (0) PHI(3)| 20 | 26 | 27 | 30 | -- | 103 (1) | SAS(3)| 29 | 24 | 22 | 28 | -- | 103 (2) Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W DET(7)| 13 | 35 | 25 | 26 | -- | 99 (0) | HOU(7)| 35 | 23 | 28 | 30 | -- | 116 (2) ORL(2)| 27 | 17 | 29 | 36 | -- | 107 (2) | NOP(2)| 30 | 27 | 22 | 19 | -- | 98 (0) ---------------------

2027-2028 SEASON - PLAYOFFS - FIRST ROUND (GAME 1) Atlanta's point guard Trae Young scored 30 points, added 19 assists and grabbed 5 rebounds, but it was the Bulls center Justin McCuthison who took home Player of the Game honors. McCuthison had 24 points, 1 assist, 13 rebounds and 5 blocked shots in the Bulls decisive 120-106 victory over the Hawks. It's pretty clear just how much the Hawks miss John Collins, but his return is coming sooner than I would like and if the Hawks can steal a game in Chicago that spell trouble. I'm not suggesting that we couldn't beat the Hawks upon Collins' return, but that task becomes far more daunting with him in the line and I'm all for taking any and every advantage we can get. If we can end this series before he can return, I'd be thrilled. EASTERN CONFERENCE WESTERN CONFERENCE Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W ATL(8)| 25 | 29 | 33 | 19 | -- | 106 (0) | DEN(8)| 24 | 29 | 36 | 33 | -- | 122 (1) CHI(1)| 33 | 24 | 30 | 33 | -- | 120 (1) | DAL(1)| 20 | 37 | 29 | 28 | -- | 114 (0) Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W NYK(5)| 26 | 21 | 27 | 25 | -- | 99 (0) | MEM(5)| 24 | 21 | 28 | 12 | -- | 85 (0) CLE(4)| 31 | 36 | 21 | 33 | -- | 121 (1) | LAL(4)| 32 | 26 | 23 | 20 | -- | 101 (1) Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W TOR(6)| 20 | 22 | 23 | 22 | -- | 87 (0) | SAC(6)| 13 | 29 | 28 | 26 | -- | 96 (0) PHI(3)| 28 | 16 | 33 | 27 | -- | 104 (1) | SAS(3)| 30 | 30 | 26 | 21 | -- | 107 (1) Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W DET(7)| 21 | 28 | 20 | 22 | -- | 91 (0) | HOU(7)| 25 | 17 | 19 | 31 | -- | 92 (1) ORL(2)| 31 | 17 | 29 | 27 | -- | 104 (1) | NOP(2)| 15 | 17 | 23 | 27 | -- | 82 (0) ---------------------

2027-2028 SEASON - PLAYOFFS - FIRST ROUND (PREVIEW) Before the season started, the Atlanta Hawks were everyone's pick to win the Eastern Conference and for the most part they were living up to everyone's expectations. Then on February 23rd the Hawks fortunes took a turn for the worse. Six minutes into a 116-108 victory over the Washington Wizards, Power Forward John Collins (5-Stars) was lost to a broken ankle and the Hawks stumbled through the remainder of the season. Ultimately the Hawks struggles led to them falling all the way to the eighth seed; a far cry from pre-season predictions. However, even without Collins the Hawks still have a rather formidable starting lineup with PG Trae Young (4.5-Stars), SG De'Andre Hunter (3.5 Stars), SF Cam Reddish (3.5 Stars), PF Ricardo Branch (3-Stars) and C Bruno Fernando (3-Stars). Unfortunately for Atlanta, Collins is not set to return to the starting lineup until April 22nd, which is game six of the first round and that might be too litte, too late. TEAM INSIGHTS ATLANTA HAWKS (OVERALL: 46-36 | HOME: 27-14 | AWAY: 19-22) OFF Rating: 110.6 (#2) DEF Rating: 107.2 (#23) NET Rating: 3.4 (#3) PPG: 110.6 (#3) PAPG: 107.7 (#23) FG%: .470 (#3) 3P%: .329 (#10) FT%: .819 (#1) APG: 26.8 (#1) RBP: 47.5 (#3) NBA Top 50 Players: PF John Collins, PG Trae Young. ($244,270,814 Payroll - 3rd Highest / $-91,270,814 CAP Space) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHICAGO BULLS (OVERALL: 76-6 | HOME: 41-0 | AWAY: 35-6) OFF Rating: 112.6 (#1) DEF Rating: 100.7 (#1) NET Rating: 11.9 (#1) PPG: 117.7 (#1) PAPG: 103.6 (#11) FG%: .489 (#1) 3P%: .342 (#5) FT%: .724 (#27) APG: 25.0 (#2) RBP: 48.5 (#1) NBA Top 50 Players: PF Giannis Antetokounmpo, SF Jayson Tatum, C Justin McCuthison, PG D'Angelo Russell ($173,351,825 Payroll - 21st Highest / $-20,351,825 CAP Space) ---------------------

2027-2028 SEASON - MARCH Could this be the greatest team in NBA History? Possibly, but the best regular season record does not always equate to the ultimate measure of success and that is the NBA Championship. Last season we won sixty-nine games, but were swept in the finals, so nothing is a given and anything less than an NBA Title is going to seem like a failure at this point. It's funny, in my second and third years as the Bull GM, we won back-to-back titles with identical records of 47-35, so you would think that a team that finished the season with a 76-6 record would take the pressure off. It's actually the opposite. Having defied the owner and spent far more money than he wished, this season has become the all or nothing season. With a new owner, it's hard to know exactly how he is going to react to your overall job performance, but I can't imagine he will be happy with a $20 million dollar cap deficit, if we come up short again. My hope is that we can finish this season off in style and I can somehow convince the owner to allow me to stay on the payroll for another year. The reason being is that next year would be my tenth season with the Bulls, it will be the last contract year for the current coaching staff and for the most part, the team will remain in tact. After that, I think it will be time for a new challenge and a change of venue. Until then, let's go get this damn title and bring it home to the windy city! GO BULLS! SCHEDULE GAME | SCORE | W-L | CHI @ UTA | 124-102 | W | TOR @ CHI | 111-131 | W | BKN @ CHI | 116-123 | W | CHI @ NYK | 85-102 | L | ORL @ CHI | 112-134 | W | CHI @ BOS | 105-88 | W | --------------------------- RECORD W-L OVERALL | 76-6 | MONTH | 5-1 | CONFERENCE STANDINGS EASTERN | WESTERN CHI 76-6 | DAL 61-21 ORL 52-30 | NOP 50-32 PHI 48-34 | SAS 48-34 CLE 48-34 | LAL 47-35 NYK 47-35 | MEM 47-35 TOR 47-35 | SAC 45-37 DET 47-35 | HOU 40-42 ATL 46-36 | DEN 39-43 ----------|---------- MIA 35-47 | PHO 39-43 BOS 31-51 | POR 36-46 BKN 31-51 | UTA 36-46 WAS 31-51 | MIN 34-48 IND 29-53 | GSW 34-48 MIL 25-57 | LAC 33-49 CHA 22-60 | OKC 26-56 TEAM ROSTER STARTERS | PS | GM | GS | MPG | PPG | APG | RPG | D'Angelo Russell | PG | 82 | 82 | 34.2 | 26.2 | 7.1 | 3.6 | Jaylen Nowell | SG | 81 | 63 | 26.2 | 10.2 | 1.9 | 3.7 | Jayson Tatum | SF | 82 | 82 | 33.4 | 14.9 | 2.5 | 5.7 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | PF | 81 | 79 | 34.1 | 17.8 | 6.1 |10.9 | Justin McCuthison | C | 77 | 75 | 33.2 | 20.1 | 0.9 |10.5 | --------------------------------------------------------------- BENCH | PS | GM | GS | MPG | PPG | APG | RPG | Gregory Hawkins | SG | 80 | 0 | 26.6 | 8.9 | 1.6 | 4.4 | Ryan Jefferson | PF | 65 | 46 | 25.8 | 12.6 | 1.2 | 5.0 | Steven Adams | C | 79 | 9 | 18.7 | 9.1 | 1.0 | 5.6 | Spencer Dinwiddie | PG | 82 | 3 | 12.8 | 3.7 | 2.8 | 1.1 | KZ Okpala | SF | 53 | 0 | 11.8 | 4.7 | 0.8 | 2.0 | Andrew Miller | PG | 47 | 0 | 4.1 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.4 | Marcus Bosl | PG | 18 | 0 | 3.4 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.6 | James Jackson | C | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | --------------------------------------------------------------- D-LEAGUE | PS | GM | GS | MPG | PPG | APG | RPG | Marcus Bosl | PG | 55 | 55 | 33.4 | 15.6 | 6.4 | 4.5 | James Jackson | C | 57 | 57 | 29.3 | 13.3 | 1.8 |12.9 | --------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------

2027-2028 SEASON - MARCH We are on the precipice of recording the greatest regular season in NBA history. We are currently on a twenty-one game winning streak and with six games remaining in the season, we only require three victories to eclipse the current NBA record of 73-9 held by the 2016 Golden State Warriors. The final six games on our schedule are as follows: @UTA, TOR, BKN, @NYK, ORL and @BOS. To date, we are 38-0 at home, so it seems almost a certainty that we will break the record, despite having been defeated by both Brooklyn and Orlando. Let's just hope we don't meet the same fate as the Golden State Warriors, who were up 3-1 in the NBA Finals and lost three straight to LeBron James and the Cavaliers. I've decided to start recording key injuries on the schedule, to make it easier to note when a player was injured and his expected return date. SCHEDULE GAME | SCORE | W-L | IND @ CHI | 100-120 | W | BOS @ CHI | 104-125 | W | CHI @ IND | 99-92 | W | MEM @ CHI | 100-119 | W | NYK @ CHI | 105-108 | W | CHI @ DAL | 114-94 | W | CHI @ ORL | 127-112 | W | CHA @ CHI | 102-126 | W | CHI @ MIL | 118-108 | W | SAC @ CHI | 90-114 | W | CHI @ DET | 114-107 | W | Ryan Jefferson broken wrist (OUT 49 days, Return 5/12/28) HOU @ CHI | 96-125 | W | CHI @ SAC | 113-106 | W | Steven Adams sore hip - (PROB 4 days until 4/2/28) CHI @ LAC | 108-98 | W | KZ Okpala back spasms (OUT 12 Days, Return 4/11/28) CHI @ LAL | 112-92 | W | --------------------------- RECORD W-L OVERALL | 71-5 | MONTH | 15-0 | CONFERENCE STANDINGS EASTERN | WESTERN CHI 71-5 | DAL 56-20 ORL 48-27 | NOP 46-30 PHI 45-31 | SAS 44-32 DET 44-32 | MEM 44-32 CLE 44-32 | LAL 42-33 TOR 43-33 | SAC 42-34 NYK 43-34 | HOU 37-39 ATL 42-34 | DEN 37-40 ----------|---------- MIA 34-43 | PHO 37-40 BKN 31-45 | MIN 33-43 WAS 29-48 | UTA 33-43 BOS 28-47 | LAC 33-43 IND 28-48 | POR 33-44 MIL 23-53 | GSW 31-46 CHA 19-57 | OKC 22-54 TEAM ROSTER STARTERS | PS | GM | GS | MPG | PPG | APG | RPG | D'Angelo Russell | PG | 76 | 76 | 34.2 | 26.1 | 7.1 | 3.6 | Jaylen Nowell | SG | 75 | 57 | 26.0 | 10.4 | 1.9 | 3.6 | Jayson Tatum | SF | 76 | 76 | 32.8 | 14.7 | 2.5 | 5.6 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | PF | 75 | 73 | 33.9 | 17.8 | 6.1 |10.9 | Justin McCuthison | C | 71 | 69 | 33.3 | 20.1 | 0.9 |10.7 | --------------------------------------------------------------- BENCH | PS | GM | GS | MPG | PPG | APG | RPG | Gregory Hawkins | SG | 74 | 0 | 26.4 | 8.9 | 1.6 | 4.4 | Ryan Jefferson | PF | 65 | 46 | 25.8 | 12.6 | 1.2 | 5.0 | Steven Adams | C | 73 | 9 | 18.4 | 9.1 | 1.0 | 5.5 | Spencer Dinwiddie | PG | 76 | 3 | 13.0 | 3.6 | 2.8 | 1.1 | KZ Okpala | SF | 51 | 0 | 11.8 | 4.7 | 0.8 | 1.9 | Andrew Miller | PG | 43 | 0 | 4.3 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 0.4 | Marcus Bosl | PG | 14 | 0 | 3.9 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.7 | James Jackson | C | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | --------------------------------------------------------------- D-LEAGUE | PS | GM | GS | MPG | PPG | APG | RPG | Marcus Bosl | PG | 52 | 52 | 33.4 | 15.7 | 6.4 | 4.4 | James Jackson | C | 54 | 54 | 29.2 | 13.4 | 1.8 |12.8 | --------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------

2027-2028 SEASON - FEBRUARY With only three days remaining until the trade deadline, I decided to try and move PF Jermaine Baker. Baker was in the last year of his contract and I couldn't afford to offer him an extension. Ultimately I sent Baker, PF Lee Askew, SF Chandler Hutchison and our 2030 1st round pick (GSW vs CHI) to the Bucks for PF Ryan Jefferson, SF KZ Okpala and a 2028 1st round pick (MIL). As soon as the trade was announced, I had Jefferson and Okpala fly directly to New York, as we were to face the Knicks that night. With Giannis and Nowell banged up, Jefferson was forced into the starting lineup and Okpala would see significant minutes coming off the bench. Like any trade, there is always the worry that you have made a terrible mistake and/or possibly upset the chemistry of the team. Those worries were quickly dismissed as Jefferson led all scorers with 23 points, 3 assists and 2 rebounds in the 111-98 victory over the Knicks. Okpala gave us a solid 23 minutes coming off the bench, scoring 11 points with 1 assist, 3 rebounds and 5 steals. I'll that was a big relief and I left the stadium strutting like a peacock. The best part, I shaved approximately $7 million dollars off teams salary and both Jefferson and Okpala are signed through the 2028-2029 season. I might just keep my job after all. TRADES Bucks trade PF Ryan Jefferson, SF KZ Okpala and 2028 1st round pick for Bulls PF Jermaine Baker, PF Lee Askew, SF Chandler Hutchison and 2030 1st round pick (GSW via CHI) SCHEDULE GAME | SCORE | W-L | CHI @ DEN | 95-106 | L | NYK @ CHI | 99-134 | W | CHI @ BKN | 97-86 | W | CHI @ NYK | 111-98 | W | CHI @ MIA | 140-120 | W | CHI @ ORL | 102-106 | L | CHA @ CHI | 105-127 | W | UTA @ CHI | 96-106 | W | CHI @ PHI | 121-112 | W | NOP @ CHI | 94-111 | W | ATL @ CHI | 89-117 | W | CHI @ CLE | 128-105 | W | --------------------------- RECORD W-L OVERALL | 56-5 | MONTH | 10-2 | CONFERENCE STANDINGS EASTERN | WESTERN CHI 56-5 | DAL 46-14 ORL 40-21 | SAS 37-25 DET 37-24 | MEM 36-25 NYK 37-25 | NOP 36-26 CLE 36-25 | LAL 33-27 TOR 36-27 | SAC 33-27 PHI 34-26 | HOU 33-29 ATL 33-29 | PHO 30-33 ----------|---------- BKN 25-37 | DEN 30-34 WAS 25-37 | UTA 28-33 MIA 22-39 | MIN 26-35 IND 22-40 | POR 26-27 MIL 21-39 | GSW 24-37 BOS 20-39 | LAC 24-38 CHA 16-46 | OKC 19-42 TEAM ROSTER STARTERS | PS | GM | GS | MPG | PPG | APG | RPG | D'Angelo Russell | PG | 61 | 61 | 34.4 | 26.2 | 7.4 | 3.5 | Jaylen Nowell | SG | 60 | 42 | 26.1 | 11.0 | 2.1 | 3.7 | Jayson Tatum | SF | 61 | 61 | 32.5 | 14.5 | 2.5 | 5.2 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | PF | 60 | 58 | 33.5 | 17.7 | 5.8 |10.6 | Justin McCuthison | C | 56 | 43 | 33.2 | 20.8 | 0.8 |10.9 | --------------------------------------------------------------- BENCH | PS | GM | GS | MPG | PPG | APG | RPG | Gregory Hawkins | SG | 61 | 0 | 26.3 | 8.7 | 1.7 | 4.1 | Ryan Jefferson | PF | 54 | 46 | 27.4 | 12.7 | 1.2 | 5.2 | Steven Adams | C | 60 | 9 | 19.3 | 9.5 | 1.0 | 5.8 | Spencer Dinwiddie | PG | 61 | 3 | 12.8 | 3.7 | 2.7 | 1.1 | KZ Okpala | SF | 37 | 0 | 12.5 | 5.0 | 0.8 | 2.1 | Andrew Miller | PG | 34 | 0 | 4.1 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 0.3 | Marcus Bosl | PG | 6 | 0 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.8 | James Jackson | C | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | --------------------------------------------------------------- D-LEAGUE | PS | GM | GS | MPG | PPG | APG | RPG | Marcus Bosl | PG | 40 | 40 | 33.1 | 16.0 | 6.3 | 4.5 | James Jackson | C | 41 | 41 | 28.5 | 12.4 | 1.8 |12.3 | --------------------------------------------------------------- CONTRACTS (TEAM SALARY $173,351,825 / CAP STATUS $-20,351,825) Player | PS | CUR | POT | HGT | LBS | AG | EX | SALARY | CONTRACT Giannis Antetokounmpo | PF | 5.0 | 5.0 | 6-11| 242 | 33 | 14 | $47,351,563 | $148,171,857/3y D'Angelo Russell | PG | 3.5 | 3.5 | 6-4 | 193 | 31 | 12 | $35,086,694 | $72,468,779/2y Jayson Tatum | SF | 4.0 | 4.0 | 6-8 | 204 | 29 | 10 | $34,941,933 | $111,662,262/3y Jalen Nowell | SG | 2.5 | 2.5 | 6-4 | 201 | 28 | 8 | $13,375,041 | $27,351,958/2y Gregory Hawkins | SG | 3.0 | 4.0 | 6-4 | 198 | 22 | R | $9,655,533 | $20,035,133/2y (RO) Justin McCuthison | C | 3.5 | 4.0 | 6-11| 280 | 23 | 3 | $9,305,456 | $113,927,456/4y Steven Adams | C | 2.5 | 2.5 | 6-11| 265 | 34 | 14 | $5,100,000 | $5,100,000/1y Ryan Jefferson | PF | 3.0 | 3.5 | 6-8 | 222 | 24 | 1 | $4,877,100 | $6,945,834/2y (RO) KZ Okpala | SF | 2.0 | 2.0 | 6-8 | 215 | 28 | 9 | $3,396,496 | $6,945,834/2y Spence Dinwiddie | PG | 2.0 | 2.0 | 6-5 | 215 | 34 | 13 | $3,179,173 | $3,179,173/1y Andrew Miller | PG | 2.0 | 2.0 | 5-11| 178 | 24 | 2 | $3,066,406 | $7,794,804/2y Marcus Bosl | PG | 2.0 | 2.5 | 6-0 | 189 | 24 | 1 | $2,224,400 | $4,604,508/2y (RO) James Jackson | C | 1.5 | 3.0 | 6-11| 270 | 22 | 1 | $1,792,030 | $1,792,030/1y ---------------------

2027-2028 SEASON - JANUARY Another outstanding month of basketball. Statistically speaking, nothing has really changed. We are still ranked #1 in points-per-game(118.8) and field goal percentage(.488). We have the #1 rated offense, the #6 rated defense and ranked 1st in the Power Rankings. This has the makings of an epic regular season, but there is still a lot of basketball to be played. One thing is for sure, the Bulls and Mavericks are by far the two best teams in the league and the closer we get to the playoffs, the more it looks like we will get treated to a rematch in the finals...but...let's not start counting our eggs before they are hatched. Before you can play for a title, you actually have to get there first and anything can happen between now and then. SCHEDULE GAME | SCORE | W-L | CHI @ PHI | 123-104 | W | IND @ CHI | 93-112 | W | PHI @ CHI | 106-112 | W | CHI @ ATL | 118-101 | W | CHI @ IND | 94-84 | W | ORL @ CHI | 99-107 | W | LAC @ CHI | 82-100 | W | CHI @ MIA | 138-123 | W | CHI @ ATL | 132-128 | W | OT MIA @ CHI | 97-130 | W | CHI @ BOS | 98-85 | W | PHO @ CHI | 106-111 | W | BKN @ CHI | 95-109 | W | CHI @ DET | 100-116 | L | BOS @ CHI | 91-115 | W | --------------------------- RECORD W-L OVERALL | 46-3 | MONTH | 14-1 | CONFERENCE STANDINGS EASTERN | WESTERN CHI 46-3 | DAL 40-10 ORL 33-17 | MEM 30-19 NYK 32-20 | SAS 30-22 DET 31-20 | NOP 28-22 PHI 27-22 | LAL 28-22 ATL 27-23 | SAC 28-22 CLE 26-23 | HOU 29-24 TOR 27-25 | PHO 25-27 ----------|---------- BKN 24-28 | UTA 24-27 WAS 21-29 | DEN 24-30 MIA 21-30 | MIN 22-29 MIL 19-31 | GSW 21-29 IND 18-34 | POR 19-32 BOS 14-34 | LAC 19-32 CHA 13-38 | OKC 14-36 TEAM ROSTER STARTERS | PS | GM | GS | MPG | PPG | APG | RPG | D'Angelo Russell | PG | 49 | 49 | 34.9 | 26.2 | 7.2 | 3.4 | Jaylen Nowell | SG | 48 | 31 | 26.4 | 12.0 | 2.3 | 3.8 | Jayson Tatum | SF | 49 | 49 | 32.6 | 14.8 | 2.4 | 5.3 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | PF | 49 | 49 | 34.3 | 18.7 | 5.7 |10.9 | Justin McCuthison | C | 44 | 42 | 33.2 | 20.7 | 0.8 |10.8 | --------------------------------------------------------------- BENCH | PS | GM | GS | MPG | PPG | APG | RPG | Gregory Hawkins | SG | 49 | 0 | 26.5 | 9.0 | 1.7 | 3.7 | Jermaine Baker | PF | 41 | 0 | 14.2 | 5.6 | 0.5 | 2.8 | Steven Adams | C | 49 | 7 | 20.0 | 9.7 | 1.2 | 6.1 | Spencer Dinwiddie | PG | 49 | 2 | 12.7 | 3.6 | 2.7 | 1.1 | Chad Hutchison | SF | 47 | 0 | 8.6 | 2.8 | 0.6 | 1.5 | Lee Askew | PF | 32 | 0 | 5.1 | 2.1 | 0.2 | 1.0 | Andrew Miller | PG | 26 | 0 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 0.3 | Marcus Bosl | PG | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | James Jackson | C | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | --------------------------------------------------------------- D-LEAGUE | PS | GM | GS | MPG | PPG | APG | RPG | Marcus Bosl | PG | 26 | 26 | 32.6 | 16.2 | 6.5 | 4.2 | James Jackson | C | 28 | 28 | 27.6 | 12.5 | 1.6 |11.8 | --------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------

For the most part it is rare to see a rookie get a lot of minutes. If they are exceptional players 4-5 stars and the team doesn't already have an established starter, maybe they get placed directly into the starting lineup, but it is rare. Most rookies, even the good ones need time to develop and in my experience even the really good rookies have to come off the bench. My rookie shooting guard is getting 26.1 MPG, which is essentially splitting time with the starter.

2027-2028 SEASON - DECEMBER Well, we came up a little short of breaking the record for consecutive wins to start a season, but it was a good run and we finished the month with a 12-2 mark. We have increased our points-per-game to 121.3 and still lead the league in field goal percentage (.495). We are rated first in offense, but fell to 10th in defense, despite still being ranked #1 in the power rankings. The day after Christmas, I traded SG Markelle Fultz and a 2028 second round pick to the Milwaukee Bucks for SG Jaylen Nowell. Jaylen and Markelle are very similar players in my opinion, but I felt Jaylen was a better rebounder and could offer us more on offense. Yes, I know...don't fix it if it ain't broken, but in as much as I like Fultz, his offense was always lacking and I only ever envisioned him as a stop gap until Hawkins was ready to jump into the starting lineup. Nowell will now assume that same role, but I think he is a better long term option, if only marginally. Cap wise, it was of little to no consequence. SCHEDULE GAME | SCORE | W-L | GSW @ CHI | 112-137 | W | CHI @ TOR | 103-120 | L | CLE @ CHI | 121-133 | W | SAS @ CHI | 102-123 | W | OKC @ CHI | 101-121 | W | CHI @ NOP | 106-97 | W | DET @ CHI | 114-126 | W | CHI @ MEM | 113-124 | L | MIL @ CHI | 98-120 | W | WAS @ CHI | 116-136 | W | CHI @ WAS | 110-102 | W | DET @ CHI | 131-141 | W | DEN @ CHI | 126-135 | W | CHI @ POR | 112-94 | W | --------------------------- RECORD W-L OVERALL | 32-2 | MONTH | 12-2 | CONFERENCE STANDINGS EASTERN | WESTERN CHI 32-2 | DAL 32-5 ATL 25-12 | SAS 23-15 ORL 24-13 | LAL 21-14 NYK 23-13 | MEM 20-15 DET 22-14 | NOP 20-16 CLE 19-16 | SAC 19-16 BKN 19-17 | HOU 20-17 PHI 17-17 | DEN 18-19 ----------|---------- TOR 20-20 | PHO 16-22 MIL 14-22 | UTA 15-21 MIA 14-22 | LAC 15-22 BOS 13-23 | POR 13-24 IND 13-24 | MIN 12-23 WAS 12-24 | GSW 12-24 CHA 10-26 | OKC 11-26 TEAM ROSTER STARTERS | PS | GM | GS | MPG | PPG | APG | RPG | D'Angelo Russell | PG | 34 | 34 | 35.8 | 27.3 | 7.1 | 3.2 | Jaylen Nowell | SG | 33 | 16 | 26.2 | 12.8 | 3.1 | 4.1 | Jayson Tatum | SF | 34 | 34 | 33.6 | 15.8 | 2.6 | 5.5 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | PF | 34 | 34 | 33.6 | 17.8 | 5.4 |10.6 | Justin McCuthison | C | 34 | 34 | 33.9 | 21.8 | 0.8 |11.5 | --------------------------------------------------------------- BENCH | PS | GM | GS | MPG | PPG | APG | RPG | Gregory Hawkins | SG | 34 | 0 | 26.1 | 8.9 | 1.6 | 3.6 | Jermaine Baker | PF | 27 | 0 | 15.1 | 6.0 | 0.6 | 3.1 | Steven Adams | C | 34 | 0 | 15.9 | 7.7 | 0.8 | 4.9 | Spencer Dinwiddie | PG | 34 | 2 | 12.4 | 3.9 | 2.4 | 1.0 | Chad Hutchison | SF | 32 | 0 | 8.3 | 3.2 | 0.6 | 1.4 | Lee Askew | PF | 24 | 0 | 5.0 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 0.9 | Andrew Miller | PG | 19 | 0 | 3.8 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 0.3 | Marcus Bosl | PG | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | James Jackson | C | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | --------------------------------------------------------------- D-LEAGUE | PS | GM | GS | MPG | PPG | APG | RPG | Marcus Bosl | PG | 13 | 13 | 30.6 | 14.9 | 6.2 | 3.5 | James Jackson | C | 14 | 14 | 27.2 | 11.7 | 1.9 |11.0 | --------------------------------------------------------------- CONTRACTS (TEAM SALARY $180,666,592 / CAP STATUS $-27,666,592) Player | PS | CUR | POT | HGT | LBS | AG | EX | SALARY | CONTRACT Giannis Antetokounmpo | PF | 5.0 | 5.0 | 6-11| 242 | 33 | 14 | $47,351,563 | $148,171,857/3y D'Angelo Russell | PG | 3.5 | 3.5 | 6-4 | 193 | 31 | 12 | $35,086,694 | $72,468,779/2y Jayson Tatum | SF | 4.0 | 4.0 | 6-8 | 204 | 29 | 10 | $34,941,933 | $111,662,262/3y Jalen Nowell | SG | 2.5 | 2.5 | 6-4 | 201 | 28 | 8 | $13,375,041 | $27,351,958/2y Gregory Hawkins | SG | 3.0 | 4.0 | 6-4 | 198 | 22 | R | $9,655,533 | $20,035,133/2y (RO) Justin McCuthison | C | 3.5 | 4.0 | 6-11| 280 | 23 | 3 | $9,305,456 | $9,305,456/1y Lee Askew | PF | 2.0 | 4.0 | 6-9 | 241 | 24 | 1 | $8,119,600 | $16,807,572/2y (RO) Steven Adams | C | 2.5 | 2.5 | 6-11| 265 | 34 | 14 | $5,100,000 | $5,100,000/1y Jermaine Baker | PF | 3.0 | 3.0 | 6-8 | 217 | 26 | 3 | $4,491,902 | $4,491,902/1y Spence Dinwiddie | PG | 2.0 | 2.0 | 6-5 | 215 | 34 | 13 | $3,179,173 | $3,179,173/1y Andrew Miller | PG | 2.0 | 2.0 | 5-11| 178 | 24 | 2 | $3,066,406 | $7,794,804/2y Chandler Hutchison | SF | 2.0 | 2.0 | 6-7 | 197 | 31 | 9 | $2,976,861 | $2,976,861/1y Marcus Bosl | PG | 2.0 | 2.5 | 6-0 | 189 | 24 | 1 | $2,224,400 | $4,604,508/2y (RO) James Jackson | C | 1.5 | 3.0 | 6-11| 270 | 22 | 1 | $1,792,030 | $1,792,030/1y ---------------------

2027-2028 SEASON - NOVEMBER Well...I think twenty consecutive wins to start the season kind of speaks for itself. We are first overall in points-per-game (120.4), first overall in field-goal-percentage (.491), first overall in blocks-per-game (8.5), first overall in rebounds-per-game (49.5) and number one in the Power Rankings. We have the second rated offense and the 4th rated defense. That's not to shabby, but I'm sure the owner is still chewing glass over our payroll. Yes, we are $27.5 million dollars over the cap and to that I say "So what!?!" That kind of money won't even buy you a 33-year old Pascal Siakam! If you know who Pascal Siakam is, give yourself a gold star, because most people couldn't pick him out of a line up. Pascal is a middle tier power forward who is an excellent defender, but otherwise unremarkable and he makes $28+ million a year. So, excuse me if I'm not concerned about being over the cap by a mere $27 mil. At $180.5 million dollars, we are still only the 17th highest paid team in the league. Hell, the Charlotte Hornets have a $263.3 million dollar payroll and they are 4-17! Money may not buy championships, but it damn sure buys talent and talent is what gets you titles. If we not about winning titles, then what are we doing? If we win five more games, we will break the record for consecutive wins to start a season and that's really saying something. Regardless, we could go undefeated in the regular season, but if we don't bring home a title, it will be all for not. This is the all or nothing season for me, because I'm probably not going to survive another season as the Bulls GM if we don't. SCHEDULE GAME | SCORE | W-L | CHI @ WAS | 108-89 | W | CHI @ CLE | 135-105 | W | CHI @ MIL | 111-90 | W | CHI @ HOU | 118-112 | W | OT LAL @ CHI | 113-126 | W | DAL @ CHI | 100-109 | W | CLE @ CHI | 112-142 | W | CHI @ SAS | 120-102 | W | ATL @ CHI | 117-131 | W | CHI @ PHO | 111-92 | W | CHI @ OKC | 122-118 | W | CHI @ GSW | 111-107 | W | CHI @ MIN | 139-113 | W | --------------------------- RECORD W-L OVERALL | 20-0 | MONTH | 13-0 | CONFERENCE STANDINGS EASTERN | WESTERN CHI 20-0 | DAL 16-4 NYK 17-4 | LAL 15-6 ATL 14-7 | HOU 13-8 DET 13-7 | SAC 12-8 ORL 13-9 | SAS 12-10 BKN 12-9 | DEN 12-10 TOR 13-10 | PHO 11-12 PHI 11-9 | NOP 10-11 ----------|---------- CLE 9-11 | UTA 10-11 MIA 8-14 | LAC 10-12 IND 8-14 | MEM 9-12 WAS 6-14 | GSW 9-12 BOS 5-16 | OKC 9-13 MIL 5-17 | MIN 6-15 CHA 4-17 | POR 5-15 TEAM ROSTER STARTERS | PS | GM | GS | MPG | PPG | APG | RPG | D'Angelo Russell | PG | 20 | 20 | 35.7 | 28.5 | 7.0 | 3.2 | Markelle Fultz | SG | 18 | 18 | 25.1 | 9.3 | 2.7 | 3.7 | Jayson Tatum | SF | 20 | 20 | 34.2 | 16.5 | 2.7 | 5.5 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | PF | 20 | 20 | 33.7 | 17.9 | 5.4 |10.8 | Justin McCuthison | C | 20 | 20 | 34.0 | 21.3 | 0.9 |12.3 | --------------------------------------------------------------- BENCH | PS | GM | GS | MPG | PPG | APG | RPG | Gregory Hawkins | SG | 20 | 0 | 25.7 | 8.2 | 1.3 | 3.8 | Jermaine Baker | PF | 13 | 0 | 16.1 | 5.2 | 0.5 | 3.5 | Steven Adams | C | 20 | 0 | 15.6 | 7.2 | 0.8 | 4.7 | Spencer Dinwiddie | PG | 20 | 2 | 13.4 | 4.1 | 2.4 | 1.1 | Chad Hutchison | SF | 20 | 0 | 10.0 | 3.2 | 0.6 | 1.8 | Lee Askew | PF | 15 | 0 | 4.8 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 0.9 | Andrew Miller | PG | 13 | 0 | 4.2 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.4 | Marcus Bosl | PG | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | James Jackson | C | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | --------------------------------------------------------------- D-LEAGUE | PS | GM | GS | MPG | PPG | APG | RPG | Marcus Bosl | PG | 1 | 1 | 28.0 | 10.0 | 8.0 | 1.0 | James Jackson | C | 1 | 1 | 29.0 | 16.0 | 2.0 |18.0 | --------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------

2027-2028 SEASON - OCTOBER I knew this team was going to be good offensively, but I am surprised by how well the defense has played. Granted, it's early in the season and it didn't hurt that we had five home games in the month of October. Nevertheless, we lead the league in points-per-game with 117.7 and are ranked 3rd in offense and defense. We are also ranked 2nd in the power rankings behind the New York Knicks. Most surprising, is the poor play by the Celtics and the Hornets. Well, the Celtics did kind of mortgage their season with some questionable player/staff moves, but the Hornets I just don't get. How does a team with a starting lineup of Kendrick Nunn (4-Star), Tony Neeser (4-Star), Tyrone Fisher (3-Star), Chris Miller (4-Star) and Julius Randle (3-Star) start the season 0-7? That makes no sense to me. SCHEDULE GAME | SCORE | W-L | CHI @ TOR | 127-111 | W | MIL @ CHI | 94-117 | W | MIN @ CHI | 87-104 | W | WAS @ CHI | 119-126 | W | TOR @ CHI | 105-115 | W | CHI @ CHA | 130-120 | W | POR @ CHI | 81-105 | W | --------------------------- RECORD W-L OVERALL | 7-0 | MONTH | 7-0 | CONFERENCE STANDINGS EASTERN | WESTERN NYK 6-0 | DAL 6-1 CHI 7-0 | LAL 6-1 DET 4-1 | PHO 6-1 BKN 5-3 | DEN 5-2 CLE 5-3 | HOU 4-3 TOR 4-3 | UTA 4-3 IND 4-3 | MEM 4-4 WAS 4-3 | SAS 4-4 ----------|---------- PHI 3-3 | NOP 3-4 ATL 3-3 | GSW 3-4 MIA 2-4 | LAC 3-5 MIL 2-5 | SAC 2-4 ORL 2-5 | MIN 2-5 BOS 0-7 | OKC 1-6 CHA 0-7 | POR 0-7 TEAM ROSTER STARTERS | PS | GM | GS | MPG | PPG | APG | RPG | D'Angelo Russell | PG | 7 | 7 | 37.6 | 26.9 | 7.7 | 3.4 | Markelle Fultz | SG | 7 | 7 | 26.6 | 9.9 | 2.6 | 4.0 | Jayson Tatum | SF | 7 | 7 | 35.0 | 21.0 | 2.4 | 4.1 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | PF | 7 | 7 | 33.0 | 14.7 | 5.1 |11.3 | Justin McCuthison | C | 7 | 7 | 34.1 | 22.7 | 0.6 |13.3 | --------------------------------------------------------------- BENCH | PS | GM | GS | MPG | PPG | APG | RPG | Gregory Hawkins | SG | 7 | 0 | 24.1 | 7.3 | 1.1 | 3.9 | Jermaine Baker | PF | 6 | 0 | 16.2 | 3.7 | 0.5 | 2.8 | Steven Adams | C | 7 | 0 | 14.0 | 5.6 | 0.4 | 3.7 | Spencer Dinwiddie | PG | 7 | 0 | 11.1 | 4.0 | 2.1 | 0.9 | Chad Hutchison | SF | 7 | 0 | 7.1 | 1.9 | 0.1 | 2.1 | Lee Askew | PF | 4 | 0 | 3.8 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | Andrew Miller | PG | 5 | 0 | 2.4 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 0.2 | Marcus Bosl | PG | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | James Jackson | C | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | --------------------------------------------------------------- D-LEAGUE | PS | GM | GS | MPG | PPG | APG | RPG | Marcus Bosl | PG | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | James Jackson | C | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | --------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------

2027-2028 PRE SEASON REPORT So...new owner and he demands we stay within the cap, but we were $42.2 million dollars OVER the cap before renouncing the rights to Adams, Fultz and Williams. After doing that we were still $256,127 over the cap. I have to admit, I'm really getting over this penny pinching crap. I'm almost tempted to just gut this team out of spite...but I won't. I'm going to somehow get this team under the cap and then let the chips fall where they may. Seriously, this is beyond irritating. The owner expects us to make a deep playoff run, but I've got to cut payroll AND retain P.J. Washington, who has already declared that he intends on testing the free agent waters at the end of the season. Well...guess who just moved to the top of the list of potential trades! Man...I really want to eviscerate this team and then Mic drop ole Humphries at the end of the season, but I have a reputation to maintain, so I'm going to make the best of a bad situation. Regardless of what happens this season, I think I'll explore my options at the end of the year. I would like more financial freedom to compete with the Dallas Mavericks of the world. Hell, maybe Mark Cuban will give me a job... ...Okay, a significant amount of time has passed since I wrote that previous paragraph and I've decided to completely gut the team, but not in a bad way. Essentially, I decided that if this was going to be my last hurrah, I was going to go out with a bang. I was going to assemble the best possible team that I could, with the caveat that no one was untouchable and if I ended up over the cap when all was said and done, so be it. What's the worst the owner can do, fire me. Don't do me any favors pal. So, I began scouring the NBA to see which teams might be willing to make some deals and many, many, many, hours later, I had completely reshaped the team. Four of the five starters are now gone! Marcus Donovan and Bradley Beal were packaged in a deal to obtain D'Angelo Russell from the Warriors. Brandon Ingram was sent to the Celtics for Jayson Tatum and P.J. Washington was shipped out to Toronto for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Yes, Giannis is getting old in the tooth, but I only need one more season out of him. The last deal I made was to acquire shooting guard Gregory Hawkins from the Wizards for Viktor Florakis and a 2028 1st round pick via Golden State. I like Hawkins a lot. He is a rookie, so I don't think coach Starks will start him, but he should see significant minutes and I think he is a potential Rookie of the Year. By the way, that deal for Jayson Tatum was crazy and I'm pretty certain that the Celtics GM Clarence Anderson is going to get fired for it. He must have been off his meds, because they gave us Tatum and their 2029 first round pick for Ingram. Yea, I know that is completely insane, but it happened and I couldn't believe it myself. It was one for the ages and now Ingram is by far the best player the Celtics have, because the GM gutted the rest of the team and fired the entire coaching staff! Their starting lineup looks like this: Edwin Simmons (PG), Romeo Langford (SG), Brandon Ingram (SF), Bobby Portis (PF) and Anzejis Pacecniks (C). I can only assume that the GM was aggressively cutting salaries, because they are now one of only three teams under the cap. Anyway, when all was said and done with the trades, we went from $256k to $6.5 million over the cap and I wasn't done spending. If you think Humphries is pissed now, wait until he sees the bill for the free agents I'm about to sign. Do I care? No, I do not. It's all or nothing this season, so time to go shopping in the free agent market. I may be over the cap, but I was certain I could get a key player or two via the mid and low level exceptions. My first thought was to go after a couple known quantities, shooting guard Markelle Fultz and center Steven Adams. I went after Fultz first, only because I knew there were very few free agent shooting guards. I figured since Adams was pushing thirty-five, he might eventually settle for a low level exception near the end of the free agent period. I figured that was a long shot, but you only get one mid level exception and I needed someone to provide top cover for my rookie shooting guard. There wasn't a lot of player movement in the beginning and nearly all of the activity revolved around teams re-signing their own players. However, on July 27th, Fultz accepted the mid level offer and I was thrilled. Now I just needed a big man and Steven Adams was still unsigned. He dismissed my initial low level exception offer, so I figured I wait until August 1st and try again. August 1st came and Adams agreed to the low level exception and now I had my two guys. I was pretty pleased with myself, because that doesn't happen very often. Lastly, I made a minimum offer to former Bulls small forward Chandler Hutchison to provide a little extra depth on the bench and he eagerly accepted. DRAFT Nothing to get excited about. We had two picks in the second round and drafted small forward Travis Gibson and small forward Antonio Alexander. I don't think either will make the team. TRADES Warriors trade PG D'Angelo Russell, 2028 1st round pick, 2030 1st round pick for PG Marcus Donovan and SG Bradley Beal. Celtics trade SF Jayson Tatum, 2029 1st round pick (CHI via BOS) for SF Brandon Ingram. Raptors trade PF Giannis Antetokounmpo for PF P.J. Washington. Wizards trade SG Gregory Hawkins, 2029 2nd round pick for SF Viktor Florakis, 2028 1st round pick (GSW via CHI) CONTRACTS Exercised rookie option for Marcus Bosl. Exercised rookie option for Andrew Miller. Exercised rookie option for Viktor Florakis. Exercised rookie option for Lee Askew. Renounced rights to Steven Adams Renounced rights to Markelle Fultz Renounced rights to Kurtis Williams Release and renounced rights to Travis Gibson Release and renounced rights to Antonio Alexander SUMMER LEAGUE ASSIGNMENTS C | James Jackson PF | Lee Askew PF | Jermaine Baker SF | Antonio Alexander SF | Travis Gibson SF | Viktor Florakis PG | Marcus Bosl PG | Andrew Miller FREE AGENCY Signed Markell Fultz to a 1-year deal worth $13,300,00 Signed Steven Adams to a 1-year deal worth $5,100,000 Signed Chandler Hutchison to a 1-year deal worth $2,976,861 TEAM ROSTER STARTERS | PS | GM | GS | MPG | PPG | APG | RPG | D'Angelo Russell | PG | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | Markelle Fultz | SG | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | Jayson Tatum | SF | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | PF | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | Justin McCuthison | C | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | --------------------------------------------------------------- BENCH | PS | GM | GS | MPG | PPG | APG | RPG | Gregory Hawkins | SG | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | Jermaine Baker | PF | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | Steven Adams | C | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | Spencer Dinwiddie | PG | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | Chad Hutchison | SF | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | Lee Askew | PF | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | Andrew Miller | PG | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | Marcus Bosl | PG | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | James Jackson | C | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | --------------------------------------------------------------- D-LEAGUE | PS | GM | GS | MPG | PPG | APG | RPG | Marcus Bosl | PG | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | James Jackson | C | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | --------------------------------------------------------------- CONTRACTS (TEAM SALARY $180,591,551 / CAP STATUS $-27,591,551) Player | PS | CUR | POT | HGT | LBS | AG | EX | SALARY | CONTRACT Giannis Antetokounmpo | PF | 5.0 | 5.0 | 6-11| 242 | 33 | 14 | $47,351,563 | $148,171,857/3y D'Angelo Russell | PG | 3.5 | 3.5 | 6-4 | 193 | 31 | 12 | $35,086,694 | $72,468,779/2y Jayson Tatum | SF | 4.0 | 4.0 | 6-8 | 204 | 29 | 10 | $34,941,933 | $111,662,262/3y Markelle Fultz | SG | 2.5 | 2.5 | 6-3 | 200 | 29 | 10 | $13,000,000 | $13,000,000/1y Gregory Hawkins | SG | 3.0 | 4.0 | 6-4 | 198 | 22 | R | $9,655,533 | $20,035,133/2y (RO) Justin McCuthison | C | 3.5 | 4.0 | 6-11| 280 | 23 | 3 | $9,305,456 | $9,305,456/1y Lee Askew | PF | 2.0 | 4.0 | 6-9 | 241 | 24 | 1 | $8,119,600 | $16,807,572/2y (RO) Steven Adams | C | 2.5 | 2.5 | 6-11| 265 | 34 | 14 | $5,100,000 | $5,100,000/1y Jermaine Baker | PF | 3.0 | 3.0 | 6-8 | 217 | 26 | 3 | $4,491,902 | $4,491,902/1y Spence Dinwiddie | PG | 2.0 | 2.0 | 6-5 | 215 | 34 | 13 | $3,179,173 | $3,179,173/1y Andrew Miller | PG | 2.0 | 2.0 | 5-11| 178 | 24 | 2 | $3,066,406 | $7,794,804/2y Chandler Hutchison | SF | 2.0 | 2.0 | 6-7 | 197 | 31 | 9 | $2,976,861 | $2,976,861/1y Marcus Bosl | PG | 2.0 | 2.5 | 6-0 | 189 | 24 | 1 | $2,224,400 | $4,604,508/2y (RO) James Jackson | C | 1.5 | 3.0 | 6-11| 270 | 22 | 1 | $1,792,030 | $1,792,030/1y ---------------------

2026-2027 OFF SEASON REPORT OWNER MEETING Jerry was mildly disappointed that we didn't come away with the Championship, but he had no other complaints and I agreed to stay on another year when offered. I think he could tell I was still reeling from the way the season had ended and he seemed oddly cordial. He said we'd talk in a couple days, but after I hung up, I had a weird feeling...I can't really explain it, something just seemed off. Jerry has always been a real task master, who has little to no tolerance for people who don't meet his expectations. Sure, I stayed within the agreed upon budget, but he didn't seem as disappointed with the way the season had ended as I was. It was just a little weird. So, I go back to the office and start prepping for the off season, when out of the blue I get a call from Mario Humphries. Who the hell is Mario Humphries? Well, he just happens to be the new owner of the Chicago Bulls! You could have knocked me over with a feather. I did not see this coming and I can't decide whether or not to be excited or fearful. I don't know much about Mr. Humphries just yet, but I do know he has an even tighter ass than ole Jerry. At least Jerry would allow me to exceed the cap to hunt down a championship, Humphries is adamant that I stay within the cap...I hate to say it, but I think this is my last year in Chicago. I want to work for an owner who wants to win as much as I do and who isn't afraid to spend a little money. Needless to say, the owner and I did not get off on the right foot. PLAYER CONTRACTS The majority of the team is returning for next season, but we are losing center Steven Adams and shooting guard Markelle Fultz at the end of this year. Both Adams and Fultz played well coming off the bench and I will be sorry to see them go. Power forward Lee Askew and point guard Marcus Bosl were both named to the 2nd team All-Rookie squad and I intend to exercise their rookie options. I also have rookie options available for small forward Viktor Florakis and point guard Andrew Miller. Florakis has a lot of upside and I will exercise his rookie option, but I'm still on the fence with Miller. Miller is a solid player, but I don't see him progressing into a starting role and we already have three point guards on the roster. I think Miller is going to be a last minute decision. Starters P.J. Washington (PF), Brandon Ingram (SF) and Justin McCuthison will all be free agents at the end of next season. Washington has already stated that he intends on pursuing free agency, I am unable to offer Ingram an extension and McCuthison is going to want an extension that would make him the highest paid player on the team. Probably somewhere in the range of thirty plus million. I'd prefer to hold over an extension offer until after the free agency period, but I'm afraid if I don't pay him now, we may lose him to free agency at the end of next season. I think I'll wait until the season is officially over, but I intend on doing whatever it takes to keep this kid on the payroll. STAFF CONTRACTS All four members of the coaching staff have two years remaining on their current contracts. ---------------------

2026-2027 SEASON - END OF YEAR AWARDS MOST VALUABLE PLAYER Matt Hankins (Guard ORL) 32.2 ppg / 7.0 apg / 4.9 rpg / 3.8 spg / 0.8 bpg DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR Matt Hankins (Guard ORL) 32.2 ppg / 7.0 apg / 4.9 rpg / 3.8 spg / 0.8 bpg SIXTH MAN OF THE YEAR Dennis Smith (Guard DEN) 14.3 ppg / 5.9 apg / 3.6 rpg / 1.8 spg / 0.6 bpg ROOKIE OF THE YEAR Terry Rosen (Forward TOR) 11.6 ppg / 2.7 apg / 5.6 rpg / 1.8 spg / 0.6 bpg COACH OF THE YEAR Rick Carlisle - Dallas Mavericks 66-16 ALL-LEAGUE 1st TEAM G Matt Hankins (ORL) G Donovan Mitchell (UTA) F Jayson Tatum (BOS) F Bernard Person (PHO) C Justin McCuthison (CHI) <--- ALL-LEAGUE 2nd TEAM G Trae Young (ATL) G Jamaal Hickerson (LAL) F Rui Hachimura (GSW) F Anthony Davis (POR) C Deandre Ayton (PHO) ALL-LEAGUE 3rd TEAM G Ja Morant (MEM) G Zach LaVine (MIA) F Sharone Preston (CLE) F Zion Williamson (NOP) C Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN) ALL-DEFENSIVE 1st TEAM G Matt Hankins (ORL) G Matisse Thybulle (DEN) F Casey Ohanlon (GSW) F Kristaps Porzingis (DAL) C Mitchell Robinson (NYK) ALL-DEFENSIVE 2nd TEAM G Luka Doncic (DAL) G Juan Menser (MIN) F Jayson Tatum (BOS) F Zion Williamson (NOP) C Justin McCuthison (CHI) <--- ALL-ROOKIE 1st TEAM G Freddie Carney (DET) G Ricky Riley (BKN) F Terry Rosen (TOR) F Ryan Jefferson (MIL) C Michael Kern (IND) ALL-ROOKIE 2nd TEAM G Marcus Bosl (CHI) <--- G Ivo Brozovic (SAC) F Mackel Alexander (WAS) F Lee Askew (CHI) <--- C Wright Grant (ORL) ---------------------

2026-2027 SEASON - PLAYOFFS - NBA FINALS (GAME 4) I don't know what to say. I certainly didn't think it would be an easy series, but I never imagined us getting swept in four. This was not in the script and hugely disappointing after such a magnificent regular season. You simply can't shoot 30% from the field and 23% from three and beat...well...anyone, certainly not a team as talented as the Dallas Mavericks. So, congratulations to the Dallas Mavericks, they certainly deserve all the accolades. Now what...usually at this point I'm either celebrating or eagerly look towards the off season. However, this was a devastating beat down and not something anyone in the Bulls organization will soon get over. We entered the playoffs with what we thought was a better than average shot at winning back-to-back titles, but to get beat so thoroughly makes me wonder if we are headed in the wrong direction. I need time to digest this and reevaluate our options as we head into the off season. NBA FINALS Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W CHI(1)| 29 | 16 | 27 | 19 | -- | 91 (0) DAL(1)| 33 | 18 | 32 | 35 | -- | 118 (4) ---------------------

2026-2027 SEASON - PLAYOFFS - NBA FINALS (GAME 3) There really is no way to sugar coat it, that was an ass whipping of epic proportions. The Mavericks took the Bulls to the woodshed and this series is all but over. Luka Doncic recorded a triple-double, 27 points, 10 assists, 10 rebounds and was unsurprisingly named the player of the game. He will most certainly be named the series MVP and the Bulls have been beaten so thoroughly that it is unlikely they can rebound from such a dramatic defeat. Mavericks fans will most likely be celebrity an NBA title after game four, because I really don't think we have any answer for the Doncic and Porzingis duo. NBA FINALS Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W CHI(1)| 17 | 21 | 22 | 29 | -- | 89 (0) DAL(1)| 29 | 29 | 29 | 37 | -- | 124 (3) ---------------------

2026-2027 SEASON - PLAYOFFS - NBA FINALS (GAME 2) Not much to say about this game. It was certainly winnable, but after getting down by 14, the Bulls simply couldn't bridge the gap and now the Mavericks have a commanding two games to none lead. Luka Doncic was again named the Player of the Game, with 33 points, 13 assists and 5 rebounds. Kristaps Porzingis added 28 points and 10 rebounds of his own. For the Bulls, it was a solid performance, but they have been unable to find a way to slow down either Porzingis or Doncic. If they don't find an answer soon, they face the real prospect of being swept. Game three is a must win and Dallas are now heavy favorites to win the series. NBA FINALS Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F W DAL(1)| 27 | 30 | 26 | 34 | -- | 117 (2) CHI(1)| 20 | 35 | 24 | 31 | -- | 110 (0) ---------------------