SUBJECT: Bulls (3-7)

TRACKING: 11/12-11/16 • V. NYK, @ MIL, V. BKN

The 1st Tracking… Assignment of the 2019-20 season features the Chicago Bulls.

Picked by many to contend for a playoff spot in the East, Chicago has significantly underperformed thru 10 games. With just 3 wins on the year, CHI is already at a crossroads - if things don't improve relatively soon, Coach Jim Boylen could be out of a job while the Bulls return to the lottery.

The main storylines so far have been inconsistent play from key cogs Zach LaVine (19.5 ppg) & Lauri Markkanen (15 ppg on 39% shooting) + strange lineup combinations. So far, the main bright spot has been 2nd-year C Wendell Carter Jr. - avg. 12.8 ppg, 9.5 rpg & 1.2 bpg.

But with 6! players avg. double-digit scoring, there’s no reason Chicago should be 4 games under .500 with notable losses to Charlotte, New York & Cleveland.

This week will keep track of CHI’s rotations, bench production, ability to defend (or lack thereof) & the performances of Lauri, LaVine, Carter Jr. & Coby White.

It's a HUGE early stretch for Chicago - a tilt v. Giannis Antetokounmpo & the Bucks is bookended by meetings w/ New York (most winnable game?) & Kyrie Irving’s Nets. An 0-3 mark could doom CHI’s season - this tracking… period could prove a turning a point for 2019-20, in either direction.

Prediction: 2-1

TRACKING GOALS

Z. LaVine: 25+ points in 2 of 3 games
L. Markkanen: 50% shooting over 3 games
2-1 record or better
10+ triples in all 3 games
Less turnovers than opponent in 2 of 3 games
Outrebound opponent in 2 of 3 games
20+ dimes in 2 of 3 games
Projected Top DOG of the Week: Wendell Carter Jr.
Projected Star UnderDOG of the Week: Coby White

*best overall player

**best role player