(670 The Score) There was no shortage of drama surrounding the Bulls’ ugly 124-104 loss to the Thunder on Wednesday in their season opener.
Star guard Zach LaVine had an abysmal start to the season, going 0-for-5 from the field with four turnovers in the first half. LaVine then admitted the Bulls didn’t play with “enough heart” to win. After the game, the Bulls held a quick players-only meeting to air out their frustrations.
But those weren’t the storylines that really caught the attention of NBC Sports Chicago reporter K.C. Johnson. Rather, it was the exchange of words between coach Billy Donovan and center Nikola Vucevic late in the third quarter. Vucevic was upset with the Bulls’ stagnant offense and shared his mind to Donovan about it upon being subbed out. While the Donovan-Vucevic relationship remains strong, Vucevic's faith in the offense is a storyline to monitor.
“That was pretty significant stuff to me, for him to express that level of frustration in Game 1,” Johnson said on the Mully & Haugh Show on Thursday morning.
Vucevic had 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting in the Bulls’ loss. Afterward, he explained that his frustration stemmed from the Bulls’ offense being stagnant in the third quarter, and Vucevic believed that by getting more touches he could’ve helped facilitate more.
“Vooch’s point was less about touches or shot attempts than just stagnation,” Johnson said. “He’s a very willing offensive hub. That was what we were told was going to happen more – dribble hand-offs, off-ball actions with him as kind of the hub at the elbow. We didn’t see it much in the preseason.
“Then last night, it just looked a little bit disjointed again.”