Tag: Arturas Karnisovas

Arturas Karnisovas chasing ‘fool’s gold’ with Chicago Bulls

With how patient other teams have been around the league, Arturas Karnisovas could be chasing “fool’s gold” with the Chicago Bulls.

Two years ago, the Chicago Bulls made a massive shift in their overall philosophy. They were done rebuilding. It was time to compete for the playoffs. Chicago traded for Nikola Vucevic at the 2021 trade deadline and signed DeMar DeRozan, Lonzo Ball, and Alex Caruso that following summer.

Since then, they have made the playoffs in one of two seasons, but this past year, they were eliminated in the Play-In Tournament. And while the current core doesn’t seem to be a championship-caliber group, Arturas Karnisovas intends to keep them together. However, Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, Karnisovas and the Bulls may be chasing “fool’s gold.”

Cowley wrote about Karnisovas’ former team, the Denver Nuggets, and how they have utilized patience with their young core, and it’s led them to an NBA Finals appearance. However, that’s not a plan that works for everybody.

“Any wonder why Karnisovas still is holding out hope that guard Lonzo Ball can make an improbable return from three surgeries on his left knee since January 2022?’ Cowley wrote. “Or why he might want to re-sign guards Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu?

“Loyalty has been huge for the Nuggets, and now Karnisovas’ former organization finally is reaping the benefits of it.

“Then there’s the run the Heat have been on in reaching the Eastern Conference Finals. This is a team the Bulls beat in all three regular-season games and was leading with less than three minutes left in the final play-in game.

“So would Karnisovas be chasing fool’s gold by keeping the Bulls’ core intact?”

The Bulls don’t have any players who could grow into a two-time MVP or the depth pieces to put around him. They aren’t the Nuggets, and no matter how long Karnisovas waits, they never will be.

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Arturas Karnisovas watched former Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic

During a recent trip to watch international basketball, Chicago Bulls POBO Arturas Karnisovas got to watch Nikola Mirotic play.

The current iteration of the Chicago Bulls roster is a middle-of-the-pack team built to compete for a Play-In spot and not much more. That said, it’s far superior to some of the teams Chicago was rolling out in the mid-to-late-2010s. For years, Chicago was a staple at the bottom of the standings, with players cycling in and out every season.

But just because the teams were bad doesn’t mean all the players were. In fact, some have gone on to have solid careers elsewhere, including overseas. Nikola Mirotic, a headliner for the rebuilding Bulls, is a legend on the international stage, and it seems like the current Chicago front office is keeping tabs.

According to Daniel Greenberg (@ChiSportUpdates), Bulls President of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas is currently overseas watching the playoffs of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. One of the games he spectated featured Mirotic.

Mirotic currently plays for Barcelona, who took on Real Madrid in the playoffs. Karnisovas, who also had success on the international stage, played for Barcelona from 2000 to 2002.

Obviously, the likelihood that Karnisovas was in attendance purely to watch Mirotic is slim. He was most likely there for his own enjoyment or to scout younger players. At 32 years old and comfortably playing overseas, it’s highly unlikely that Mirotic would return to the NBA.

In 51 games with Barcelona this year, Mitoric has averaged 14.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists on 48.5% shooting from the field and 37.6% shooting from behind the three-point line.

It’s fun to see former Bulls players thriving elsewhere.

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Nikola Vucevic on trade rumors: I didn’t pay much attention to it

Asked this week if he was ever concerned with being moved to the Jazz, Nikola Vucevic confessed that it was never really a worry. “I was on Zillow every day … Salt Lake … nah, I’m kidding,” Vucevic said. “Honestly, I didn’t pay attention to it much. …

Asked this week if he was ever concerned with being moved to the Jazz, Nikola Vucevic confessed that it was never really a worry. “I was on Zillow every day … Salt Lake … nah, I’m kidding,” Vucevic said. “Honestly, I didn’t pay attention to it much. By speaking to AK [executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas] here and [Coach] Billy Donovan, I knew their plan and what they were thinking. “People asked me about it all the time and it was on my Twitter all the time. So when Gobert got traded to Minnesota I thought it would be a good time to have a little joke.”

Source: Joe Cowley @ Chicago Sun-Times

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Joe Cowley @JCowleyHoops
The Vooch is handling trade rumors with a joke and a smile … let’s get back to him in February …
Read it:
chicago.suntimes.com/bulls/2022/9/2… – 4:03 PM
Mike McGraw @McGrawDHSports
Nothing too interesting at #Bulls camp. Here’s Vuc & Marko practicing their stretch-five skills. pic.twitter.com/k1FFghj4Dq – 2:17 PM

Joe Cowley @JCowleyHoops
Veteran big man Andre Drummond might be just what the somewhat soft Bulls need. Now, can he co-exist with Nikola Vucevic on the floor at the same time? That remains to be seen.
Read it:
chicago.suntimes.com/bulls/2022/9/2… – 1:09 PM
Josh Martin @Bulls_Wire
Expiring contract or not, Vooch is looking forward to a bounce back season. bullswire.usatoday.com/2022/09/26/nik… – 10:10 AM
Josh Martin @Bulls_Wire
Expiring contract or not, Vooch is looking forward to a bounce back season. bullswire.usatoday.com/2022/09/26/nik… – 7:01 PM
Mike McGraw @McGrawDHSports
Vucevic: “I think my mindset this year is focusing on what I do best.”
Says he thinks might have focused too much on 3-point shooting last season. #Bulls – 3:17 PM
Joe Cowley @JCowleyHoops
Vooch felt he was too passive last season. Mix of new role, new teammates… and took time to adjust. Said he’s not looking at it as a big deal. Last year was last year. – 3:13 PM
Julia Poe @byjuliapoe
Vooch comes in cracking jokes about his offseason: “I was on Zillow every day.” – 3:07 PM

More on this storyline

That doesn’t mean Vucevic trade rumors have ended there. The veteran is in the final year of his current contract and will become an unrestricted free agent. If things go south for the Bulls by the trade deadline, an expiring contract could be a huge trade asset for a Bulls organization that doesn’t have a ton of assets to move. “Rumors are a part of what we do,” Vucevic said. “Whether they’re true or not, it’s out of my control. I focus on what I can control, and in the end I had some fun with [the Jazz rumors]. “At no point did I feel it was going to happen.” -via Chicago Sun-Times / September 28, 2022
Vucevic admitted he was bringing his offensive miscues to the defensive side of the ball during the first half of last season, and that is never a good look. That’s why trading Vucevic became a common hot take on social media at the start of the offseason. News flash: Nikola Vucevic is still with the Bulls. And not only is he still with the Bulls, but a source said both sides want him to stay with the team beyond the last year of his contract this coming season and will have initial discussions on what that might look like when training camp begins in the fall. Why? Because if the price is right, Vucevic remains the type of player who fits in with how the Bulls were built on both ends of the floor. -via Chicago Sun-Times / August 6, 2022
KC Johnson: Can confirm Goran Dragic has agreed to a one-year deal with the Chicago Bulls, per source, which @Shams Charania had 1st. Nikola Vucevic, I’m told, played significant role in this situation. -via Twitter @KCJHoop / July 3, 2022

Karnisovas on current Bulls team: ‘This group needs a lot more time’

Team cohesion and relationships is what the Bulls are looking to build this season.

The 2022-23 NBA season is on the horizon and the Chicago Bulls will be put up to the test.

The Eastern Conference got a lot deeper this offseason as contenders such as the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, and Milwaukee Bucks stayed intact and added pieces while the Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks added All-Star’s to their already playoff-made rosters.

For the Bulls, they bring back their core from last season, which claimed the No. 6 seed in the playoffs, losing to the Bucks in the first-round.

On Monday at media day, Bulls Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas touched on his thoughts and expectations regarding the Bulls current core group, which was hindered by injuries last season.

“It doesn’t change because I don’t think we saw our group with any kind of consistency. We had 29 different starting lineups last year. We didn’t have Lonzo since January…I think we need time to see this group play together longer to have any kind of conclusion because we liked what we saw in the first 20 games but this group needs a lot more time,” Karnisovas said.

And AK is right — this Bulls group need more time. Before Lonzo’s injury, Chicago was atop of the Eastern Conference and looking like a real threat. With a healthy roster this season, we could see Chicago’s potential really blossom.

But, how much time is too much time? The East is a gauntlet and currently, Chicago is looking up at a number of contenders that they don’t stand much chance against. Having talent just isn’t enough — you need relationships, which Karnisovas harped on.

“It’s a lot of talent with this team. The things that we’re going to focus on is chemistry, team cohesion, and relationships because we all understand the talent wins games and relationships win championships. With winning in mind, everything we do in our building is thinking about winning.”

Stay tuned to Bulls Wire. Follow us on Facebook!

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Arturas Karnisovas on the Bulls: ‘We have to do better than last year’

Chicago hopes to advance past the first-round in the playoffs this season.

The Chicago Bulls are ready for the 2022-23 season.

The Bulls bring back 12 players from their roster last season, which includes their core. Chicago claimed the No. 6 seed last season before losing to the Milwaukee Bucks in the first-round.

Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas spoke to kick off media day, stating that the Bulls must improve following an injury riddled 2021-22 season.

“We want to see improvement. Once you get to the playoffs and you have healthy bodies, I think a lot of things can happen. We have to do better than last year,” Karnisovas said.

Last season, the Bulls hit the ground running fast to start the year, holding the No. 1 seed for the majority of the first third of the season before injuries to Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso, and Zach LaVine hindered their second-half.

Head coach Billy Donovan is aligned with Karnisovas, as the Eastern Conference is much better than last season.

“This year is going to be way harder than last year just cause the East is better. And we’ve got a lot more challenges in front of us…it’s going to be a lot harder and we’re going to have to put more into it for us to take the next step.”

Stay tuned to Bulls Wire. Follow us on Facebook!

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Karnisovas: Lonzo’s rehab ‘not at the speed’ the Bulls would like

Lonzo continues to struggle to get his knee back to full health.

As we’re halfway through July, you would think that Lonzo Ball may be back up to speed on his rehab from his small meniscus tear from January.

Wrong.

Bulls’ VP Arturas Karnisovas said on NBA TV during the Bulls-Raptor summer league game that Lonzo is “progressing” but “not at the speed” that the Bulls would like.

Karnisovas:

“He’s progressing. That’s as much as I can say. He’s getting better. Probably not at the speed that we would like. But he’s getting better.”

Following the NBA draft, Bulls’ GM Marc Eversley stated that ‘all reports are good’ regarding Lonzo’s knee.

Ball was expected to return following his surgery but was unable to ramp up his rehab due to discomfort in his knee. Lonzo’s father, LaVar, felt that the Bulls ‘trained him wrong’ and ramped his rehab up too fast.

Despite not being fully back on track, Karnisovas is hopeful for training camp.

“Hopefully, he’s going to be ready for training camp. That’s just our hopes.”

Stay tuned to Lonzo Wire. Follow us on Facebook!

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Zach LaVine: would have been ‘disrespectful’ to look elsewhere

“I went into the offseason with an open mind,” LaVine explained on Monday, when discussing his recently signed five-year, $215 million max contract. “Once I was able to meet with [Bulls general manager] Marc [Eversley] and [executive vice president …

“I went into the offseason with an open mind,’’ LaVine explained on Monday, when discussing his recently signed five-year, $215 million max contract. “Once I was able to meet with [Bulls general manager] Marc [Eversley] and [executive vice president of basketball operations] AK [Arturas Karnisovas], and they came to me with everything that I wanted, there was no other reason for me to go outside and look at any other teams. “I think that would have been, for me, disrespectful on my end because they gave me everything that I asked for.’’
Source: Joe Cowley @ Chicago Sun-Times

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Joe Cowley @JCowleyHoops
Zach LaVine has his new max deal … what say you Zach? LaVine talks added pressure and how the deal was done in his mind all along.
Read it:
chicago.suntimes.com/bulls/2022/7/1… – 6:14 PM
Rob Schaefer @rob_schaef
Zach LaVine said he, Arturas Karnisovas, Marc Eversley and Billy Donovan went out for a celebratory dinner after he signed his contract with the Bulls
Said he thanked them for their work in bringing him back — but allowed them to “pay for some expensive wine” – 5:34 PM
Julia Poe @byjuliapoe
Zach LaVine said he’s feeling “way better” after a knee scope surgery that he described as “run of the mill.”
After starting slow in his recovery, Zach said he’s optimistic about his knee heading into next season. – 5:32 PM
KC Johnson @KCJHoop
Speaking on a Zoom call, Zach LaVine said he shot welcoming texts to Andre Drummond and Goran Dragic. Said he and Drummond may work out together near LA. – 5:21 PM
Julia Poe @byjuliapoe
Big year for Zach LaVine, who’s also expecting his first child. A q about becoming a dad got a big smile out of him.
“That’s bigger than basketball, bigger than everything. I’m nervous, anxious, excited … I know how to play basketball but this is something I haven’t done yet.” – 5:20 PM
Jamal Collier @JamalCollier
Zach LaVine, speaking with reporters for the first time since signing his new five-year max extension, “Chicago is my home.”
He said he did not meet with any other teams during free agency. On the Bulls: “They gave me everything I asked for” – 5:11 PM
Rob Schaefer @rob_schaef
Zach LaVine said he didn’t take a free agent meeting with any team other than the Bulls. Said Bulls’ front office’s offer had everything he wanted – 5:08 PM
Julia Poe @byjuliapoe
On a media call with Zach LaVine right now, who says he did not take a call from any other teams before re-signing with the Bulls.
“My heart was in Chicago.” – 5:07 PM
Joe Cowley @JCowleyHoops
Pressure? What pressure. Zach LaVine says no added pressure being a max guy. – 5:05 PM
KC Johnson @KCJHoop
Billy Donovan joined the ESPN2 broadcast during Bulls-Knicks summer league action and addressed Lonzo Ball’s health, Goran Dragić’s arrival and Zach LaVine’s future.
For @NBCSChicago: nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/… – 6:50 PM

More on this storyline

 

“Being able to come back as a cornerstone piece and allowing them to get some of my insights, some of my input in pretty much constructing the roster to help me and help us win was really big for me,’’ LaVine said. “Chicago is my home.’’ -via Chicago Sun-Times / July 11, 2022
“I was striving for it [max contract] when I was on my rookie deal,’’ LaVine said. “It’s just who I am and what goals and what things I want to reach with and how much better can we get as a team. But there’s no added pressure, it’s just a compliment of a lot of hard work and showing what kind of player I am.’’ -via Chicago Sun-Times / July 11, 2022
Rob Schaefer: Zach LaVine said he feels “great” after what he called a “run of the mill knee scope” in May. He’s been rehabbing, working out, playing basketball “I feel really good, and over the next two months, getting back into the season, I feel like I’m gonna be even better.” -via Twitter @rob_schaef / July 11, 2022

 

Zach LaVine: would have been ‘disrespectful’ to look elsewhere

“I went into the offseason with an open mind,’’ LaVine explained on Monday, when discussing his recently signed five-year, $215 million max contract. “Once I was able to meet with [Bulls general manager] Marc [Eversley] and [executive vice president of basketball operations] AK [Arturas Karnisovas], and they came to me with everything that I wanted, there was no other reason for me to go outside and look at any other teams. “I think that would have been, for me, disrespectful on my end because they gave me everything that I asked for.’’