Thunderous Intentions
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NBA Power Rankings week 17: OKC Thunder and peers enter break

By Tamberlyn Richardson

FEBRUARY 11: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the OKC Thunder handles the ball during the game against the San Antonio Spurs (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
FEBRUARY 11: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the OKC Thunder handles the ball during the game against the San Antonio Spurs (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

. 19-36. Previous: 21st. Chicago Bulls. 23. team. 24

Chicago Bulls:

Offense: (105.2) 28th
Defense: (108.2) tied 12th
Net: (minus -3.0) 23rd

Results Week 17: (0-1) Lost vs. Wizards: 114-126
Games Week 18: (3 games) Thurs vs Hornets | Sat vs. Suns | Sun vs Wizards

Although the Bulls season hasn’t measured up to the level most expected the organization should take a big bow for the quality of the All-Star event they put on.

Sure, they couldn’t control the participant performances and weren’t in charge of the tweaks to the 3-point contest or All-Star Game. But the lead into each event and the classy way they handled all aspects of the weekend should serve as a template for future franchises who’ll host.

As for the team, despite the underachieving season to date, it’s not inconceivable the Bulls are out of the mix yet.  They trail the Magic by five games. Granted that’s a big number to makeup but none of the Nets, Magic or Wizards (the teams in the mix for the seventh and eighth seeds) has proven they are reliable enough to nail down those spots.

Entering the stretch the Bulls record versus these teams is:

  • Nets: 0-2 (with two to play)
  • Magic: 0-1 (with two to play)
  • Wizards: 2-1 (with one to play)

The biggest question moving forward is whether Otto Porter will play this season. His return along with Wendell Carter Jr., Lauri Markkanen and Kris Dunn might allow for the Bulls to make a run. They’ve proven to be one of the better defensive squads so much would depend on creating offense and how those three teams ahead of them perform.

There are two spots up for grabs and these four teams appear to be the only four in the mix. Conversely, the franchise may elect to join the tank brigade.

The other big news out of Chicago is the fan base is calling for the heads of the President of Basketball Operations, John Paxton and General Manager Gar Forman.

The oddity is this team does have a ton of talent on it so their efforts aren’t decidedly the worst in the league. That said, their ability to hire a coach who can get the best out of their roster is in question.

Lots of decisions to make and a team to keep an eye on.

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