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[Chicago Bulls]

NBA insider reveals reason for optimism for Chicago Bulls in 2025-26

The Chicago Bulls are a long shot to make the NBA playoffs this year. They’re more likely to once again make but fall out of the Play-In Tournament in the East, which has routinely been their fate over the last few years. They have had a hard time really getting a direction for the future and deciding what they want to be, but there are signs of life. One insider believes there’s a pretty big sign that fans can be optimistic about this year.

More News: Analyst: Chicago Bulls wouldn’t pick Noa Essengue in draft redo

Why the Chicago Bulls have some hope this season​

NBA: Los Angeles Lakers at Chicago Bulls Mar 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) celebrates his three point basket against the Los Angeles Lakers with guard Josh Giddey (3) during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

More News: Chicago Bulls reveal devastating injury news on Coby White for start of season

At first glance, there’s nothing exciting at all about bringing back the same team as last year. The Chicago Bulls went 39-43 and only swapped out Lonzo Ball for Isaac Okoro (potential downgrade). Otherwise, it’s the same team plus Noa Essengue, who might start and spend a lot of time in the G League.

But looking further provides reason for optimism. This is the team that finished well last year, and it’s with an older, better version of Matas Buzelis. Though he ranked them 22nd, Bleacher Report insider Andy Bailey revealed why there should be a little bit of hope in the Windy City.

“Another young team that closed 2024-25 well, the Chicago Bulls are bringing back all the most important members of the core. Last season, when all four of Coby White, Josh Giddey, Kevin Huerter, and Matas Buzelis were on the floor, Chicago was plus-11.7 points per 100 possessions. The sample is small but encouraging. And that feeling can only swell after a preseason in which Buzelis averaged 17.6 points in just 23.3 minutes,” he wrote.

Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

It’s clear that Buzelis is on the upswing, and we know now how good a lineup with Coby White and Josh Giddey can be. White is going to miss some time at he beginning of the season, but once they’re all on the floor together, there is a pretty solid lineup that the Bulls can turn to for success. That doesn’t include Nikola Vucevic, who, while still on the team, provides elite offense and spacing from the center spot. This could be a sneakily good lineup this season.

The post NBA insider reveals reason for optimism for Chicago Bulls in 2025-26 appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/nba-insider-reveals-reason-for-optimism-for-chicago-bulls-in-2025-26

 

[Chicago Bulls]

Michael Jordan reveals the last time he picked up a basketball

Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan last stepped on the court for a game back in 2003 before he retired for the third and final time. Since then, Jordan has made public appearances but has kept busy with family, golf and being a co-owner of a NASCAR team.

But when it comes to basketball, Jordan has mainly stayed away besides a few appearances here and there.

Now, Michael Jordan is part of the NBA’s return to NBC as he will have a special segment at halftime of the national game each week. The segment is called “MJ: Insights to Excellence” where he will give his insight into the game of basketball. And during Tuesday’s appearance, Jordan revealed when he last picked up a basketball.

Michael Jordan’s debut and the last time he picked up a basketball​

Syndication: Arizona Republic Bulls guard Michael Jordan and Suns forward Charles Barkley face off in the 1993 NBA Finals. © Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

At first, Jordan admitted it’s been a long time since he picked up a basketball and shot it. But as Mike Tirico kept asking, Jordan revealed it actually wasn’t that long ago.

Jordan told Tirico that it was just last month when he rented out a house for the Ryder Cup in New York.

“I was at the Ryder Cup,” Jordan explained. “And I rented a house from the owner. He came over to do pictures. He had grandkids. And I was meet and greet, thanked him for allowing me to stay in the house. And he had a basketball court. He said, ‘I want you to shoot one free throw.’ I said, ‘Really?’”

“So, when I stepped up to shoot the free throw, that’s the most nervous I’ve been in years,” Jordan said. “The reason being is those kids heard the stories from the parents about what I did 30 years ago. So, the expectation is 30 years prior, and I haven’t touched a basketball.”

Tirico then asked if Jordan swished the shot. The response was typical MJ.

“Absolutely,” Jordan said.

You can watch the segment below:

Wow. pic.twitter.com/Inhre10hzD

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) October 22, 2025

MJ also appears in NBA on NBC intro​

June 5, 1998; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan in game two of the 1998 NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY

With the NBA officially returning to NBC tonight, the network had the perfect intro for the return. They interviewed current stars of the NBA about their memories of the 90’s.

While none of them knew much about it, the cameos from Jordan, Reggie Miller and Patrick Ewing brought back that nostalgia as did the opening theme. Check out the video below:

ABSOLUTE CHILLS.

Cue up Roundball Rock … the NBA is BACK on NBC and Peacock.

pic.twitter.com/bd745aFqMg

— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) October 21, 2025

So far, the return of the NBA on NBC has been a success and we can’t wait for more Michael Jordan segments.

The post Michael Jordan reveals the last time he picked up a basketball appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/michael-jordan-last-basketball-nba-on-nbc