With life paused, stories unfinished
The Bulls dysfunction is 1 of the NBA storylines we all miss
Faced with its first positive coronavirus case and growing concern throughout the league, the NBA suspended its season a little more than two weeks ago. Commissioner Adam Silver made the decision at a crucial time and set the tone in the sports world and beyond.
But for basketball fans quarantined in their homes and longing for live sports, those two weeks have felt much longer. That sting has been felt in Chicago as well, where a Bulls season that was entertaining for all the wrong reasons stopped abruptly with no immediate return in sight.
As we bemoan an unprecedented alteration to the 2019-20 season, here are seven NBA storylines we already miss.
1. LeBron James’ continued pursuit of history. LeBron James was one of the best players in the NBA the moment he stepped into the league, and over the last 15 years he has developed into one of the most consistent in history. Now with the Lakers and in his 17th season, James has the numbers to support that, and his 2019-20 season was filled with landmark moments. James passed Kobe Bryant for third on the all-time scoring list, became the ninth player in league history to register 9,000 assists and passed Michael Jordan in career field goals. Whenever the season resumes, James will continue his climb in the record book.
2. The celebration of Kobe Bryant. The NBA has had a particularly tumultuous year. The tough times started Jan. 1 with the loss of longtime Commissioner David Stern and continued with the league mourning Kobe and Gianna Bryant, who died along with seven others in a January helicopter crash. In the months since their passing, that feeling of loss became celebration as the NBA memorialized Bryant during All-Star Weekend and players shared their admiration for a peer and childhood hero, often unearthing moments that shed light on who Bryant was as a person and mentor. The league never was going to be the same after Bryant’s death. The celebration of his life, however, should continue when the league figures out how to press forward after its hiatus.
3. The reinvention of Chris Paul. Many around the league assumed Chris Paul had issues with James Harden and was banished to the Thunder as penance. While there could be some truth to that, Paul stepped into a less-than-ideal situation and made the best of it. Paul, 34, was thought to have been past his best, but he has proved that he has more in the tank, averaging 17.7 points and 6.8 assists and looking healthier than he has in years. Paul also elevated the Thunder into a playoff contender, as they outperformed the lottery expectations placed on them entering the season.
4. The dysfunction of the Bulls. The Bulls were one of the most fun teams in the NBA — for all the wrong reasons. While they were thin on wins and didn’t always come through in the closing moments of games, they still delivered every night. Whether the focus was coach Jim Boylen’s timeouts, Zach LaVine’s shot selection or Lauri Markkanen’s disappearing act, this Bulls team always offered intrigue. When the season returns, we only can hope for more moments like when Boylen called timeout and cost his team an open layup. 5. The reverence for Vince Carter. While Hawks forward Vince Carter is a legend, he often got lost in the shadow of bigger stars throughout his career. He burned bright in the early Raptors years but soon moved to stage left as Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, LeBron James and others became the forwards who personified wing play. What Carter lacked in star power, he made up for with consistency and personality. Carter, 43, started his NBA career in 1998. His teammate Trae Young was born that year, yet they bond on and off the court. Carter, who waited so long for his moment in the sun, was being appreciated more than ever in his final season. It would be a travesty if he didn’t get to finish it on his terms.
6. The development of Zion Williamson. We hardly knew ye. … We were just getting to know Pelicans forward Zion Williamson and marveling at his combination of power, skill and size. Williamson, who suffered a bruised knee in the Summer League in Las Vegas and underwent surgery for a torn meniscus in his right knee in October, didn’t make his NBA debut until Jan. 22. Between that day and the start of the NBA hiatus on March 11, we were treated to 19 games from the 2019 No. 1 pick. He wowed every night and was one of the biggest draws when All-Star Weekend was held in Chicago from Feb. 14-16. We’ve only seen two months of NBA basketball from Williamson. Whenever play resumes, it’ll be worth the wait.
7. The joy of Luka Doncic and Trae Young. In a season in which many of stars struggled with injuries, the Hawks’ Trae Young and Mavericks’ Luka Doncic provided a sense of levity and fun that was missing from the game. The Warriors took a step back because of injury, Kevin Durant missed the entire season and Blake Griffin was ruled out with a left knee injury. Doncic’s versatility, passing chops and step-back shot was a marvel to see. And Young’s handle and deep range always kept fans on their toes. Similar to their respective seasons, both players also put on a show when they stepped on the court during All-Star Weekend.