Ever since the Chicago Bulls promoted Jim Boylen to head coach after firing Fred Hoiberg, the team has been a bit of a mess. From record-setting losses to a near-mutiny to Boylen constantly referring back to his years under Gregg Popovich, the Bulls have turned into the laughingstock of the entire NBA.
After an embarrassing 28-point loss to the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night, Boylen strangely explained why he benched Wendell Carter Jr. for much of the second half:
Wendell Carter Jr. sat most of the second half for "introspection," Jim Boylen said. Boylen believes he can learn by watching too. Carter didn't play the final 20 minutes of the game.
— Cody Westerlund (@CodyWesterlund) January 3, 2019
Boylen continued in his postgame presser after a reporter challenged him by saying, “The counter (response) would be that it's about player development …”
This seemed to bug Boylen, as he responded:
"Sometimes you learn by sitting too."
Jim Boylen talks about Wendell Carter Jr. playing only 13 minutes tonight pic.twitter.com/yiMCx4hgJc
— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) January 3, 2019
Boylen is trying to teach his players lessons by instilling his own brand of militarism, and the results have been questionable at best. While there has been some defensive improvement, this group of young players who could flourish in a pace-and-space system are stuck playing in this doggedly slow, half-court offensive scheme. There have even been a bunch of Robin Lopez post-ups. It's old-fashioned and clearly is failing to work.
Carter is averaging 10.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 48.3 percent from the field.
The Bulls are 10-28 on the season and currently sit in 13th place in the NBA's Eastern Conference. They will play next at home against the Indiana Pacers this upcoming Friday.
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