The Chicago Bulls announced yesterday that Robin Lopez will not be playing against the Philadelphia 76ers Thursday night. Along with Lopez, Justin Holiday, and Jerian Grant will be sitting out the game as well upon advice from the team’s front office, specifically, John Paxson.

Lopez decided that the only way to get through this benching without losing his mind is by making fun of it. Or at least make fun of himself.

NBC Sports Chicago’s Vincent Goodwill posted Lopez's response when asked about not dressing up for the game against the Sixers.

“I looked in my closet today and thought I would have a glut of jackets. And I only found two. I didn’t realize this was an issue until about 5 minutes before I had to leave.”

Not done with that quip, the 7-foot center wondered as well about the Bulls’ fondness for him as noted by the Chicago Tribune’s K.C. Johnson.

“I get it. But I want to be out there playing. It seems like they still like me. How could they not?”

In times such as these, you need a sense of humor just to enjoy the game that you love.

The Bulls have not said outright that they're tanking or else they’ll be fined like Mark Cuban recently, but they are benching the three players because they are tanking this season in the hopes of getting a top pick in the 2018 draft.

Paxson said yesterday that there will be blocks of games wherein their young players will be given significant playing time over the veterans.

The Sixers game is just the beginning.