After losing to the Bucks on Monday, the Bulls returned to the Advocate Center for practice on Tuesday. Here are four observations from Tuesday's session:
Kris Dunn In The Building: After missing Monday’s game against the Bucks because of a migraine, Kris Dunn was at the Advocate Center and according to Jim Boylen he had improved. Despite not practicing the Bulls guard will travel on the two-game road trip starting in Memphis. He and Otto Porter Jr. (leg strain) are both listed as questionable against the Grizzles. Porter Jr. went through some court work, “batting practice is what we call it” said Boylen and they’ll see how he responds to that.
The Flushing Finnisher: After working with Doug Collins and a couple Bulls assistants on his mid-range game, Lauri Markkanen wrapped up his workout with an impressive display of dunks. The sound of Zach LaVine throwing down turned heads as reporters were all listening to Robin Lopez speak after practice. LaVine and Markkanen were going back and forth, adding and upping the creativity of each dunk. It was quite entertaining. First and foremost the two-time Slam Dunk Contest champion definitely still has it and second, the slam Markkanen is working on with LaVine’s expertise is going to be something else if he perfects it. Nonetheless, the duo is having fun, they’re laughing, enjoying each other’s company and most important, clicking during games.
Grumpy Bulls Big Man: The typically fun-loving, intriguing Robin Lopez was not real rosy chatting with media members Tuesday afternoon. Not that he was rude, just a little surly in comparison to his normal cheerful disposition. Maybe he was just looking forward to his nap on the plane ride to Memphis (which he’s stated is a very critical part to his day) or maybe it’s because a buyout for Lopez seems very unlikely at this point. In order for players to join another team for the playoffs, they need to be released by Friday.
Robin's response: “I haven't even been thinking about it. We've been having a lot of fun out on the court right now and I'm relishing it.”
Lopez did, however, crack a smile when asked about the sequence involving his brother in Monday’s game against Milwaukee. The older Lopez knocked down a triple and had himself his signature tea party only to be followed by a monster dunk from Brook Lopez on the other end. “Something must have put that fire in him to go get that dunk. I'm not sure what it was.”
On The Mend: Denzel Valentine was spotted on the bike upstairs at the Advocate Center. Chandler Hutchison, who visited the Bahamas over All-Star break, was seen running on the treadmill.
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According to Boylen, “(Hutchison) is still a little ways away. He’s working at it and he has progressed. Don’t think I can give you a timeline, but there has been improvement and growth.”
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