When Steph Curry and Klay Thompson took the perennial also ran Golden State Warriors and turned them into NBA champions, a witty sportscaster coined the label the “Splash Brothers” in reference to their uncanny shooting ability.
Curry is perhaps the best shooter the NBA has ever seen. His form is textbook, and his accuracy is unmatched. Thompson also has beautiful shooting form and deadly accuracy. In 2014, Curry and Thompson set a record for the most three-point baskets by an NBA duo. They won championships in 2015, 2017, and 2018.
In the 2021 offseason, the Chicago Bulls signed free agents DeMar DeRozan, Lonzo Ball, and Alex Caruso. At the time, the team’s front office was criticized for the signings. Many journalists ridiculed the high-priced signings, saying the Bulls had spent too much money for too little talent. They also said that DeRozan and Zach LeVine wouldn’t be able to play together.
The Bulls have been the number one seat in the Eastern Conference much of the season. At the time of my writing of this article, the Bulls are just a half game back from the top spot. This, despite starters Ball and Patrick Williams and key reserves Caruso and Coby White missing significant time due to injuries. So, who’s laughing now?
In fact, DeRozan and LaVine make one of the most formidable duos in the game today. Second time All-Star LaVine is a deadly three-point shooter and has such explosiveness and quickness that he can get to the rim pretty much anytime he wants. DeRozan is having an MVP-caliber season. Named an All-Star starter, DeRozan has established himself as the “Midrange Assassin.”
Playing on the Curry/Thompson “Splash Brothers” label, Bulls commentator and catchphrase wizard Stacey King has coined the nickname the “Slash Brothers” for LaVine and DeRozan. And the duo is living up to the name, slashing their way to the basket in dramatic form every game.
Of NBA players who have played in 10 games or more, DeRozan is number one in average fourth quarter points and LaVine is right there as well at number three. They are also the duo with the most 20+ point games. The “Slash Brothers” are for real.
Bulls front office personnel Artūras Karnišovas and Marc Eversley have a difficult decision on their hands. Do we play through the injuries this season and hope to have everyone at full strength next year, or do we make moves to acquire another power forward with eyes on winning the championship this year? As the February 10 trade deadline approaches, we will soon find out what Karnišovas and Eversley have planned.
There have been a lot of lean years since the Bulls won their last championship in 1998. But fans are excited about the Bulls again. The league is excited about the Bulls again.
The thrill of watching the Bulls play the game of basketball isn’t due to just one player. From the highest paid stars to the role players coming off the bench, the Bulls are an exciting team to watch.
Center Nikola Vucevic is finally exerting his size and playing with his back to the basket. The results have been dramatic.
Rookie Ayo Dosunmu is playing like a first-round pick. With Ball out recovering from surgery, Dosunmu is turning heads with his stellar point guard play.
Javonte Green is a dunking machine and a great on-ball defender. Coby White is instant offense off the bench. He is most exciting playing alongside Dosunmu.
As long as the wins keep coming, it doesn’t matter which Bulls players are responsible for the W. But we sure are blessed to have the duo of LaVine and DeRozan. As the “Slash Brothers”, they live up to their nickname every night.
Peace. Love. Trust.
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