Chicago Bulls: What in the world is Jim Boylen doing?

That’s the question that everyone should be asking. Has Chicago Bulls head coach Jim Boylen lost his dang mind?

Hard to say, really. Last night’s embarrassing 112-84 spanking at the hands of the equally bad Orlando Magic. Yes, the same Orlando Magic the Chicago Bulls handled twice last month.

This time, it was Steve Clifford’s squad that showed up.

Where do we even begin with this mess?

How about starting with yet another damning statement from the head coach:

In a lost season, typically the best thing to do is, oh gee I don’t know, play and develop your younger players. Especially when the one in question, Wendell Carter Jr., is not only one of your best players, but in need of minutes. What good is it to just “learn by sitting” when your team is getting decimated by one of the worst rosters in the league?

It’s hard for me to even grasp the logic behind this. Clearly, Boylen looks perturbed by the question, but that’s a question that he should’ve seen coming from a mile away. Robin Lopez, Ryan Arcidiacono, Antonio Blakeney, and Shaq Harrison all got more minutes than Carter. That should never happen in any universe or alternate timeline we live in.

What Fred Hoiberg actually got right from day one.

At the onset of the season, Fred Hoiberg actually threw Carter into the starting lineup. While that may have been a case of trial by fire (he drew Joel Embiid as a first assignment), it was the correct call. Carter was the best option at center and there was really no benefit to having him come off the bench; just get it over with and rip the band-aid off.

After last night’s drubbing, Carter spoke with the media and had some stunning confessions about his play:

Now, if that’s not the sight and sound of an amputated spirit, then I don’t know what is. If you listen to the tone in his voice, it almost sounds like Carter might have a confidence problem. He has had foul problems thus far in his rookie campaign, but he only had three last night. So why did he only play 13 minutes? What kind of culture are we trying to develop here? One where we are flaming our rookies for poor play?

Clearly, Fred was right with getting him on the court early and often. Meanwhile, Boylen’s draconian methods look like they’re starting to wear down on the talented rookie. Unbelievable.

One final note…

Since Hoiberg was canned, the Bulls have actually been a more sound group defensively. However, they remain an anemic mess on offense. There seems to be a lack in conviction from Boylen regarding pace. It’s almost as if he can’t make up in his mind whether or not he wants to play more uptempo or if he wants to lull teams to sleep on defense.

If there’s one positive about the offense, it’s how Kris Dunn has been improving under Boylen. It would appear the two are actually resonating with one another. For what it’s worth, Dunn is currently averaging 13.5 points, 6.2 dimes, and 5.0 boards, all of which are career highs should they hold (or hopefully improve) for the remainder of the season. If he starts hoisting up and making threes, then he can finally take the next step in his development.

Of course, GarPax will have to pick between him and Zach LaVine in a couple years. It should only create more chaos and pandemonium within the organization (and hopefully new head coach). I suppose the growing concerns with their coexistence will be another story for another day.

#Tankathon