By The Horns: A Chicago Bulls Show

The Bulls have had a tough schedule in the second half of the season, facing off against playoff-bound opponents. With time running out in the season, will the Bulls have a shot to make the playoffs? Rob Schaefer and Tony Gill break down the issues the Bulls have had so far since the trade, including the defense, Lauri Markkanen’s great first quarter vs. the Pheonix Suns, and injury updates for Zach LaVine, Coby White, and Garrett Temple. *Make sure to watch this episode of the Bulls Talk podcast by CLICKING HERE on YouTube. Give the video a thumbs up, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you never miss a podcast on the NBCS Chicago channel. (1:40) - Bulls are on a 5 game losing streak with a tough stretch for the next 2 games. Can the defense improve with time or is this what they have to work with? (8:15) - Bulls guards are not getting around or through screens as all (14:00) - Lauri Markkanen teases fans in the first half with a great start of the Pheonix Suns game but finished with a lot to be desired (26:10) - With a chance that the losing streak continues for at least the next 2 games, are the playoffs still in view for the Bulls? (30:40) - Is it time for Bulls fans to look at Billy Donovan and the coaching staff and critique their jobs as the losing continues?

The Bulls limp to a slow start as they integrate new talent into the rotation, but who are the guys that AK and Marc Eversley have acquired? Jason Goff, KC Johnson, and Rob Schaefer break down the Bulls' recent play with the new roster. Then to break down the players, KC Johnson is joined by Josh Robbins, senior writer for the Athletic who covers the Orlando Magic to discuss new Bulls star Nikola Vučević and Al-Farouq Aminu. Then KC is joined by the White Mamba himself, former Bull and now current Celtics analyst for NBCS Boston Brian Scalabrine to discuss new fan-favorite Daniel Theis. (1:10) - Reaction to the first 2 games after the trade, team is still getting to know each other but still not good (8:50) - The majority of the core guys are now off the team or on the bench (17:10) - Bulls still need to improve defensively (26:08) - Josh Robbins of The Athletic on what makes Nikola Vučević an All-Star (33:10) - Orlando meant a lot to Vučević (40:12) - Brian Scalabrine of NBCS Boston joins KC Johnson to discuss what the Bulls are getting with Daniel Thies (48:12) - Javonte Green is a player the Bulls can absolutely use

In one of the most surprising and exciting days for Bulls fans in a long time, the 2021 NBA trade deadline will be one to remember. Artūras Karnišovas and Marc Eversley trade Wendell Carter Jr., Otto Porter, and two first-round picks (2021 and 2023, both top-four protected) to the Orlando Magic for Nikola Vučević and Al-Farouq Aminu. The new Bulls regime also acquire Troy Brown Jr., Daniel Theis, and Javonte Green in a three-team trade with the Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards for Luke Kornet, Daniel Gafford, and Chandler Hutchison. I know, it's a lot. The Bulls talk crew of Jason Goff, KC Johnson, Rob Schaefer, and Tony Gill break it all down. *Don't forget, you can watch this very episode on YouTube as well. CLICK HERE to watch and don't forget to thumbs up the video and subscribe to the page so you won't miss out on an episode. (2:00) - After the trade was finalized, KC Johnson reports that the Bulls and Magic were working on a deal for a while (10:25) - What will the new rotation look like for Billy Donovan and the Bulls. (17:00) - Have the Bulls upgraded the roster and was it worth the cost of 2 first-round picks? (25:20) - What does Daniel Theis bring to the Bulls? (28:00) - Where does Lauri Markkanen fit for the remaining games of the season? (36:00) - Where will the Bulls find playmaking and will the Bulls continue the search for a point guard?

It's trade deadline week in the NBA and the Bulls have been apart of a couple trade rumors. The Bulls Talk crew of Jason Goff, K.C. Johnson, Rob Schaefer, and Tony Gill discuss everything Bulls-related in the rumor mill. Is Lauri Markkanen on his way out? Will the Bulls part ways with Thad Young? Is Lonzo Ball the point guard answer the Bulls need? The crew answers all of these and more on the trade deadline special of the Bulls talk podcast. (2:10) - Overall look at where the Bulls are at the trade deadline and what fans should be aware of (12:00) - What do we make of Lauri Marrkanen's season so far? (23:00) - Lonzo Ball and other potential point guard solutions for the Bulls (34:00) - Would trading Thad Young anger Zach LaVine? (47:45) - Will Artūras Karnišovas build a contender while Zach LaVine is in his prime? (59:15) - How should Bulls fans view Wendell Carter Jr.'s season? (1:05:30) - History of trades that almost happened

Sarah Kustok is one of the premier commentators in the NBA, and she joins the Bulls talk crew as we celebrate her for Women's History Month. They discuss her career and covering one of the league's best and most interesting teams in the NBA in the Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving-led Nets. In the second half of the podcast, Jason, K.C., and Rob break down one of the worst losses this season, how the Bulls might handle the trade deadline, and the updated odds that the Bulls make the playoffs. *The Bulls Talk Podcast can also be watched every Friday on Youtube. Click HERE to see this episode (2:25) - What is it like broadcasting a nationally relevant and contending team? (8:50) - The strategy of not tanking to be a contender in the NBA (25:00) - Celebrating the great career of Sarah Kustok (29:22) - Jason, K.C. and Rob break down the Spurs loss (38:30) - Are the Bulls at a disadvantage when vets are off the court? (47:30) - How will the Bulls handle the trade deadline? (49:35) - Updated playoff odds for the Bulls

After issues with lethargic starts to games, Bulls head coach Billy Donovan made the switch to put Coby White and Wendell Carter Jr. in reserve roles and replace them in the starting lineup with veterans Tomas Satoransky and Thaddeus Young. So far, so good. Jason Goff and K.C. Johnson are joined by Kendall Gill as they discuss the move by Donovan and if the production will be the same in the coming games from Wendell Carter Jr. Later in the pod, the crew discusses if the Bulls can still make a strong playoff push with a difficult schedule, and Kendall tells a great story featuring actors Martin Lawrence and Halle Berry. (1:50) - Where are the Bulls at mentally after a rough start out of the All-Star break? (9:10) - Will Wendell go back to the slump later down the road? (18:00) - Kendall Gill discusses his time with the Bulls and a story with Martin Lawrence and Halle Berry (24:30) - How will the reserve role impact Coby White? (33:45) - How does Billy Donovan's lineup switch impact what the Bulls will do at the trade deadline?

The hunt for a playoff birth begins after the All-star break and the Bulls took a trip right out the gate. The Bulls lose to the Sixers who were missing Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, 127-105, even though Lauri Markkanen returned to the lineup and played well. Jason Goff, KC Johnson, and Rob Schaefer discuss the loss and Billy Donovan's response to the loss in his post-game comments. The crew also breaks down the good game Lauri Markkanen had in his return and if it's sustainable. With the second half of the schedule one of the hardest in the East, can the Bulls make that playoff push. (0:50) - Billy Donovan does not hold back in his comments about the start to the second half of the season (8:07) - After his All-star appearance, did Zach Lavine show up in the first game after the break? (10:48) - Lauri Markkanen comes back dominant on offense, the crew breaks down his return to the team. (16:06) - Will Wendell Carter Jr. ever find some comfort and his footing in this system this year? (19:55) - The Bulls have a strong schedule in the second half, will they be able to handle it? (25:05) - Otto Porter Jr. returns as well after an injury-riddled season (27:05) - Thad Young odds to win 6th man of the year

Zach LaVine made his first All-Star game and participated in the 3-Point Contest. How did he do? The Bulls Talk crew of Jason Goff, K.C. Johnson, and Rob Schaefer break down LaVine's participation and discuss if having the exhibition during the pandemic was worth it. Later in the podcast, the crew assesses the Bulls' second-half schedule and what they expect from Lauri Markkanen the rest of the season. (2:10) - First impressions of the All-Star game and Zach LaVine's participation (9:00) - Things you could have done without from All-Star day (16:10) - Bulls get back to business, how will they deal with a tougher second-half schedule? (21:17) - This is going to be an interesting stretch of basketball for Lauri Marrkanen when he returns (31:50) - What are the odds that the Bulls will make the playoffs this year? Make sure to watch the Bulls Talk pod every Friday on YouTube. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss the chance to hang out with your favorite Bulls podcast. Link HERE

The first half of the season is over for the Bulls, and it's review time. Jason Goff, Rob Schaefer, and K.C. Johnson go back and review their preseason predictions and see what they got right and wrong. The crew also dives into the report that the Bulls have interest in Cleveland Cavaliers center Andre Drummond. As an added bonus, you can now watch the Bulls Talk podcast on YouTube. See your favorite Bulls podcast and check out other NBC Sports Chicago pods all in one place. (4:00) - What will be the Bulls record at the end of the season? (12:30) - Who has been the most improved Bull so far this year (19:25) - Where is the ceiling for Wendell Carter Jr.? (23:50) - Does Patrick Williams have a chance to finish top 3 in rookie of the year? (38:50) - Bulls reportedly have interest in trading for Andre Drummond (52:00) - Zach LaVine is in the 3-point contest, odds Zach can win the All-Star game MVP

The Bulls have performed above expectations to this point in the season and have important decisions to make as the trade deadline approaches. Bulls VP of Basketball operations Artūras Karnišovas speaks to the media before the Bulls matched up against Artūras's former team, the Denver Nuggets, and discussed his thoughts on the team so far in his first season as Bulls' lead executive. Jason Goff, Rob Schaefer, and KC Johnson breakdown AK's comments on the team, Lauri Markkanen's fit on the roster, the trade deadline, and more. The crew also discusses the close loss to the Denver Nuggets and later, the retirement of Bulls great Joakim Noah. (2:20) - Artūras Karnišovas discusses raising expectations and continuing the player development aspect of the plan for the Bulls (7:20) - Bulls are still learning to win close games as they lose to the Nuggets (13:00) - Will the Bulls be sellers or stay pat with the team as the trade deadline approaches? (23:10) - Artūras Karnišovas likes the growth of Lauri Markkanen, but is Markkanen the long term answer for the Bulls? (34:00) - Artūras Karnišovas's vision of how he wants the Bulls to play (39:30) - Joakim Noah plans to retire as a Bull. How important was Noah to the Bulls?