Taking the Bulls by the Horns (2K19) | Hoiberg Out, Jennings Signs [3-8]

[Andrew]

NBA 2K19 MyLEAGUE (Start Today): Taking the Bulls by the Horns



The Prelude

The glory days of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen are a fond but distant memory, as it's been over twenty years since The Last Dance and championship number six. The Derrick Rose era, once so full of promise, is also in the rear view mirror. Chicago finds itself in a rebuilding phase with some promising young players, but injuries to key players including second year standout Lauri Markkanen have resulted in a slow start to the 2019 season. As the fans' frustration with the front office and coaching staff grows, it's time for a change following a 3-8 start...

[Andrew]

Team Information & History

2018-2019 Chicago Bulls Roster

Rawle Alkins (TW)
Ryan Arcidiacono
Antonio Blakeney
Wendell Carter
Kris Dunn
Cristiano Felício
Justin Holiday
Chandler Hutchison
Brandon Jennings
Zach LaVine
Robin Lopez
Lauri Markkanen
Jabari Parker
Cameron Payne
Bobby Portis
Tyler Ulis (TW)
Denzel Valentine

(TW) indicates Two-Way Player

Transactions

2018-2019

November 6th, 2018: Waived G Shaquille Harrison
November 6th, 2018: Signed G Brandon Jennings to a one year, $1.51 million deal
November 6th, 2018: Fired Head Coach Fred Hoiberg
November 6th, 2018: Hired Tyronn Lue as Head Coach, on a two year, $6.04 million deal

[Andrew]

Breaking News
November 6th, 2018

Bulls fire Fred Hoiberg, hire Tyronn Lue



CHICAGO, IL -- Following a 3-8 start, the Chicago Bulls have parted ways with Fred Hoiberg.

The former Iowa State head coach and ten year NBA pro was relieved of his duties earlier today. Hired in 2015 to replace Tom Thibodeau - now the head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves - Hoiberg guided the Bulls to a record of 113-144 and a Playoff appearance in 2017, where they lost to the Boston Celtics 4-2.

In a surprising move, the Bulls hired Tyronn Lue as Hoiberg's replacement. Lue was fired by the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 28th following an 0-6 start. Lue's contract with the Bulls is reportedly a two year deal in the range of $3 million per year, suggesting that he may not be considered a long-term solution at this time.

Brandon Jennings signs one year deal with Chicago



CHICAGO, IL -- Brandon Jennings is back in the league, after signing a one year contract with the Chicago Bulls.

The Bulls have been decimated with injuries early on in the 2019 season. Second year forward Lauri Markkanen is not expected to play until the new year, after dislocating his elbow during the preseason. Kris Dunn, Bobby Portis, and Denzel Valentine have also joined him on the sidelines. With a depleted roster and in desperate need of capable reinforcements, the Bulls have been reaching out to veteran players.

Jennings last played for the Milwaukee Bucks, returning last March for a second stint with the club that originally drafted him tenth overall in 2009. He has also played for the Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, New York Knicks, and Washington Wizards, posting career averages of 14.1 ppg, 5.7 apg, 3 rpg, and 1.2 spg. He is expected to start ahead of Cameron Payne and Ryan Arcidiacono.

Current Roster

Rawle Alkins (TW)
Ryan Arcidiacono
Antonio Blakeney
Wendell Carter
Kris Dunn*
Cristiano Felício
Justin Holiday
Chandler Hutchison
Brandon Jennings
Zach LaVine
Robin Lopez
Lauri Markkanen*
Jabari Parker
Cameron Payne
Bobby Portis*
Tyler Ulis (TW)
Denzel Valentine*

(TW) indicates Two-Way Player
* indicates player is currently injured

Injuries



Current NBA Standings

Through November 6th, 2018

[Andrew]

I thought I'd give the Start Today option a try, with real injuries in effect, just to make things more interesting and challenging at the start. Let's see how it goes!

[kibaxx7]

Good luck 'Drew. The Start Today option looks interesting, every stat up to real life is there?

[sticky-fingers]

November 6th, 2018: Fired Head Coach Fred Hoiberg
November 6th, 2018: Hired Tyronn Lue as Head Coach, on a two year, $6.04 million deal

Good move
Bad move

[Andrew]

Good luck 'Drew. The Start Today option looks interesting, every stat up to real life is there?

That's right, all the standings and stats are accurate as of the daily update when you start it.

November 6th, 2018: Fired Head Coach Fred Hoiberg
November 6th, 2018: Hired Tyronn Lue as Head Coach, on a two year, $6.04 million deal

Good move
Bad move

Honestly, I just wanted a real coach to replace Hoiberg short term, and unfortunately Lue was the only one available. No guarantee he's on the sideline for the full length of that contract, short as it may be.

[mp3]

Solid team to work with right there, any plans to bring KG to Chicago again ?

[sticky-fingers]

Honestly, I just wanted a real coach to replace Hoiberg short term, and unfortunately Lue was the only one available. No guarantee he's on the sideline for the full length of that contract, short as it may be.

Lue is solid in 2K (A in offense and defense if IKR) but in real ... I couldnt choose him but i would have fired Hoiberg too

[cavs4872]

Yo! Absolutely following man. You can have Ty Lue.

LaVine might be a prototypical empty stats guy, but he's fun.

[Andrew]

Solid team to work with right there, any plans to bring KG to Chicago again ?

I think I'll leave him retired, but I was really tempted to try to sign Manu Ginobili, since he's still in the Free Agent Pool. Can't rule out some kind of interesting move as the season progresses.

Lue is solid in 2K (A in offense and defense if IKR) but in real ... I couldnt choose him but i would have fired Hoiberg too

Looks like they've nerfed his ratings since then, but I'll do my best to make it work short term. Maybe I'll end up with a fictional coach after all.

Yo! Absolutely following man. You can have Ty Lue.

LaVine might be a prototypical empty stats guy, but he's fun.

With Hoiberg and Lue, there's a lot of low cards in that hand! I'm definitely going to try to put up some numbers with LaVine.

[Kenny]

Good to see you getting back into a franchise mode. I hope 2K provides a fun experience for you.

This team definitely provides an interesting challenge - particularly with some key players out. Although it's a bad contract in real life, hopefully you can overachieve a little with Jabari Parker in 2K, and Zach LaVine should be another one of those "fun in video games" players like J.R. Smith and Jordan Clarkson. Love the Brandon Jennings signing as well. With this current team, he could end up being your franchise player

[Andrew]

If the rash of injuries continue, it could be Cameron Payne!

...OK, probably not.

[Phil89]

That's a tough position to start a new game in. But there are some interesting pieces on this team.

Would be cool to see Jabari Parker turn things around with his hometown team

[Andrew]

For $20 million a year, I hope I can get something out of him!

[BPDHoplite]

That Cameron Payne stab.....00F

Nice Story thread

Gotta learn from somewhere.

[RMJH4]

Andrew the Bulls should be looking for some new front office guys soon.. Gotta get you in there, you've earned! You called the Hoiberg thing anyway!!

[Andrew]

Apparently so! And yeah, could I do any worse?

(Well, I guess I did hire Lue...)