No days off for Bulls, even after LaVine sensed tired legs
After Wednesday's ugly loss in Milwaukee, Zach LaVine said he thought the Bulls had tired legs beginning in the second quarter.
It's true the Bulls have taken no days off since training camp began on Sept. 25 and they were back on the floor Thursday at the Advocate Center. That made it 10 straight days of practice, including three double sessions and two preseason contests with morning shootarounds.
"We've had very demanding practices. There's no doubt about that," coach Fred Hoiberg said Thursday. "The day before (Tuesday) may have been our hardest practice of the year.
"But you can't use that as an excuse. You still have to lay everything on the line. Our defensive transition was very poor."
Veteran center Robin Lopez weighed in on the "tired legs" description Thursday.
"It looked like it at points," he said. "I felt OK, but that wouldn't surprise me. We've been pushing each other really hard every practice and in the game in Chicago (on Sunday)."
LaVine left the game in Milwaukee early in the third quarter with a right quad contusion. He said after the game he expects to be fine, but sat out Thursday's practice. He could be seen riding a stationary bike.
"He's pretty sore," Hoiberg said. "Hopefully we get him back tomorrow."
Lopez twins open arena:
Milwaukee's new arena, Fiserv Forum, began its NBA existence Wednesday with a Lopez vs. Lopez opening tip. Bucks center Brook won the jump ball against twin brother Robin.
It's always a good idea to ask Robin Lopez about his brother. For example, Brook had a baseline drive and dunk over Jabari Parker in the opening minutes of Wednesday's game that seemed to draw attention on Twitter.
"I think it was just so surprising for everybody that he would make such an athletic play, you know?" Robin said. "I was surprised. I didn't think he was going to dunk it."
How's Brook doing with his move to Milwaukee after playing for the Los Angeles Lakers last year?
"Eeeh, he's whatever," Robin said with a straight face. "By himself with his cat in his house. I imagine it must feel more cavernous than it would be normally."
Robin also offered some brotherly insight when he spotted a reporter wearing a Detroit Tigers hat.
"That's Brook's favorite team for the shallow reason that he really likes tigers," said Robin, who frequently wears a Seattle Mariners cap.
Bucks don't stop moving:
Jabari Parker made an interesting comment after Wednesday's loss. The former Bucks forward said Milwaukee did a great job of moving the ball and added, "That was kind of a first."
That line probably wasn't a knock on his former teammates, but a compliment for new Milwaukee coach Mike Budenholzer. He's the longtime San Antonio assistant who brought the Spurs' unselfish offensive system to Atlanta and won 60 games in 2014-15.
If Wednesday's blowout sent any meaningful message, it might be that the Bucks are in good hands after splitting last season between Jason Kidd and Joe Prunty.
"I thought (the Bucks) were terrific," Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said Thursday. "You look at the way the ball was moving, making the extra play, playing for each other. They're a very good team, they have great length. I give the Bucks a lot of credit for last night."