The Charge

Red-Hot Bulls Off To A Perfect Start to Summer League

With the help of some familiar faces and a few new ones, the Chicago Bulls start off 2-0 in Summer League Games

By: Sal Galati

    After a shocking conclusion to the 2016 NBA season, and the money market that was free agency, basketball fans everywhere simply cannot wait for the start of the 2016-17 season. Some teams drafted the player or players that they feel are going to put them over the top. But, before we can even talk about the beginning of the season, we must first venture through the widely-forgotten Summer League where our Chicago Bulls have been turning some heads.

    The Bulls began their Summer League games notching victories in both of their games against some of the bigger names in this years draft, along with the number one overall pick this year, Ben Simmons.

Bulls F/C Bobby Portis living up to the hype and dominating the Summer League

    In their first game, the Bulls crusied their way to a 71-62 victory against Jaylen Brown, and the Boston Celtics with Bobby Portis leading the way with 17 points and grabbing 13 total rebounds. Newly acquired teammate Jerian Grant, added 14 points to the total while shooting 6-13 from the field. Bulls rookie Denzel Valentine struggled in his first outing only tallying 8 points and shooting 4-16 from the field. Guard Terry Rozier lead the Celtics in scoring putting up 13 points. All-in-all, a solid outing for the Bulls as the pick up the 9 point "W", in front of Head Coach Fred Hoiberg sitting court side with the announcers.

    Perhaps the bigger victory of the two games however, came Sunday night when the Bulls took on the Philadelphia 76ers and top overall pick in the draft, Ben Simmons. Simmons racked up 18 points while drawing some oohs and ahhs from the crowd as well as some of the players, but in the end it wasn't enough to give the 76ers the win as they lose by a double-digit score of 83-70. Chicago Bulls center Cristiano Felicio dominated the game scoring 17 points and pulling down 10 rebounds.

    The Bulls' next contest is against the San Antonio Spurs, which can be seen on ESPN 2 on Tuesday, July 12 at 8:00 P.M. ET.

    Although the NBA season is a long ways ahead, watching the new faces of the league as they rise to stardom is leaving us fans' mouths watering and hungry for more NBA action.