The Bulls lost to the incredible Luka Doncic and the Mavs in Dallas Monday night, but I’m mostly just relieved Wendell Carter isn’t seriously hurt.  When the big man left the court in a wheelchair, we feared the worst.  Diagnosis: ankle sprain.  Will probably miss some time, but not a season-changer.  Relief!!!

Luka Doncic is a once-in-a-generation player.  Guy just singlehandedly slayed the Bulls with a less-than-impressive supporting cast.  Tim Hardaway Jr. is a solid pro, but not exactly his pops.  I’m not sure if there’s a way to stop Doncic.  Maybe a 29-year-old Scottie Pippen could take him out of his game, but nobody of this era comes to mind.

Bulls kept it reasonably close and Lauri Markkanen showed out, drilling 3s and playing mean.  Zach LaVine couldn’t keep up with 2nd half Luka – and this is a superstar league.  Maybe someday Zach will approach that level.  Scary thing is, Luka is only 20.  How insane will he be in 5 years, with all that experience?  Bonkers.  I wonder if the Bulls would’ve drafted him if they’d won the coin toss with Sacramento (and assuming they also jumped up to #2.)  Or would they have also taken Marvin Bagley?  Bagley, DeAndre Ayton and Trae Young(for whom the rights to Luka were traded) will forever be Bowie-d by association to Doncic, no matter how well their respective careers turn out.

Some Bulls losses bum me out throughout the night.  This one doesn’t, because Wendell is relatively OK, Lauri played extremely well and the Bulls didn’t look terrible.  Just not good enough to beat the future face of NBA basketball.  We really need one of those superstar-types in Chicago.  Pronto.

Bulls at Pelicans Wednesday.  Daniel Gafford or Thad Young in the starting lineup?  Either way, Gafford is sure to get big minutes.  That’ll be worth watching.