In seven games since the all-star break, Chicago Bulls veteran center Robin Lopez has not played. Bulls veteran wingman Justin Holiday has played just once.
Considering Lopez is the team’s best center, and Holiday is having a career year scoring the ball, one has to wonder, why aren’t they playing if they are healthy?
As Bulls fans, we don’t have to wonder. It’s all about the tank, baby. But NBA commissioner Adam Silver is allegedly threatening to throw the hammer down on team’s that are too obviously trying to lose.
According to NBC Sports Chicago’s Vincent Goodwill, the league office has contacted the Bulls about the benching of Lopez and Holiday.
Report: #Bulls warned by NBA about benching veterans, will now play Robin Lopez and Justin Holiday down the stretch — https://t.co/Rihxu5v8WF pic.twitter.com/8WZrcs9b6Y
— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) March 7, 2018
Lopez and Holiday will be re-inserted into the rotation according to Goodwill. The extent of their roles is uncertain.
“It’s not believed that either Lopez or Holiday will go back to playing 30 minutes a night, it’s a tricky situation because there isn’t a mandate for how many minutes any player should play. “
It’s an odd situation to be in, but it appears that the front office’s hand has been forced.
