Dan Bernstein Unfiltered: Chicago Bulls Lose in Orlando | Should They Trade for Anthony Davis?

Podcast: Dan Bernstein Unfiltered
Host: 312 Sports
Episode: Chicago Bulls LOSE in Orlando | Should they trade for Anthony Davis?
Date: December 2, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the Chicago Bulls’ recent struggles, focusing particularly on their ugly loss to the Orlando Magic (125–120) and the general malaise surrounding the team after a stretch of poor play. Dan Bernstein and Jason Bernstein break down the Bulls’ lack of toughness, roster construction problems, injury issues, and debate the idea of making a big move—specifically a trade for Anthony Davis. They also mix in some trademark banter, Bulls trivia, and strong opinions on what direction the team should take moving forward.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The State of the Bulls: Frustration, Softness, and Roster Limitations

• Bulls Performance Skid

  • The Bulls are now 9–11, 10th in the East, losers of four straight and five of the last six. Offensively and defensively, they’re ranked near the bottom of the league:
    • Pace: 2nd in the NBA
    • Offensive Rating: 20th
    • Defensive Rating: 22nd
    • Net Rating: 20th (00:10–01:03)

• Team Characterization:

  • Jason: “I think there’s really one word to describe them... Bad.” (01:03)
  • Dan adds: “Well, it's been soft too, the way they've lost. It didn't take long... every team is just making them their bitch is what's happening.” (01:28)

• Recurrent Problems

  • Bulls are being bullied physically on both ends—out-rebounded, out-muscled, can't contain dribble penetration, and are soft on interior defense. (01:53–02:56)
  • The experiment with players like Lachlan Ulbricht and Emmanuel Miller is a symptom of their desperation for toughness and energy, but not a true solution. (02:56–03:43)

2. Development Challenges: Noah Asenge and Roster Fit

• Noah Asenge: Not Ready for the NBA
  • Dan relates a Bulls insider’s comment comparing Asenge’s situation to dropping a young journalist in Paris: “That's what this is like for Noah Asenge right now.” (06:10)
  • Jason acknowledges Asenge is a long-term project, comparing him to a young Giannis. "He was very young and very raw and that's what Asenge is." (06:12–07:47)

3. Injuries and Roster Constraints

• Bulls’ rotation is "hard to cobble together" due to injuries:
  • Awaiting news on Kevin Huerter (left previous game early)
  • Kobe White's comeback continues, presumably off minute restrictions
  • Jalen Smith (knee injury)
  • Isaac Okoro (back)
  • Noted Julian Phillips’ energetic and athletic flashes, but he’s targetable on defense (07:54–08:57)

4. Defensive Failures: Coaching and Accountability

• Defensive Breakdown:
  • Austin Rivers pointed out Bulls’ defensive inability: “If nothing else, you have to make Desmond Bane go left. And they couldn't do it.” (09:03)
  • Billy Donovan’s frustration with basic defense—if you can’t keep your guy in front for even one dribble, help defense and team defense are rendered impossible. (10:09–11:24)

5. The Big Question: Should the Bulls Trade for Anthony Davis?

• Dan raises the scenario: Should the Bulls trade for Anthony Davis if the price is just Vuch (Nikola Vucevic), matching salary contracts (Javon Carter, Kevin Huerter, etc.), and a protected 2026 Portland pick?

  • Jason: “Yeah, why not?... No thought through.” (15:39–15:44)
  • Dan presses for serious consideration, but Jason maintains Davis would be a huge upgrade, particularly given the lack of a true “star” and rim protector on the team. (15:47–20:07)

• Key Points in Favor:

  • Davis is a Hall-of-Famer, championship experience, elite when healthy.
  • Bulls’ core remains intact (White, Giddey, Boozelis, Asenge, future picks).
  • Draft picks given up would likely not be in a “generational” draft slot.

• Key Objections:

  • Dan: “He's 32, don't care, and he doesn't play. The primary issue I have is that he just doesn't play enough.” (20:40)
  • Jason shrugs off injury history, noting the Bulls’ roster is perpetually banged up anyway: “Everybody's hurt all the time now? And Anthony Davis? Get a Hall of Famer. I don't care. Make a splash at this point.” (21:00–21:30)

• Trade Philosophy:

  • Bulls have been stuck in mediocrity; Jason advocates for boldness—either go all-in or totally rebuild. “I'd like to see some balls on that guy [AK, Bulls management] for once.” (23:01)
  • Compares to the Bears aggressively making moves to improve. (22:03–23:01)

6. Roster Construction and Philosophical Debate

• Depth and Size Issues

  • Bulls are continually out-matched by teams with real rim protection or bigs (Clingan, Bataze, Cornett, Kalkbrenner, etc.).
  • Vucevic is simply not that guy and is consistently exposed against more athletic or physically dominant centers. (24:53–26:16)

• Eastern Conference Outlook

  • Jason: “The east sucks.” (27:36)
  • Suggests that with Davis, the Bulls are a legitimate playoff team (6th seed or better), and that pairing him with Josh Giddey could be “a lot of lobs. That’s nasty.” (28:11)

• Giddey’s Growth

  • Dan: “Stop jumping in the air without a plan... When somebody is coming from the opposite side and they're digging at the dribble... just flip it to the guy he left.” (28:29–29:19)
  • Jason’s retort: “If he fixes this one aspect... you'll score 10 more points a game and still lose because you suck at defense and don't have rim protection. So you get a star who can also protect the rim.” (29:23)

7. Bulls Trivia and Lighthearted Banter

• Australian NBA Players

  • Trivia segment listing top Australian-born NBA scorers. (32:22–34:47)
  • Amusing back-and-forth over pronunciation, NBA history, and who “knows ball.”
  • Top three: Kyrie Irving, Patty Mills, Andrew Bogut. (33:12–33:29)

• Most 20-Point Games by a Non-All-Star Since 2004-05

  • Jason’s list stumps Dan. Answers: C.J. McCollum (#1), Rudy Gay (#2), Jamal Crawford (#3), Monta Ellis (#4), Al Jefferson (#5). (37:11–41:01)

• Brotherly Barbs

  • Frequent teasing and mock insults, e.g., “You sound like the 'I'm gonna dip my balls in a guy.' You sound like the—" (21:45) and “Suck my nards.” (42:04)
  • You can hear the comfortable, unfiltered rapport the show is named for.

8. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Bulls’ Softness:
  • Dan: “They are getting bullied on both ends of the floor.” (01:53)
• On Making a Bold Move:
  • Jason: “I'm so tired of them, of the middle, middle, middle… I'd like to see some balls on that guy for once.” (22:03, 23:01)
• On Anthony Davis’ Fit:
  • Jason: “If you trade for Anthony Davis, you got a star. And this league calls for star power... You still have Josh Giddey on what I would consider a team friendly contract.” (19:28)
• On the Risk of Trading for Davis:
  • Dan: “He's 32, don't care, and he doesn't play. The primary issue I have is that he just doesn't play enough.” (20:40)
• Trivia Mic Drop:
  • Jason: “Yes, I am, because I know ball and you don't.” (41:23)
• On Team Direction:
  • Jason: “Either trade for Anthony Davis or just get a bunch of picks and just sit there and do whatever. Don't care. Do something.” (22:03)

9. Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------| | Breaking down Bulls’ current record and struggles | 00:10–01:53 | | Team softness and getting bullied | 01:53–03:43 | | Noah Asenge’s development analogy | 06:08 | | Injury/rotation updates | 07:54–08:57 | | Austin Rivers’ defensive assessment | 09:03–10:09 | | Billy Donovan's defensive standards | 10:09–11:24 | | Trade for Anthony Davis hypothetical | 14:59–16:47 | | Draft prospects and pick philosophy | 16:47–18:15 | | Zion Williamson news | 18:15–18:30 | | Youth core, keeping prospects | 19:28–20:07 | | Debate on Bulls’ trade direction ("do something!") | 22:03–23:01 | | Rim protection and Vucevic’s limitations | 24:53–26:16 | | Trivia: Top Australian NBA players | 32:22–36:47 | | Trivia: Non-All-Star 20-point games | 37:11–41:01 | | Closing barbs and sign-off banter | 41:23–43:40 |

Tone & Final Thoughts

The episode is classic “unfiltered” Bernstein: direct, frustrated, at times exasperated—but always candid and well-informed. The hosts alternate between smart, critical basketball analysis and irreverent, brotherly banter. Their core message: the Bulls must break from their pattern of aimless mediocrity, either by swinging big or by committing to a hard reset. A trade for Anthony Davis, even with its risks, is presented as the kind of bold move the organization desperately needs—or, if not, finally embrace a genuine rebuild.

If you’re a Bulls fan looking to vent, laugh, and hear sharp debate about the team’s future, this is a must-listen episode.