Dan Bernstein Unfiltered, Ep. 120 ("Chicago Bulls LOSE in ugly fashion to now 3-15 Pelicans")

Date: November 25, 2025
Host: Dan Bernstein (with Jason Bernstein)
Podcast: Organizations Win Championships on 312 Sports

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the Chicago Bulls’ embarrassing loss to the New Orleans Pelicans (now 3-15), analyzing the persistent issues plaguing the Bulls—especially their lack of physicality, defensive woes, and failure to meet expectations against clearly inferior teams. Dan and Jason Bernstein blend sharp basketball analysis with their trademark banter, discussing recent games, coaching, and player performances while riffing on Bulls' long-term prospects and making several amusing asides.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Bulls' Lack of Physicality and Effort

• The Bulls’ ongoing problem is a lack of physical play, which has come to a head in recent games, notably the ugly loss to the Pelicans.
• "If you're talking about hitting rock bottom, to the point where you gotta admit that you have a problem—the Bulls better go back and admit that they have a big problem with lack of physicality." — Jason Bernstein, 03:01

Bulls’ Bad Habits and Play Down to Opponents

• The Bulls routinely “play down” to the level of their competition, coasting against weak teams and often getting burnt as a result.
• Reference to the Portland game as the start of downward trajectory, followed by the Heat and Wizards games where poor habits and arrogance built up "bad vibes."

Pelicans Game Deep Dive

• The Bulls surrendered 74 first-half points to the Pelicans—a stunning stat.
• Zion Williamson dominated with 29 points (13/16 FTs), and didn’t even look fatigued post-injury (05:52).
• "10 offensive rebounds, three blocks… the Bulls got out-rebounded 55 to 33. The Bulls’ leading rebounder was Josh Giddy with seven." — Jason Bernstein, 06:00
• Commentary about opponents treating Bulls’ defense like "hockey dump and chase"—pushing the ball in and swarming for rebounds because of the Bulls’ static, unathletic posture (07:01–08:28).

Defensive Scheme Flaws and Personnel Issues

• Predominant drop defense and poor execution on handling pick-and-rolls are rooted in the team’s lack of athleticism and rim protection.
• "You can't switch everything... When teams anticipate the switch, they can dictate matchups." — Dan Bernstein, 10:32
• Injuries and missing key defenders (e.g., Alex Caruso, Dale Terry) exacerbate defensive struggles (11:38–12:02).

Three-Point Identity — or Delusion

• Bulls are very good at three-point shooting (team shooting 37.9%), which keeps them afloat, but there’s a refusal to understand this identity at times.
• "Please try to understand that… when the three-point shot's not falling, go to the post. No, when the three-point shot's not falling, shoot another one." — Jason Bernstein, 09:36

Missed Energy, Toughness, and Roster Depth

• Bulls miss players who provide energy and set the defensive tone (Herder, Vuc as offensive fulcrum).
• Suggestion to give minutes to more physically imposing or rugged players like Emmanuel Miller, even if their games aren't polished ("rather someone that’s physical and sucks than someone not physical and sucks" — Dan, 14:50).

Locker Room & Veteran Influence

• Highlighting Vucevic having had to "literally shove" a teammate to wake up the team’s attitude post-game.
• Referencing previous years’ locker room blowups as a sign of high frustration and lack of leadership traction (23:50–24:39).
• "We don’t have enough talent to win like this. You can't come from behind every game." — Dan Bernstein quoting Vucevic, 22:45

Pelicans’ Progress and Coach Talk

• Discussion of why Pelicans replaced head coach Willie Green with James Borrego, seeing more promise with the latter’s management (05:08).
• “I don't think [Willie Green’s] game management is very good. I don't think he calls timeouts at the right time. And I don't think he played the young guys enough.” — Dan, 05:08

Hilarious Broadcasting & Analysis Blunders

• Recap of Kendall Gill’s hilarious comparison of rookie Derek Queen to Moses Malone:
  • “Derek Queen, quote, reminds me of a young Moses Malone. Now there’s being kind of… and then there’s just…” — Jason Bernstein, 17:40
  • Both hosts mock these absurd TV comp moments, recalling other infamous broadcast comparison gaffes.
• Side story: Missed presence of Jason Goff for offering the perfect deadpan reaction to such moments (16:12–18:13).

Upcoming Schedule, Practice Needs, and Realistic Outlook

• Bulls face tough upcoming games (at Charlotte, Indiana, Orlando, then home vs Brooklyn, Golden State, Cleveland).
• “They need to be yelled at.” — Dan, 29:07 (on needing more toughness, accountability, perhaps a coaching shake-up).
• Billy Donovan’s coaching temperament discussed—contrasted with more firebrand options; question whether players can be "scared straight."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [03:01] Jason Bernstein: "If you're talking about hitting rock bottom… to the point where you gotta admit you have a problem—the Bulls better go back and admit that they have a big problem with lack of physicality."
• [05:52] Jason Bernstein: "29 for Williamson, by the way, on 8-of-14 shooting, 13-of-16 from the line. Absolutely lived…"
• [09:36] Jason Bernstein: “When the three point shot’s not falling, shoot another one.”
• [14:50] Dan Bernstein: “I would rather take somebody that's physical and sucks than someone that isn't physical and sucks.”
• [17:40] Jason Bernstein: “Kendall said, Derek Queen, quote, reminds me of a young Moses Malone…”
• [22:45] Dan Bernstein (quoting Vucevic): “We don’t have enough talent to win like this. ... You can't come from behind every game.”
• [29:07] Dan Bernstein: “They need to be yelled at.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:27–04:43: Bulls’ effort, attitude, and Vucevic’s on-bench role
• 05:00–06:03: Zion Williamson’s performance against Bulls
• 06:12–08:28: Bulls out-rebounded, defensive identity, "dump and chase" metaphor
• 10:32–11:38: Defensive scheme flaws
• 12:02–13:59: Missing energy, player development woes
• 14:50: Roster depth, desire for physicality over skill
• 16:12–18:13: On-air analysis gaffes (comparing Derek Queen to Moses Malone)
• 21:27–23:01: Defensive rotations; giving up crucial corner threes (Sadiq Bay example)
• 23:50–24:39: Locker room blowup history, leadership struggles
• 29:07–29:13: Accountability, coaching style
• 31:05–32:14: Zion vs Julius Randle comparison, Zion’s evolving game
• 34:05–46:14: Basketball trivia & Bulls player encounters (lighter banter)

Tone & Style

• The episode balances critical, direct Chicago sports talk with sarcasm, playful banter, and family dynamic.
• Jokes fly regarding generational divide ("you're old, you don't get it"), inside baseball on Chicago media beefs, and random tangents (ass comparisons, tattoos, family resemblance disputes).
• Despite the humor, both hosts show clear frustration and disappointment—in a classic, no-nonsense style aimed at fellow Bulls fans.

Summary for New Listeners

If you missed the episode, you’ll come away knowing:

• The Bulls hit a new low with their loss to a struggling Pelicans team, exposing recurring flaws in physicality, effort, and defensive schemes.
• The team’s over-reliance on three-point shooting and recurring lapses in effort/rotation are huge issues.
• Leadership and roster construction are major concerns, and frustration is boiling over among veterans and commentators alike.
• There are plenty of laughs—often at the expense of the Bulls, media personalities, and even each other—but the message is clear: the Bulls need changes, or more embarrassing losses await.

"That's why they can compete ... Let's not say they're good."
— Dan Bernstein, 10:17

"We both have big Jew ass noses. He has his mother's."
— Jason Bernstein, 27:00 (classic humorous aside)

This episode is a must-listen for Bulls fans who want truth, humor, and accountability.