Dan Bernstein Unfiltered — Episode 122
Title: "WOOF! Chicago Bulls have lost seven straight games"
Release Date: December 9, 2025
Host: Dan Bernstein
Co-host: Jason Bernstein
Producer: Cody Delmendo
Episode Overview
This episode dives into the depths of the Chicago Bulls’ season-defining seven-game losing streak. Dan and Jason Bernstein bring their trademark unfiltered candor and sharp analysis to dissect what’s gone wrong for the Bulls — from failing veterans to misfiring young talent, coaching questions, trade speculation, and the bigger picture of where the franchise stands compared to their NBA peers. The vibe is equal parts frustrated, introspective, and darkly humorous, reflecting the mood of a fanbase beleaguered by another year of dashed hopes.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. State of the Bulls: Rock Bottom Re-Redefined
(Starts ~01:35)
- Seven-game losing streak: Jason laments that each loss somehow feels “worse than the last,” and Dan notes that the Bulls’ social media can barely find a play worth highlighting:
“When the Bulls Instagram posts one highlight a game, that's not really a good sign.” — Dan, [02:01]
- Freefall after positive start: The Bulls started 6–1, but have gone 3–13 in their last 16 games.
- Playoffs now a long shot: Sitting at 9–14, 11th in the East, even a play-in berth looks unlikely.
- Injury barrage: Major injuries to Noah Esenge, Tre Jones, Isaac Okoro, Jalen Smith, and Kevin Herder have decimated the rotation.
2. Injury Impacts and Effort
(03:22–06:15)
- While injuries aren’t an excuse, missing key contributors hurts cohesion and effort. Kevin Herder’s absence is highlighted:
"He often sets the tone for effort…" — Jason, [04:56]
- Bulls forced to stretch their rotation into “bum fest” territory, playing deep bench and two-way guys like Emmanuel Miller and Lachlan Ulbricht.
3. Absence of Exciting Young Talent
(06:57–10:25)
- Dan contrasts Bulls’ games to exciting young teams (Timberwolves, Pelicans, etc.):
“That basketball game is so much more watchable and interesting than any Bulls game I’ve seen as of late.” — Dan, [07:44]
- Bulls lack high-flying athleticism, rim protection, and explosive talent; even recent first-rounders fail to impress.
4. Trade Deadline & Roster Breakdown
(12:35–17:03)
- Bulls face a glut of expiring contracts: Nikola Vucevic, Zach Collins, Kevin Herder, Kobe White, Ayo Dosunmu, Javon Carter, Dalen Terry.
- Much of the segment is spent on assessing who’s truly valuable as a trade asset, with skepticism that role players will return more than late draft picks.
- Jason criticizes the “locker room guy” label for young players — a red flag for upside.
5. Development & The Bulls’ Direction
(15:01–17:03, 16:18–17:03)
- Dan notes few players are bona fide keepers (“he and Modest and I guess by default Esenge are really the only guys I’m saying keep…” [15:01]).
- Debate about Bulls’ attempts to emulate the “Pacers model” of development, but Jason notes that Indiana’s core (including Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam) was assembled through trades, not player development.
6. Trade Chatter: Pelicans Opportunities?
(19:14–21:26)
- Pelicans reportedly listening to offers for everyone, including Trey Murphy and Zion Williamson.
- Jason considers if Kobe White should be included in such a deal.
- Dan frequently brings up Euroleague prospect Carlo Matkovic as a target for teams needing athletic interior play.
7. The Bulls’ Grim Identity and Comparisons
(21:45–27:07)
- Extended lament over the team’s inability to draft and develop sudden, “explosive” talent.
- Only Modest Boozelis stands out among the young core.
- Other franchises (Charlotte, Houston, Detroit, Pelicans) outpace Bulls in terms of hope and excitement.
8. Coaching and Motivation — Is Billy Donovan the Problem?
(29:31–30:45)
- Jason and Dan agree coaching changes likely won't matter; issues run deeper than X’s and O’s.
“I don't think it makes that much of a difference right now. No, I really don't.” — Jason, [29:49]
- Motivation and leadership issues are highlighted.
9. Is This the NBA’s Actual Worst Team?
(31:16–32:07)
- Jason flatly declares:
“At the moment, the Bulls are the worst team in the NBA.” — [31:27]
- They are close to a “throw in the towel” point pending the outcome of the next game.
10. Tanking and Organizational Philosophy
(32:07–33:11)
- Discussion on the nature of “tanking” and the need for smart asset accumulation, something the Bulls’ administration has neglected.
11. Reflection on Bulls Leadership and Nikola Jokic’s Ascendancy
(33:11–34:04)
- Dan wryly mentions Denver didn’t become elite until Bulls’ exec AK left.
- Long tangent on Nikola Jokic’s historic greatness and the rare nature of his skillset.
12. Leadership Vacuum — Vucevic’s Warning Unheeded
(38:37–40:23)
- Vucevic’s locker room outburst after a recent loss is dissected:
“But the thing is that you can't be a leader and suck that much ass on defense.” — Dan, [38:49]
- Kobe White reportedly now tasked with policing defensive effort and accountability.
- Vucevic’s veteran pride isn’t translating to improved results.
13. Comparing Rebuilds: Bulls vs. Young, Fun Teams
(37:09–38:11, 40:23–41:07)
- Across the NBA, young talent abounds. Bulls lack direction, ambition, and internal leadership compared to teams like Detroit, Houston, Brooklyn, or New Orleans.
“Would you rather be the Pelicans or the Bulls right now?” — Dan, [37:22] “Pelicans.” — Jason, [37:25]
Memorable Quotes
-
On hitting a new low:
“Every time I think they've defined rock bottom, they redefine it.” — Jason, [01:53]
-
On the Bulls’ grim highlight reels:
“When the Bulls Instagram posts one highlight a game, that's not really a good sign.” — Dan, [02:01]
-
On coaching changes:
“I don't think it makes that much of a difference right now. No, I really don't.” — Jason, [29:49]
-
On where the Bulls stand:
“At the moment, the Bulls right now are the worst team in the NBA.” — Jason, [31:27]
-
On organizational philosophy:
“This team is fucked.” — Dan, [31:58]
-
On the Bulls compared to others:
“Would you rather be the Pelicans or the Bulls right now?” — Dan, [37:22]
“Pelicans.” — Jason, [37:25]
Significant Timestamps
- 01:24 — Show begins, mood set: “Times have been better for the Chicago Bulls...seven in a row, man...”
- 02:55 — Bulls' catastrophic recent record, standings discussed
- 03:51–04:21 — Injury rundown; Herder's underrated importance
- 07:44 — Dan: “That [Pelicans–Timberwolves] game is so much more watchable...than any of the Bulls games...”
- 12:35 — Full list of expiring contract Bulls
- 15:01 — Dan: Only a couple of guys are “keepers”
- 16:21 — Bulls' flawed “Pacers model” notion
- 19:14 — Pelicans’ willingness to trade everyone, Bulls ties
- 29:31 — “What more could coaching do?”
- 31:27 — “At the moment, the Bulls are the worst team in the NBA.”
- 32:07 — “This team is fucked.”
- 37:22 — Better to be Pelicans or Bulls?
- 38:37 — Vucevic’s warning going unheeded, locker room leadership crisis
- 40:23 — Vucevic experience, fans’ disappointment
- 49:00–59:00 — Extended “Showdown” stats/puzzle segment (NBA trivia fun)
Notable (Non-Bulls) Sidebars
- Praise for Nikola Jokic and his all-time offensive impact. [33:18–34:04]
- Joking about Dan’s and Jason’s Halloween costumes, running gags about being “sudden,” “athletic,” and the saga of Jewish Bernsteins at Tulane. [43:05–47:11]
- Playful takes on “bum fest,” obscure Euro prospects, and NBA trivia (e.g., 30-point games by second-round picks).
Episode Tone & Takeaways
- Tone: Frustrated, sarcastic, darkly amused, and self-aware.
- Key takeaway: The Bulls are at a crossroads with no clear path forward. The roster is full of role players with dubious value, there’s a lack of both developmental progress and front-office boldness, and Bulls fans are justifiably feeling despair.
- Final mood: If anything, the extended tangents and dark humor are a sign that even diehard Bulls analysts and fans are emotionally checking out — at least until management and ownership show a real plan for change.
For New Listeners
This episode will give you a warts-and-all sense of just how far the Bulls have fallen — and how their malaise isn’t simply bad luck or injury misfortune, but a deeper organizational problem. The hosts are brutally honest but still find ways to inject dry wit and big-picture thinking into the conversation.
If you’re craving a sugarcoated or hopeful take on the Bulls, look elsewhere; if you want intelligent, unfiltered, deeply Chicago sports talk, Bernstein Unfiltered delivers.