Joel Lorenzi

Paging any Bulls fans I might have here. Kicking off my first season on the beat today, so wanted to engage with my Bulls followers.

What kind of coverage do you want to see from me this year?

What kind of stories have you liked from us in the past, what players are you curious about, etc.

NEWS: Josh Giddey and the Bulls have agreed to a four-year, $100 million contract, a source tells The Athletic's @jxlorenzi.bsky.social & @samamick.bsky.social.

The deal comes after a prolonged standoff between the team and the restricted free agent forward.

Read: www.nytimes.com/athletic/653...

Derrick Rose eager to shine light on NBA's secret obsession: Chess

For my debut story at @theathletic.com, I pulled up to watch Derrick Rose play chess. He’s seemingly found fulfillment in his new obsession. Now he’s out here hoping to grow the game:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/649...

My mission in returning home, joining The Athletic to cover the Chicago Bulls

For those who are unfamiliar with me or my recent move…here’s my introduction to The Athletic:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/650...

I’m like Danny Green on this list, but def a Pop-type tree

All love Howard, always. You’re the man 👊🏼

Ha. Thank you sir.

👊🏼

👊🏼

Michael, thank you. It all started in your office.

🫶🏼

🙏🏼

👊🏼

BQ!! Much love, always.

I had him in mind.

Thanks man.

Sub!!! I always appreciated your love and kind words man. I was grateful to cover such a special team, and that people were reading. You were on board from jump. Salute.

I started this journey careless of where it took me, so long as I got opportunity. That it brought me back home is special. Just grateful to be trusted to tell these stories. Love.

OKC fans: I’ll always feel linked to you. Covering this city’s first title, led by such a talented group of dudes mostly my age, was humbling. I never expected it to be an easy job. It challenged me in ways y'all will never understand. This is “see you later,” not “goodbye.”

Bulls fans: I grew up by Homan & Division. I went to Whitney Young when hoops were last great in the city. I’m #OutWestForever. I understand your expectations for the franchise better than most.

Storytelling isn’t dead. It’s an honor to push the agenda alongside so many legends, this team of gold standard sports writers. Lord knows I’ve wanted nothing more than to be great. I’ve given up everything for it. I’m hoping this sets me down that path.

News: This was my last week at The Oklahoman. I’m moving back home to cover the Bulls for The Athletic. Thankful that @jeffapatt.bsky.social and the crew embraced me. They gave me the shot I always wanted. Appreciative of Glenn Yoder and this staff for their belief in me and my path.

I hope so too. If not, I’ll help you out.

We would never say Basketball Players can’t dance. #ThunderUp

🎥 : @jxlorenzi.bsky.social

'Guess what?': Jaylin Williams, OKC Thunder can no longer be denied after NBA championship From Shai Gilgeous-Alexander mingling with the crowd to Jaylin Williams' epic speech, the OKC Thunder's NBA championship parade was an undeniable success.

Listen to Aaron Wiggins’ defiance. Feel Jaylin Williams’ conviction. See the way SGA marched the streets. His streets, with his people.

At the heart of this celebration was a sentiment shared by a city: on this day, Oklahoma City couldn’t be denied.
www.oklahoman.com/story/sports...

Tuesday’s cover of The Oklahoman sports section 🏆

How Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder took their place atop the NBA as champions The Thunder was faced with a months-long choice. Put up or shut up. Shrivel up or grow up. It did on the biggest stage.

They weren’t too young after all. Their experiences were enough.

In fact, this youthfulness carried the Thunder. Empowered them. From all-along training camp contender to learning about Moet on the last night of the season:
www.oklahoman.com/story/sports...

How do OKC Thunder players view their own adversity compared to past NBA champions? Chet Holmgren has been served reminders of all the reasons his OKC squad, a win away from the franchise’s first title, was told it couldn’t be here.

History, fans, critics — they all say the prophecy requires champions to suffer before climbing the mountaintop. Years of defeat.

Chet Holmgren scoffs at the idea that this path was easy.

How OKC views its adversity, why it think it’s enough to win now:
www.oklahoman.com/story/sports...

Thunder on brink of NBA title it dared not mention all year: 'Winning is all that matters' The Oklahoma City Thunder is one win away from its first NBA championship, something it may have dreamed of but dared not mention all season long.

The idea of this zero-and-zero thing was to work toward tomorrow, not June. But *today* is June, a Game 6 that could secure the Thunder’s first title.

On the mental space OKC has lived in for months, and how it’s staying there for at least another night:
www.oklahoman.com/story/sports...

Jalen Williams brings 'great force' again in NBA Finals, inching Thunder closer to title Jalen Williams joined a rare 40-point NBA Finals club Monday night in the Thunder's 120-109 win over the Pacers in Game 5 to move OKC a win away from the title.

Jalen Williams will give himself at least another win before he sinks his teeth into Monday's Game 5. His moment. His response to all his offseason questions.

Maybe, in a few days, he'll realize he's become exactly who OKC needed him to be:
www.oklahoman.com/story/sports...

How Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder didn't flinch in legacy-defining Game 4 of NBA Finals Of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 35 points in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, 15 came in the fourth quarter. He scored 15 of the Thunder’s final 16 points, sealing a crucial win over the Pacers.

The exhale was audible. OKC’s sins through three quarters were wiped away. Game 4, and the Thunder’s storied season, came down to the fourth quarter.

The Thunder picked some time to regain control:
www.oklahoman.com/story/sports...