The Big Red Bus: A Chicago Bulls Podcast

See Red Fred and the Podfather Doug Thonus jump on the mic to break down the long-awaited end of the AKME era—widely regarded as the most disappointing front office tenure in Chicago Bulls history. From questionable roster construction and missed opportunities to a lack of direction and identity, the guys unpack how things unraveled over six frustrating seasons. But this isn’t just a post-mortem. Fred and Doug turn the page to what comes next—what the Bulls’ new leadership must prioritize, which assets (if any) can anchor a rebuild, and whether there’s a realistic path back to relevance in the Eastern Conference. It’s an honest, unfiltered conversation that blends frustration, accountability, and a cautious sense of hope for what’s ahead. If you’ve been riding through the highs and (mostly) lows of this era, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

🎙️ Big Red Bus – Episode 250 Episode 250 tips off with See Red Fred joining Waddle & Silvy on Thursday’s show. ⏱️ 3:30 – Fred and the Podfather dive into the idea of “Two Leagues” in today’s NBA — the teams truly trying to win vs. those clearly positioning for the future. The Chicago Bulls? Stuck in the middle… failing at both winning and tanking. ⏱️ 9:00 – The Podfather breaks down the three “acceptable” tanking paths the NBA has effectively created — and where the Bulls fit (or don’t). ⏱️ 21:28 – Doug unveils his entry into the Song Contest: “Play-In Parade” 🎶 ⏱️ 24:27 – See Red Fred counters with his own masterpiece: “AKME” 🎤 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

See Red Fred and the Podfather Doug Thonus discuss a significant predictive indicator for elite superstars to open the show.  They then discuss the Jaden Ivey situation.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Lyrics to “Play-In Parade” by Doug Thonus Walked in with the fourth pick and a lottery crew, Two future all-stars and a clean cap too. Then called Orlando like “I know what to do,” Two firsts for Vooch and some bad salary too. Built a mid three that can’t guard anybody, Iso ball heroes and defense looking shoddy. Pseudo stars for the billboard view, A low ceiling strategy to make the Fan's woo. Three long years of the same routine, Blame Lonzo’s knee for everything. Add Pat and Dalen, our draft pick busts And when we trade, teams just fleece us A.K. proudly leads the Play-In Parade, Hang the banner, 9th place made! Beat down by Miami again No rebuild here, just secret extensions Standing still as the window decays, Then make a move when value’s gone away. Empty speeches while the fans complain, A.K. smiles and waves at his play-in parade Held on to Coby and Ayo too long, Just second round picks, the value was gone. “No shortcuts here,” that’s the line he sells, But every move is just mid as hell When the Pelicans called with a franchise deal, He passed for a project instead of taking the steal Have a pile of cap room when free agency's iffy, Trying to build the future around Josh Giddey. Keep mediocre players instead of waive When losing some games get the odds raised Chasing meaningless wins in the month of March, While the draft board’s loaded with future stars. A.K. proudly leads the Play-In Parade, Hang the banner, 9th place made! Beat down by Miami again No rebuild here, just secret extensions Standing still as the window decays, Then make a move when value’s gone away. Empty speeches while the fans complain, A.K. smiles and waves at his play-in parade A.K. proudly leads the Play-In Parade, Hang the banner, 9th place made! Beat down by Miami again No rebuild here, just secret extensions   Standing still as the window decays, Then make a move when value’s gone away. Empty speeches while the fans complain, A.K. smiles and waves at his play-in parade 9th seed! 9th seed! Hang the banner high! 9th seed! 9th seed! That's playoffs, right? 9th seed! 9th seed! Hang the banner high! 9th seed! 9th seed! That's playoffs, right? A.K. proudly leads the Play-In Parade, Hang the banner, 9th place made! Beat down by Miami again No rebuild here, just secret extensions Standing still as the window decays, Then make a move when value’s gone away. Empty speeches while the fans complain, A.K. smiles and waves at his play-in parade 9th seed! 9th seed! Hang the banner high! 9th seed! 9th seed! That's playoffs, right? 9th seed! 9th seed! Hang the banner high! 9th seed! 9th seed! That's playoffs, right? AKME by by See Red Fred. AKME, AKME....When will those boos turn into cheers? AKME, AKME...We've been a play-in for years.  With no winning in the scores, Just more money for the Dorfs, You can't say I'm satisfied.  So AKME...AKME...Ain't it time that you resigned? AKME, you're dutiful yeah, but ain't it time we said goodbye? AKME, I can't stand it...We have one playoff win in five.  All your teams were never close, now the league thinks you're a dope. What goes on between your ears? AKME….AKME...Where will you lead us from here? (ooh-yeah…ohhh…See Red Fred’s so upset with you Why did you trade Ayo, all the pain will never go Doo-doo-doo, AKME don't you say to me, we just need continuity) It's like a sharp stick in your eye, but AKME, AKME...Patrick Williams makes me cry (yeah) You average one playoff win in five...with no winning in the scores, just more money for the Dorfs, you can't say we're satisfied.  But AKME, you've been a bit better lately. Some trades you made, they were alright. Ball for Okoro was an awesome move. But AKME, AKME...ain't it time that you resigned? AKME, AKME...We have one playoff win in five.  AKME, AKME...I can't say you didn't try. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

See Red Fred and the Podfather break down Josh Giddey’s declining free throw rate and what’s really driving it—scheme, shot profile, or aggression. They also dive into Ayo Dosunmu’s “prohibited shots” comments and the backlash around the Bulls seemingly discouraging the mid-range game. Is this smart, modern basketball or overthinking development? A passionate debate on analytics vs. instinct and where the Bulls are headed.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

See Red Fred and the Podfather Doug Thonues continue the discussion with a debate on Matas talking trash to Luka.  They close the show with a discussion about the most common commercials while watching a Bulls' game.   The show ends with See Red Fred's 2 hit singles, "I Miss Coby White" and "Coby White".  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Big Red Bus – Episode 245 - Still Trying to Win Show Summary  Title: Still Running for WinsDate: March 14, 2026Hosts: See Red Fred & Doug Thonus Show Opening The episode begins with See Red Fred introducing the show on a cold mid-March day in Chicago, welcoming co-host Doug Thonus as the Big Red Bus rolls again. Fred briefly notes: The podcast is now officially part of the All-City Network. Listener feedback has been very positive so far. The hosts plan to increase fan engagement, including future mailbag segments. Fred thanks listeners who send emails to seeredfred@gmail.com. The hosts plan to introduce regular listener mailbag episodes every couple weeks. Main Discussion Topic Bulls West Coast Trip: Wins vs Draft Position The first major segment centers on the Bulls’ recent wins over the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors during their West Coast trip. While many fans celebrated the victories, Fred strongly disagrees with the enthusiasm, arguing that these wins hurt the Bulls’ long-term future. Fred’s Argument: Winning Now Hurts the Bulls Fred explains his core frustration: The Bulls are fighting for meaningless late-season wins These wins reduce their chances of landing a top-four draft pick A top-four pick is the best chance to add a true superstar He emphasizes that: Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis both had excellent games.  However, their development could have happened even in losses.  Fred argues the Bulls should prioritize development while still losing games to protect lottery odds. The Draft Odds Problem Fred highlights the specific statistical consequences of winning:  If the Bulls finish with a better record than Milwaukee, their odds of a top-four pick could drop from: ~20% chance to ~13% chance That 7-percentage-point drop is the central issue driving his frustration. Fred calls these victories: “dumb, idiotic, meaningless March wins.” Comparison to Memphis Fred contrasts the Bulls with the Memphis Grizzlies, who he believes are clearly managing minutes to maximize lottery odds. He argues Memphis is: Limiting key players’ minutes Prioritizing draft positioning Meanwhile, the Bulls are: Playing young stars 40+ minutes Prioritizing wins over long-term strategy Fred points specifically to the Golden State game, where both Giddey and Buzelis played more than 40 minutes. He believes simply reducing their minutes slightly could have resulted in a loss while still allowing development. The Future Core Debate Fred lays out his vision for the Bulls’ future roster. Current Core He believes: Josh Giddey Matas Buzelis are legitimate foundational pieces. However, he views them as: Potential #2 or #3 options Not franchise-level superstars Therefore the Bulls still need one true elite star. The Target: A.J. Dybantsa A player with true franchise-changing upside Someone who could elevate the Bulls into championship contention Fred argues a core of: A.J. DeBonsa Matas Buzelis Josh Giddey would give the Bulls the foundation of a serious contender. But he stresses: The only realistic path to DeBonsa is landing in the top four of the draft lottery. Veteran Management Debate The hosts briefly discuss the possibility of removing veterans like: Collin Sexton Anfernee Simons Fred agrees with Doug that cutting them now would be a mistake. Reasons include: Damaging relationships with players and agents Hurting the Bulls’ reputation with future free agents Fred says the real mistake was not moving these players earlier. Front Office Criticism Fred predicts the current Bulls leadership will eventually be fired. His reasoning:  The franchise has produced only one playoff win.  The team risks being stuck in “play-in purgatory”.  He warns the Bulls could remain permanently mediocre if they fail to maximize this draft opportunity.  Fred argues that a roster built only around Giddey and Buzelis might top out as:  A 50 win ceiling team at best.  Without the top-tier superstar needed to win a title Closing Thoughts of the Segment Fred reiterates his central point:  The Bulls should focus on maximizing draft odds, not chasing late-season wins. He believes the current strategy sacrifices the chance to add a true franchise-altering player, which is far more valuable than winning games in March. ✅ Segment End Point: This summary covers the first portion of the show up until the conversation transitions to Leonard Miller (22:00). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Big Red Bus – Episode 244 features See Red Fred recording from the road while driving the Big Red Bus down I-65 in Indiana alongside the Podfather, Doug Thonus. The two break down the Bulls’ bizarre 2-point “win” over the Suns in Phoenix and debate why the organization can’t even seem to tank correctly. They also dive into a discussion about the Bulls’ best unrestricted free agent signing since 2011. The episode closes with See Red Fred’s new single, “I Miss Coby White.” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the latest episode of The Big Red Bus podcast, driver See Red Fred and the Podfather Doug Thonus celebrate the Chicago Bulls' dramatic turnaround, going undefeated in March, with a dominant win over the Milwaukee Bucks—after an entirely winless February that featured an 11-game losing streak. They dive into the key contributions from that Bucks victory, while also examining the ongoing struggles of newcomer Rob Dillingham as he adjusts to increased minutes but faces shooting inconsistencies in his new role with the team. The conversation shifts focus to promising young forward Matas Buzelis, highlighting his recent surge in production alongside discussions about the noticeable absence of his mid-range jump shots in his evolving game. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Big Red Bus - Episode 242 – Episode Summary 2:00 — See Red Fred and Michael Walton II open with a candid discussion on whether Bulls fans should be concerned about Matas Buzelis’ development heading into Year 2. 5:30 — The debate shifts to role and fit: is Matas ultimately a true 3, a modern 4, or something in between? 8:36 — Ceiling talk: could a Giddey/Matas pairing surpass what the Bulls once envisioned with Lauri Markkanen and Zach LaVine? 13:30 — Front office accountability takes center stage as they question whether AKME should continue leading the organization. 17:37 — The episode wraps with a tough coaching conversation: should Billy Donovan remain the head coach moving forward? 🔴🚌 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

1:00 See Red Fred and the Podfather Doug Thonus diving into growing concerns around the Bulls’ long-term building blocks.  11:00 The duo breaks down what Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis realistically project to become. 22:00 Jaden Ivey Concerns  28:00 Rob Dillingham Concerns Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Big Red Bus — Episode Segments & Timestamps0:00 — Would You Give Up Your Pinky Toe for a Title?The ultimate fan sacrifice debate and what a championship would really mean for Bulls fans.5:00 — Which New Guard Do You Keep?Breaking down the new backcourt options and who actually fits the future.10:00 — Were the Coby & Ayo Deals Really That Good?Re-examining the contracts, value, and how they compare to league trends.20:00 — Zach & Lauri vs. Giddey & MatasPresent vs. future core debate and which path gives Chicago a higher ceiling.29:00 — Let’s Be HappyA reset on the franchise outlook and reasons for optimism.34:00 — Jalen Duren DiscussionFit, impact, and what a move like this would signal about the Bulls’ direction.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The legendary MarkK from Australia jumps on the Big Red Bus to talk about the Bulls recent team teardown at the All Star Break.  See Red Fred also asks him his thoughts on the growing issues with tanking. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Part 2 of Episode 238.   See Red Fred and the Podfather Doug Thonus continue the discussion and unpack the frustration building within the Bulls fanbase. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In Part 1 of this episode, See Red Fred and the Podfather Doug Thonus react to the negative response surrounding the Coby and Ayo trades. They unpack the frustration building within the Bulls fanbase and even among loyal listeners on the Big Red Bus, exploring why the moves landed the way they did emotionally. Fred caps the segment with his car analogy to frame how fans are processing change, expectations, and direction.Part 2 will be up this weekend.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

See Red Fred opens with updated thoughts on Coby White following news that broke after his initial recording with Podfather Doug Thonus. Then, tune in for a special emergency segment with Fred and Doug reacting to the Jaden Ivey trade and saying adios to Vooch as the Bulls signal a new direction. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Big Red Bus – Episode 236 | Episode Notes5:00 – Will Coby White Be Traded?See Red Fred and Doug make a bet on whether or not he will be traded.10:00 – Building Around Matas Buzelis and Josh GiddeyIs it a good idea?15:55 – Nikola Vučević Trade RumorsThe Bulls Offer Vooch to Boston, and they say No.19:30 – Possible Centers for Next SeasonSurveying short-term and long-term options if the Bulls move on from Vooch.26:00 – Bulls Trading for Giannis AntetokounmpoCould the Chicago Bulls actually pull it off—and should they?34:00 – Trading for Clint CapelaIs Capela a realistic, stabilizing option at center, and what would it cost? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of The Big Red Bus, See Red Fred and Doug dig into three timely Bulls topics that sit right at the heart of the team’s present and future.Segment 1: Coby White Trade Rumors (5:00)We open the show by unpacking the latest buzz around potential trade scenarios involving Coby White. What’s real, what’s noise, and what would moving Coby say about where the Bulls think they are right now? We look at value, fit, timing, and whether these rumors reflect opportunistic listening or a more fundamental shift in direction.Segment 2: Matas Buzelis Development Check-In (24:27)The middle segment focuses on Matas Buzelis and his early development. While the upside and flashes are obvious, we zero in on his defensive struggles—positioning, awareness, and physicality—and talk through what’s normal for a young player adjusting to NBA speed versus what needs to improve quickly for him to earn consistent trust and minutes.Segment 3: Vooch and the WarriorsWe close by discussing the rumors around Vooch and the Warriors.   Is this about asset management, clearing developmental runway, or trying to recalibrate the roster without fully blowing it up? We debate the Bulls’ options—and the risks tied to each path.A classic Big Red Bus episode: rumors, development, and plenty of Bulls reality checks along the way. 🟥🚌      ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

See Red Fred and Doug Thonus kick off the Big Red Bus with a burst of Chicago Bears excitement before quickly steering back toward Bulls country. Fred then unveils his “Lost in the Forest” fast-food survival game, prompting laughs, debate, and some very strong hunger-based opinions. He wraps it all by attempting—and mostly failing—to tie the game back to the Bulls fanbase’s growing excitement around Matas Buzelis, which only makes the segment more entertaining. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this latest episode of The Big Red Bus, See Red Fred and the Podfather Doug Thonus dive headfirst into the current disaster unfolding with the Chicago Bulls. With Coby White and Josh Giddey — the team’s two best players and starting backcourt — both sidelined with injuries, the Bulls find themselves staring into the abyss with no clear timeline for either player’s return. Fred and Doug break down what this means for a team already walking a tightrope between relevance and collapse. They discuss how the loss of both guards exposes the roster’s lack of direction — and how it magnifies the front office’s long-standing failures in roster construction and long-term planning. The conversation also explores what this moment means for the future:• Tank or Try for Spots 4-6 1:00• What are the next steps with Coby? 18:00• Matas Struggles 24:00 With frustration, honesty, and a little gallows humor, Fred and Doug unpack the reality Bulls fans don’t want to face — but can no longer ignore. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.