Title: Still Running for Wins
Date: March 14, 2026
Hosts: See Red Fred & Doug Thonus

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 seered[email protected].

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 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.

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

~13% chance

That 7-percentage-point drop is the central issue driving his frustration.

Fred calls these victories:

“dumb, idiotic, meaningless March wins.”

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.

Fred lays out his vision for the Bulls’ future roster.

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.

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.

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.

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

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:

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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.”

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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.

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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.

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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

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Big Red Bus — Episode Segments & Timestamps

0:00 — 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 & Matas
Present vs. future core debate and which path gives Chicago a higher ceiling.

29:00 — Let’s Be Happy
A reset on the franchise outlook and reasons for optimism.

34:00 — Jalen Duren Discussion
Fit, impact, and what a move like this would signal about the Bulls’ direction.

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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.

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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.

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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.  

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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.

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