By The Horns: A Chicago Bulls Show

Jalen Brunson joins Cam Smith and K.C. Johnson to reflect on his journey from being named Illinois Mr. Basketball at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois, to growing up around the NBA and the Chicago Bulls during his father Rick Brunson's playing and coaching career. He looks back on his championship run at Villanova Wildcats men's basketball, being drafted by the Dallas Maveri...

Cam Smith and K.C. Johnson break down the start of NBA free agency, including the Bulls' additions of Norman Powell and Nic Claxton, Zach Collins' return, and how each player fits into Chicago's roster heading into next season. They also discuss what the Bulls could do with their final roster spot and react to former Bulls Nikola Vučević and Javon Carter signing with the Orlando Magic.

The newest members of the Chicago Bulls, Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain, join Cam Smith and K.C. Johnson on the By The Horns podcast. The two rookies discuss family, college, the culture they hope to build with the Bulls, and life off the court and wrap things up with a fun round of rapid-fire questions.

In this week’s episode of By the Horns, K.C. Johnson and Cam Smith break down the Chicago Bulls’ first night of the NBA Draft. The duo discusses the selections of Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain, why both fit the defensive-minded culture Bryson Graham is building, and how each prospect could impact the Bulls' future. Plus, they dive into Wilson’s confidence and Swain’s versatile skill set.

Cam Smith and K.C. sit down with the 25th head coach in Chicago Bulls history, Tiago Splitter to discuss his remarkable journey from leaving Brazil for Spain as a teenager to becoming an NBA champion and head coach. Splitter reflects on his playing career, including the 2014 NBA Finals, and his transition into coaching, while sharing what he learned from mentors like Gregg Popovich and his time le...

Cam Smith and K.C. Johnson sit down with ESPN draft analyst Jeremy Woo for a deep dive into the 2026 NBA Draft. They discuss whether AJ Dybantsa is a lock for the No. 1 pick, break down the top prospects and potential sleepers, debate what the Bulls should do with the No. 4 and No. 15 selections, and examine how players like Darryn Peterson and Cam Boozer could fit at the next level. Woo also shar...

Cam Smith and K.C. Johnson break down the hire of new Bulls head coach Tiago Splitter. They talk about his journey from NBA champion to NBA head coach after leading the Trail Blazers to a playoff berth last season. They discuss his coaching style, what this means for the Bulls both on and off the court, and much more!

K.C. Johnson and Cam Smith open the show by honoring Stacey King, reflecting on the recent CHSN special and the statement released by Stacey’s family. The two share what Stacey meant to them personally, with Cam recalling memorable stories from working alongside a broadcaster he grew up rooting for. Later, former Bulls forward and Stacey’s longtime teammate Scott Williams joins the podcast to cele...

K.C. Johnson gives Cam Smith his due after Cam correctly predicted the NBA Finals matchup, setting the stage for a breakdown of how the two teams stack up against each other. The guys compare strengths and weaknesses, identify their X-factors, and explain why players like Victor Wembanyama and Jalen Brunson could ultimately determine who lifts the trophy. Later, K.C. and Cam make their championshi...

Cam Smith and K.C. Johnson welcome Bulls pre and postgame analyst and former Bull Kendall Gill to talk the future of the Bulls and the current NBA landscape. Kendall shares why he believes newly hired EVP Bryson Graham can help reshape the franchise, reflects on his own experiences in Charlotte and how they compare to the Bulls’ current situation, and explains why Chicago still has major work to d...

Cam Smith and K.C. Johnson unpack some more offseason moves for the Chicago Bulls after the organization officially added Stephen Mervis and Acie Law IV to the front office. The conversation dives into Law’s return to the franchise, his basketball background, and the Chicago sports ties that make the hire even more intriguing. From there, the spotlight swings toward the Bulls’ coaching search, as...

Ruthie Polinsky fills in for Cam Smith alongside K.C. Johnson as the two break down a pivotal stretch for the Chicago Bulls following the NBA Draft Lottery. They react to the Bulls landing the 4th overall pick, share the latest on Josh Giddey’s injury status, and discuss where the organization’s coaching search stands as the offseason begins to ramp up. The episode also includes takeaways from the...

On the latest episode of By The Horns, K.C. and Cam are joined by new Bulls Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Bryson Graham. Graham opens up about his upbringing, how the Bulls inspired him to as a young kid and what traits he brings as the new leader of the organization. Cam and K.C. pull back the curtain and connect with Bryson on a deeper level beyond X's and O's. 0:00-1:08 - In...

Cam Smith and K.C. Johnson break down where the Bulls’ front office search stands, diving into the process of hiring a new executive vice president while sizing up potential candidates. They shift to the NBA Playoffs, sharing their early takeaways and highlighting the first-round matchups that have grabbed their attention most. Cam spotlights the Pistons-Magic series, while K.C. weighs in on why t...

Cam Smith and K.C. Johnson dive into the news of Billy Donovan resigning as head coach of the Chicago Bulls, unpacking what it means for the franchise moving forward. As the conversation unfolds, they break down Donovan’s farewell statement, highlighting the key acknowledgments to players, staff, and Bulls Nation, while reflecting on the defining moments of his tenure in Chicago. From there, the f...

Cam Smith and K.C. Johnson share the latest on where things stand between the Bulls’ front office and Billy Donovan while also breaking down the team’s odds of landing the top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. They discuss the impact of Portland clinching a postseason spot, which secures an additional first-round pick for Chicago and gives the Bulls added flexibility heading into the draft. The conversa...

Cam Smith and K.C. Johnson react to a major shift inside the Chicago Bulls organization following the departures of Vice President Arturas Karnisovas and General Manager Marc Eversley. The guys break down what led to the decision, what it signals about the franchise’s direction, and why this moment could define the next era of Bulls basketball. They also dive into the press conference from Bulls p...

  Plus, it’s all about March Madness as the guys take a look at the Final Four picture, including Cam’s experience at the United Center for Michigan vs. Tennessee in the Elite Eight. Cam and KC make their picks for who’s headed to the championship—and who’s ultimately cutting down the nets.

Cam Smith and K.C. Johnson break down the Bulls’ 2–2 homestand, highlighting Matas Buzelis’ clutch late-game impact and what stood out down the stretch. They also dive into Kevin Durant’s performance against Chicago, unpacking what still makes his scoring feel nearly impossible to defend, while debuting “K.C.’s Notebook” to spotlight Durant’s professionalism and lasting impact on the game, both on...

Cam Smith and K.C. Johnson break down Matas Buzelis’ continued rise after another great performance against the Grizzlies, including a career best third quarter. They also dive into the on-court back-and-forth between Buzelis and Luka Dončić and what it says about Matas' growing confidence and edge. The conversation expands to Josh Giddey’s red-hot stretch and evolving mindset while also highlight...

Cam Smith and K.C. Johnson break down the Chicago Bulls’ loss to the Sacramento Kings, where Collin Sexton poured in 28 points as Chicago struggled out of the gate. The guys discuss Sexton’s potential long-term fit with the team and highlight Matas Buzelis continuing to make an impact defensively with an elite block game, fueling the conversation about his underrated sophomore season and untapped...

The Bulls use a stunning 27-0 surge against the Milwaukee Bucks to end an 11-game skid. Cam and K.C. break down how that momentum shift unfolded, and Josh Giddey records his first triple-double since December.  From there, the focus turns to what’s ahead, including a challenging West Coast swing with late-night matchups against the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers. The conversation also...

Cam Smith and K.C. Johnson break down the Bulls’ frustrating 10-game losing streak and what’s fueling the slide, from late-game execution to lineup adjustments. The guys also discuss the opportunity emerging from the skid, including the valuable minutes Rob Dillingham is logging and what that experience could mean for his long-term development in Chicago. They also dive into Matas Buzelis’ breakou...

As the first half winds down, Cam Smith and K.C. Johnson evaluate how the revamped Bulls roster is starting to take shape. With Anfernee Simons, Rob Dillingham, and Collin Sexton now in the mix, the focus shifts to late-game struggles, locker room accountability, and whether this group can finally close out tight contests. The conversation turns to which newcomer has captured their attention most,...

The NBA Trade Deadline takes center stage as the crew breaks down where the Bulls stand coming out of a busy day and why the roster is still a work in progress. K.C. Johnson offers his perspective on what he called the "wildest deadline" he’s ever covered, setting the stage for how Chicago’s moves fit into the league-wide chaos. From there, the focus shifts to the newcomers, evaluating how players...