The Chicago Bulls season is set to open as the Cleveland Cavilers come to the United Center tonight. While the Bulls have been the second most successful team in Chicago over the last several years, it appears fans have paid the least amount of time getting to know the 2015-16 version of the team.
Lucky for you, here is a Cliff Notes version of a getting to know you, certain to get you up to speed with this Bulls team.
This isn’t Tom Thibodeau’s Bulls anymore
While I am almost certain you already know the Chicago Bulls and head coach Tom Thibodeau parted ways after last season, new head coach Fred Hoiberg is already making a mark on this team. That mark is never more evident than replacing Thib’s goto defender, and the emotional leader, Joakim Noah in the starting lineup.
While Noah played an inspirational game at times, his inability to score the basketball hindered the Bulls opportunities in playoff basketball, when scoring is paramount. While a 12 rebound a game player is still valued, Hoiberg’s run-and-gun style doesn’t cater well to a seven footer that can’t run anymore because of past foot related injuries, and just can’t score.
Speaking of run-and-gun…
Hoiberg will sacrifice defense, especially early, to score quick baskets in transition. So not only will this Bulls team be fun to watch as the push the ball up the court, it will rely heavily on point guard Derrick Rose and guard/forward Jimmy Butler’s ability to push the ball and score the basketball on short to mid-range opportunities.
When the Bulls are able to get the mid-range game going, sharp-shooting wing men like Mike Dunleavy and Doug McDermott should have open looks from long range. The biggest questions will be, can Derrick’s knees hold up to the pace, and will he and Butler get along on the court being they are both alpha dogs.
Derrick vs Butler
No, not the latest EA Sports basketball game, this should be an interesting topic all season. While Derrick has been out with multiple injuries throughout the years, Jimmy has stepped up to take the offensive lead of the team. Now that Rose is apparently back — and by most accounts back at full strength — the battle for who is the guy started during the closing months of last season.
With reports that Derrick bought Butler an expensive watch in the offseason, either to smooth their relationship or to ask for permission to own the majority share of the scoring opportunities, these two will need to find a way to co-exist before Jimmy takes his talents to another team. If working together, they can be a formidable tandem for the Bulls. If they aren’t it’s going to be ugly on Madison Street.
Trade rumor swirling
Even though the Bulls lost their pitch to New York Knicks superstar, Carmelo Anthony, there still seems to be rumors out there that a trade could happen. While the thought of Anthony is more intriguing than actually having him on your team, Carmelo could give the Bulls another scoring option to spread the floor for a slashing Derrick Rose.
These have just been rumors, but with how much smoke there has been out of New York that Phil Jackson isn’t exactly happy with Melo tying up the Knicks payroll, and isn’t a player that will be at the top of his game in three or four years when the Knicks could possibly compete on an annual basis.
The team still has the talent to compete in the Eastern Conference
With Derrick and Jimmy leading the way, the Bulls have a number of guys that have the ability to step up into bigger roles in 2015-16. Guys like Nikola Mirotic should take on more scoring, Pau Gasol is coming off a great international season, and MeDermott should take the next step with increased playing time and opportunity.
The East could be wide open still, even with the huge luminous shadow that Lebron James and the Cavilers cast, the Bulls have a great shot at doing damage this season. While they might not be as deep as they have in years past, they are still predicted to win around 50 games again this season. The only problem is, once they get themselves into the playoffs (which a 50 win season will easily do) do they have enough fire power to win in the playoffs?
That has been the question over the past five seasons, and the answer has always been no.
Realistic Expectations
This isn’t a championship caliber team, as it is constructed. While the team very well might make some changes to its roster, those moves might be to shed salary or go backwards. While this team is still in it’s “winning window” it makes some sense that they really focus on building a roster that is a closer fit to what Hoiberg wants to do offensively.
The Bulls will make the playoffs, and depending on when they run into the Cavs they will win a playoff series. But their ceiling is capped at when they meet Cleveland for this and maybe the next several years to come.
