The Chicago Bulls have not been a real force in recent years. They are coming off injury-plagued seasons and poor playoff performances, headlined by an injury to star point guard Derrick Rose.
However, as Miami’s dominance wanes, Rose comes back healthy and Joakim Noah comes off his best season yet, the future is looking bright for the Windy City’s basketball team.
That is of course until Derrick Rose’s knees break down again.
As much as the Bulls have the talent and the drive to move forward, the concern over Derrick Rose will always be on their mind.
Their mix of bright young players and trusted veterans, their high-powered offense combined with their smash-mouth defence, the coach who’s established himself as one of the best in the league – all of this could be derailed if their star player goes down.
It’s certainly been the narrative that’s played out over the past few years in Chicago.
Despite his wealth of time spent off of the hardwood over the past few years, Derrick Rose looked good at USA Basketball training over the past few weeks, where he’s considered to be a ‘lock’ for selection in the squad being named for the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup.
D-Rose was throwing down dunks and dishing off passes in Las Vegas looking like a different man from the one who’s only played 50 games over the past three seasons. As the Bulls get their point guard back, they now look to make a strong playoff run courtesy of some smart off-season moves made by the Bulls front office.
Acquiring Pau Gasol was vital after Carmelo decided to re-sign with the Knicks, and is arguably one of the most dominant players at his position. A four-time All Star and two time champion with the Los Angeles Lakers, he’s suffered some injuries over the past few years.
However, he’s still one of the best forward-centres in the league alongside such players as Dirk Nowitzki and Tim Duncan, and can definitely help out at the spot formerly occupied by Carlos Boozer.
Gasol will be partnering up with Joakin Noah, the only true centre currently under contract. Noah is coming off his best season yet – a first team All NBA selection, along with being named in the All Star team and making first team defence, both of which he accomplished a year earlier too.
Oh, and he won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award. The last Chicago Bull to win Defensive Player of the Year? Michael Jordan.
A 2014 USA Select Team selection, Doug McDermott was one of the most decorated players in the 2014 Draft, and the Bulls did a good job to acquire him from Denver. Coming out of four years of Creighton as a three-time consensus first team All-American, consensus National Player of the Year and NCAA scoring champion, his addition will serve the Bulls well.
Add in to that mix the role players the Bulls posses, and you have a formula for winning.
Kirk Hinrich signed a new two year deal, and can be a good backup point guard, somethings he’s had to prove in the past few seasons. Taj Gibson has proven himself to be a good player, and upped his scoring to 13 points a game last season, as well as remaining strong on the defensive side too.
Tony Snell was a steal from last year’s draft – in this year’s Summer League he averaged 20 points and four rebounds a game, earning him an All-NBA Summer League First Team nod. Jimmy Butler is developing well too – starting all 67 games he played last year, he averaged 13 points and five rebounds, with his two steals per game earning him a second team all defence nod and a place on the 2014 USA Select Team.
But maybe the Bulls playoff run in 2013 spoke to how good this team can be, without Derrick Rose – they made it to the Conference Semifinals, and the only thing that stopped them getting further was a little team called the Miami Heat.
Now LeBron’s back in Cleveland, having to adjust to a ‘new’ team, and the east is all shaken up, could this finally be the Chicago Bulls’ time to shine? Only time will tell.
Jason Pollock
Roar Guru
It should be a good season for them if Rose can stay healthy. Their drafted players will definitely add some depth and excitement to the team, and they're definitely contenders for the Conference Finals if everyone can stay injury-free.
Jason Pollock
Roar Guru
Their only contender is the Cavs!
Joe
Guest
If (big if) the Bulls can stay healthy they are, as of right now, the best team in the East
Andrew Macdougall
Roar Pro
Being a Bulls fan I might be biased, but I am looking forward to the new season with a healthy Rose. The drafting of McDermott was great, add in Bairstow who might play some bench minutes, Aaron Brooks will add to the guard position and of course we don't know what Mirotic is capable of. If everything clicks the the Bulls will be hard to beat in the East.
astro
Guest
Yeah, I admit, I was stretching that one a bit...But Booze did fit well enough into Tibs defensive structure, which counts for something...maybe?
Jason Pollock
Roar Guru
Thanks for the analysis Shaun. Indiana are one of those teams that have been 'almost-there' for the last few years, but have never been able to quite make it to the next echelon. With the injury to Paul George, they definitely aren't one of the strong contenders this year, and they'll suffer without his production. Miami still have some pieces, but as you said, with LeBron back home, they don't really have a chance at a deep run in the playoffs. I think now will be a test to those players still in South Florida, and their new acquisitions, as to how far they can go without The King. Did LeBron carry the Heat, or did they win as a collective? That will be answered this year. I definitely agree that the toss-up in the East is now between Chicago and Cleveland, but I still give the Cavs a slight advantage. Derrick Rose's ability to stay healthy has just been too inconsistent over the past few years, and if he gets injured again, no matter how good Noah, Gasol or Gibson is, I don't think they will get past the Cavs (just like they couldn't get past the Heat a few years ago - without Rose).
Shaun Mancini
Roar Pro
Did you just say Boozer is a more defensive guy? The guy that everyone seems to have a joke about in Chicago because how awful he is at it?
Shaun Mancini
Roar Pro
As long as Rose stays healthy I actually think Chicago are the team to beat in the East. I know Cleveland have made all the big moves but i dunno yet, still plenty of questions defensively to answer Then who? Indiana who by losing Paul George have taken a massive step backwards and are now trying to ship Roy Hibbert by reports Miami - will still be ok and had a few solid pick ups after the depature of Lebron but how far can Bosh and whatever is left of Wade take them? Not past Cleveland or Chicago Chicago have pretty much done all they needed to do this off-season. They've continued to be super competitive even with Rose barely playing in 3 seasons. They know Melo would have been great but wasn't the end of the world. Gasol was a excellent plan B pick up, adds some offensive punch to a already excellent defencive team. If he can play 65+ games he's a great signing. They drafted well with McDermott who again will add more offence off the bench. We already know what Rose can do, Noah was brilliant last season and so was Gibson. Taj Gibson might even still be underrated. This guy came second to Jamel Crawford in 6th man of the year award last season. He was also the reason Boozer stopped playing any part in 4th Qtrs. Just like every other team they still have questions to be answered though. How will Rose hold up? How will Gasol hold up? Will Tibs burn them out? Do they have enough offence now? I still think they are in a better position then any other East team.
Jason Pollock
Roar Guru
Losing Augustin will hurt, but I think Hinrich brings more to the table from the guard spot, and has proven himself more reliable than D.J. over the past few years. I think players like Butler and Gibson can become more consistent with time, and seeing how quickly players like Tony Snell have developed in just a year, the future looks bright for both McDermott and Bairstow. Thanks Tiarne!
Tiarne Swersky
Roar Guru
I agree, the East will come down to the Cavs and Bulls. DJ Augstin signing with Detroit will be a loss - he was huge for them last season in the absence of Rose and Hinrich. Perhaps they need to sign a pure scorer with experience - to help Rose and Gasol. In the past Rip Hamilton and Nate Robinson have been effective but inconsistent at this role. Doug McDermott will have a good rookie season and will provide scoring but he is inexperienced and like any rook, will need time to develop. Good article! With the West stacked with talent, hopefully the East can match up this season.
Jason Pollock
Roar Guru
I agree Ryan. I think if it comes down to the Cavs and the Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Cavs 'Big 3' (LeBron, Kyrie, K-Love) will get it done against the Bulls 'Big 3' (D-Rose, Noah, Gasol). I think both teams have a wealth of talent, and the Bulls probably have better role players and a better bench than the Cavs (although the Cavs bench is full of trusted veterans), but history has shown before that when the Bulls come up against LeBron and co., they just can't get it done.
Jason Pollock
Roar Guru
The Bulls are definitely focusing on their offense with their new acquisitions, and are hoping their rookies develop into defensive playmakers. I agree about the health - if they're pushed too hard, they will break down, and if D-Rose gets injured, their hopes will be dashed for another subsequent year. They definitely have a bench that can step up and contribute, Coach Thibodeau just has to utilise them now.
Ryan
Guest
I am just not sold on the Bulls. I cant quite put my finger on why, but I just cant see them winning it all. If the Cavs end up being good enough to make the Eastern Conference finals, I would still back Lebron & co. to get it done against this Bulls roster.
astro
Guest
The Bulls will be interesting to watch... They could have quite a new identity this year, as they're essentially replacing to more defensive guys (ie. Deng and The Booze) with two more offensive guys in McBuckets and Gasol. How that will work out, will be interesting to see. For the record, I still worry about their health. If Tibs runs these guys into the ground again, Rose and Gasol won't make it to the playoffs in tact, and Butler and Noah will be running on fumes. Tibs has to get his bench playing more valuable minutes, which I'm hoping is good news for Cam Bairstow! Go Cam!