Chicago ended the season with a league-best 62-20 record last season, but would be defeated by the dominant Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals. Rookie head coach Tom Thibodeau modified the mindset of the team and changed them into one of the NBA’s top defensive squads with a relentless and punishing effort on the defensive side of the floor. Star point guard Derrick Rose had a terrific year, becoming the youngest MVP winner in league history, while Tom Thibodeau won Coach of the Year honors in his first season as head coach of Chicago. What the Bulls require to boost their team is to find a consistent scoring option to assist Rose. The lack of a dependable second scorer is what did them in versus the Heat.
The Bulls did bring on veteran shooting guard Richard Hamilton after searching for different players to upgrade the spot. Hamilton spent nine years with Detroit, and could be just what the Bulls require to make it to the NBA Finals and bring a title back to the Windy City. The signing of Hamilton is no doubt a huge improvement over Keith Bogans. He put up a lowly 4.4 points/game in 82 games for Chicago last year. After having a dispute with Detroit last season and putting up just 14.1 points/game in reduced time, he should help the Bulls with 15-20 points a game and be a scoring threat for Chicago this season.
Accompanying Hamilton in the starting five will be Derrick Rose, Luol Deng, Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer. Rose is the floor general in Chicago and the offense goes through him because of his talent to create for himself and the rest of the team. He was 7th in the NBA with 25 points/game and was 10th in assists with 7.7 a contest. The signing of PF Carlos Boozer was intended to offer a big burst to the offense, but his injuries limited his game and forced him to miss 23 contests last season. Deng continues to grow on offense, and on defense he has been one of the NBA’s best players. If he continues to improve his offensive game, he can become an All-Star as quickly as this year. Noah is the heart and soul of this Chicago team and his defensive talent is exactly what Thibodeau wants for his squad. Noah put up a double-double last season of 11.7 points and 10.4 boards a contest and his defensive intensity is infectuous, easily making up for his deficiencies on offense.
Chicago also boasts a team that has excellent depth in every position, which is what you need to be an elite team in the NBA. Chicago is welcoming back reserves Kyle Korver, Taj Gibson, Omer Asik, C.J. Watson, Ronnie Brewer and rookie Jimmy Butler. Gibson and Asik are great defensively, which allows Chicago to continue to give the opponents fits when the starters go out. Kyle Korver is a deadly shooter from long range that can help Chicago with quick points whenever needed. If rookie forward Jimmy Butler can provide a spark offensively off the bench, then the Bulls will have a much needed boost which something the Bulls lacked last season.
Prediction – 1st Eastern Conference Central Division: With the core players from last season still intact, our NBA predictions have the Bulls comfortably winning the Central division again this season. Their excellent defense will allow them to be right there with Miami and Boston for the No.1 seed in the Eastern Conference. While getting past the Heat and the Celtics obviously won’t be easy, this team has every opportunity to win it all.
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