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Chicago Bulls 2014-15 Preview

1K views 13 replies 7 participants last post by  yodurk 
#1 ·
Over the next three weeks, I’ll be posting full 2014-15 previews for all 30 NBA teams over at CelticsBlog.com in SBNation's annual team preview project. Each article includes a breakdown of last season, a recap of the team’s summer, a full depth chart, keys to this season and predicted standings. This morning, the project kicked off with the Chicago Bulls and will be followed up with the Denver Nuggets this afternoon.

Snippet:

X-FACTOR – Derrick Rose
There is no secret here. The number one key to Chicago advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1998 is the health of Derrick Rose. As we’ve already eluded to, the Bulls have been forced to attempt their last three postseason runs with their best player on the sidelines in a suit. If Rose can bounce back and reestablish himself as an All-Star ballplayer, this team is going to be scary, but the only way this group can ever maximize their potential is if Derrick Rose is still Derrick Rose.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2014-15
If you’re a Chicago Bulls fan, you’ve got to be excited about the chance to regain form as a legitimate contender. The general consensus throughout the basketball world is that the Bulls pose the biggest threat to LeBron James and his Cavaliers for the Eastern Conference crown. Even if Rose isn’t quite himself, the Bulls certainly improved their roster over the summer. The additions of Pau Gasol, Doug McDermott and Nikola Mirotic significantly upgrades their frontcourt rotation and arsenal of weaponry to complement their elite defensive prowess.

With or without Rose at 100%, the 2014-15 Bulls are going to be one heck of a team that may very well have the best chance of keeping Cleveland out of the Finals. There are no guarantees and anything can happen but barring another catastrophic injury, it is probably safe to peg the Bulls as a top two team in the East.

PREDICTED STANDINGS
2nd – Central Division
2nd – Eastern Conference
FULL ARTICLE --- CHICAGO BULLS 2014-15 PREVIEW - CAN DERRICK ROSE BOUNCE BACK?

What do you guys think of the Bulls this season? What are your expectations? Will Rose bounce back?
 
#2 ·
The preview is nicely done.

In my mind the main point of the review, is that with the new talent on the Bulls, there is a real chance at a championship, if Rose is back in form by the time the playoffs come around.

Barring injuries, I completely agree.

Further, I think that the experience with USA basketball this summer will prove to be very helpful in Derrick building his game back up to its former level. Since the USA games ended, he has had a chance to get some more rest and then start training camp tomorrow (Tuesday, the 30th).

I am confident that coach Thibodeau kept a careful watch on Derrick's play with the USA team and has a plan ready for Derrick's continued recovery. Training camp should be a very productive time for the Bulls.
 
#3 ·
Thank you very much for the kind words, my man. I appreciate it.

The run with Team USA was definitely big for Rose. He didn't play particularly well, but nobody should have expected him to. Rose is much better off going through that than trying to pick it up this month. That would have been even tougher.

If Rose never returns to form, it won't be due to lack of effort. He wants it, and I'm rooting for him in a big way.
 
#6 ·
Nice write up! With this team it always comes down to the dreaded "will they be healthy" question. There is no worse way to have a season go down than to lose a championship opportunity because a guy goes down or you can't establish any rhythm when guys are constantly in or out of the rotation.

Aside from that, this is IMO the most talented Bulls team we've had in the post-MJ era. They might not reach the 62 wins of a few years ago, but they are more talented and well-rounded, and could be more dangerous in a playoff series because of that. I see them as being a top 5 defense and top 10 offense this year. Compared to last year we have Rose, Gasol, Mirotic, McDermott, & Aaron Brooks...all those guys are lethal scorers on any given night.
 
#7 ·
I see them as being a top 5 defense and top 10 offense this year.
If the Bulls can achieve a top 10 offense this season, they will approach 60 wins.
 
#8 ·
At full strength, Bulls are clearly a better team than Cavs! Cavs are a terrible defensive team.

Chicago had a good offseason.

Derrick Rose, Pau Gasol, Nikola Mirotic and Doug McDermott are impressive additions to a team that already includes Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, Jimmy Butler and Mike Dunleavy.
 
#10 ·
Bleachreport projected:

Bulls 58 wins

Cavs 54 wins.

It is easy to be a title contender in the east.

Clippers are no way close to Title Contenders because they have a good chance to get swept if they meet Spurs in the first round of the playoffs.
 
#11 ·
if rose is back to his old form this is a 60+ wins team but with their roster imbalance its hard to seriously consider them contenders for a title until they shore up the swingman positions , right now its just jimmy and either unprovens or people who have proven they are not good enough.
 
#12 ·
McBuckets pretty much needs to succeed as an NBA player for the 3 spot to be held down sufficiently. This is definitely the soft spot in a roster otherwise loaded up at the small and big positions.

I suppose the expectation is that Dunleavy will man the 3, with Jimmy sliding over for some backup minutes, and then McBuckets getting what he earns. I'd like to see him take the starting slot, but knowing Thibs, that will be a tall order for a rookie.
 
#14 ·
I think McDermott will be a plus and will be an exception to that rule. Rookies don't get a whole lot more NBA ready than him. He is incredibly smart and has an elite skill this team needs. And it's not like he will be thrust into being the focal point of the team's offense on day 1. He is being put into a position to succeed immediately (as a shooter...not a volume scorer).

Much of this can be said of Mirotic as well, with him being 23 yrs old and years of pro experience under his belt already. However Mirotic is IMO more vulnerable to the rookie trend. Part of that is cultural shock, the other part is the position he plays. I think he has alot of learning and strength building work to do with the big man skills we need of him.
 
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