Now that the dust is settling from FA season in the NBA, it’s time to look at the Bulls from top to bottom. Does this team have enough to bring #7 to Chicago?
Let’s start with the starting lineup… Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler, Mike Dunleavy, Joakim Noah, Pau Gasol. That’s not a bad place to start… I’m not sure that will be the starting lineup for the entire season, but my bet is that is opening night. Dunleavy will initially be the starter because of his experience, and his one year history in the Thibs system. He really isn’t a starter in the NBA; he’s definitely more of a 6th man type guy, a role player. Who will snag this position from him, and how soon will it happen? There are plenty of candidates…
Remember Keith Bogans? He remained the starter even though we all knew he wasn’t a starter, and that worked pretty well for the most part. The top candidates to replace Dun at the 3 are Mirotic and McDermott. They are both rookies in this league, and that will not help them get into the starting lineup any time soon under Thibs. With Mirotic, here’s a 6’10” 230 lb beanstalk that will definitely have to add muscle to have an extended career in the NBA. I’m pegging him at the 3 because he does shoot treys… a 40% shooter from 3 pt land. When looking at his stats from Spain, I didn’t see much beyond the points and treys. He doesn’t pass the ball; he averaged less than 1 assist per game. He’ll have to learn that. I imagine he’ll have to learn how to play defense. Do they play defense in the Euro leagues? I’m ready to see him play in the NBA, but I’m not expecting instant greatness, if ever. With Dougie, you have another 3 point threat who can fill it up… in college, and apparently in the NBA summer league, as he poured in 31 points in his first game. Let’s say he averages 25+ in the summer league… does that move him into the starting lineup? Either way, I’m liking the way the this year’s bench mob is looking.
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I love Thibs. I think he is an awesome coach. He’s old school, and I appreciate that. He’s stubborn, which is a good thing, but hopefully doesn’t turn into a bad thing. I think you need to be stubborn to stick to what you believe in at this level; you believe in your system, and stick to it because of successes you have had. I just don’t want him to turn into Lovie Smith. Different personality for sure, but Lovie was stubborn also. He stuck to that cover 2 until death do us part. We had lots of success with it, but I don’t think enough adjustments were made in the end, and we never won the ultimate prize under him because of that. I think Thibs needs to stick to his guns, but at the same time, I think he needs to utilize the depth that this year’s Bulls team will have. Let’s not burn our guys out in the regular season, especially the key guys. Let’s see what M&M off the bench can do. Let’s see if Tony takes the next step a la Jimmy Buckets in year 2. Regardless of who else the Bulls roster to complete the team, we got 10 guys that can play some ball. Let’s use them wisely Thibs; you actually have some options this year.
With all the other changes, or at least the one big change with LBJ going back to Cleveland, the East is up for grabs; there is no prohibitive favorite. My belief, although you can argue is biased, is that the Bulls are the favorite to win the East. No matter what happens with players 2-10, or 11-15, it’s all about #1. Without at healthy #1, we’ll have deja vu all over again. Can you imagine a Bulls team that stays healthy for 82 games? A Bulls team that is healthy and clicking on all cylinders come playoff time? I can, and that’s why I can picture #7. That’s why I believe that we have an exciting season ahead of us, with a trophy of gold at the end of that rainbow. You heard it here first: Chicago Bulls 2015 NBA Champs.
Paul Connelly
Taj better be happy with the money he is making. He could be thwe highest paid player in the NBA coming off the fing bench!