2014-2015 Review

Per usual, the Chicago Bulls teased fans into believing they could overcome the onslaught of LeBron James for the first time since the LeBron vs. Bulls rivalry started years ago as LeBron was a member of the Miami Heat. Earning the third seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs, the Bulls disposed of the Bucks, only to then lose to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round. The bright spot for the Bulls came with a Most Improved Player Award for Jimmy Butler

New Additions

Bobby Portis

The Bulls first-round draft pick was the most Bulls pick possible. Portis exemplifies everything the Bulls stand for, clean the glass, play hard defense, and put in the work. As Gasol, Noah, and Gibson are all aging, and have their share of injury concerns, Portis is a great investment for the future of the Bulls to pair alongside Nikola Mirotic

Fred Hoiberg

Hoiberg enters his first season as an NBA head coach with a team desperate for offense. Hoiberg was lead Iowa State to four consecutive seasons to a March Madness appearance. 

Key Losses

Tom Thibodeau

The awful relationship between Thibs and the Bull’s front office is no secret. Thibs commanded much from his players, which lead to strained relationships between a front office wanting to save the legs of its players. With Thibs gone, the Bulls will have to find a new identity. 

Biggest Strength

Experience

The Bulls starting lineup has seen it all at this point. The entire cast are either veterans, or in Jimmy Butler’s case, becoming one very fast. This experience goes along way during the dog days of spring when teams start to lose themselves. The Bulls find ways to turn it one and fight throughout the playoffs. This year should be no different.

Biggest Weakness

Father Time

Last season was the absolute best chance for this Chicago Bulls team to make it the NBA Finals. LeBron James, who lost Kevin Love before the second round playoff series, had arguably his weakest supporting cast around him in a few years. The Eastern Conference was notoriously weak, as evidence by the Atlanta Hawk’s downfall in the Easter Conference Finals. If the Bulls could’ve squeezed by the Cavs, they would have beat that Hawks team as well. This season, the East looks to be rejuvenated and that is bad news for a team that’s best chance at a title run as come and gone. 

Bottom Line

We know what this Bulls era is about, strength, heart, and disappointment. All things considered, this is still one of the best teams in the NBA. The talent and experience of the Bulls all but guarantees a favorable playoff seed this season. Injures always find a way to stymie the Bulls progress at some point, but this team is resilient and will find its way deep into the playoffs. 

Fantasy Slant

Most Overrated

Derrick Rose

Rose is my favorite player today, and along with most NBA fans, I yearn to see the old Rose once again. That Rose is gone, but it doesn’t mean flashes of his brilliance aren’t greatly appreciated. For fantasy purposes, flashes aren’t good enough. Consistency, poor shooting, and random DNP’s should worry fantasy owners. Some owners may be caught in the allure of what could be with Rose in a new offense, but point guard pool is so deep that owners can find production

somewhere safer. 

Most Underrated

Pau Gasol

As I type this article, FIBA’s European semi-finals have just concluded with a Spain victory over France. Gasol finishes with 40 PTS and 11 REBS while being guarded by the “Stifle Tower” Rudy Gobert. Even with this monstrous performance, and great statistics last season, Gasol doesn’t get enough love. The All-Star big man deserves your number one power forward roster position. 

Biggest Surprise

Doug McDermott

What do you get when you combine one of the most prolific scorers in NCAA basketball history and coach who knows how to use him? You get Doug McDermott as a breakthrough candidate for fantasy basketball. McBuckets was plagued by an injury last season, and played very little. An underrated athlete, McDermott could blossom this season as great bench scorer who starts to threaten Mike Dunleavy for a starting job. Ball movement was non-existent under Thibs, but with Hoiberg at the reigns, McDermott could be on the receiving end of off-ball screens meant for him to take advantage of. Look for McDermott to be a breakout candidate this season.