Through the early part of the season, the Bulls were headed in a predictable direction. After trading Jimmy Butler, not re-signing Rajon Rondo and negotiating a buyout with Dwyane Wade, last year’s “Three Alphas” were gone and Chicago seemed headed for a high lottery pick with a 3-20 record.
But things changed quickly when Nikola Mirotic returned from facial fractures he picked up in a preseason skirmish with teammate Bobby Portis. The Bulls put together a seven-game winning streak that included a victory over the East-leading Celtics. That streak has been stopped with back-to-back losses at Cleveland and Boston, but Chicago entered the night just six and a half games out of a playoff spot with plenty of time left to make a run.
Another key to the turnaround has been point guard Kris Dunn, one of the pieces acquired from Minnesota in the Butler deal. He’s averaging 13.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists on the season and has hit double figures in scoring in 12 of his last 13 games. Dunn is showing flashes of the player he was expected to be when the Wolves took him with the fifth pick in the 2016 draft.
Among the believers is Celtics coach Brad Stevens, who raved about Chicago’s improvement before tonight’s game. “The last 10 games they’ve been unbelievable,” he said. “Like, they’ve been fun to watch and their half-court offense has been the best in the NBA.”
Looming on the horizon is the Chicago debut of Zach LaVine, the high-flying guard who was also acquired in the Butler deal. The Bulls have been cautious about his recovery from a torn ACL last season, but he is expected to be ready in early January. LaVine was posting a career-high 18.9 points per game before the injury.
With Chicago suddenly playing like a contender, we want to know what you think. Do the Bulls have enough talent to challenge for a playoff spot or will they fade back to the bottom of the East? Please leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
Ok the east is week but could make playoffs but stil need 1 big player
*weak…
It really depends on what Lavine is when he gets back.. Is he a #1 option or is he just a good role player. The Bulls roster is loaded with good young role guys. Can they find the #1 option if Lavine isn’t it?
Reminds me of the pre IT Celtics.
Very reminiscent of the Heat from last year. They might play just well enough to get to the bottom of the lottery.
Thanks for Jordan Bell!
I did not notice that sale during drafting days, then shortly after it was suddenly kind of horrifying. But I’m sure not for a GSW fan!
Trading and drafting generally optimizes the careers of the traded or drafted. Bauble-collecting may not. It is surely a fine line if a line at all. GSW has a right to improve themselves at the apparent expense of an (intentionally bumbling) opponent using the draft to “build equity” rather than building their roster. I was researching this and found this picture caption from espn: “Cash considerations did not help the Bulls against jordan-bell and the [GSW]. AP”. It seems Bell & GSW was having fun making light of the situation (and winning). GSW always seem to have the right idea.
The Bulls players seem to be taking their cues from a Mirotic/Portis redemption tour. That fuel may not last but it’s a good environment for Dunn & LaVine to return to.
link to espn.com
Cue Strauss saying “who cares” or crying about Reinsdorf
For real at what? They don’t even have a playoff spot.
No one has a playoff spot yet.
That’s the point of the article. Are they for real? 7 wins in a row until two loses to the two best teams in the east, plus arguably their best player on the way in a couple of weeks.
The Bulls are for real at playing themselves out of lottery picks, then falling apart towards the end of the season. Seen this before, and it’s gotten old.
Being a mediocre team in the NBA is one of the worst things to be. To your point the team will languish at .500 for years with no signs of hope. Better to crash and get a lottery ticket.
To early to say. I think the Butler trade was definitely healthy/productive for both sides.
The East as a whole is becoming more competitive. But it’s all Cleveland this year