Chicago Bulls Season Preview – NBA Predictions
The Bulls locked up MVP Derrick Rose with a long-term contract and Chicago will be back in the mix for the NBA title this season, but there are some question marks.
to win NBA title: +750
Odds to win Eastern Conference: +340
Odds to win Central Division: -1250
They made a great off-season move pickup up Rip Hamilton and if he can gel in the backcourt with Rose the Bulls will be tough to beat. Still, Carlos Boozer did not have the best season and he was injured for much of the campaign and the team will need his scoring and rebounding to get past the Heat, which they could not do last season.
The Bulls did not lose much in the off-season and they will be almost the same team as last season. The Bulls ranked 2nd in the NBA last season in rebounds per game and had the league’s 2nd ranked defense, but only ranked 20th in scoring. Last season’s Eastern Conference finals facing the Heat showed that Rose cannot do it all and Hamilton, Boozer, and Luol Deng have to help Rose out. Deng may be the key and he does not get much press, but averaged 17.4 ppg last season and when he went for at least 20 points Chicago was 22-5.
Joakim Noah had a great season averaging a double-double and with his energy he is the heart-and-soul of the team. Him and Boozer are a formidable frontcourt, but each needs to stay healthy this season, especially when the post-season rolls around. Hamilton will not only help Rose out in the backcourt, but also Kyle Korver, who will have more open looks from beyond the 3-point arc. If Rip does not start he will come off the bench and Ronnie Brewer may get the starting nod. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The one player that the Bulls did lose that may hurt them is Kurt Thomas. The big man was a great defensive presence and a solid leader and somebody needs to step up and be the tough guy in the lineup and I think that has to be Boozer. 7-foot center Omer Asik was injured for much of last season, but he may have a breakout season and the Bulls could really use his inside play.
Chicago Bulls Projected Starting Lineup
PG Derrick Rose 25.5 ppg 7.7 apg
SG Ronnie Brewer 6.2 ppg 3.2 rpg
SF Luol Deng 17.4 ppg 5.8 rpg
PF Carlos Boozer 17.5 ppg 9.6 rpg
C Joakim Noah 11.7 ppg 10.4 rpg
Who’s In
Jimmy Butler (Draft No. 30)
Nikola Mirotic (Draft No. 23)
Richard Hamilton (from Pistons)
Brian Scalabrine (re-signed)
Who’s Out
Rasual Butler (to Raptors)
Kurt Thomas (to Blazers)
Outlook: The Bulls are a legit title contender, but I do not think they will get past the Heat in the Eastern Conference. I see the Bulls making it to the conference finals, but that’s it.
Projected Win Total – 43 (out of 66 games)
