Chicago Bulls Preview

After last year's performance against the Celtics in the playoffs, the Bulls will look to build off that and compete for the 4th seed in the East. Getting rid of Ben Gordon in the off season was the best thing they could of done for the future. Not only does that give them more cap room for the monstrous 2010 free agency but it also allows Derrick Rose to develop into an All-star. In order for the Bulls to compete in the East they are going to need John Salmons and Luol Deng to produce more on the offensive end.

Three players that I expect to have breakout years are Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson. Rose has worked on his shot all summer and has even added 15 lbs to his already muscular frame. Noah also hit the weights this off season and throughout preseason has looked like he developed a nice right hook. When the Bulls first drafted Gibson I was not impressed, but after watching him knock down shot after shot in the preseason it made me think of Horace Grant. He gives the Bulls more depth at the forward position and potentially a low post scorer that the Bulls have lacked since Elton Brand. The Bulls starting lineup consists of:

PG Derrick Rose (6-3)
SG John Salmons (6-6)
SF Luol Deng (6-9)
PF Tyrus Thomas ( 6-10)
C Joakim Noah ( 7-0)

This lineup will cause a lot of problems for teams that are small at the guard position. In addition to that, this is a much better defensive group than last year's starting lineup. Del Negro has even played with the idea of going even bigger by using this lineup:

PG Derrick Rose (6-3)
SG Luol Deng (6-9)
SF Tyrus Thomas (6-10)
PF Brad Miller (6-11)
C Joakim Noah (7-0)

Predictions: 50-32, 4th seed in the East. Derrick Rose will be in Dallas for the All-star game. Taj Gibson will be in contention for Rookie of the Year.

Worries: There are two ways in which the Bulls will not live up to their expectations. The obvious one is injuries and the other is Coach Vinny Del Negro. Del Negro may be the worst game coach in the history of the NBA. I have never seen a coach call worse plays at the end of the game. For example, Game 6, 5 seconds left in OT, he gives the ball to Brad Miller at half court. Not to mention that Miller blew the game before by missing two free throws at the end of the game. What does Doc Rivers do? He has his best shooter (Ray Allen) come off two screens at the top of the key to hit the game-winning three. Rarely will the Bulls get outplayed this year, but they will get out-coached many times this year that will lead to losses.