Revamped Chicago Bulls Set Up Successful Blueprint to Exceed Expectations
The Cleveland Cavaliers weren't the only team in the Eastern Conference whose roster made strides this summer.
In more subdued fashion, the Chicago Bulls made moves, too. And their most important acquisition—a healthy Derrick Rose—didn't require any moves at all.
After playing a total of 49 games over the course of the last three seasons, the 26-year-old's return to form is the first step in the team's broader preparations for the 2014-15 campaign, which also include integrating 13-year veteran Pau Gasol along with rookies Doug McDermott and Nikola Mirotic.
As the offense's primary engine and a former MVP, everything starts with Rose. The Bulls will go as he goes, which means—if everything goes according to plan—they may go far.
"As far as my game, I think I'm fine," Rose recently told reporters:
"My nerves have calmed down a little bit more. It will just take game time playing. Push the ball. If they give me an open shot, take the shot. Read the game and see what the game is telling me. I think when I was trying to force things [last year], it made me look bad. So this time just letting the game come to me a little bit more.
"
The three-time All-Star was underwhelming during his stint with Team USA at the FIBA World Cup in Spain this summer. Through nine games, he averaged just 4.8 points and 3.1 assists in 17.1 minutes per contest, converting on an especially poor 25.4 percent of his field-goal attempts.
That will change.
The more important takeaway from FIBA was an opportunity to gradually adjust to competition against real opponents.
"He'll be able to handle the contact, he's just gotta get used to it again," head coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters after Chicago's fourth day of practice. "That's why the USA basketball stuff was so important for him. The more he does it, the better it is for him. The more you're starting to see the rust come off."
Thibodeau was an assistant coach for Team USA, so he had a front-row seat for Rose's return to action.
If he's optimistic, we probably should be, too. And he isn't the only one painting a rosy picture.
"Really good," reigning Defensive Player of the Year Joakim Noah added of Rose's practice performances. "He's looking really good. Finishing well, making his shots, being very vocal running the team. We just need Derrick to be aggressive. I just like the way everything's looking."
Despite the best-laid plans, things could go wrong. The Bulls know this all too well. Much as Rose may seem due some better luck, the idea of "setbacks" doesn't even begin to describe his succession of disastrous injuries.
And after missing a combined 55 games over the last two seasons, Gasol may be another cause for concern.
"It's only about staying healthy," Rose recently told the media. "If we keep [Gasol] healthy, we know we can have a good year. It's all about being healthy."
Best-laid plans tend to turn out even better with a little good luck. Chicago's ability to exceed already lofty expectations will require some of that luck and more.
Rapid development of rookie talent certainly wouldn't hurt too.
The 23-year-old Mirotic was actually drafted in 2011 before spending additional time overseas. He's a long power forward who can shoot, a stretch 4 (and more) who could theoretically offer valuable floor spacing when Gasol takes a seat.
"He's going to be a good player," Thibodeau told reporters after the team's first practice. "He has a lot to learn. Take it day-by-day, concentrate on improvement. But he has a lot of pride and great work ethic. ...How much he plays, I don't know. We're going to find out some things early. But I like who he is."
Mirotic has drawn similarly rave reviews from his teammates, and there's no getting past the sense that this is suddenly a much deeper—and versatile—team. With Noah, Gasol, Mirotic and five-year veteran Taj Gibson, the Bulls may have the best front-line rotation in the league.
When measured against the Cavaliers—whose big men remain average—you can begin understanding why Chicago could be more than just a feel-good story.
At minimum, this team could return to the conference finals from which LeBron James ousted them in 2011.
The big question is whether this team's remodeled roster can actually score some points. The Bulls' second-best defensive efficiency of 97.8 points per 100 possessions was offset by an offensive efficiency tied for 27th in the league at 99.7 points per 100 possessions, according to Hollinger Team Stats.
While that trend was good enough to win 48 games and qualify for the playoffs as a No. 4 seed in a weak Eastern Conference, it became an instant liability in the opening round against the Washington Wizards.
The Bulls lacked weapons.
Along with Mirotic, McDermott—taken with the 11th overall pick this June—could help change that.
"I like the way [McDermott] and Nikola come in every day," Thibodeau told reporters last weekend. "I don't know when, but I do believe it's going to happen. They're both great workers, they have a great approach to what we're doing, but it's a big jump. ... And it's not just how they're playing individually, it's how they're playing with the group. The group has to function well when they're on the floor."
It's that much-sought-after connectivity that makes these early days and weeks so pivotal. The Bulls may indeed be more talented this season, but it's their ability to assimilate that talent that will create dividends.
The encouraging news is that there's already a strong foundation in place.
Noah has diversified his game in big ways lately, averaging a career-high 5.4 assists per game last season.
Jimmy Butler is coming into his fourth season with all kinds of breakout potential. In his 38.7 minutes per game a season ago, he proved a reliable two-way threat who should become a natural backcourt partner for Rose.
And 12-year veteran Mike Dunleavy became the perfect role player on Chicago's wing last season and is a polished shooter who will continue to play significant minutes this season.
This roster didn't undergo a radical overhaul. There's a solid foundation in place, one already familiar with Thibodeau's system.
But the reinforcements couldn't have come at a better time.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
