What's Considered a Successful Season for the Chicago Bulls in 2010-11?
After the Chicago Bulls had one of the most successful offseasons in team history, many fans and experts are expecting some big things out of the Bulls this season.
Some expectations have been a little too high, such as pegging the Bulls as title contenders, which I firmly believe they are not. But there are still some expectations that are certainly attainable.ย
So what do the Bulls need to accomplish in 2010-2011 for themselves to consider the season a success?
Well, I'm here to tell you that now.
Let's get into it. ย
Lead the League in Rebounds
1 of 6
This one should be a given.ย
The Bulls led the league in rebounding last year with a frontline of just Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, Luol Deng and Brad Miller.ย
Now, with one of the most successful offseasons in team history complete, the Bulls added glass eater Carlos Boozer, who led the entire league in rebounds during the playoffs and also finished top five in rebounds last season. Boozer and Noah are both double-digit rebounders and should be the ones mainly responsible for Chicago's rebounding prowess.ย
The Bulls also added Kurt Thomas, who essentially replaces Brad Miller. Thomas may be a better fit for the Bulls in terms of rebounding, as Miller floated around the perimeter far too much for a big man.ย
The Bulls also brought over Omer Asik, a foreign big man from Turkey. Asik has been impressive in the preseason, racking up numerous double-digit rebounding games. Also the Bulls added Brian Scalabrine, who may not be a great rebounder, but is still a big body.ย
50 Plus Wins in the Regular Season
2 of 6
This is a pretty fair expectation, considering the Bulls have been tapped by some as actual title contenders.ย
And if the Bulls really are title contenders, then 50 plus wins are needed to finish at the top of the Eastern Conference and get home-court advantage for the playoffs.ย
They've got some tough games to start the season and all without their recently signed All-Star PF Carlos Boozer, which could lead to them having a slow start.
But if the Bulls are able to hold down the fort until Boozer is back, it could payย dividends as they will look to make a major push near the start of the new year.ย
The Bulls should have enough time and they certainly have enough talent to win 50 plus games this season.
Anything less would be a disappointment. ย
Fourth Seed or Better
3 of 6
This goes hand-in-hand with the last slide.
In order for the Bulls to lock up at least the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference, they will need to win more than 50 games.ย
The top three seeds in the Eastern Conference will all have between 53-62 wins, as they're expected to be Miami, Orlando and Boston.ย
The Hawks won 53 games last year, and they're returning with their same core players, with a few minor changes.ย
Milwaukee will also look to improve upon it's successful 46-game season.ย
So the Bulls need to realize that they have some serious competition for that fourth spot. They're not quite in the East's elite, but they are in the second tier with Atlanta and Milwaukee.ย
Win the First Round
4 of 6
This is another expectation that should be a given.ย
As currently constructed, the Bulls are definitely a first-round playoff team.ย
If they rack up 50 plus wins and lock up the fourth seed as expected, then the Bulls will be in good position to eliminate the fifth seed, whoever that may be.
I won't expand too much on this expectation because if the Bulls fail to win their first-round series, then the season will be considered an epic failure, and the Bulls players better be ready to hear the criticism.ย
Put Up a Major Fight in Second Round
5 of 6
Here's where it gets a little tricky because if and when the Bulls win their first-round series, they will be put up against major competition by facing the winner of the first/eighth series winner, which is expected to be either Miami or Orlando (Boston won't be first seed).ย
Once,the Bulls win their series, they should look to use that momentum to put up a majorย fight versus their second-round opponent.ย
Taking their second-round opponent to either six or seven games will allow the Bulls to gain the confidence they need to take their game to the next level in the following season when Boston will have faded out and they will stand atop the East with the likes of Miami and Orlando.ย
The Bulls have a ton of pressure on them this season and will look to meet some demanding expectations to satisfy their fans and the NBA world.ย
A Little Too Optimistic
6 of 6
Joakim Noah makes the All-Star Team: The Bulls have two All-Stars on their team, and Noah isn't one of them. And that probably won't change this season as well. As good as Noah has been, he's not All-Star worthy. Unless some major injuries occur on the Eastern All-Star team, Noah will be on the outside looking in.ย
Tom Thibodeau wins Coach of the Year: The new head coach for the Bulls hasย receivedย some serious praise from players and fellow members of the coaching staff for his coaching prowess. However, he's got some major pressure on him to perform this season, and it's just not realistic to expect Thibodeau to have this team gel right away, especially with a majority of their team having newer players. Boozer will also be out for a while and that will hurt Thibodeau's chances.ย
Bulls win the Eastern Conference Finals : There is a good chance that this will not happen as the Bulls, in its current state, are not better than Miami, Orlando andย certainlyย not better than Boston. Maybe in a year or two, but not this season.ย
Bulls win the NBA Finals: Never say never, but not happening.ย
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
