Chicago Bulls Rumors: 5 Latest Reports That Will Make Bulls Ecstatic

Last season was bittersweet for the Chicago Bulls.

On the one hand, they greatly exceeded expectations, securing the league's best record, winning Derrick Rose the MVP and going to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since the Jordan era. 

On the other hand, they lost in the Eastern Conference Finals. 

Now, after the lockout-extended offseason, we are ready to start a new season, and with the NBA world waking up from their too-long slumber, there are several encouraging reports if you are a Bulls fan.

Here are five good pieces of news to put a smile on the faces of Bulls fans. 

Carlos Boozer Wants to Shut Up the Haters

Carlos Boozer drew the ire of many a Bulls fan last year during the postseason.

Some of it was unfair. He had turf toe during the postseason, and that affected his jumping and ability to get to the rim.

Bear in mind this would be the reality with anyone. 

However, there were some fair criticisms of Boozer as well.

He was injured for much of the season, and a lot of the types of injuries he sustained were an issue of conditioning.

The extra weight he carried made him more susceptible to ankle injuries, and those ankle injuries were affecting him for much of the season. 

Boozer is motivated by the "haters" to get better this year. 

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"It motivates me. First of all, I have high expectations for myself. I'm going to play a lot better than I played last season. The injury with the hand (in training camp) set me back. Then I thought I played well for a month or two. And then I had more injuries."

"Regardless, I will push myself to play better and help my team win. The winning part of it was good last year. We had a great season. But I can play better. And I take criticism head on. I want people to appreciate my game. And I want to be worthy of that appreciation."

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Talk is cheap right? What did he do about it? He got in shape. 

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Boozer said he took four to five weeks directly following the conference finals loss to rest and rehabilitate the turf toe, which he said is fully healed. He said he rode a stationary bicycle for cardiovascular workouts and lifted weights but avoided running and jumping until the toe fully healed.

Once it did, he began working in Miami with his personal trainer and on the court.

"My body feels great," Boozer said. "I'm in great shape, looking forward to getting back with the guys."

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In fact, Boozer has organized the players to get back together for informal workouts before the season starts. It's good to see that he'll be there and be in shape this year.

A trimmer Boozer would mean that the power forward has his explosiveness back and ability to get to the rim. 

Luol Deng Got Better at Dribbling

Luol Deng played in the Euroleague, and in the course of playing for Great Britain, he was the primary ball handler for the team much of the time.

In doing that, his confidence and ball-handling abilities grew significantly.

You don't need to take my word for it though, just watch the clip. He is so much more comfortable handling the ball. 

Deng is never going to be able to drive the ball like LeBron James, but just a bit of extra confidence that allows him to keep his head up, not watching the ball, would make a huge difference in his game. 

Deng saw a huge improvement in his defensive ability last season, and a similar growth in his offensive game would not be a shock this season. 

The Bulls Are Shopping for Wings

So far, there have been reports coming up that the Bulls are in the market for a wing.

The names that have come up include Caron Butler, Brandon Roy and Josh Howard. 

Now, you have to pay careful attention here, because there's a pretty big difference between those names, and there's a reason to be highly encouraged if you're a Bulls fan.

While Butler and Roy are players that will command the mid-level exception, Josh Howard is a player that is going to command the veteran's minimum. 

That indicates to me the Bulls are looking to add not one wing, which most of the conversation has been about, but two. Additionally, they are reportedly looking to re-sign Kurt Thomas. 

Also, players previously considered outside of the MLE of $5 million have suggested that they would be willing to sign for less to play with the Bulls. These players include the likes of Jason Richardson  and Arron Afflalo. 

I am aware that there are a number Bulls beat writers trying to pour cold water on what the Bulls will or can do this free-agent season, but I feel they aren't paying attention to the whole story.

The fact is the Bulls are talking to these agents and they wouldn't be talking if they weren't willing to be paying. More on that on the next slide, though. 

My best guess is that the Bulls add both Jason Richardson and Tracy McGrady, as well as extend the contract of Thomas. 

Jerry Reinsdorf Will Spend into the Luxury Tax

Much of the reason for the skepticism is that the Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf has never spent into the luxury tax.

He has, in the past, stated that he would be willing to pay into the luxury tax if it meant the team had a chance to win a championship. 

Yesterday, he reaffirmed that.

Now, some are going to argue that he hedged a bit in his utterance, saying he would "Give strong consideration to paying the NBA's luxury tax if he could acquire a player who gave the team a reasonable chance to win a championship."

To me, based on the timing it means he's given Gar Foreman a green light.

Now, if the Bulls weren't talking to Caron Butler's agent, you might have a point. Since they are talking to players that are commanding the MLE, though, my thought is they are paying someone the MLE.

Since they are also talking to players who are going to get the veteran's minimum, they are going to sign one of them, too. 

The Bulls will sign not one, but two wings and extend Thomas' contract. Adding a player like Richardson or Butler, or at least of that caliber, will give the Bulls one of the best starting fives in the league.

Last year, they already had one of the best benches, and with another player such as McGrady or Josh Howard, they will be even better this year. 

Making a team that had the best record in the NBA last year better qualifies as "a reasonable chance to win a championship." Reinsedorf will spend into the luxury tax. 

Derrick Rose Is Even Better

The reason to be the most excited is this: Derrick Rose is even better.

Check out this tweet from Sam Aggery of CSN, when he went to interview him.  

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"Derrick looked like he was in shape, jumper looked great and he really made progress on post game. No trainers or other pros, just friends."

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That's right, Rose has gotten even more dangerous, finding out another way to score. 

As though that's not enough, Rose was taking notes from Kobe Bryant on how to score during the offseason.

In their trip to the Philippines, Bryant told him that the best place to score was from the elbow. He was tapping people's brains all offseason.

The reality is that Rose isn't content to be the MVP but not the "best" player in the league. He wants to be the best and he's working toward it.

With a better-conditioned Carlos Boozer, a more confident Luol Deng and better teammates, without money being a concern, they have a great chance at winning the championship this year.

That's got to be enough to put a smile on your face if you're a Bulls fan.