A Full Blown Chicago Bulls Revival
It is no secret that the Chicago Bulls are off to an unprecedented hot start. Starting off this year with a 4-0 record for the first time since Michael Jordan went on to claim his 5th ring in the 1996-97 NBA season. The first 4 opponents they faced this year had a combined record of 2-11, so many attributed this to their strength of schedule, but with their statement comeback victory on the road over a proven team like the Boston Celtics, it is safe to say that this team is here to stay.
When you talk about the Chicago Bulls nowadays it is hard not to mention Zach Lavine. Since coming to the Bulls in 2016 via the blockbuster trade that sent Jimmy Butler to Minnesota (The Timberwolves must be kicking themselves still) Lavine has posted 23+ PPG in all but one season with the team. He has solidified himself as one of the most prolific scorers in the NBA today. However, no one has ever been able to do it all by themselves. There is a reason that in the last three seasons where Lavine was a certified all star, the Bulls failed to make the playoffs. The man needed help. And finally, the Chicago Bulls heard his cries.
The additions of Nikola Vucevic (Last Year), DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso, and Lonzo Ball have given this team a depth they haven’t had since the Derrick Rose MVP days. Vucevic showed what he is capable of last year averaging a consistent 21 points and 11 boards a game. DeMar DeRozan looks like he found the fountain of youth in the offseason, as he is averaging 25.6 points per game, which he has only been able to do one other time in his 12 year career! Alex Caruso is a fan favorite and seems to be giving that MJ guy a run for his money (Kidding). For all intents and purposes, Caruso is a real serviceable NBA rotation player who gives the Bulls a lockdown perimeter presence that they didn’t have last year. And finally, my favorite addition they made in the offseason, Lonzo Ball. I am so happy to see him in a situation where he can just simply win basketball games. No drama, just basketball. One of a dying breed, Ball gives the Bulls stability as a traditional point guard. Extra passes, playmaking, hustle, court vision, and most surprisingly shooting are all tangible things Lonzo brings to the table.
We all know that playoff basketball is very different from regular season basketball. The game slows down, there is more half court play, and less transition. The real teams get funneled in and the fake teams get weeded out. This team seems to have all the right ingredients to make a deep run come postseason time.