Chicago Bulls’ Step-by-Step Guide to the Offseason
If you’re hoping for an exciting Chicago Bulls offseason, you’ll be deeply disappointed.
The team doesn’t have the money to sign a top-notch free agent, and it’s not going to pull off any blockbuster trades.
There has been speculation, a la Grantland’s Bill Simmons, of a deal that would send the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Kevin Love to Chicago. While a squad featuring Derrick Rose, Love and Joakim Noah would be fun to watch, a major transaction like that just isn’t in the cards for the Bulls.
Rose and Noah are basically untouchable. Luol Deng and Jimmy Butler aren’t going anywhere either unless a trade offer emerges that the Bulls can’t turn down.
Also, Carlos Boozer won’t be amnestied, especially after a solid season. The Bulls could let him go next summer, though.
Will Nate Robinson or Marco Belinelli be bought back? What about Nazr Mohammed?
And who should the Bulls draft with their first-round pick—a center or shooting guard?
This slideshow lists the team’s offseason decisions in the order they will be addressed as well as how they will be handled.
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Chicago Bulls’ Step-by-Step Guide to the Offseason
If you’re hoping for an exciting Chicago Bulls offseason, you’ll be deeply disappointed.
The team doesn’t have the money to sign a top-notch free agent, and it’s not going to pull off any blockbuster trades.
There has been speculation, a la Grantland’s Bill Simmons, of a deal that would send the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Kevin Love to Chicago. While a squad featuring Derrick Rose, Love and Joakim Noah would be fun to watch, a major transaction like that just isn’t in the cards for the Bulls.
Rose and Noah are basically untouchable. Luol Deng and Jimmy Butler aren’t going anywhere either unless a trade offer emerges that the Bulls can’t turn down.
Also, Carlos Boozer won’t be amnestied, especially after a solid season. The Bulls could let him go next summer, though.
Will Nate Robinson or Marco Belinelli be bought back? What about Nazr Mohammed?
And who should the Bulls draft with their first-round pick—a center or shooting guard?
This slideshow lists the team’s offseason decisions in the order they will be addressed as well as how they will be handled.
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Ranking the Chicago Bulls’ Most Likely NBA Free Agency Moves
The Chicago Bulls don’t have a lot of cap room to make a big splash this offseason, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be a few changes.
Upcoming free agents like Nate Robinson and Marco Belinelli increased their value with their great performances during the regular season and playoffs, so it might not be possible to re-sign both players.
There’s also the possibility of bringing in some new faces. The Bulls need a big man on their bench, and they’ll need some backup 2-guards and someone to spell Luol Deng.
Chicago might not make a ton of noise, but there are more than a few moves—both in-house and on the market—they could make.
Rankings will be based on the likelihood of the signing.
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Analyzing the Chicago Bulls’ 2013 NBA Draft Needs
The Chicago Bulls are either an ideal landing spot for 2013 NBA draft prospects or a nightmarish destination to begin one’s pro career.
On the one hand, joining Chicago means becoming a part of one of the league’s most proud franchises and a club that’s still just scratching the surface of its potential. The Bulls just won 45 regular-season games without Derrick Rose and should be clawing their way back to the league’s elite ranks.
On the other hand, a playoff-proven rotation isn’t always the easiest to crack for a rookie. And Tom Thibodeau‘s rotation runs thinner than most, as Chicago reserves logged the third-fewest minutes in the league this season (14.4 via HoopsStats.com).
System and opportunity are two of the most oft-cited factors in determining a rookie’s effective transition to the realm of the professional sports world. So before any potential pick can take an optimistic or pessimistic view of Chicago as a future surrounding, the onus is on the Bulls’ brass to identify draft targets who fit Thibodeau‘s system and will have the opportunity to maximize their potential.
But before even identifying any potential draft targets, the Bulls must first target areas of need on their current roster.
Chicago is clearly lacking in two areas as currently constructed: low-post scoring and perimeter shooting.
The Bulls averaged 36.7 points in the paint this season (19th in the league) and converted just 46.8 percent of their chances there (24th, via HoopsStats.com).
The return of slasher extraordinaire Rose would figure to bolster these numbers, but perhaps not as much as one would think.
Nate Robinson, who saw the lion’s share of Rose’s minutes this season but could become a free-agent casualty this summer, had more than one-third of his made field goals coming from within the paint. Backcourt mate Jimmy Butler found more than 60 percent of his field goals there (via NBA.com/stats).
Chicago’s lack of interior scoring is the root of this problem.
Veteran Carlos Boozer prefers to do most of his damage from midrange; more than half of his field-goal attempts came at least eight feet from the basket. Joakim Noah does more of his damage near the basket, but his scoring (11.9 points per game) often takes a backseat to his defense (11.1 boards, 2.1 blocks) and shot creation (4.0 assists).
On the perimeter, the Bulls were more selective in their chances, and for good reason.
At 35.3 percent, Chicago tied the Portland Trail Blazers for the 20th-best three-point success rate in the league (via ESPN.com). Never a team to defeat itself, the Bulls attempted the second-fewest long-range shots in the NBA, 15.4 per game.
Whatever sharpshooting threat the Bulls enjoyed this season, it could be growing even less intimidating in 2013-14. Of the six Chicago marksmen to shoot above 30 percent from deep this year, half are now free agents (Robinson, Marco Belinelli and Richard Hamilton, via HoopsWorld.com).
Hamilton’s departure has seemed a formality since the veteran had all but disappeared from Thibodeau‘s rotation. Comcast SportsNet’s Aggrey Sam says it’s unlikely that Robinson will return to a crowded Chicago backcourt.
Of course, that’s the easy part of the tasks that lie ahead for GM Gar Forman. Now it’s his job to find players meeting the athletic profile to fill one of those needs.
It won’t be easy. Forman‘s draft arsenal runs two picks deep, the 20th pick of the first round and the 19th selection of the second (49th overall). And multiple analysts rate this draft class as being historically weak.
But that isn’t to say that Forman is completely without options.
Using DraftExpress.com’s mock draft board to whittle down the field takes potential interior additions Steven Adams (Pittsburgh) and Gorgui Dieng out of the running.
If Forman‘s willing to wait for his return (as he was when he traded up to land stretch forward Nikola Mirotic in 2011), he may be tempted to grab Brazilian big man Lucas Nogueira, a raw 20-year-old prospect packed with potential for the right, patient franchise. Mouhammadou Jaiteh, a 6’11″ 18-year-old, offers similar promise but is likely a few more years away from contributing.
For a more instant return, Forman might consider Kansas center Jeff Withey or Bucknell’s big man Mike Muscala. Withey fits the defensive profile to see the floor under Thibodeau (3.9 blocks per game as a senior, via StatSheet.com), but often finds his offense either off timely feeds or cleaning the glass. Muscala has both solid footwork and a soft shooting touch in his offensive arsenal, but could stand to add bulk to his 6’11″, 230-pound frame.
If Forman‘s not convinced the low-post prospects are worth the investment, he has a few perimeter targets to mull over.
San Diego State’s Jamaal Franklin may be Thibodeau‘s pick, thanks to his versatile skill set and nonstop motor. But just a 27.2 percent three-point shooter as a junior, he doesn’t project to strengthen Chicago’s perimeter attack. Michigan’s Tim Hardaway, Jr. could be their three-point threat (34.2 percent for his Wolverines’ career), but appeared to give inconsistent efforts defensively.
Allen Crabbe of California is another strong shooter, but needs work in developing his handles and could stand to add strength. South Dakota State’s Nate Wolters is a prolific scorer (22.6 points per game) and shooter (38.0 three-point percentage, via DraftExpress.com), but scouts have serious concern with his level of competition and athleticism.
Providence freshman Ricky Ledo is an intriguing talent, but a prototypical boom-or-bust candidate. A top-20 recruit, academic issues kept Ledo from ever suiting up for the Friars, and scouts have reportedly questioned his ability to be a good teammate (via Gary Parrish of CBSSports.com).
Weak drafts, not surprisingly, typically fall short in the stardom department but sometimes bode well for teams operating out of later draft slots.
The Bulls aren’t in need of a superstar to push them over the top, but do need to find something of value with that first-round selection.
Forman has some options, but he’ll need to do his homework to identify talent among a crop of players rife with potential and question marks.
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What will the Chicago Bulls do this offseason?
The Chicago Bulls have clearly become the most respected team in the NBA for their ability to continue fighting and never say die attitude, while being shorthanded. Injuries and illness prevented the Bulls from a better seed and perhaps a deeper run in the postseason. In back to back years the Bulls have seen their season end earlier than anticipated for the same reason.
Due to the Derrick Rose injury and uncertain return date, the Bulls front office opted not to sign the majority of the free agents from last year’s team. They also refused to match the insane contract the Rockets gave their backup center Omer Asik. The front office came under a great deal of scrutiny for letting some valuable bench players go, while instead signing a bunch of players nobody believed in, including Nate Robinson.
Tom Thibodeau did everything in his power to keep this team’s head above water. To his credit, guys like Marco Belinelli, Nate Robinson and anyone else who stepped on the floor for the…
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Can Chicago Bulls Win a Title in Near Future with Current Core?
The Chicago Bulls aren’t going to capture a title this season, as they fell to the Miami Heat in the second round of the playoffs. But can they win one within the next few years while sticking with their current core?
The Bulls are a deeply-talented squad led by the quartet of Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, Luol Deng and Carlos Boozer.
Rose is arguably the best point guard on the planet; Noah may be the league’s most complete center; Deng plays shutdown defense and Boozer serves as a nightly double-double threat.
The supporting cast—which includes the likes of Jimmy Butler, Kirk Hinrich and Taj Gibson—isn’t too shabby either.
The Bulls possess the talent needed to win an NBA championship. However, they have to avoid the dreaded injury bug, which has reared its ugly head quite a bit over the years.
Rose tore his ACL during last year’s playoff opener versus the Philadelphia 76ers. The injury would instantly squash the Bulls’ title dreams, as they failed to get past the first round.
Rose hasn’t played a game since and won’t until the start of next season. Although he was cleared to play in March, the Chicago native just didn’t feel comfortable returning to the court this season.
Noah has struggled to stay healthy as well. The All-Star big man has missed 80 regular-season games thus far during his six-year pro career.
He displayed a great deal of toughness in this year’s playoffs, appearing in all 12 of the Bulls’ contests despite battling a painful foot condition.
He described just how painful it feels (via ESPN Chicago).
It really sucks. Plantar fasciitis sucks. It feels like you have needles underneath your foot while you’re playing. That’s what it feels like. You can imagine; you need to jump, you need to run, you need to do a lot of things while you’re playing basketball, so you don’t want needles on your feet, right?
Deng isn’t a stranger to the injured list either. The former Duke Blue Devil has missed 108 regular-season games during his nine-year career. He missed seven playoff games this year.
Despite a boatload of injuries, the Bulls overachieved this season. The team managed to grab the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference and impressively knock off the Brooklyn Nets during the first round of the playoffs.
Stifling defense—which is preached by coach Tom Thibodeau—is responsible for Chicago’s successful year.
Boozer is another reason, as he enjoyed his best season as a Bull, averaging 16.2 points and 9.8 rebounds per contest. He put together several big-time performances, including a 36-point, 12-rebound effort versus the Toronto Raptors in January.
There has been talk in the past about the Bulls using the amnesty clause on Boozer. However, don’t look for that to happen this summer following a strong campaign.
With a team full of injury-prone players, is it time for the Bulls to break up their core?
Bill Simmons of grantland.com believes the team could make an attractive trade offer for the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Kevin Love.
The Bulls have big contracts to make the trade work (Luol Deng on the enticing side, Carlos Boozer on the less enticing side); they’re loaded with assets like Jimmy Butler (no. 49 on this year’s list), the rights to Mirotic (a high lottery pick if he entered this year’s draft), and the rights to Charlotte‘s future no. 1 pick (top-10 protected in 2014, top-eight protected in 2015, unprotected in 2016); and they’re a big-market contender with a superstar in house (so they could keep Love for the long haul).
Let’s say Chicago calls Minnesota in June and offers them Boozer’s contract with Butler, Mirotic AND the Charlotte pick. How could the T-Wolves turn that down? And if you’re the Bulls, how would you turn down the chance to (a) dump Boozer’s deal, and (b) upend a potential Miami dynasty with a nucleus of Rose, Noah, Love, Deng, Taj Gibson and Tom Thibodeau these next few years?
Here’s a highlight video of Love.
Imagine him teamed up with Rose and Noah in Chicago. Now that’s what you call a big “Big Three.”
It’s unlikely, though, that a K-Love deal would happen. The Bulls just aren’t known for making blockbuster deals.
The Bulls should emerge as title contenders in 2013-14. They’ll have Rose running the show once again. Noah and Deng should be back to full strength. And the Deng-Butler defensive duo is something to brag about.
Plus, the team could have a solid bench consisting of guys like Gibson, Hinrich and Marco Belinelli (if he’s re-signed). Nate Robinson will probably be too expensive to keep, though.
Can the Bulls win it all in the near future? It all depends on health.
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Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler Can Become a Jordan/Pippen Duo for Chicago
Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen were the greatest duo to ever play in the NBA in this writer’s opinion.
Can Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler attain the same heights for the Chicago Bulls?
Over his career, Jordan averaged 30.1 points and shot 49.7 percent from the field. (Source: NBA.com)
Pippen averaged 16.1 points and shot 47.3 percent from the field. (Source NBA.com)
Sure, Jordan is the star of the highlight reels, but watch closely and you’ll see that the reason he’s in those highlights is because Pippen helped make the plays happen.
Rose is an NBA MVP, an All-Star and a team leader. Yes, he missed the 2012-13 season with an ACL injury, but Rose will return and still has a lot to prove.
There was a bright spot to Rose missing the 2012-13 season. Butler stepped up and showed that he can be a reliable, aggressive and dependable player.
According to NBA.com in the regular season, Butler averaged 8.6 points, four rebounds and shot 46.7 percent from the field.
In the 2013 NBA playoffs, Butler averaged 13.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and shot 43.5 percent from the field.
Those numbers are on par with some of the NBA’s elite.
According to NBA.com in the 2011-12 season, Rose averaged 21.8 points, 7.9 assists and shot 43.5 percent from the field.
Throughout Rose’s career with the Chicago Bulls, he has never had a teammate who he can consistently rely on to hit long range jump shots, or drive to the rim.
If the Chicago Bulls move Butler to the 2 position, which he played well throughout the season and playoffs, Butler and Rose can build a strong chemistry together.
Yes, they both need to stay healthy, but both players are young and have long NBA careers in front of them.
The Bulls could trade Boozer, Deng or both and go after a player like Kevin Love, but what if they simply stay the course?
The starting lineup of Rose, Butler, Deng, Boozer and Noah with Rose and Butler at the core, can compete against, and beat, any team in the NBA.
Of course, and I’ll admit it, it’s very early in Butler’s career to begin comparing him to an NBA Hall of Famer like Pippen. Rose still has a lot to prove before he can be held in the same light as Jordan.
However, looking at the chemistry of these players, the coaching staff and their impact on the team, it’s entirely possible that Rose and Butler can lead the Chicago Bulls to the promised land.
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NBA Playoffs: The 1 Thing About Game 5, Miami Heat vs. Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls started the series against the Miami Heat at full speed, completely throwing off the defending champs and shocking the nation. The Bulls left for Chicago with home court advantage and with high hopes of pulling off a huge upset.
Since then, it has been all Miami.
Game 4 of the series proved to us that a team of second stringers truly cannot match the strength of the Heat. The injury-stricken Bulls look straight-up exhausted and now enter Game 5 on the brink of elimination.
The NBA on TNT guys break down “The One Thing” you should be looking out for in Game 5 of the series.
Do you agree with what they had to say? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
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3 Reasons Why the Chicago Bulls Will Fall to the Miami Heat in Game 5
The Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat faced off at the United Center on May 13, but only one team showed up in this contest.
By the time Game 4 mercifully came to an end, Miami had beaten Chicago 88-65, taking a commanding 3-1 lead in the series.
Here are a few reasons why the Bulls’ season will come to an end in Game 5.
Offensive Ineptitude
The Bulls struggled to score points in the regular season, but two of the last three games of this series have been very painful to watch from an offensive standpoint.
In Game 2, Chicago suffered a 115-78 loss, which was the worst defeat in franchise history (via CSNChicago.com).
In addition to that, the Bulls set several records for futility in Game 4. For starters, they scored only 65 points, including just nine in the third quarter.
Chicago also managed to convert on less than 26 percent of its field-goal attempts, the team’s worst shooting performance since Game 7 of the 1990 Eastern Conference Finals (via Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times).
Over the course of the last few games, the one fact that has become obvious is that Chicago doesn’t have players who can create quality shots when the offense hits a wall.
In the absence of such an element, it is difficult to see the Bulls winning Game 5.
Heat’s Defensive Adjustments
Nate Robinson has become the offensive focal point for the Bulls during the postseason and he led them to their only win in Game 1, scoring 27 points and handing out nine assists.
Unfortunately for Robinson, the Heat players remembered that game and have done a solid job in making life difficult for the Bulls point guard.
Not only are the Heat using bigger defenders on Robinson, they are also sending a second defender when he comes off screens.
As a result, Robinson hasn’t been nearly as effective, shooting just 8-of-35 from the field over the last three outings—including a woeful 0-of-12 in Game 4.
Carlos Boozer, who finally came to life with a 21-point performance in Game 3, was again held in check by Miami, scoring 14 points on 3-of-14 shooting in Game 4.
The lesson here is that the Heat have taken the Bulls out of what they like to run offensively, and barring a miracle in Game 5, Chicago has more than likely run out of scoring options.
Injury Factor
At one time or another during the season, several Bulls players have been sidelined with various injuries. This list includes Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, Rip Hamilton, Marco Belinelli, Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich.
The two most noticeable names on that long list are Deng and Hinrich, who have been out since the series began against Miami.
Without Deng, the Bulls are missing a player who was their leading scorer during the regular season and a good perimeter defender as well.
Hinrich gives the team solid decision-making at the point guard position and the ability to get his teammates the ball where they can be most effective on the floor.
I give the Bulls credit for battling through the injuries, while not making excuses along the way.
However, there comes a time when injuries do become too much for a team to overcome and it appears that is what has happened to Chicago in this series.
I fully expect Chicago to come with an all-out effort in Game 5, but as the previous games have shown, it will not be enough to stop the Heat from advancing.
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Video: LeBron James Game 4 breakaway dunk on Chicago Bulls
LeBron James scored 27 points Monday and led the Miami Heat to another rout of what looked like a defenseless Chicago Bulls team.
Miami now holds what should be an insurmountable 3-1 lead in this Eastern Conference semifinals matchup after taking down the Bulls 86-65.
Beyond the points, James helped out with eight assists and grabbed seven rebounds for the Heat.
Chris Bosh added 14 points and six rebounds for Miami, who suffocated the Bulls to a playoff franchise low in points and field goal percentage (25.7 percent).
The Heat will try to close out the series at home in Wednesday’s Game 5.
Video: LeBron James on the breakaway dunk in Game 4
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