(a sorta) League Preview: Chicago Bulls

After reviewing the sorriest and the lottery likelies, the focus turned to a grouping of teams that has known the lottery at least once in recent seasons. Entering 2009-10, these teams have big dreams and the talent to win. Come April, the Suns, Raptors, Wizards, Clippers and Thunder are planning to be in the mix. Same for the 2^nd best team in the East’s Central Division.

Chicago Bulls

PG Derrick Rose Jannero Pargo Lindsey Hunter

SG John Salmons Kirk Hinrich

SF Luol Deng Taj Gibson

PF Tyrus Thomas James Johnson

C Joakim Noah Brad Miller Jerome James

What is Chicago doing in the company of the ‘might be something’s? In a thrilling 7 game first round loss to Boston, the Bulls showed all the markings young team poised to emerge from the crowd. That well could be the case. However, the loss of Ben Gordon and the performance by many of these same players in 2007-08 (33 wins) raise enough questions to cast doubt of the Bulls status as sure fire up and comers.

Chicago could be very good. We all know how good Derrick Rose is going to be: Likely a top lead guard in the League for the next decade and maybe something more special still. Salmons and Deng are very good wings in the prime of their careers. Hinrich is going to have a great year in the third guard role. Where the Bulls have questions is their potentially spectacular front line. Noah, Thomas and Miller could be the terror of the East. Or injuries and inconsistency could spell Chicago’s doom.

The Bulls front line play was really good from the point of Miller’s arrival. Miller’s willingness to come off the bench is outstanding. He is a wonderfully skilled big man. Miller anchors the young Bulls in a manner not unlike Sabonis on those fly Blazers squads from the turn of the millennium. Though he occupies a valuable salary slot with his expiring contract, keeping Miller for the whole year would be a great move for the Chi. Noah is a lock to take a substantial step forward this season. He could be an elite defender and rebounder with consistency and confidence. Noah plays very well with Miller. The x-factor is the meteoric Tyrus Thomas. How many awesome moments has that guy had? He seems able to do most anything Amare can do. Sometimes. Sometimes is a big problem in the 82 game NBA.

Rose is going to miss Ben Gordon for sure. Hinrich is going to bring a lot to the table as the secondary ball handler for the 21 year old point guard. But those 20-25 point explosions are gone from the Bulls attack. To some extent Rose is going to be expected to pick up the slack. Where Rose and the Bulls will be judged is by the efficiency by which he fits the bill. The bonds he builds with Salmons and Deng will be key. Both are versatile enough to create for themselves and other teammates. Their production will also be key towards filling the void created by Gordon’s departure.

The Bulls have a few wild cards with rookies James Johnson and Taj Gibson. Both are tweener forwards who bring energy, skills and savvy off the deep bench. With the injury history of Thomas and to a lesser extent Miller, having a few extra big live bodies will definitely come in handy.

Chicago missing the playoffs is very hard to imagine. Chicago stumbling through a less dramatic first round loss seems more than reasonable. But then there is the other scenario where Rose, Salmons, Deng, Thomas, Noah, Hinrich and Miller get something cooking and they become everybody’s first round nightmare. One of the fun things about young players is you never know they are going to fully arrive.