[druneave3Participant]

 For the past decade or so the Chicago Bulls have consistently been known as the try hard, blue collar, maximum effort team. You knew you were going to get a solid defensive effort night in and night out. A lot of that had to do with two individuals mainly, former head coach Tom Thibodeau, and most likely also soon-to-be gone big man, Joakim Noah.   *It is interesting, and fitting that there are recent rumors about them hooking up in Minnesota. Thibs, Jo, and KG all in the same building might just be too much intensity to handle, but having such an immensely talented core group of young players being molded by that three headed monster would most assuredly save basketball in Minnesota.*  Following the Tyrus Thomas debacle, Paxson and Gar have always leaned towards drafting high character, quality locker room players. Loul Deng, and several other players (even going back to Andres Nocioni- Get out the way Stewie!) were also responsible for that toughness and constant hustle, but I also must reluctantly give credit to the Bulls front office. 

However,  over the past two years they have shifted away from that maximum effort, quality locker room team. Their nightly effort isn’t there, have become soft, and several dynamics have lead to them having the worst locker room in the entire league by several reporters accounts, one even saying they possessed historically bad chemistry. One so bad that it was even able to be manifested underneath drill sergeant extrodinaire, crazy hand-twitching, never sit down during a game, bench over 400 lbs, insane laughing meme Thibs! It is obvious that many changes need to be made to this roster if change isn’t coming from management, but it will be interesting to see how many this usually reserved regime will be willing to make this offseason.

I would be all in if they could pull a deal for Jimmy Butler for Jae Crowder and picks from Boston (especially if they could pry the Nets 2017 #1) but I just find it too unlikely a move from this organization. Given the fact that their historically bad locker room was mainly due to the Butler – Rose dynamic, I truly believe the front office must do everything in their power to move Rose, and all his countless distractions from this team. Rose for Nerlens Noel? Yes please! But again, I think that will be a difficult move to pull off, or one that they will be unwilling to make when it truly comes down to it. So in this scenario, I will attempt to improve this team with Butler and Rose, both on the team. I also think it goes without saying that KD, Beal, Batum, Horford, and any other top tier free agent won’t be coming to Chicago. Even despite the Iowa connection with Harrison Barnes, I see GS matching. Shoot, even Evan Fornier and Chandler Parsons would be nice options but I don’t even see those happening. With all the trouble they are having with the front office I am not sure many players want to come here. For all of these reasons, Bulls should have their eyes on the future with a returned focus on defense and toughness. Yes the Warriors have the best two shooters of all time, but as you can see in the Finals, and as the old adage goes, their defense is winning championship(s). Along with regaining their competitive edge, they must also focus on getting more athletic. 

This is defenitely not sexiest plan but it is realistic and gives the organization what they want -a retool: rebuild while competiting and making that playoff revenue. 

Draft-

– #14 Deyonta Davis – If Davis is still available,  he would be perfect for the Bulls despite the fact that he won’t be ready to consistently contribute on an immediate basis with an organization that is always trying to make the playoffs. With Gasol and Noah leaving, Davis’ length and athleticism would give Bulls a much needed rim protector with loads of potential – accoring to Tom Izzo – that could pair nicely alongside Bobby Portis. Davis even flashes a nice outside stroke that could give the Bulls two near 7 footers who can stretch the floor and run. – Malik Beasely and Damontas Sabonis are also options here. Beasely is good athlete and would be great in Hoiberg’s sytem with his ability to shoot and excel in transition. He is one of my favorite players in this draft but have seen him falling recently, probably due to his recent injury. Sabonis would not fit the uptempo shooting-happy offense, but would provide some much needed physicality. 

– Second Round- Find a way to draft Isaiah Whitehead. Trade picks, cash considerations, whatever. I think this kid is special, and in a transitioning league moving towards positionless basketball, would fit nice in a backcourt next to Butler without a traditional point guard. A little bit of me worries that he might turn into Dion Waiters, but he is a fiery competitor with the swagger, scoring ability, and play making capabilities that I even hate passing on him at #14. It is known that the Bulls are fond of potental top 5 pick Kris Dunn, who had some really good head-to-head battles with Whitehead when they faced off. 

 

Free Agents –

– Moe Harkless – As stated earlier, barring any real surprises, free agency for the Bulls shouldn’t be overly thrilling. Harkless is a restricted free agent but since the Bulls will be missing out on everyone, they can afford to overpay for a blossoming young wing player and pry him away from Portland who will have several other FA’s they will be attempting to keep. I never thought Moe was given a chance in Orlando and have always been intrigued by him, especially after his play in Rip City last year. Signing Harkless would give them another solid wing defender with size and length along Butler and solidify a nice three man rotation with shar shooter Doug McDermott. 

– Zaza Pachulia – Noah isn’t completely out the door just yet, and it would be great to have Noah’s leadership back on the court, but Pachulia would provide a possible cheaper, and due to Noah’s health concerns – more reliable, option at this point. Granted he doesn’t fit Hoiberg’s up-tempo system but their interior defense and toughness must improve. He is a beloved teammate wherever he goes and would also be a much needed veteran presence. 

– E’twaun Moore – He has been solid and has some versatility with his ability to play both guard spots. and does a little bit of everything. You will probably have to over pay him as well but that is going to be true with everyone (the reason why Jae Crowder is going to be so valuable over the next 4 years). 

– Also, you might laugh but it would be wise to get out ahead and lock up Cristiano Felicio early. He is a young physical big man that can move. You might not be laughing at this after the Bismack Biyombo contact.

– And maybe surround your inexperienced head coach with some better assistants. Boylen is solid but need more. 

 

Trades – 

Again, I would blow it all up, and if you aren’t able to deal Rose, two names that should no doubtedly be removed from this roster are Nikola Mirotic and Tony Snell. Niko does have some trade value and could be a deadly offensive player for years to come. But he is a one-dimensional player and as the Bulls focus on defense and toughness here, they move him and get some type of value in return. Snell could be a decent rotational player if he ever gained some semblance of confidence, but I don’t see that ever happening. 

 

Overall-

The following lineup should make the playoffs in the East, but even with LeBron’s surrounding cast looking so overmatched in the Finals right now, the Bulls are going to have a difficult time trying to rebuild a roster over the next few years capable of dethrowning the King in Cleveland. Even if they do, the Warriors, OKC, and the West’s best would be waiting. After his contract is up, Rose and his fragile mindset and negative mentality must be erradicated from this team. GarPax has had some success in the draft and they will most likely be forced to hit it big in the next few drafts, as free agency seems bleaker now more than ever in Chicago. 

2016 Chicago Bulls Roster

PG- Derrick Rose

SG- Jimmy Butler

SF- Doug McDermott

PF- Taj Gibson

C- Zaza Pachulia

 

Bench- 

Moe Harkless

Deyonta Davis

Isaiah Whitehead

E’twaun Moore

Cristiano Felicio

Ronnie Price/Seth Curry

Ryan Hollins/Robert Sacre

Lance Thomas/Richard Jefferson

 

 

 

 

 

 

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

 smh at that very weak d-league looking bench!

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

 smh at that very weak d-league looking bench!

[Hype Machine]

Im keen to see if Derrick Rose is on the upswing or downswing. He has an entire off season to get his mind and body right. A bit of healthy competition with one of my favourite players – Jimmy Butler can be healthy if harnessed right.

 

 

I also think the Bulls should re-sign Cam Bairstow and increase his role. Hes no longer a rookie and I feel like he will have a great Olympic campagne and demand respect on his return.

 

My prediction 41-41 and a 7-seed in the East. If D-Rose can be an All Star, that makes McBuckets twice as effective and push them closer to a 4 or 5 seed.

 

 

 

 

[Hype Machine]

Im keen to see if Derrick Rose is on the upswing or downswing. He has an entire off season to get his mind and body right. A bit of healthy competition with one of my favourite players – Jimmy Butler can be healthy if harnessed right.

 

 

I also think the Bulls should re-sign Cam Bairstow and increase his role. Hes no longer a rookie and I feel like he will have a great Olympic campagne and demand respect on his return.

 

My prediction 41-41 and a 7-seed in the East. If D-Rose can be an All Star, that makes McBuckets twice as effective and push them closer to a 4 or 5 seed.

 

 

 

 

[kobyzParticipant]

 They need to find in free agency or trade some well level offensive player to take some of the load of jimmy and letting him focus mostley on defense and being more of a third option on offense, somthing in the mold of Iggy… I like the idea of drafting davis at 14, and leting Noah go, adding young defensive, energy talented big next to Portis…

[TRC1991Participant]

 Butler averaged 22+ ppg. He’s no 3rd option numb nuts. 

[kobyzParticipant]

 And missed the playoff…

[kobyzParticipant]

 And missed the playoff…

[TRC1991Participant]

 Butler averaged 22+ ppg. He’s no 3rd option numb nuts. 

[kobyzParticipant]

 They need to find in free agency or trade some well level offensive player to take some of the load of jimmy and letting him focus mostley on defense and being more of a third option on offense, somthing in the mold of Iggy… I like the idea of drafting davis at 14, and leting Noah go, adding young defensive, energy talented big next to Portis…

[juves4783Participant]

did bobby portis get sent to the d-league?  didn’t see him on the roster…

[druneave3Participant]

 Missed him on roster but mentioned how he and Davis would fit well together. I would also like to give myself a neg for this roster, I just don’t see many viable options if you are not going to blow it up, and I am really high on the three new main additions here, Davis, Whitehead, and Harkless. 

[druneave3Participant]

 Missed him on roster but mentioned how he and Davis would fit well together. I would also like to give myself a neg for this roster, I just don’t see many viable options if you are not going to blow it up, and I am really high on the three new main additions here, Davis, Whitehead, and Harkless. 

[juves4783Participant]

did bobby portis get sent to the d-league?  didn’t see him on the roster…

[Captain LParticipant]

 Where is Portis on your list? 

[Captain LParticipant]

 Where is Portis on your list? 

[Author]

Posts