[steviechillzParticipant]

So most NBA “experts” don’t have any faith in the anti-Warriors, the Chicago Bulls. After picking up D-Wade and Rondo in the offseason, letting go shooters Mike Dunleavy, Etwuan Moore, and Aaron Brooks(sort of a shooter), and letting Pau walk to the Spurs, they are now a spacing disaster and don’t really make the job easy for already shaky coach, Fred Hoiberg.

But, despite all that, there is definitely a possibility of this actually working. And since we have some bright fans on this site, I wanted to get your thoughts on how this Bulls team could succeed and what would be the ingredients to that…

Let’s start with my depth chart if I was coach Hoiberg(Instead of a lending underwriter)

G Rondo, Grant, Canaan

G Wade, Valentine, Dinwiddie

F Butler(F-G), McDermott, Snell

F Mirotic, Gibson, Portis

C Lopez, Felicio

– Starting a guy like Mirotic or Portis at the other F spot, really helps the spacing nightmare created with the three guard lineup of Rondo, Wade, and Butler. If the Bulls elect to start Gibson, then they may be the worse offensive team in the league. But starting Mirotic opens the floor for classic Wade slashing and cuts to the basket, but it also helps both Rondo and Butler in P&R situations. By bringing out Lopez for high-ball screens, Lopez will have the freedom of rolling hard to the paint without having to worry about a logjam in the paint(Mirotic will be floating at the three-point line and guys like Wade and Butler will be slashing or somewhere in the mid-range area.

– Off-ball movement will be key. One of the problems the early big three of the Miami Heat ran into was off-ball movement. At times, there offense looked like a pick-up game at the park. Which wasn’t necessarily bad, but you saw it created problems in the playoffs. The next year, we saw both Wade and LeBron both excel at off-the-ball movement. So, with the Bulls, you will need to see guys like Butler and Wade not standing around when we will see Rondo with the ball in P&R, P&P, and ISO-situations. Also would love the see lots of sets designed to run a little motion that leads to Butler or Wade or even Rondo in the low-mid block. Creating an iso at that general area will allow guys like Mirotic to get open for three’s via screen’s from their bigs.

– The bench will be key too. If your Hoiberg, you can’t expect to play Wade more than 28-30 mins. Also, keep Rondo’s minutes to 30-35 mins. That way you can give guys like Valentine, Grant, McDermott, and Snell more minutes to help with spacing issues.

These are just some ideas, but I am definitely interested in what you guys would do/think the Bulls should do to create some success.

[Arc12345Participant]

I could see Chicago being top 5…Everyone seems to have my Hawks in the top 5, but I could easily see it being Cavs, Toronto, Indiana, Boston, and Chicago in some fashion (obviously Cavs are locked at 1).

I don’t think the spacing will be that awful, especially since they have guys that can stretch the floor really well like Portis, Mirotic, and McDermott. I think everyone is seriously sleeping on this team, and I think they could be really decent.

That’s just my opinion though. They have the personnel to match up very well defensively against anyone in the East, especially Cleveland. Then again, so do Boston, Toronto, and Indiana. I see those 5 being in the top 5 and even the Knicks getting as high as 6.

YES, I do think it’s possible the Knicks finish higher than the Hawks this year as much as it pains me to say it. These are my bold predictions.

1.Cavs 2.Toronto 3.Indiana 4.Boston 5.Chicago 6.Detroit 7.Atlanta 8.Knicks 

Dont sleep on Miami if they’re fully healthy. When you all neg me to hell, I’m going to bring this back up lol

[DolanCareParticipant]

Rondo, Wade, Butler, Mirotic and Lopez will probably be the starting lineup, but there’s no way they play the majority of minutes together. Mirotic and Butler aren’t good enough shooters to make up for the packed paint that this lineup would create. The way I see it, there’s no way Wade and Rondo can share the floor unless Portis develops a reliable jumper, and can then stretch the defense by playing the 5.

 

  

[OhCanada-Participant]

 People are thinking way too much into their lack of spacing. Their spacing is fine. Rondo shot above 35% last year. Wade was hot from 3 in the playoffs and showed if he focuses he can’t knockdown 3’s. Portis is a capable big man that can shoot. McDermott and Mitotic can shoot. Jimmy Buckets can shoot.

[kobyzParticipant]

 To me they should also start Portis over Lopez at the C spot, they need as much spacing they could get with those 3 guys at the backcourt..,

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 I like the team ok.  Of course, chemistry and injuries will play a big part in that…

They could be a team (well, there are about 5-10 of these teams) that could be in a tie for 3rd best team in the league with the Spurs, or being in a dogfight for the 8th seed…

Jimmy Butler is THEIR GUY.  Every team needs A GUY, preferably THEIR GUY.  Check.

D Wade is somebody I like as a 2nd option for them.  He can create for himself AND others.

For a wing pairing, I like it.  Not too many great wing pairings out there…

Rondo gives them another long defender.  He can make plays and pass.  Yeah, will he hit enough jumpers?  BUT if we get MOTIVITATED RONDO that might not matter.  When he is GOOD, he is REALLY GOOD.

There is some Bad Boys-esque depth here, especially on the front line.  Mirotic can hit the 3.  Robin Lopez can grind… I still like Taj Gibson some.  McDermott needs to hit some shots.

Denzel Valentine should be a solid utility playmaker for them.

Is there a VASTLY better ECF team out there besides the Cavs?  Probably not.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Mr. HookShotParticipant]

I still wonder whether their team make-up hurts or benefits Butler. He’s developed in a complete player, drastically improving his ball handling. Still, I believe he might benefit from playing off the ball, getting the ball in spots were he is best without having to dictate the entire game. As an added bonus he might even save some energy for the defensive side of the ball. 

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