NBA 2010 Season Preview: Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls entered the 2010 offseason almost exactly as they did in 2009, after losing in the first round of the playoffs both years and having an identical regular season record. But this year, their inconsistent play came after losing much of their offensive firepower from a season ago, when they bowed out against the Boston Celtics in an extremely enjoyable 7 game series.

Against the Cavs in 2010, the Bulls were helplessly outmatched by the unstoppable Cavs, with LeBron throwing down triple doubles and converting half court shots. Needless to say, the Bulls lost quite easily, but there was hope on the horizon. The Bulls had positioned themselves for a very fruitful free agency period, as the prime suitors for LeBron, Wade, and Bosh.

"The Decision" happened, Bosh and Wade happened, and when the dust settled the Bulls were only able to get Carlos Boozer, but they picked up a huge piece to team with their young cornerstones in Rose and Noah, for about $30 million less than it would have cost them to get Bosh and around $20 million less than for Amare. The summer wasn't too bad for Chicago, and they are on a definite upswing.

The reason for hope is mainly centered around Boozer, but also involves some smaller deals Chicago made, like getting Ronnie Brewer and Kyle Korver, all ex-Jazz players who will bring some trademark Sloan toughness to the team.

With Boozer, the Bulls got a 28-year-old power forward who displays an array of post moves and offensive touch around the basket. He has the ability to finish near the rim with either hand, plays hard on offense and defense, rebounds well, has a great looking stand-still and fadeaway jumper, and has got some power in him too. They basically signed a top 5 power forward who doesn't have a lot of miles on him and fits perfectly for the Bulls. His only real downside is his inability to play effectively against length, which he demonstrated against the Lakers these past two seasons in the playoffs.

He fits so perfectly for the Bulls because of his offensive production in the post, which is an area of concern for Chicago fans dating back to the last decade. Since and before they became a playoff team in around 2005 with the nucleus of Deng, Gordon, Nocioni, and Hinrich, they've lacked the ability to get easy shots around the basket. In the last half decade, the Bulls have mostly gotten their points on drive and kick or isolation plays ending in long jumpshots. And with no consistent big man capable of easing up the slack on the jumpshooters, the Bulls have had inconsistent results. They play great one night, when their shots fall, and look terrible and stagnant on other nights, when the shots just don't, and there is no other way for them to get any offense.

The Bulls have been trying to shore up this low post scoring for a few years, and were on the brink of acquiring Pau Gasol, but never really remedied the situation. In 2007, they drafted Joakim Noah, an offensively challenged center, and seemed to throw in the towel on inside scoring. But with the emergence of Rose, their dynamic point guard who can drive it to the hoop with ease, and Boozer, a great post scorer, the Bulls seem to finally have all their bases covered.

Combined with the shooting of Kyle Korver, which is just spot-on beautiful, and the defensive length and toughness from Ronnie Brewer, and the Bulls have gotten 3 ex-Jazz players who can really contribute to the club - and each of them is younger than 30.

Plus, the Bulls have some young players already in place who look quite promising, in James Johnson and Taj Gibson, not to mention the always-on-the-trading-block Luol Deng, who is quite versatile and can give you scoring as a 3^rd or 4^th option. Johnson has a great knack for getting to the rim, with his bull-like build, and will develop as a young energy spark coming off the bench. Gibson played very well during his rookie year and has decent inside scoring ability and a few nifty post moves as well, and should average about 12-15 points this season.

Chicago's internal development and free agent signings have improved their offensive potential greatly, and now allows Noah to ease into his role as a rebounder, finisher, and defender/enforcer to protect the rim. They look great, with an enticing mix of veterans and young players who are on the rise.

I see this season playing out a lot better for the Chicago Bulls, and it isn't a stretch to say that they will improve quite dramatically from their .500 record the past 2 seasons. They won't be able to contend for a title just yet, and will lag behind the Eastern Conference incumbents, but have a bright future and way more potential than a team like the Hawks. Their regular season record will be in the vicinity of 50 wins, and they will face the Celtics in the playoffs, where, even if they lose, they will play them extremely tough.

The Bulls just need one more season of weathering and losses and improvements in chemistry, and one more integral piece like Carmelo, and they will be in prime position to contend for a title for years to come. Rose is 21, Noah is 25, Boozer is 28, Deng is 25, and Gibson is 25, so they have the youth and their internal improvement should hold them over until the next big free agent or trade. Until that time, they will merely be good, but still on the rise. Look for a reinvigorated Bulls club this season to approach near contender status, with enough talent to at least make the contenders a bit cautious. There won't be playoff success just yet, but the Bulls have got a bright future ahead of them.

Sources:

ESPN.com