Sir Charles in Charge
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Party Time In Chicago: The Bulls Are Back

By Alexandre Bellat

Nov 15, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson (22) and guard Dwyane Wade (3) and forward Jimmy Butler (21) and guard Jerian Grant (2) react after a dunk by Wade against the Portland Trail Blazers during the third quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson (22) and guard Dwyane Wade (3) and forward Jimmy Butler (21) and guard Jerian Grant (2) react after a dunk by Wade against the Portland Trail Blazers during the third quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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A month into the NBA season, the Chicago Bulls are back on top of the Eastern Conference. After a troublesome summer, this comes as a surprise for many

Troublesome. Agitated. Worrying.

All of these qualifiers are euphemistic for every Chicago Bulls fan that did not live under a rock from mid-April until this season’s tip-off. A dramatic peak was reached on June 22nd when Chicago announced that Derrick Rose was traded to rival Knicks the day before the 2016 Draft.

The Windy City had already lost its fan-favourite player, then it nearly lost Jimmy Butler to a trade with Minnesota during the Draft. What followed was just a Domino-like month of July which saw the rest of the starting five fall apart.

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Joakim Noah, the heart of the team, who was then free agent, had been wanting out for a while and joined his childhood favourite team, the New York Knicks.

Mike Dunleavy was traded to Cleveland for a Mars bar. Pau Gasol decided to sign for the Spurs who already tried to get him during the 2014 free agency. Only Jimmy Butler remained and his fate had not been decided yet.

Things weren’t looking good in Chicago (again, euphemism) and everybody wanted Gar Forman and Jerry Reinsdorf’s heads on a stake.

The 2016-17 NBA season was not looking very promising and everything was leading us to the conclusion that the Bulls were about to demolish and rebuild the franchise.

The Turning Point Of The Summer

Yet, a ray of light pierced through the dark, tank-shaped clouds with the signing of the homegrown Dwyane Wade who would have taken his talents to the Rocky Mountains if Jimmy Butler hadn’t called him.

Rajon Rondo then quickly followed, running away from the malfunctional Sacramento Kings. All of a sudden, Chicago had a backcourt that led the league in assists (Rondo averaged 11.7 assists per game in 2015-16) and a proven winner (Wade has won three NBA Championships throughout his career).

Things were starting to look a bit better for the Chicago Bulls, especially their transition game. But some questions remained, notably regarding long-distance shots in a League that is now driven by 3-pointers.

Jul 29, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Dwayne Wade addresses the media during a press conference at Advocate Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 29, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Dwayne Wade addresses the media during a press conference at Advocate Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

At the time, Dwyane Wade had a career average of 28.4 percent, Rondo shot a career-best 36.5 percent the previous season behind the line and Jimmy Butler, the most dangerous offensive weapon, shot only 31.2 percent from three-point range.

The late addition of Michael Carter-Williams, who came in exchange of Tony Snell, did not bring more of a long-distance threat (25.6 percent in career).

Fred Hoiberg’s authority was also being questioned after last season seemed to be agitated in the locker room with tension between Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose, with Buckets apparently not being impressed with the fomer MVP’s work ethic.

Issues that could be interpreted as a declining Derrick Rose having a hard time passing the torch to the rising star Jimmy Butler. As for Joakim Noah, he was unhappy in Chicago. At the same time, trade rumors shook Taj Gibson’s season with potential frustration from the front office regarding his offensive performances and issues living up to the potential that was expected.

Today, the Chicago Bulls have a 10-7 record, third behind only the Raptors and Cavs. They’re ranked in the top 10 in offensive efficiency and sixth in defensive efficiency, scoring nearly 106 points per 100 possessions and only allowing 101.4.

The biggest reason why the Chicago Bulls have performed so well this season?

Jimmy’s Leading Role

Nov 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) calls a play against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) calls a play against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

First of all, Jimmy Butler started off the season with exceptional performances. The Bulls’ All-Star is averaging 25.6 points (career-high), 6.4 rebounds and four assists per game. He’s shooting 47 percent from the field overall and 40 percent from three-point range, as well as showing some strong leadership.

Now freed from Derrick Rose’s presence, the Chicago Bulls finally become Jimmy Butler’s and so far, he is looking good in his starring role. In addition, he is fifth in the League in terms of contribution to his team’s wins (3.7 Win Shares).

Wade’s Impact

Dwyane Wade brings his talent and experience to the team and adds 18.8 points on the scoring sheet every night with a 44 percent efficiency, and 38 percent from behind the line.

He had shown signs of improvement from three-point range during the NBA’s preseason, but we should not forget that during last Playoffs he scored 52.2 percent of his attempted treys(!)

Most of all, Dwyane Wade changed his game. At 34, he can’t rely on his energy and physical abilities as much as he did in the past; he plays wisely and with simplicity and that is what the Bulls really needed – a talented veteran ready for a less important role that he was used to in its glorious past. 

Apr 3, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) celebrates with forward Nikola Mirotic (44) during the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Chicago won 102-98. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) celebrates with forward Nikola Mirotic (44) during the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Chicago won 102-98. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Furthermore, the Chicago Bulls have some solid rotation players on their roster with Nikola Mirotic

and Doug McDermott who can space the floor effectively; offer defensive reliability and rebounding with Robin Lopez; and a good backcourt second unit in Isaiah Canaan and Jerian Grant.

Horace Grant’s, Jerian, nephew showed some promising sequences, notably when he started during the blowout win in Portland (113-88) on November 15, where he scored 18 and stole the ball five times.

In addition, sophomore Bobby Portis offers Chicago will future hope as well as promising prospect Denzel Valentine.

Must Read: NBA MVP Ladder: LeBron James Is Closing In On Russell Westbrook

Putting it all in perspective, since the summer, there’s reason to be excited about following the Chicago Bulls this season and potentially seeing them at a much better standing than we saw them in, at the beginning of the season. Excellent.

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