After a solid offseason, expect the Chicago Bulls to make a push for the playoffs in the Eastern Conference behind Zach LaVine
The Chicago Bulls finished yet another brutal season where they managed to win only 22 games, five less than last year, and were the fourth worst team in basketball. Due to the nature of rebuilds, this is a natural process in which teams that are on the decline or tired of mediocrity, hit the restart button to eventually build something greater.
Enter year three of the rebuild and this team is rounding out quite nicely. To start off, the Bulls front office began their free agency process months before the rest of the league. When they dealt away Chicago native Jabari Parker and Bobby Portis in a deal that sent Otto Porter Jr. to the United Center.
Gar Foreman and John Paxson wisely realized that their appeal to free agents in the summer was abysmal, which, ultimately, led to their decision to go out and bring in a solid 3-and-D wing to assist their young core.
More from Sir Charles In Charge
- Dillon Brooks proved his value to Houston Rockets in the 2023 FIBA World Cup
- NBA Trade Rumors: 1 Player from each team most likely to be traded in-season
- Golden State Warriors: Buy or sell Chris Paul being a day 1 starter
- Does Christian Wood make the Los Angeles Lakers a legit contender?
- NBA Power Rankings: Tiering all 30 projected starting point guards for 2023-24
After the arrival of Porter, the Bulls looked like a completely different team. He fit in with the roster seamlessly and the Bulls had a stretch of basketball in February where it seemed like they couldn’t lose. An extremely clever pick-up from management.
Zach LaVine and Lauri Markkanen benefited the most from Porter’s insertion to the roster. In a 10 game run, LaVine averaged 27.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 6.4 assists. Shooting an efficient 52 percent from the field and 47 percent from beyond the arc. In a five game stretch post All-Star break, he posted an average stat line of 30, six, and six, shooting 51 percent from the field, and 51 percent from 3-point range.
A stretch in which Chicago went 4-1, defeating the talented Boston Celtics in a game where LaVine and Markkanen combined for 77 points. They’re bucket-getters and posses All-Star level talent at such an early age.
Markkanen had himself a month too; he collected 12 straight doubles and eight 20 and 10 games while shooting 49 percent in the month of February. A little veteran leadership is all this team needed to ascend to the next level. Now, fast forward to the actual free agency and offseason, the Bulls added two more valuable veteran role players along with the, recently drafted, fast and twitchy Coby White.
Thaddeus Young and Tomas Satoransky will bring a great presence to the locker room while adding much needed experience. Both players have had their fair share of playoff success and failure, their value will be greatly noticed as the season progresses.
As for now, the starting lineup appears to be Satoransky, LaVine, Porter Jr., Markkanen, and Wendell Carter, with a blend of youth and experience off the bench. In a weaker Eastern Conference (and I mean extremely weaker due to LeBron and Kawhi’s departures) this team stacks up nicely against the bottom half of the potential playoff teams. Those teams being the Pistons, Magic, and possibly the Heat.
Contrary to popular opinion, I really think Jim Boylen is a great coach for this roster. The players love him and I personally love his intensity and how committed he is to each individual guy and their success. Management made a smart move in resigning Boylen. His style of play was rough when he initially took the coaching reigns, but I believe that was because of the emphasis he set on the defensive side of the ball and the lack of quality players at the time. Like I’ve said continuously, after the arrival of Porter, this team turned it up a notch and found a nice blend of a free flowing offense with some tough gritty defense.
This Bulls team stands atop the young and upcoming teams in the league. They posses two potential perennial All-Stars with Markannen and LaVine, who have the ability to break the barrier and reach All-Star status as early as next season with their unique skill set.
They have the perfect player to compliment LaVine and Markkanen in Porter Jr., who arguably is the best 3-and-D player in the league, that has plenty of playoff experience. A 20-year-old Wendell Carter, that played in 44 games before his season-ending thumb injury, that has superb defensive instincts and an offensive game that compares to Al Horford. And lastly, Tomas Satoransky, a 6-foot-7 point guard who’s skill set entirely matches the style of play Chicago envisions playing with this season. A guard that can defend at a high level, play off ball next to LaVine, and hit the 3-ball at an alarming rate.
And off the bench, Coby White who showed flashes at the Las Vegas Summer League, versatile big men Thaddeus Young, 7-foot-1 reserve center Luke Kornet that shot 37 percent from 3 last season, and returning playmaker Denzel Valentine.
Playoffs may be a bit outlandish but you cant ignore the facts that the Bulls have become significantly better and will at least contend for a spot next season. If these players make the necessary improvements heading into year three of the rebuild, then I see no reason for this talented roster not to make the playoffs.