One of the best success stories this season has been the Chicago Bulls’ resurgence to the top of the league standings. After being in the lottery since 2017, the Bulls are back and can compete with anybody in the playoffs when the team is fully healthy. A notable decision was made at this year’s trade deadline to stand pat with the current core, while teams like the Sixers and Nets had complete shake ups. With the deadline now behind us, here are my predictions of how the Bulls will finish this season.
Assuming the Bulls are able to get fully healthy for the playoffs, I believe that they will make it to the conference finals this season. Barring any setbacks, the Bulls are expected to get Patrick Williams back from a wrist injury before the end of the regular season, along with Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso being expected back in a few weeks. Getting everyone healthy at the same time has been a struggle, and when we have been able to do that we have been trouble for the rest of the league. If DeRozan is able to break out of his previous pattern of having a slump during the playoffs, the sky’s the limit. He is a true MVP candidate this season and is coming off six straight games of 35+ points. The Bulls have arguably not had anyone a pure scorer this elite since Michael Jordan, and DeRozan’s starpower alone has kept them at the top of the East throughout the constant injury struggles. Vucevic staying consistent has been an issue this season, but he has put up great numbers as of late. He has put up a statline of 25/13/4 over the last 8 games, reverting back to his all star form after a slow start. This is huge as rebounding in the paint has been the team’s biggest weakness, and Vucevic breaking out of his slump before the playoffs helps fix some of our frontcourt issues.
I think the Bulls will make a run to the conference finals. I do not see them winning the finals or making it there just yet. While they are definitely a great team, I think the lack of experience will hold them back from making that final step. Patrick Williams has the potential to be great, but a little too much pressure is being placed on him. His defense is elite so far, but with his limited games he may struggle to come back and face stars like KD and Giannis on the big stage. I believe the ceiling of this team relies on his development personally. If Patrick Williams puts up a statline similar to Jimmy Butler, we will win a championship. A big three of LaVine, DeRozan and Patrick Williams at his full potential would be a nightmare for the league. Every great championship team is led by a great two way player, so if Patrick Williams gets to that reputation we are set for a future finals trophy.
While some people criticized the Bulls lack of action in this year’s trade deadline, I think it was the right call. Waiting until everyone is healthy and seeing how the squad performs in the playoffs is the best course of action long term. Once we see what goes down in the playoffs, Arturas can make the decision to add an impact power forward, whether or not we should trade Coby White, along with any other significant change. I see this team making a deep playoff run the way it is and nobody could have seen this coming two seasons ago. It is nothing short of remarkable.
How do you think the Bulls will finish this season? Let me know in the comments.
Great post