NBA Preview 2018: Chicago Bulls

2017-2018 Record: 27-55

The Bulls have been a successful franchise since they were created. They’ve appeared in the playoffs in 36 of their 54 seasons, capitalizing with a championship title in six of those seasons with His Airness and Pippen. They’re only one season removed from their last playoff appearance, but after the departure of Jimmy Butler, the Bulls quickly dove to the bottom of the weak Eastern Conference. It should be no surprise however, based on the Bulls’ historical success, that they have quickly rebuilt into a promising, if very young team. PF Lauri Markkanen played very well last season, and has added 17 pounds of muscle over the offseason, hopefully facilitating assertive and physical behavior in the post. The Bulls have some decent bench players, and added some key game-changers this summer.

What’s New?

• The impressive and physically imposing one-and-done center Wendell Carter Jr. looks to make an instant impact in Chicago. Playing alongside the prodigy prospect Marvin Bagley in his freshman year at Duke, Carter put up 13.5 PPG and 9.1 RPG with 56% shooting from the floor. Certainly not bad numbers for a guy born in 1999 playing in the profoundly stacked ACC. Carter played very well in the Summer League as well, and looks like a guy who will be a NBA superstar within the next few years.
• The Bulls also added the injury prone, but promising PF Jabari Parker in free agency, which means that there are two Duke superstars on the starting roster. IF Jabari can stay healthy and return to his 20 PPG rookie form, he will be a fantastic addition.

2018 MVP

If everything goes according to plan, Lauri Markkanen will be the most valuable player on the Bulls roster this season. They should aim to get the ball in his hands as much as possible, as he showed last season that he is a very efficient scorer with tremendous offensive upside.

Keys to Success

The main keys to success for the Bulls this season are efficiency from the point guards, defensive play, solid defensive play, and a return to form for Jabari Parker. Zach Levine and Kris Dunn haven’t been particularly efficient scorers for the Bulls thus far, nor have they been particularly proficient passers. Kris Dunn finished last season at 6 APG, which isn’t bad, but also isn’t nearly enough to help the newly improved frontcourt carry this squad to the playoffs. If the Bulls are going to win this season, the point guards have to be better, plain and simple.