Chicago Bulls: 2013-14 NBA Preview
2012-13 Vitals
45-37, 2nd in Central Division, 5th in Eastern Conference
93.2 PPG/92.9 OPP PPG
Derrick Rose makes his return this season. Can he stay healthy and play at the same high level the Bulls need? (Flickr.com/Keith Allison)
2013-14 Roster
Carlos Boozer – PF
Jimmy Butler – SF
Daequan Cook – SG
Luol Deng – SF
Mike Dunleavy – SG
Taj Gibson – PF
Kirk Hinrich – SG
Nazr Mohammed – C
Erik Murphy – PF
Joakim Noah – C
Vladimir Radmanovic – SF
Derrick Rose – PG
Tony Snell – SF
Marquis Teague – PG
Offseason Additions
Mike Dunleavy (FA), Erik Murphy (Draft), Tony Snell (Draft)
Offseason Subtractions
Marco Belinelli, Richard Hamilton, Nate Robinson, Malcolm Thomas
Projected Starters
PG – Derrick Rose
SG – Kirk Hinrich
SF – Luol Deng
PF – Carlos Boozer
C – Joakim Noah
Season Outlook
It’s no secret that the story of the 2013-14 season for the Chicago Bulls will be Derrick Rose’s long-anticipated return to the court. It’s also pretty obvious that how he handles his return to action and whether or not he can still perform at a high level will determine how far the Bulls advance in the Eastern Conference. On the one hand, Rose hasn’t played in an NBA game in more than a year and learning to trust your body after an ACL injury takes time. But on the other hand, Rose is one of the most dynamic players in the league when he’s healthy.
If Rose can stay healthy and shows he hasn’t lost his spark or his skills, the sky is the limit for this Chicago Bulls team. Guys like Jimmy Butler, Kirk Hinrich and Taj Gibson all stepped up last season and showed they can support the Chicago Bulls on both ends of the floor, not to mention the fact that Luol Deng and Joakim Noah were both All-Stars last season. Rose’s supporting cast, long seen as the weakness that has prevented the Bulls from advancing past the Miami Heat, is in a much better, more confident place than they ever were before.
Granted, Derrick Rose staying healthy and playing at the same high level is a big “if” at this point. But if he can (and I believe that he will) find his game again, the Bulls should not be overlooked. Don’t forget that on paper, this is an improved version of the Chicago Bulls team that won 62 games three seasons ago and has finished at the top of the Eastern Conference in back-to-back seasons with a healthy D-Rose. They also won a playoff series last season without their former MVP. Throw in a young and improving role player like Butler and upgrade from Belinelli to Dunleavy shooting 3-pointers and that’s a potentially dangerous team, even for the Miami Heat.
Final note: The 2013-14 season isn’t only contingent on Derrick Rose, because Luol Deng’s contract situation is a tad worrisome. If Deng explores free agency like his agent says he will after this season, this is the year for the Bulls to make a title run. If the Bulls don’t feel confident they can agree to a contract extension with Deng, they could trade him before the trade deadline. What they get in return could be the difference between a title run and another year of falling short. Keep your eye on this Luol Deng situation.
Best-Case Scenario
Derrick Rose plays like a guy who hasn’t missed a year and a half of action because he’s a freak athlete and tremendous competitor. Deng and Noah’s production takes a slight hit with Rose’s return, but they provide the necessary support to make Chicago a force in the East. Jimmy Butler continues to improve, Dunleavy gives the Bulls a boost from downtown, Hinrich continues to lock down opposing guards and Chicago receives unexpected help from either one of their two promising rookies, Tony Snell and Erik Murphy. The Bulls either keep Deng or trade him for an even better piece to help out Rose. Chicago snags one of the top three spots in the East and manages to defeat the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals because of an ailing Dwyane Wade.
Worst-Case Scenario
The Bulls aren’t the same team they were pre-ACL tear and Derrick Rose struggles to find his game again. Luol Deng is traded and the Bulls don’t get enough in return to make them a title contender. Hinrich and Noah have problems staying healthy down the stretch of the season again and the rookies don’t give Chicago any production in limited minutes. But because the Eastern Conference is so weak outside the top five teams, the Bulls snag the fifth playoff spot and face the New York Knicks in the first round. With a healthy lineup they advance and are defeated in the second round, but with injury problems Carmelo Anthony and Co. beat the Bulls.
Predicted Finish
54-28, 2nd in Central Division, 3rd in Eastern Conference
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