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Chicago Bulls: Doug McDermott Brings Forth Good News

By Allana Tachauer

Mar 14, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago Bulls forward Doug McDermott (3) during the game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Bulls beat the Raptors 109-107. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago Bulls forward Doug McDermott (3) during the game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Bulls beat the Raptors 109-107. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Amidst a time of rumors and speculation, Chicago Bulls forward Doug McDermott brings good news to the table by being named to Team USA’s Select Team.

The Chicago Bulls have had a tough year.

Former head coach Tom Thibodeau was fired. Derrick Rose fractured his face, which unfortunately was only the beginning of a plethora of team injuries across the board. Joakim Noah was benched.

Newly appointed head coach Fred Hoiberg was the target of many dissatisfied parties: players, the media and fans alike. The Bulls missed the postseason with a 42-40 record. The offseason has been riddled with reports of both squad drama and guys not returning.

I could go on, really. But, the organization is not totally doomed.

I mean it. There is still hope for Chicago yet.

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For one, the front office chose Jimmy Butler to represent the team at this year’s NBA Draft Lottery. So clearly they want him around and will presumably do whatever it takes to make sure that happens.

There are rumors of trade talks, which may have no merit. But it still shows that at some level, the franchise is at least entertaining the idea of finally making some moves.

And then there is golden boy Doug McDermott, who was just named to Team USA’s Select Team. A mouthful I know, but still something to rejoice over — I promise.

The USA men’s basketball team has decided to bring aboard 24 other players, solely for training purposes. This means that this group will work out daily with the National Team, from July 18-21, at the University of Las Vegas’ Mendenhall Center.

Although all practices will be closed to the public, you better believe the media will keep us all up to date on the cool stuff going on inside those four walls.

McDermott started four games this year for the Bulls, but played in a career-high 81. He averaged 9.4 points and 2.4 rebounds in 23.0 minutes per game, shooting 45.2 percent from the field.

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    • However, it was his three-point shooting percentage that got him noticed this season. Shooting 42.5 from beyond-the-arc, the Bulls forward tied with Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson for fifth in the league. He also came in second on the team, with 110 three-pointers made.

    Many are still saying that McDermott has underperformed, but he did improve significantly since his rookie days.

    Last season, the 24-year-old was only averaging 3.0 points and 1.2 rebounds per contest, for 8.9 minutes on the floor.  He shot 40.2 percent from the field, and 31.7 percent from three-point range.

    Although this is not McDermott’s first time being associated with Team USA, the news does come at a pivotal point for the organization. It not only brings forth some good news for the team, but also gives reason to believe that McDermott will only continue to develop.

    In 2011, he was a part of the U19 World Championship roster. He then took part in a National Team Minicamp in 2013, and was named to the Select Team in 2014. And just like before, this year he will be able to train among a handful of talent.

    Also named to the Select Team roster are:

    must read: Chicago Bulls: Will Joakim Noah Head To Minnesota?

    The final group for Team USA itself, is still being determined.

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