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Chicago Bulls: Things Are Looking Up

By Allana Tachauer

Jul 10, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Bobby Portis (5) looks for a teammate to pass to during an NBA Summer League game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Thomas & Mack Center. Chicago won the game 83-70. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 10, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Bobby Portis (5) looks for a teammate to pass to during an NBA Summer League game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Thomas & Mack Center. Chicago won the game 83-70. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /
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Between the offseason trades and signings and their NBA Summer League success, things are now looking up for the Chicago Bulls.

The Chicago Bulls had it rough in 2015-16.

Between coaching changes being negatively received, prominent players being unhappy with their new roles, locker room drama being expressed through the media and missing the playoffs, last season was turbulent.

But now, as summer pushes forward, things may actually be looking up for the organization.

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    • While the front office did not please everyone with their decision to trade Derrick Rose to the New York Knicks, they got the ball rolling. Not being known for blockbuster trades or signings, the franchise showed this summer was one about change. Therefore, even those who were against the deal admitted that the move itself proved the Bulls were serious about improving.

    Then came the addition of Rajon Rondo, another deal that had split support but indicated to everyone that the team would not be silenced this offseason.

    And of course, the cherry on top was acquiring Dwyane Wade. While some are still calling him washed up and a waste of money, Chicago was able to do something they have always been criticized for: attract a big name.

    So although not everyone will agree on the validity of the specific moves made by the Bulls so far this summer, just about everybody is celebrating the fact that any were made. Not to mention on such a grand scale, too.

    Remodeling the roster aside however, there is more to rejoice over: Chicago’s NBA Summer League success.

    After a 6-0 run, the Bulls faced off against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the championship Monday night. Chicago won, 84-82 in overtime, as Denzel Valentine hit the game-winning buzzer-beater.

    https://twitter.com/NBA/status/755240039576068096

    Valentine finished with seven points, eight rebounds and three assists. Meanwhile, Bobby Portis had 26 points and 10 rebounds, and Jerian Grant scored 24 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.

    Obviously Summer League counts for nothing when it comes to how a team is actually going to do in the regular season. But it is still important to note for two reasons; first, it is a great way to build up the team’s morale, and second, it gives so-called second-string players a chance to further improve their game.

    The Bulls badly needed a confidence boost after how things went last year, and this is certainly it. To go undefeated and win the championship is definitely something to be proud of and hold onto through the start of next season.

    Although the Summer League team featured many guys who will not see time for Chicago in 2016-17, Portis, Grant, Spencer Dinwiddie, Cristiano Felicio and Valentine also participated. And for the most part, they certainly proved their worth.

    For example, Portis averaged 15.8 points and 9.3 rebounds a game on 30.3 minutes of play (going 6-of-17 from beyond-the-arc). Not bad for a guy who was called a disappointment only a couple of months ago.

    As for Felicio, he put up 11.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per matchup in 21.5 minutes of play while going 75 percent from the field (14-of-16 from the free throw line). Even rookie Valentine did pretty well. Besides making the winning championship play, he came in second on the team in scoring at 12.3 points a contest.

    Next year will not go swimmingly, or at least, not right off of the bat. With so many new guys and head coach Fred Hoiberg still not necessarily getting the hang of coaching in a professional league, it will take some time for everyone to develop both chemistry and trust.

    Surprises are still sure to come, as with any team in the NBA. Wade may leave for Cleveland or to go back to Miami. The Bulls might not even end up making the playoffs, with the East improving dramatically. But fans still have plenty to be optimistic about.

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    Chicago is on the up-and-up.

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