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Chicago Bulls: 5 Biggest Storylines For 2016-17 Season

By James D. Tillman III

Mar 14, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson (22) talks to forward Jimmy Butler (21) 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 Taj Gibson (22) talks to forward Jimmy Butler (21) 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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The Chicago Bulls missed the playoffs for the first time in eight seasons. Will their offseason additions help lead them back to the postseason?

Mar 14, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson (22) talks to forward Jimmy Butler (21) 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 Taj Gibson (22) talks to forward Jimmy Butler (21) against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Bulls beat the Raptors 109-107. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

A year ago, the Chicago Bulls were advertised as a championship-caliber team. At least on paper anyways.

Instead, what fans witnessed was a season in which rookie coach Fred Hoiberg and the players were rarely on the same page and the team consistently struggled from a defensive standpoint.

This sentiment is supported by the fact their defensive rating ranking dropped from 11th in 2014-15 to 15th last season. Additionally, the Bulls gave up just 97.8 points per contest in 2014-15, but allowed 103.1 points per outing in 2015-16.

Whether it was Jimmy Butler stating that the team needed to be coached harder, or injuries to key players such as Joakim Noah, last season was a painful one to watch to say the least.

Related Story: NBA: 20 Players Looking To Shed Injury-Prone Lable In 2016-17

To help address some of the team’s shortcomings, the front office was very active during the offseason. Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah are now members of the New York Knicks.

Pau Gasol is back out West with the San Antonio Spurs. Along with that, E’Twaun Moore inked a four-year deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, while Aaron Brooks hopes to be a contributor for the Indiana Pacers.

With the departure of those players, combined with the arrivals of Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo, there will be plenty of legitimate questions and concerns. Today, we will explore the biggest storylines to keep a watchful eye on for the 2016-17 season.

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