Chicago Bulls: Team Starting To Find Its Groove, But It May Be Too Late

The Chicago Bulls seem to have found somewhat of a groove lately, but with only eight games left in the 2016-17 season, is it too little, too late?

This year’s Chicago Bulls may have taken the title of most confusing organization in the league.

First, there was the front office stating they want to go younger and more athletic, only to then sign Rajon Rondo and Dwyane Wade. Then there was head coach Fred Hoiberg unexplainably becoming the Oprah of Do Not Play – Coach’s Decisions.

There was the battle of the young bucks versus the veterans. The trade in which Taj Gibson and Doug McDermott were essentially given away for free.

You get the picture.

Fans, the media, nor even the players could really figure out what direction the franchise was headed in. Heck, it would be astonishing if management even knew.

Were the Bulls at the start of a rebuild? Perhaps around Jimmy Butler? Or were they sacrificing the entire team in order to tank and begin again from scratch?

Eight games out from the end of the 2016-17 season and that question still has yet to be answered.

More from Hoops Habit

While Rondo claimed making the playoffs is not a priority for those in charge, he and his teammates are doing all they can to avoid having Chicago miss the postseason for the second time in a row.

Which means the organization still remains as upside down as ever.

However, there have been some significant improvements made, on the court.

Take Nikola Mirotic for example.

The month of March has been kind to the gentle giant. Averaging 14.2 points and 5.1 rebounds a game, Mirotic has seemingly shaken off his previous shooting woes.

"“Right now, you see I’m shooting without hesitation. Just catch and shooting. It’s a great feeling.”"

That’s particularly true given how many people were calling for him to be traded, almost as soon as training camp began. Much of that had to do with his beloved pump fake, a move that unfortunately just did not seem to work for the power forward.

"“I’m laughing because you guys are (right)…that’s true. You guys want me to shoot. It doesn’t look good when you pump fake every time you have a wide-open shot. I know the defenses are ready for my pump fake so now just like, shoot the ball. I’ve been spending a lot of hours working on my shot before practice, after practice, trying to catch the feeling.”"

And given that on the year, Mirotic is averaging 10.1 and 5.2 rebounds per matchup but scored 28 points on Sunday night, it is safe to say he finally caught it.

Rondo has also stepped his game up as of late, recording an average of 10.0 points, 4.2 rebounds and 6.6 assists a contest this month.

But they are not alone.

Butler too has switched things up, in hopes of leading his team towards playoff contention.

"“I think that all the film I watch on myself and of other players getting double-teamed, you just have to pick up on things a lot faster. I think I can still be better at it with my decision-making and what to do and when to do it. But I mean, heck, 70 games in, I guess it’s still a learning curve for me and for everybody else.”"

That is for sure.

Although the 27-year-old has played a high level of basketball throughout the year, averaging 23.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.5 assists a game, he is trying to improve on his playmaking abilities.

And it seems the hard work is paying off; not only has Butler dished out an average of 7.1 assists so far in March, but he recorded a career-high 14 assists against the Milwaukee Bucks.

While it is great to see some positives come out of this Bulls’ season, it may indeed be too little, too late. With the Eastern Conference being an extremely tight race and Chicago currently falling to ninth place with a record of 35-39, the ship to the postseason may have already sailed.

Next: Each Team's Mount Rushmore

Nevertheless, the recently turnaround by guys such as Mirotic, Rondo and Butler should certainly not go overlooked. And perhaps it may give some semblance of hope to fans, moving forward.

Home/Chicago Bulls

Chicago Bulls: Team Starting To Find Its Groove, But Too Little, Too Late?

By Allana Tachauer | Mar 30, 2017

The Chicago Bulls seem to have found somewhat of a groove lately, but with only eight games left in the 2016-17 season, is it too little, too late?

More from Hoops Habit