Chicago Bulls 2012-13 NBA Preview

Photo Credit: Keith Allison, Flickr.com

Chicago Bulls

2011-12 Vitals:

50-16, 1st in Central Division, 1st in Eastern Conference

96.3 PPG/88.2 OPP PPG

2012-13 Roster:

Marco Belinelli – SG
Carlos Boozer – PF
Jimmy Butler – G
Luol Deng – SF
Taj Gibson – F
Richard Hamilton – SG
Kirk Hinrich – G
Nazr Mohammed – C
Joakim Noah – C
Vladimir Radmanovic – PF
Nate Robinson – PG
Derrick Rose – PG
Marquis Teague – PG

Offseason Additions:

Kirk Hinrich, Nate Robinson, Vladimir Radmanovic, Marquis Teague, Marco Belinelli, Nazr Mohammed

Offseason Subtractions:

Omer Asik, Ronnie Brewer, Kyle Korver

Projected Starters:

PG – Kirk Hinrich
SG – Richard Hamilton
SF – Luol Deng
PF – Carlos Boozer
C – Joakim Noah

Season Outlook:

The Chicago Bulls were flying high last year and ended up with the best record in the NBA. Then, Derrick Rose tore his ACL and the Bulls were dispatched in the first round of the playoffs.

This year is going to hinge completely on the return of Rose. He’s not expected back until at least the All-Star break and if the Bulls aren’t close to contention I wouldn’t be surprised to see his return delayed. It’s not worth shortening his career.

With that said, if Rose can make it back healthy and the Bulls can hold court until then, they are still an excellent defensive team and will have a chance to contend. They’ve changed the chemistry of the bench, which was one of their strengths but it shouldn’t affect the team in the end.

Best-Case Scenario:

Rose gets back healthy with the Bulls at .500. He takes a while to get back into the groove but the Bulls sneak their way into the No. 5 seed and end up losing to the Miami Heat in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Worst-Case Scenario:

The Bulls can’t get it going early in the season and are well below .500 when Rose appears ready to return. Rose isn’t back to form and the Bulls miss the playoffs and focus on 2013-14.