Hoops Habit
Fansided

Playing ‘Contender or Pretender’ With Eastern Conference Playoff Teams

By Jon Shames

Nov 22, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) shoots the ball as Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) defends in the second quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) shoots the ball as Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) defends in the second quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 27, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg talks with guard Jimmy Butler (21) and guard Derrick Rose (1) during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the United Center. Chicago won 97-95. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 27, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg talks with guard Jimmy Butler (21) and guard Derrick Rose (1) during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the United Center. Chicago won 97-95. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

Chicago Bulls – 8th Seed

The Chicago Bulls have been hampered by injuries throughout the entire season, and just recently welcomed star shooting guard Jimmy Butler back into the rotation after he missed 11 straight games. But even with Butler, Derrick Rose, and Pau Gasol, Chicago has struggled this season.

Fred Hoiberg‘s new offense, while comprised of many new-school philosophies (fast pacing, outside shooting, perimeter movement), doesn’t cater to the strengths of the roster, and has thusly been a non-fit. It’s a small-ball style offense, but some of the Bulls best personnel are big men who work best in the paint.

Chicago’s defense, once a staple under former coach Tom Thibodeau, has regressed to 15th in points allowed per game as well.

This team is completely void of an identity, which is the last thing Bulls fans want to hear with the playoffs just more than a month away.

If the postseason started today, Chicago would be matched with Cleveland in the first round. Even with Cleveland’s ongoing struggles and a healthy Bulls’ roster, the latter doesn’t stand much of a chance. Until the Bulls can develop a real scoring hierarchy and an ensuing team identity, this team will remain a first-round dud.

Verdict: Pretender

Prediction: First-round loss vs. Cleveland (4-2)

Next: Indiana Pacers