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Chicago Bulls: 5 Bold Predictions For 2016-17 Season

By James D. Tillman III

Jul 18, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Chicago Bulls players hold up the NBA Summer League championship trophy over head coach Pete Myers as he is interviewed after the Bulls defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves in overtime, 84-82 at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 18, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Chicago Bulls players hold up the NBA Summer League championship trophy over head coach Pete Myers as he is interviewed after the Bulls defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves in overtime, 84-82 at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic (44) handles the ball against New Orleans Pelicans guard Toney Douglas (16) during the first quarter of the game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic (44) handles the ball against New Orleans Pelicans guard Toney Douglas (16) during the first quarter of the game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Nikola Mirotic Will Be A Starter … Initially

Nikola Mirotic has been a mixed bag of sorts during his two seasons with the Bulls. There are times when he is one of the best players on the floor, as illustrated in a 35-point performance against the New York Knicks in late March.

On the flip side of the coin, there are also instances in which Mirotic doesn’t make much of an impact when he’s on the floor. Case in point, a few days after his brilliant performance against the Knicks, Mirotic scored just four points on 1-for-7 shooting against the Orlando Magic.

As frustrating as his up-and-down play may be to digest, Mirotic will begin the season as the starting power forward.

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Why?

Well, Hoiberg did the same thing last year and it wouldn’t be a total surprise if he chose to do so this year as well. Along with that, Mirotic improved in just about every statistical category in his first season under Hoiberg.

This includes a dramatic jump in his long-range shooting from year one to year two. In 2014-15, Mirotic shot 31.6 from beyond the arc. Last season, that number improved to 39 percent.

If that is not enough to convince you, then it is also worth noting that Mirotic scoring average as a starter (12.3 points per game) is slightly higher than his 11.1 points per contest when he comes off the bench, and his overall shooting percentage is slightly higher as well.

Being that Hoiberg is a more offensive-minded head coach than his predecessor, it would be a huge surprise if he doesn’t at least consider starting Mirotic at the 4 spot.

Next: Tony Snell Will Have A Good Season

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