Steps the Chicago Bulls must take to reach the playoffs in 2021

Trust the coaching experience of Billy Donovan

The Bulls hired veteran head coach Billy Donovan to take over as the team’s leader in September. This is a significant change in direction than the franchise’s previous move of handing over the reins to first-timer, Jim Boylen. After losing two All-NBA performers in the offseason, Donovan led the OKC Thunder to a surprise playoff appearance this year.

Once there, OKC didn’t just lay down and accept the inevitable accolades they were due for unexpectedly reaching the postseason. They scratched and clawed their way to a Game 7 against a Houston Rockets team that featured one of the most potent offenses the league has ever seen.

Donovan’s track record of getting a team to outperform the talent on its roster should come in handy in Chicago next year.

Last season, there were rumblings that several Bulls players did not get along with Boylen. While there were rumors swirling that he ran the team more like a high school program than an NBA franchise, blame for strained relationships can never be placed solely on the shoulders of one individual.

Chicago’s core of Zach LaVine, Coby White, Lauri Markkanen, Otto Porter Jr. and Wendell Carter Jr. is young. With Porter and LaVine having the most experience in the group, it’s their job to take on the leadership role and set an example for the young guys to follow. If the two veterans commit to allowing Donovan to coach them, the young players will fall in line.