Is this finally the year Chicago breaks through?

[Henrik Sedin]

They have been tough contenders in the East for a good while now.. have always missed 1-2 pieces. They missed on Carmelo but Pau is a great addition for scoring.. he averaged 17 and 10 last year.


Noah
P. Gasol
Mirotic
Butler
Rose

Taj Gibson
DJ Augustin
McDourmett
Dunleavy
Snell
Hinrich

[Thread]

They've met the enemy and it is in the wire. Until they address that they're doomed.

[Findog]

If Rose can stay healthy and is anything close to what he was two years ago, they're the favorites to come out of the East. Cleveland and Indy are also in the mix to win the conference.

[SupremeGuy]

No.

[Jenks]

If Rose can stay healthy and is anything close to what he was two years ago, they're the favorites to come out of the East.
^ Undeniable

[Fabbs]

No one *knows* if Rose is going to hold up healthwise or not.

Also, waiting to see where Love goes.
Love to Cleveland (unlikely) would give East to Cleveland.

[Malik Hairston]

If Rose miraculously stays healthy, sure, they're a contender, but there's no reason to believe that he can bounce back, tbh..

Cleveland is the heavy favorite to win the East, though, with or without Love..

[100%duncan]

Bulls fans thinking every goddamn year :lol

delusional fucks

[~O~]

Their focal point has been injured so long that there should be no surprise if he's traded at the peak of his value. We'll see about that.

If they sustain the current roster, they'll be competitive but not defensively as they use to be. Chicago has wasted years of youth, and development in their players at the promise of Derrick Rose being there. They've also wasted millions of dollars on contracts knowing full well they wouldn't achieve the ultimate goal. They should be exasperated by now. If the last hurrah doesn't sustain for the entire season, that last petal of that red rose will be plucked.

[baseline bum]

If Rose can stay healthy and is anything close to what he was two years ago, they're the favorites to come out of the East. Cleveland and Indy are also in the mix to win the conference.

Saying what if Rose can be what he was two years ago is like saying what if Wiggins comes in and averages 17 and 10 while making one of the all-defensive teams or what if 2010 Wade returns in Miami.

[Findog]

Saying what if Rose can be what he was two years ago is like saying what if Wiggins comes in and averages 17 and 10 while making one of the all-defensive teams or what if 2010 Wade returns in Miami.

Rose is only 25. I don't think it's far-fetched to think he can be in the ballpark of what he was before the injuries. Not saying he will completely regain his form, but I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility he can come back and play at a high level.

[baseline bum]

Rose is only 25. I don't think it's far-fetched to think he can be in the ballpark of what he was before the injuries. Not saying he will completely regain his form, but I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility he can come back and play at a high level.

I think it's pretty unlikely. His workout sure didn't seem to impress Carmelo. His athleticism didn't look like his prime level last year, and Rose's game is purely about his athleticism.

[Nathan89]

They'll beat the Pacers or Wizards without Rose.

[Findog]

I think it's pretty unlikely. His workout sure didn't seem to impress Carmelo. His athleticism didn't look like his prime level last year, and Rose's game is purely about his athleticism.

Seems like with ACL injuries that it takes one year to get back to playing and another year after that to maximize whatever it is you're going to be. The meniscus tear didn't seem to affect Russell Westbrook. I know the game is littered with guys who were never the same after suffering a major injury, but I think with Rose it's best to take a wait and see approach. It's hard to gauge Chicago because their status as a title contender depends on him coming close to regaining his previous form.

[Chris]

Depends on Rose and his bag.

[Fabbs]

I think it's pretty unlikely. His workout sure didn't seem to impress Carmelo.
Carmelo has zero credibility. Rose may or may not have looked good in that workout, but dismiss whatever Marshmello says. That twunt was only leaving if some miracle deal that paired him with LeBron happened.
Otherwise he was staying with the Knicks for money and his no playoff wins legacy.

[DPG21920]

While CHI really needed Melo (both for if Rose was back but especially if he was not) there's no denying they should be better than last year. They lost Augustin, but even an average Rose is an upgrade. They lost Boozer but a healthy Pau is an upgrade. Then they added Mirotic & McDerm & while those two have some question marks about how they will translate to the NBA, they are worthwhile additions with good upside.

Things change, namely health, but CHI should be better than last year unless Rose completely crashes. If that happens their PG spot is catastrophic.

[Raven]

No.

[spurraider21]

i still think they're very thin in the frontcourt and that's their big issue. its why noah always gets worn down. otherwise they're as good as anybody in the east

[Thread]

i still think they're very thin in the frontcourt and that's their big issue. its why noah always gets worn down. otherwise they're as good as anybody in the east

He doesn't get worn down. He just gets backed into a small corner and then exposed for what he is=a bruiser.

[spurraider21]

He doesn't get worn down. He just gets backed into a small corner and then exposed for what he is=a bruiser.
and that's not a bad thing at all from your center on a defensive oriented team. i dont think he's a problem for them, they were asking him to be their #1 offensive player last season too. not his forte

[Cry Havoc]

If Rose produces like he did pre-injury, they're going to be a very good team. Last year their main issue was they didn't have any go-to scorers, now they have Rose and Gasol. Could be a very competitive team in the East. Obviously very little chance at beating the West representative, but making it back to the Finals would be a huge success for this team.

[Thread]

and that's not a bad thing at all from your center on a defensive oriented team. i dont think he's a problem for them, they were asking him to be their #1 offensive player last season too. not his forte

Cept he can't impact in the playoffs like that. He's equalized immediately. Everybody and their sister heaping praise on him in the first 82,,,then skin & grin as they pull his shorts down and take advantage of him thereafter.

[spurraider21]

can't wait for Jimmer and McDermott to share the floor :lol

[spurraider21]

Cept he can't impact in the playoffs like that. He's equalized immediately. Everybody and their sister heaping praise on him in the first 82,,,then skin & grin as they pull his shorts down and take advantage of him thereafter.
they were expecting a non-scorer to be their go-to guy on offense cub. doesn't work that way. he still anchors an elite defense, that can never be "equalized." they are banking on Pau to be an offensive focal point to take those expectations off of Noah. its well intentioned, though i'm skeptical at this point. they will need a healthy rose to make it all work, which is shakier than his knees

[DPG21920]

Cept he can't impact in the playoffs like that. He's equalized immediately. Everybody and their sister heaping praise on him in the first 82,,,then skin & grin as they pull his shorts down and take advantage of him thereafter.

He did well in his two finals wins.

[Infinite_limit]

Deep bench + front court = #1 Seed in East

Beyond that the Bulls will grind out games. Another shot creator or offensive scoring in general would be great. But the issue in the playoffs will be that essentially the Bulls Top 4 players are

- Rose
- Noah
- Gasol
- Taj

Only 3 of these guys will see the court at crunch time. Butler is out of position at the 2. Teams with strong guard/SF play will suffocate the Bulls offense by pressuring the perimeter. If Mirotic or McDermott develop, by seasons end the Bulls could make a legit run at the Title (You only have to win 4 games against the Western Conference) but at this point the expectations is the ECF.

[Shane27]

I know the heat obviously aren't what they used to be, but I feel like you guys are counting them out too quickly. I still think they have a shot to make it to the finals

[jeebus]

His athleticism
That's all he had before tbh, and that same dipshit move he always made int he paint where he jumped to a stop and did some faggy dance for a layup. That's what made his knees explode and he's obviously too chimp-minded to move away from that. At this point, Wade is a better option, even though his prime was in 2006.

[baseline bum]

That's all he had before tbh, and that same dipshit move he always made int he paint where he jumped to a stop and did some faggy dance for a layup. That's what made his knees explode and he's obviously too chimp-minded to move away from that. At this point, Wade is a better option, even though his prime was in 2006.

Shit, Beasley might be a better option

[jeebus]

Shit, Beasley might be a better option
He started out ok last season until after about a week or so, he remembered he was Beasley and became useless

[100%duncan]

That's all he had before tbh, and that same dipshit move he always made int he paint where he jumped to a stop and did some faggy dance for a layup. That's what made his knees explode and he's obviously too chimp-minded to move away from that. At this point, Wade is a better option, even though his prime was in 2006.

:lol

[ElNono]

Seems like with ACL injuries that it takes one year to get back to playing and another year after that to maximize whatever it is you're going to be. The meniscus tear didn't seem to affect Russell Westbrook. I know the game is littered with guys who were never the same after suffering a major injury, but I think with Rose it's best to take a wait and see approach. It's hard to gauge Chicago because their status as a title contender depends on him coming close to regaining his previous form.

Rus is competitive as fuck tho, he's fearless and that's because he's a dude that cares about winning. There's really no comparison between those two.

[ezau]

Hell no. Lebron has a solid supporting cast this time in Cleveland. They're good enough to come out of the East and then get ass-pounded again by the Spurs in the Finals.

[Chinook]

Chicago has the best front court in the league now, but their back court is at best murky. Even if Rose is healthy, there's still a huge hole at two-guard behind Butler. They need a glass-cannon guard. Good thing is that those aren't hard to find.

[Findog]

Rus is competitive as fuck tho, he's fearless and that's because he's a dude that cares about winning. There's really no comparison between those two.

I just think that if Rose is even 60-70 percent of what he was two years ago, the Bulls become a much more stout team. I like the Gasol pickup. If they could ever develop a bench maybe Thibs won't play his main guys 45 minutes a night.

[ElNono]

I just think that if Rose is even 60-70 percent of what he was two years ago, the Bulls become a much more stout team. I like the Gasol pickup. If they could ever develop a bench maybe Thibs won't play his main guys 45 minutes a night.

I don't put a lot of stock in rooks and I think they're weak in the wing. Today's NBA is tilted towards a lot of smallball, that's why having an above-average, athletic SF is key. I like what your Mavs did with Parsons on that department.

Agree about the bench, especially with Gasol playing over the summer, and the mileage he has, you gotta be able to rest him.

Going back to Rose, I just get the impression that if he's at 60-70 percent, he'll sit out...

[Horse]

They have been tough contenders in the East for a good while now.. have always missed 1-2 pieces. They missed on Carmelo but Pau is a great addition for scoring.. he averaged 17 and 10 last year.


Noah
P. Gasol
Mirotic
Butler
Rose

Taj Gibson
DJ Augustin
McDourmett
Dunleavy
Snell
Hinrich

Only thing breaking are roses tendons

[21209]

DJ Augustin signed with the Pistons.

[Baseline]

Dropping Boozer off that squad makes them a ton better, even if he was replaced by Matt Bonner. But replacing him with Pau Gasol is a serious upgrade.

If healthy they could conceivably win the East, but everything would have to go right for them. And we know that rarely happens. That being said, if they somehow get past LeBron and the Cavs, they still don't have anywhere near enough scoring to beat a Western team in the Finals.

[Infinite_limit]

Eastern Conference Finals are the expectation

[poeticism707]

They have been tough contenders in the East for a good while now.. have always missed 1-2 pieces. They missed on Carmelo but Pau is a great addition for scoring.. he averaged 17 and 10 last year.


Noah
P. Gasol
Mirotic
Butler
Rose

Taj Gibson
DJ Augustin
McDourmett
Dunleavy
Snell


Hinrich

No.

Not even close.

[Infinite_limit]

No.

Not even close.
Post the Winning Teams roster

[jimbo]

Rose still had a good amount of athleticism to start this season, he just couldn't finish. He'd jump in the air and still get his contortions down, but just miss the basket. (over and over) He was overrated in his MVP year, just a volume shooter that got carried by the Bulls team D' to a MVP. (Dwight shoulda won that year tbh)

I think he could approach that level again cause the bar wasn't too high.

But is that first 5 supposed to be a starting 5? Mirotic isn't a SF. That lineup is ridiculously huge. I'd think Pau would come off the bench, esp if Rose is playing. No point in putting big minutes on an older guy like that.

Didn't realize how deep they are though. That's pretty damn good.

Rose
Butler
McDermott
Gibson
Noah

DJ Augustine
Snell
Dunleavy
Mirotic
Pau

2nd seed maybe? They could possibly beat the Cavs if Lebron isn't taking the year off to rest tbh.

[RD2191]

Rose still had a good amount of athleticism to start this season, he just couldn't finish. He'd jump in the air and still get his contortions down, but just miss the basket. (over and over) He was overrated in his MVP year, just a volume shooter that got carried by the Bulls team D' to a MVP. (Dwight shoulda won that year tbh)

I think he could approach that level again cause the bar wasn't too high.

But is that first 5 supposed to be a starting 5? Mirotic isn't a SF. That lineup is ridiculously huge. I'd think Pau would come off the bench, esp if Rose is playing. No point in putting big minutes on an older guy like that.

Didn't realize how deep they are though. That's pretty damn good.

Rose
Butler
McDermott
Gibson
Noah

DJ Augustine
Snell
Dunleavy
Mirotic
Pau

2nd seed maybe?
Isn't Augustin a Piston now?

[jimbo]

Isn't Augustin a Piston now?

yeah you're right, didn't realize that. Who's their backup PG even then? Anyone?

:lol if Rose goes down and they don't have a decent backup

[Infinite_limit]

Isn't Augustin a Piston now?
Yes. Lost Augustin, brought back in Hinrich

[RD2191]

I'm guessing Hinrich is their backup PG then?

[jimbo]

:lol that's a joke. I'm not looking too hard into this, but all they had left to sign Hinrich was their room exception? They couldn't find a way to raise up the 6 mil for 2 years Augustine got in Detroit?

Bulls screwed up with that one. Don't know why they're letting him go

[Arcadian]

Probably not. Spurs vs. Cavs in the finals. Spurs sweep again, just like 2007. :lol