Bulls a massive disappointment
The Chicago Bulls were supposed to compete with the Cleveland Cavaliers both in the Central Division and the Eastern Conference for supremacy in 2016. Instead, Chicago is likely going to miss the postseason in one of the most disappointing years in recent memory for any club.
The Bulls are under first-year head coach Fred Hoiberg, who had spent most of his coaching career at Iowa State University. Hoiberg was lauded as someone who could come in and win right away, but it has been anything but a smooth ride. The Bulls have dealt with injuries throughout the campaign but even when healthy have not responded. At 39-39, Chicago is two games back of the eight-seed Detroit Pistons, who at this point have to simply avoid a total collapse.
For the Bulls, the problems are many. This is an aging roster in certain places and one that is very susceptible to injuries. Point guard Derrick Rose is a former Most Valuable Player and one of the most talented youngsters in the game, but he can’t stay on the court for any period of time. Center Joakim Noah and forward Pau Gasol are both quality big men, but have dealt with injuries and Father Time.
Noah only played in 29 games this season and started just two. Gasol has played and started in 69 contests and is averaging 16.5 points with 11.0 rebounds per game, but he is also 35 years old and set to turn 36 this July. Gasol is not going to be around when Chicago is ready to win a championship, so he’s not a true answer to what ails the Bulls.
At this juncture, the only reliable player and cornerstone to the future is Jimmy Butler. The former 30th-ovearll pick in 2011 out of Marquette University is a superstar, mixing elite defense with 21.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists per night. Butler is 26 years old and considering his talents and durability (although he also might need surgery this summer) needs to be who the front office builds around.
It has been a long time since Chicago did much of anything. The Bulls won six NBA titles with Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Phil Jackson at the helm, but since their last championship in 1998, the franchise has only reached the Eastern Conference Finals on one occasion, losing to LeBron James and the Miami Heat in five games.
It’s time that the Bulls start making some moves to get younger. With the salary cap going up by at least $20 million this offseason, Chicago will have cap space and a very attractive city for free agents to consider. The time is now to build around Butler and look to raise another banner before the decade is out.
