No matter how much planning that goes into the off-season, nothing will happen unless players remain healthy and teams catch a lucky break every so often. In order for the Bulls to win a championship this season, the stars must align in order to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers.
- Healthy Derrick Rose: It’s tough already for any team to make it deep into the playoffs, but without a former MVP it’s almost impossible. Derrick Rose finally played in the post-season series in 2015, his first full series since 2011. If the Bulls want to make it far in the playoffs, they need Derrick Rose on the active list for majority of the season and playoffs. Hopefully, Rose will play more than 70 games this season.
- Fred Hoiberg works out: With the biggest fear of Hoiberg not being the next Tim Floyd, the Bulls management are hoping they didn’t make a mistake hiring the rookie coach out of Iowa State. With zero NBA coaching experience, Hoiberg will try to pull a Steve Kerr this season. If his offensive system works out as planned, the Bulls will be lethal offensive team.
- Defense remains up to par: With no Tom Thibodeau in the picture, it’s easy to assume the defense will take a major hit. It’s a fair assumption considering Fred Hoiberg will be focusing on the offensive end. However, with guys like Jimmy Butler, Joakim Noah, and Taj Gibson still on the roster, it’s not too crazy of an idea that the defense could still remain intact. With Jim Boylen running the defensive schemes for the Bulls this season, they’re hoping the former Spurs assistant coach brings some of the Popovich magic to the defensive end.
- Joakim Noah back to DPOY level: Nobody’s asking Noah to lead the league in triple doubles again. His days on the offensive end is over, especially since there is a new system put in place. However, the Bulls need his defense back to the way it was two seasons ago. In order for Noah to be DPOY level again, he’ll have to get his legs underneath him.
- Doug McDermott lives up to the hype: The Bulls traded nearly four draft picks in total to get McDermott on the team. The price was high for the college star, but he’s failed to live up to any kind of standards under the Tom Thibodeau era as a rookie. With a coach that’ll put him in a more favorable setting, McDermott needs to be what the Bulls scouts thought he would be. There’s a lot riding on McDermott to do big things, and he’ll have to honor those expectations if the Bulls want to make a serious run.
- Nikola Mirotic’s next step must be huge: There’s no pressure on the Euro star, except that there is. The Bulls sat on their hands this off-season and sold the concept of growing from within the roster. With Nikola Mirotic’s name being mainly used, the Bulls are hoping another star will emerge to save their faces from embarrassment from the lack of moves they’ve done.
- Tony Snell becomes relevant: Living in Tom Thibodeau’s doghouse is always painful, especially if you’re Tony Snell. Playing last season with inconsistent minutes caused Snell to have a horrible season once again. The potential is there for Snell, but he’ll have to fight for rotation minutes behind Butler and McDermott. His lengthy body and sharp shooting ability could give the Bulls a perfect match next to Jimmy Butler.
- Age doesn’t catch up with Pau Gasol: The 35 year-old Spaniard was unbelievable last season. As Gasol made his way to the Allstar team last season, his only hope is his age and nagging injuries don’t catch up with him. He’s expected to see his minutes decrease with the emergence of Mirotic, but having a healthy Gasol is key in the playoffs.
- Jimmy Butler earning his max deal and then some: With Butler inking in a maximum contract this summer, he needs to live up to the money. Butler needs to prove last season wasn’t just a fluke, but he needs to build on that and have a better season. With management looking at Butler with eyes filled with hope, Butler needs to prove that he could be the superstar player that Sports Illustrated and ESPN make him out to be.
- Taj Gibson: Either trade him if the Bulls are content with Portis and Mirotic, or keep him for a big role. The Bulls need to make a decision on Gibson before it’s too late. If they keep him, then his role must be big. If they don’t see him in their plans then trade him before his value drops. Gibson, age 30, has just a few good years left before it all starts to drop.
- Win a championship: If the Bulls can make it through the list above, they have a great shot at beating the Cavaliers in a series.
