Just as football season cranks up, basketball season is almost here. Yes, the Bulls will be here soon; Monday was actually the media day for the team. As you may have guessed, I have some thoughts…
Let’s start with the positive: The Bulls made the playoffs last year for the first time in 5 years. I was very happy about that; it really was the minimum requirement to making last year a success. It would have been nice to win a series, but… I guess that’s our goal this year? This is assuming the Bulls will be back in the playoffs again; we’re definitely expecting that, right? Per Zach in his press conference, if we don’t have high expectations, then what are we doing here; good point.
Continuing with the positive… AKME has added some depth. Dragic at PG, Drummond in the middle, and Terry via the draft will all hopefully play roles this season; we may need some more than others. Ayo coming into his 2nd season after an impressive rookie campaign is exciting; he will be needed big time. DD and Zach will provide a formidable 1-2 punch, assuming DD can repeat last year’s performance, assuming Zach can stay healthy. Patrick Williams will hopefully take leaps forward. All of these things I just mentioned need to take place for the Bulls to get back to the playoffs and win a series.
Lonzo Ball being out again hurts. Who knows if/when he’ll return; we’ve already talked about the Bulls record last year without him, and yes, I know there were other injuries we were dealing with. Billy Donovan’s record is 77-77 thus far; I like him… I think. He’ll need to do a good job coaching these guys; how about we start with instructing Vooch to take less three pointers? Other teams in the division have improved, aka the Cavs. Currently, the Bulls are predicted to finish 3rd in the division behind the Bucks and those Donovan Mitchell Cavs, and ahead of the Pacers and Pistons. What’s that? Good for a 6-7 seed again?
If you know anything, you know I stay pretty positive; looking ahead to this Bulls season is no exception. I need to continue to trust in what AKME is doing, how Billy is coaching, and how the boys will come together. However, I feel as if there are a lot of “ifs”, a lot of things that need to fall our way, in order to take steps forward from last season. I have concerns about all of the above and more happening. Already knowing we’ll be without our starting PG for the foreseeable future is a fact; no “ifs” there. That’s a pretty bad note to start off on…
Yet, there are things to be excited and hopeful about; I will choose to focus on those, and try not to let my concerns weigh me down yet. Shit, it’s only media day; we haven’t played one game yet. Until then, I’m chalking up another playoff appearance, and at least one playoff series victory; can we realistically expect more than that? Well, yeah, I’m just trying to be reasonable. If all the “ifs” fall into place PLUS some, sure, the Bulls could make a deep run; deep enough to bring us home #7? Like I said, it’s just media day… Go Bulls!!!
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