4 Biggest Takeaways from Bulls’ 2019 Media Day
The Bulls talked the talk on media day. The front office touted the talent of this team and the improvements made in the offseason, setting this season’s goal as the mountain top (the NBA Playoffs).
This article will cover the biggest takeaways from the Bulls Media Day.
John Paxson wasn’t afraid to name Zach LaVine, Lauri Markkanen, and Otto Porter as players who need to take the step in their careers this season.
Pic via @chicagobulls
This team is going to go as far as Zach LaVine takes them. Zach improved his points, rebounds and assists averages last season, and I see no reason why he won’t continue to improve his game this season. If he improves his decision making and makes strides on the defensive end, I don’t see why he wouldn’t be playing at the All-Star break in Feb.
The NBA seems to be duo driven this season, and Markkanen should definitely hold his own for the Bulls as part of the Bulls 1-2 punch with LaVine. Markkanen has gotten stronger, and if he avoids injury and can stay consistent, his hot stretch of the season we saw last Feb. could become a nightly norm for the Finnisher.
Jim Boylen stated that the goal is not to just win 10 more games this season, and say that they got better. The goal is to make the playoffs.
This team definitely has the talent to make the postseason. They have a young energetic core. Veteran players who bring leadership and know what it takes to get a young team over the hump. Guys who aren’t afraid to do the dirty work. As our old pal Tom Thibodeau would say, if guys come in and do their job, and know their roles, this team should be in a position to win on a nightly basis.
Several players have already been praising the leadership qualities of Thad Young.
Pic via @clutchpoints
One of the Bulls key offseason moves was signing free agent Thad Young. Young is a pro’s pro. He is unselfish, and his main focus is doing what he can to make his teammates better, and help establish a winning culture for his ball club. Every team that Thad has played for, he left them in a better place than when he signed. Look no further than last year’s Indiana Pacers.
Thad’s leadership was a big part of helping Victor Oladipo take his game to a new level, and it was Thad’s voice that held the team together when Oladipo went down to a season-ending injury. The Pacers would make the playoffs as the 5th seed, even though Vegas pegged them as a lottery team. There’s no reason to think the Bulls won’t be able to find similar success this season.
Zach and Lauri both stressed that a key factor to the Bulls having success this season is availability, being healthy and being able to stay on the court.
Pic via @chicagobulls
Yes the biggest storyline heading into the season, is the same as it has been the last few seasons… Health. Chandler Hutchison (strained hamstring) and Luke Kornet (turf toe) were already sidelined before training camp began. Wendell Carter (sprained ankle) and Daniel Gafford (hyperextended elbow) would join them, suffering injuries on the 1st day of camp.
Thankfully for the Bulls, all of these injuries seem minor. But obviously, with the Bulls injury history, there was a collective groan from Bulls fans everywhere once the news broke. Hopefully, these players, won’t miss all of the training camp or the preseason.
Fingers crossed the Bulls will have a relatively healthy season and we see this team reach its full potential, all the way to the mountain top.
Featured Images: - @clutchpoints - @chicagobulls
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