A Bubble Invite Could Be a Good Thing for the Bulls
Seventh in the draft lottery standings is not where the Bulls had hoped their season would end this time around when the NBA initially started its season.
The organization had as its top priority pushing for a playoff spot, which would signal progress with the current rebuild.
That mindset shouldn’t change with the NBA set to reopen the season and resume playing games somewhere in mid to late July.
Oh sure there will be naysayers who will hope that the new format of teams that will move forward once the season resumes will not include the Chicago Bulls. They will point to the need for the white flag to be raised on what has been a tumultuous season. A season that could see them finally moving on from coach Jim Boylen and positioning the team for a high draft lottery pick.
After all, what are the alternatives?
Playing in the tournament-style play in that the Bulls would hope the league passes, advancing for maybe a round, and eventually flaming out?
But wasn’t that the stated goal from the beginning of the year… a year filled with promise to see the components of this team trying to take shape? No one thought this team would be crowned NBA Champions.
But most believed that with the additions of Tomas Satoransky and Thaddeus Young, along with the budding games of Wendell Carter Jr., Lauri Markkanen…
and Zach LaVine…
http://twitter.com/bendellbarter/status/1258619864975056896
would be enough to make the playoffs and win a few games.
Injuries, poor usage of players by the coaching staff, and an organization that needed to be brought into the modern era were at the forefront of problems that hampered this team’s ability to compete successfully on a nightly basis.
Two of the aforementioned issues have been solved. The Bulls brought in a well respected basketball mind to run the organization, and are now as healthy as they were at the beginning of the season.
Yes coaching is a huge reason for the Bulls failures this year, and that can still be addressed with the Bulls eventually moving on from Boylen once the season starts up again. Even if the Bulls were given a chance to play, and somehow they went on an extended run through the playoffs, that alone wouldn’t and or shouldn’t guarantee that Boylen is given a second chance of being the head coach.
But the real alternative ( which can’t be stressed enough) to the Bulls season being shucked away and not pushing for a playoff style tournament is a lot more depressing.
This is a weak draft class with no clear cut No.1 talent that has stood out over the year. James Wiseman didn’t last very long at Memphis opting instead to train for the NBA draft. Supposed top talents like LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, and R.J. Hampton have either had injuries or have been widely inconsistent. And Deni Avdija has played in a limited role in Israel.
This begs the question of whether or not these players could even help round out a top 10 list, let alone be a future game-changer that could propel the Bulls to new heights.
The Bulls will not be in any position to acquire any significant free agents for next year because of their cap. Even if they were the affects of the coronavirus pandemic could make the cap go down by as much as $30 million.
So if you’re a true Bulls fan, all you can hope is that the team is: allowed to play once the season begins; Zach LaVine and Coby White can showcase their skills and form some continuity on the court; Wendell Carter Jr. can stay aggressive while looking for his shot; and Markkanen can prove that he is player worthy of receiving an extension next year.
A season of hope is how this season was kicked off. And nothing should change that.
Featured Image: Chicago Tribune
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