Chicago Bulls 2010-2011 preview
With Vinny Del Negro gone and Tim Thibodeau now at the helm the Bulls might be able to get some stability in the team. Thibodeau was the Celtics’ defensive coach under Doc Rivers and under his defensive systems they became the best defensive team in the league –although having Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen did help.
It’s clear the team quit on Del Negro at some point last season but they somehow managed to finish the season 41-41 and clinch the last play-off spot. If the team can quit on its manager and still finish in the play-offs then surely the future looks good.
Signing Carlos Boozer was a huge addition given that he can partner with Joakim Noah in the frontcourt. If Derrick Rose improves as a passing point guard he should be able form a pretty nice partnership with the power forward.
The Bulls look set up to be a pretty good team this year and beyond.
Off-season moves
Thibodeau will definitely make the Bulls a better defensive team but the team will still need to play good offence to get a high seed in the play-offs. If Thibodeau doesn’t have the offensive play-book to utilise the Bulls’ talents his tenure might be a short one. But this is his first head coaching position so he might get some leeway from the front office.
Signing Carlos Boozer to a five-year $75million contract was a huge deal. He dominates the low post and is efficient at the pick-and-roll. When fit he’s a 20-10 guy, but don’t expect too much defence from the 28-year-old, and don’t expect him to play all 82 games. He missed loads of time for the Jazz and will already miss the start of the season with a broken hand. However, apart from signing LeBron James or Chris Bosh this was the best signing they could make.
They addressed their shooting issues by signing Kyle Korver for three years. Korver set an NBA record by hitting 53.6 percent of his 3-pointers last season, if he can keep that up he’ll be a real threat coming off the bench.
Ronnie Brewer was brought in to start as shooting guard, though he might not be the best shooting guard out there, in a team of Rose, Noah, Boozer and Deng his flaws should be minimised.
Other signings: Keith Bogans for two years, $3.2 million; Kurt Thomas for one year, $1.8 million; traded Hinrich, cash and the 17th pick to Washington for Vladimir Veeremenko; and signed Omer Asik to a $4million, three year deal.
Prediction
Signing Boozer was key to making the Bulls a threat in the Eastern Conference and if Tim Thibodeau can establish himself quickly as a head coach the Bulls will be competing for at least the fifth seed.
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