Are the Bulls back?

[sco]

I'll be optimistic they will have a great season.

What I think is working. With Coby out, we've injected another good defender into the starting line-up. While we still don't have a good paint defender in Vuc, we have very good POA defense, and the offensive/defensive balance is much better because we actually can use Vuc's offense and he's been efficient (to his credit). Also, our guys are playing way better without the ball, our off-ball movement/cutting is the best I've seen. Lastly, guys who underperformed last year have looked better so far like Ayo and Pat, and that depth has mattered when coupled with our pace.

[Stratmaster]

Back to playing competent ball.
Back to having a chance at winning games.
Back to having some sort of future.

We have been playing dead end ball since 2018. This includes the little spurt at the beginning of 2021. The team was just hot shot making then (with a sprinkle of special defense).

These last two games haven't been because Coby/Lavine/ddr got hot. It's been solid competent team wins

Back to competent and having a chance to win games. Ok. Those are kind of the same thing. The Bulls won 39 games each of the last 2 seasons. 40 the season before those, and 46 the season before that. What win total would you consider them "being back" as compared to the last 4 seasons?

[sco]

I wanted to add that, for the first time in a while, we are coming into the season where, except for Okoro, we have the guys expected to play big roles who are familiar with each other and the system, and other than Matas (who doesn't play like a young player), everyone can be considered a vet. I'll be optimistic that we get and stay healthy, because that will really matter.

[drosestruts]

I've been pretty optimistic throughout the offseason that we would be a good regular-season team.

A lot of people discredited the late season surge, but unlike other late season surges, we actually brought back the players and team that were contributing to the late season success.

You can call our offense a gimmick, and maybe it is, but our pace and depth in the regular season will simply win us games.

I don't know how we fully measure "being back" and I don't know what we would look like in a playoff game (this group has one sample of getting whomped by the Heat). But in terms of the regular season, yes I believe this is a 45 win team.

[DuckIII]

What exactly does 'back' mean Duck? I'm genuinely asking.

Did anyone say title favorites or title contenders?

I interpreted it to mean not the shyte sandwich we’ve been eating for 3 years. Something you can actually enjoy and be optimistic about without being delusional.

That's old news. We've been back by that definition for awhile now, since at least partially through last season.

There’s a lot of posters here who do not believe the post-trade deadline version was real. In a thread about “angry” Bulls fans a couple weeks I said anyone angrier now than they were the last few years is dumb as hell. The responses I got show that a lot people still view this as the same shyte sandwich sold in a different wrapper. That surprised me.

Anyway, you can use whatever definition you want. I just don’t think it was the intent of the thread to suggest we are somehow now fighting for an ECF appearance. And I think it’s pretty obvious it didn’t mean that.

[Indomitable]

I know it's early. But we just beat two up-and-coming playoff teams that's are expected to be better this year then last year. Matas looked great in the first game. Despite having a forgettable 2nd game, the Bulls beat the Magic pretty good. This team has some serious depth. Patrick "Tin Man" Williams appears to have found a heart this season.

Are we back?!

Why not wait 10 games. This is premature at best.
I expect to lose 2 of the next 3.

[Bulldog23]

I hate myself..I got the app. The team seems better but I hate this ownership and management team. I haven't watched for two years..I am waiting for a losing streak to cancel.

[ShouldaPaidBG]

Losers are off the team. We are finally playing competent basketball. If Vuc can be a net zero (or better) then this team can continue to win. It's refreshing to see

My fear is that Coby is a loser and is going to come back and mess this up.

[Red Larrivee]

Losers are off the team. We are finally playing competent basketball. If Vuc can be a net zero (or better) then this team can continue to win. It's refreshing to see

My fear is that Coby is a loser and is going to come back and mess this up.

Coby was one of the main reasons we were playing well last season.

[MrSparkle]

Losers are off the team. We are finally playing competent basketball. If Vuc can be a net zero (or better) then this team can continue to win. It's refreshing to see

My fear is that Coby is a loser and is going to come back and mess this up.

Coby was one of the main reasons we were playing well last season.

He had a hot March, but 6Y of data suggests Coby doesn’t bring the heat consistently. Streaky as hell shooter, and when those buckets aren’t falling, while his spacing and FT% are very good, his defense, streaky shooting and limited ability finishing aside all hurt us.

It seems like his defense and offense swings like a pendulum. But all in all, he’s the best individual scorer on the Bulls. The Tre/Coby/Giddey trio looked good in its limited time. I feel like the foot speed, handles and spacing bring a strong advantage.

[ShouldaPaidBG]

Losers are off the team. We are finally playing competent basketball. If Vuc can be a net zero (or better) then this team can continue to win. It's refreshing to see

My fear is that Coby is a loser and is going to come back and mess this up.

Coby was one of the main reasons we were playing well last season.

But then in the game that mattered he missed every shot and looked like he was about to cry

[Indomitable]

Back to playing competent ball.
Back to having a chance at winning games.
Back to having some sort of future.

We have been playing dead end ball since 2018. This includes the little spurt at the beginning of 2021. The team was just hot shot making then (with a sprinkle of special defense).

These last two games haven't been because Coby/Lavine/ddr got hot. It's been solid competent team wins

Back to competent and having a chance to win games. Ok. Those are kind of the same thing. The Bulls won 39 games each of the last 2 seasons. 40 the season before those, and 46 the season before that. What win total would you consider them "being back" as compared to the last 4 seasons?

They will win over 41 in my opinion.

Personally I think this is a 45 win team. I hope for a 6th seed team and actual playoff experience.


I hope that Matas can play over 70 games. He needs the reps and will show his true potential.

NOA gets the experience that he needs and works on his strength. Legs, back, and core strength is the thing he needs to focus on for the next 2 years. TMac was guy who messed his backup because he was over exposed before he was ready. Let him get stronger and protect his development.

Giddey just stay healthy and get that floater together. If Hartenstein at 6'11 can use it. Giddey should make it his staple. If he can get that with a decent 3. He becomes that much more dangerous.

Ayo when he drives in be ready to pass it to an open shooter. This will increase his value. People are loading up on him.

Coby needs to be the guy he was the last 30 games with more toughness and better defense.

If this occurs, then you have a reason to talk about being a legit team on the rise.

There are other things but this would be a nice beginning.

[Indomitable]

Losers are off the team. We are finally playing competent basketball. If Vuc can be a net zero (or better) then this team can continue to win. It's refreshing to see

My fear is that Coby is a loser and is going to come back and mess this up.

Coby was one of the main reasons we were playing well last season.

Main issues with the previous team was construction.

They were a team of below average defenders with no rim protection. That setup was poor design.

[Stratmaster]

Back to playing competent ball.
Back to having a chance at winning games.
Back to having some sort of future.

We have been playing dead end ball since 2018. This includes the little spurt at the beginning of 2021. The team was just hot shot making then (with a sprinkle of special defense).

These last two games haven't been because Coby/Lavine/ddr got hot. It's been solid competent team wins

Back to competent and having a chance to win games. Ok. Those are kind of the same thing. The Bulls won 39 games each of the last 2 seasons. 40 the season before those, and 46 the season before that. What win total would you consider them "being back" as compared to the last 4 seasons?

They will win over 41 in my opinion.

Personally I think this is a 45 win team. I hope for a 6th seed team and actual playoff experience.


I hope that Matas can play over 70 games. He needs the reps and will show his true potential.

NOA gets the experience that he needs and works on his strength. Legs, back, and core strength is the thing he needs to focus on for the next 2 years. TMac was guy who messed his backup because he was over exposed before he was ready. Let him get stronger and protect his development.

Giddey just stay healthy and get that floater together. If Hartenstein at 6'11 can use it. Giddey should make it his staple. If he can get that with a decent 3. He becomes that much more dangerous.

Ayo when he drives in be ready to pass it to an open shooter. This will increase his value. People are loading up on him.

Coby needs to be the guy he was the last 30 games with more toughness and better defense.

If this occurs, then you have a reason to talk about being a legit team on the rise.

There are other things but this would be a nice beginning.

I agree that I would consider the Bulls "back" if they win 45 this season, because they are positioned to improve more next season.

I wish I could say that is what I expect.

[Indomitable]

My fear is that Coby is a loser and is going to come back and mess this up.

Coby was one of the main reasons we were playing well last season.

But then in the game that mattered he missed every shot and looked like he was about to cry

Which is why the a playoff run is important.

If he plays like he did against the Heat or Bucks in that situation again.

Then it is time to look in a different direction.

[DuckIII]

Losers are off the team. We are finally playing competent basketball. If Vuc can be a net zero (or better) then this team can continue to win. It's refreshing to see

My fear is that Coby is a loser and is going to come back and mess this up.

Coby is not out there selfishly launching shots like his name ends in Melo. He has never played like we need to be worried his presence will kill offensive flow like a “loser.”

[DuckIII]

My fear is that Coby is a loser and is going to come back and mess this up.

Coby was one of the main reasons we were playing well last season.

But then in the game that mattered he missed every shot and looked like he was about to cry

So?

[Hangtime84]

I’m just gonna enjoy them for what they are. IMO we still need some draft or free agency luck

[Indomitable]

Back to competent and having a chance to win games. Ok. Those are kind of the same thing. The Bulls won 39 games each of the last 2 seasons. 40 the season before those, and 46 the season before that. What win total would you consider them "being back" as compared to the last 4 seasons?

They will win over 41 in my opinion.

Personally I think this is a 45 win team. I hope for a 6th seed team and actual playoff experience.


I hope that Matas can play over 70 games. He needs the reps and will show his true potential.

NOA gets the experience that he needs and works on his strength. Legs, back, and core strength is the thing he needs to focus on for the next 2 years. TMac was guy who messed his backup because he was over exposed before he was ready. Let him get stronger and protect his development.

Giddey just stay healthy and get that floater together. If Hartenstein at 6'11 can use it. Giddey should make it his staple. If he can get that with a decent 3. He becomes that much more dangerous.

Ayo when he drives in be ready to pass it to an open shooter. This will increase his value. People are loading up on him.

Coby needs to be the guy he was the last 30 games with more toughness and better defense.

If this occurs, then you have a reason to talk about being a legit team on the rise.

There are other things but this would be a nice beginning.

I agree that I would consider the Bulls "back" if they win 45 this season, because they are positioned to improve more next season.

I wish I could say that is what I expect.

The Bulls play hard and seem to listen to there coach.

Look around the league there are 4 teams that I feel just completely outclass us when they are healthy.

OKC blowout city
Houston They hit us at every weakpoint

Spurs Will we get a call.

Philly If Embiid and George can play at all we lose by 20.

Against the other teams of course we will lose.

The Bucks will bully us.
Still the rest of the teams in our conference. I believe we have a punchers chance.

[Stratmaster]

They will win over 41 in my opinion.

Personally I think this is a 45 win team. I hope for a 6th seed team and actual playoff experience.


I hope that Matas can play over 70 games. He needs the reps and will show his true potential.

NOA gets the experience that he needs and works on his strength. Legs, back, and core strength is the thing he needs to focus on for the next 2 years. TMac was guy who messed his backup because he was over exposed before he was ready. Let him get stronger and protect his development.

Giddey just stay healthy and get that floater together. If Hartenstein at 6'11 can use it. Giddey should make it his staple. If he can get that with a decent 3. He becomes that much more dangerous.

Ayo when he drives in be ready to pass it to an open shooter. This will increase his value. People are loading up on him.

Coby needs to be the guy he was the last 30 games with more toughness and better defense.

If this occurs, then you have a reason to talk about being a legit team on the rise.

There are other things but this would be a nice beginning.

I agree that I would consider the Bulls "back" if they win 45 this season, because they are positioned to improve more next season.

I wish I could say that is what I expect.

The Bulls play hard and seem to listen to there coach.

Look around the league there are 4 teams that I feel just completely outclass us when they are healthy.

OKC blowout city
Houston They hit us at every weakpoint

Spurs Will we get a call.

Philly If Embiid and George can play at all we lose by 20.

Against the other teams of course we will lose.

The Bucks will bully us.
Still the rest of the teams in our conference. I believe we have a punchers chance.

Wait. What? I guess we need to define "outclass" now too. That's pretty subjective. I will just say.. The Bulls aren't the 5th best team in the East, more or less the league.