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Changing of the Bulls
- 1. Changing of the Bulls The upcoming 2015-2016 campaign looms largely on the horizon. The talk of the town during the fall and the winter month¡¯s remains with the team the Chicago Bulls share its facility with, The Chicago Blackhawks. Three championships in five years have the word ¡°dynasty¡± being invoked for the other red and black team that rules the west side of the Windy City. However, The Chicago Bulls still hold the championship belt for most banners in the ceiling of the United Center. Six championships throughout the 90s spawned the iconic bronze statue outside of the Madhouse on Madison, which is of course, a sacred relic of Michael Jordan. The Bulls have since attempted to foster a sense of nostalgia from those days under the reign of former Bulls coach, Tom Thibodeau. ¡°Thibs¡± as his comrades and Bulls fans endearingly called him alike, was the NBA coach of the year in his rookie season. More impressively, he coached the gritty, blue-collar Bulls to a 62 win season, which tied the record for wins by a rookie coach. However, the trials and tribulations were about to commence for the Bulls and Thibodeau. Lebron James and the Miami Heat were ¡°seeing red¡± in the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals, as they ousted the new regime of the Bulls four games to one. Tragedy struck the following year as Derrick Rose endured an injury marred season only to suffer a season ending torn ACL in the first round of the playoffs, albeit a 50 win campaign during a lockout shortened season. The dreams of the Windy City faithful were dashed once again, this time in the first round against the youthful 76ers. Rumors swirled the following year amidst the ongoing Saga of ¡°The Return.¡± When was D Rose going to make his triumphant comeback? Thibodeau responded with his famously coined proverb, ¡°Next man up.¡± That became the mantra for the resilient Chicago Bulls team, and the quorum that sold out the United Center every single night. However, Rose never returned in the 2012-13 season. Again led by its defensive prowess, the Bulls went 45-37, and even made it to the conference semifinals before getting capsized by Lebron James and the Miami Heat yet again. Anticipation was palpable. Excitement grew in Chicago. The leaves started to change colors. Basketball season was on the horizon again, and Derrick Rose was ready to answer his naysayers for one of the most anticipated comebacks in NBA history. If Rose was to remain relatively healthy, there was a definite possibility of the stars aligning for the Bulls to finally avenge their arch nemesis, Lebron James and the Miami Heat. That would be only a pipedream as Thibodeau and Rose bulled their way into yet another roadblock. Rose suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee, and the wind was knocked out of the city of Chicago (if you could believe it). Rose was again lost for the rest of the season. Thibodeau was ensconced in drama and turmoil for the third straight year. How did he and his pliable Bulls respond? ¡°Next man up,¡± rang throughout each press conference that year. Chicago fans grew weary even after Thibodeau led his Bulls to a 48-34 record in 2013-14. John Wall, Bradley Beal, and the run n¡¯ gun unit of the fresh Washington Wizards trampled over the Bulls, as Chicago had limped into the playoffs. Extensive minutes and
- 2. multiple injuries to Noah and the starting unit led the Bulls to a first round exit, 4 games to 1. 2014-15 brought the same song and dance for Thibodeau, Rose, and the Bulls. Controversy and angst between Tom Thibodeau and Bulls management rang throughout the year. If the Bulls didn¡¯t make it to the NBA finals this year then this could be the swan song for Thibs. Fast forward to February 24th, 2015, and Rose suffered another meniscus tear of the right knee. However, hope floats. News rang throughout the city that he would return in six weeks time. Led by a breakout campaign from Jimmy Butler, and Pau Gasol drinking from the fountain of youth, the bulls charged their way to a 50-32 season with Derrick Rose set to make his playoff return. Rose showed some semblance of his old self in the first round against the Bucks. He averaged 21.5 points per game as the Bulls bucked Milwaukee 4-2. Chicago versus Lebron James Act III was set to take place. In game three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals Rose banked in a three-pointer at the buzzer, and scored 30 points to put the Bulls ahead in the series, 2-1. However, that was the pinnacle of the Bulls season. Lebron James and the Cavs went on to win the next three games in very cavalier fashion, and the Bulls were reduced to rubble. Chicago fans tucked away their Rose, Butler, and Noah jerseys with much dismay. Shortly thereafter it was announced that Tom Thibodeau was to be relieved of his duties, and Iowa State¡¯s ¡°Mayor,¡± Fred Hoiberg, was to take over as head coach for the sputtering engine, that is the Chicago Bulls. The winds of change are now upon the brand new Autumnal season. With a new fearless leader come new expectations. Hoiberg is the opposite of Thibodeau. Iowa State¡¯s former mayor is known for his offensive minded approach, and something the Bulls desperately lack, floor spacing. Clogged interior lanes will now be opened up for slashers such as Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose. The simple yet effective drive and kick technique will finally come to fruition under Hoiberg¡¯s new regime. Expect the Bulls to play four out and one in, which essentially means the power forward position will be called upon to knock down far more perimeter shots than when Thibodeau was handling the offensive schemes. McDermott, Snell, and Brooks will all have a higher rate of clean looks from the perimeter. Finesse big men such as Mirotic, Gasol, and newly drafted Bobby Portis will all have the opportunity to get high quality field goal attempts, and the opportunity to knock down shots from the outside. Often times Gasol and Noah both clogged the lane last year and appeared to be out of sync because of it. Noah has exceptional passing abilities for a 6¡¯11 PF/C, and will find it effortless to distribute the ball to his teammates under the four in and one out blueprint that Hoiberg will employ this season. Tuesday October 6, 2015 marks a new era headed up by a new intrepid skipper. There is an apparent hue of excitement in the Windy City air, and Bulls fans are ecstatic for the offensive possibilities / combinations that Fred Hoiberg brings to the table. If the Bulls can stay relatively healthy, they have a chance to finally dethrone Lebron James in the East. However, they will have to contend with the likes of a very talented Miami Heat team, a very unselfish and efficient Atlanta Hawks unit, and a very long, athletic, and defensive minded Milwaukee Bucks squad. The 2015-16 crusade will surely be a scintillating one. The question on every Bulls
- 3. fan¡¯s mind still remains; will this be the year? Bulls fans will soon find out the answer to that question. The winds of change are blustering through the Windy City.