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To everyone's surprise, the Chicago Bulls have been one of the more proactive teams this offseason. The seismic moves that the Bulls front office has made have entranced NBA pundits.
Some of the top names that will be suiting up for the Chicago Bulls during the 2021-21 season are DeMar DeRozan, Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso. Adding such sheer talent to the mix could be an instant recipe for success for a team that hasn't seen the bright lights since the Derrick Rose era.
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The recent tactical signings and the abundance of young talent on the roster has made the Chicago Bulls one of the more exciting teams to look forward to. Also, the franchise has done an immaculate job of surrounding All-Star guard Zach LaVine, in the process of unlocking his prime, with bonafide stars on both ends of thfloorr, at just the right time.
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Naturally, expectations from such a well-rounded roster are crossing all previous thresholds. Let's make three bold (but realistic) predictions about this exciting group of players heading into the 2021-22 season.
#1 Zach LaVine averages career-high scoring numbers for Chicago Bulls and wins MVP
Since joining the Chicago Bulls in 2017, Zach LaVine has elevated his game with every passing season. He won back-to-back dunk contests in 2015 and 2016 and the former UCLA guard has put in a lot of effort to become an elite shooter as well.
He is no longer just a guy who can jump high and get fancy in-game dunks. Zach LaVine's enhanced ability to run the floor, drive with authority and efficient three-point shooting have all contributed to him getting his first All-Star nod last season.
During his recent season with the Chicago Bulls, the former UCLA guard averaged career-best numbers of 27.4 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists per game. Following his All-Star NBA campaign, LaVine played a pivotal role for the USA Men's Olympics Basketball team that ended up bringing home gold.
LaVine's ceiling has always been sky-high, but his consistently improving numbers have brought him closer to being the next Paul George, and maybe even better the latter. Now that he will get a chance to share the court with a veteran like DeMar DeRozan, a dramatic breakout year with elite individual accolades is on the cards.
#2 The Chicago Bulls book a playoff berth without having to go through the play-in tournament
Despite both Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic averaging upwards of 20 points per game last year, the Chicago Bulls never looked a playoff-bound team. Eventually, they finished 11th in the Eastern Conference with a dismal 31-41 win-loss record, and didn't even get a shot at the play-in tournament.
But they have proper reinforcements now. Even though the Brooklyn Nets are the cream of the East, their are seven other playoff spots up for grabs again. And if the Chicago Bulls play as great as they look on paper, they are expected to make it comfortably into the postseason.
If one takes into account the long-standing relationship between Vucevic and DeRozan that dates back to their USC days, it is apparent that this team will make up in chemistry what they lack in raw talent. So down the stretch, the Chicago Bulls entering the postseason as a respectable opponent would not be huge surprise.
#3 The young guns complement the newest additions to the squad
The newest Chicago Bull, Ayo Dosunmo is known for having led his alma mater (University of Illinois) to becoming the top seed in the NCAA March Madness Tournament. And while doing so, he posted 20.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.1 steals per game, with respectable outside shooting percentages, showing off his well-rounded arsenal.
Add him to the latest offseason signings in Alex Caruso, DeMar DeRozan and Lonzo, and it becomes an exciting talent pool topped by Vucevic and LaVine.
Lonzo is a two-way point-guard with a chip on his shoulder, while the 'Carushow' is an elite “point of attack” defender able to space the floor with perimeter shooting. Moreover, the Chicago Bulls have exponentially improved their playmaking by landing DeMar DeRozan.
All of the aforementioned names are capable of making impactful plays down the stretch. But if the newer signees can cover the trails of their younger teammates, it will turn out to be an exciting season for the Bulls.
Also read: 3 bold predictions for Milwaukee Bucks' 2021-22 NBA season
