Chicago Bulls: Teams fans should watch in the NBA Playoffs

Team #1: Milwaukee Bucks

It’s an obvious choice. The Milwaukee Bucks are one of two teams in the Bulls’ division in these playoffs, and they have a legitimate chance to win it all. They had the best record in the NBA when the season was suspended in March.

There’s doubt surrounding whether or not the Bucks can make it to the Finals and win it all. Some analysts pointed to star forward Giannis Attentokumpo’s admission that he hadn’t been practicing because of his lack of a basketball hoop at home. I think that concern is overblown.

The players in the playoffs have already ramped their training back up after the league set an official start date. Plus, the teams will all travel to Orlando on July 7th, with the season scheduled to start on July 31st. They will have time to work out as a team.

The Bucks will likely first match up with the “Hometown” team in the eight-seed Orlando Magic. It should be an easy sweep for the Bucks, but a tougher matchup with either the Miami Heat or Indiana Pacers would await in the second round.

If the Bucks can make it to the Eastern Conference Finals, I think they have a really good shot to ride that momentum all the way to an NBA Championship. It won’t be easy, but they’re a team that has great depth and the talent to take them all the way.

Team #2: Los Angeles Lakers

I know you might be annoyed that I led with the two favorite teams to win it all, but this stems from a pipe dream I have that involves the Los Angeles Lakers winning the NBA Championship.

For many offseasons, Bulls fans waited for a big-name free agent to sign and come to Chicago. Year after year, it never happened. The Bulls could get a consolation prize like Carlos Boozer when they missed out on a megastar like LeBron James, but they couldn’t land the big fish.

Maybe now that the front office looks different, and there’s the likelihood of a different head coach, that trend could change. Bulls fans should be rooting for the Lakers. They have a potential free agent that would look amazing in a Bulls uniform.

Lakers forward Anthony Davis is a force on the court and was born and raised in Chicago. He also has the option to opt-out of his contract after this season is over. Could you imagine if the Lakers win it all and Davis decides he wants to come home?

Again, this is a pipe dream. Davis made it clear back in 2018 that he wanted to be traded to the Lakers. He has a mansion in LA, but he interestingly listed it for sale in April. This only adds fuel to the fire of this scenario in my mind.

It might feel odd, but Bulls fans should be Lakers fans during these playoffs. Maybe, just maybe this team can start a new era around a bonafide superstar.