In the improved Eastern Conference, the Chicago Bulls aren't starting the season with playoff aspirations. They have fully embraced the rebuild and they will try to focus on player development rather than chasing a postseason spot.
However, there are still ways the Bulls can exceed expectations and surprise people. They have a couple of strengths that can give them a chance on most nights. If these strengths materialize on the court, the Bulls can be better than many expect.
Transition offense
The Bulls may struggle in half-court offense since they don't have any elite shot creators. Their success on that end of the floor will depend on how much they will be able to get out and run. Because in transition, the Bulls project to be an elite unit.
Josh Giddey is a very good passer and playmaker in full court. His outlet passing, combined with Caleb Wilson and Matas Buzelis' athleticism, will only produce good results. Norman Powell also likes to play with a lot of pace, always looking for ways to attack before the defense is set. Nic Claxton is one of the more mobile and quicker centers in the league.
This team has a lot of speed and dynamism to punish teams. If they can get enough defensive stops and grab rebounds, they will surprise opponents with their fast breaks.
Athleticism
This is a big part of the transition offense element. But Chicago's athleticism will manifest itself in other areas as well. This obviously starts with Wilson and Buzelis. They are as athletic as they get as a forward duo. Nic Claxton is an athletic center who covers a lot of ground defensively.
Giddey and Powell are underathletic for their positions, to be sure, but the Bulls have Noa Essengue and Leonard Miller off the bench. If either player is in the rotation, they can provide even more athleticism. Isaac Okoro, Patrick Williams, and Dailyn Swain are all capable athletes off the bench.
Besides the Giddey-Powell backcourt, the Bulls have physicality and athleticism elsewhere on the roster. In today's NBA, that will allow Chicago to hold their own on most nights.
Frontcourt versatility
The Bulls have an intriguing level of versatility in their forward and center rotation. This gives Tiago Splitter a ton of optionality when constructing the rotations.
Claxton is a switchable defender who can get out on the perimeter and guard smaller players. Jalen Smith can play as a power forward next to another center and has the ability to space the floor. Caleb Wilson should also get minutes as a small-ball five.
Wilson, Buzelis, and Claxton all have the ability to defend multiple positions. Add Patrick Williams, Essengue, and Miller off the bench, and the Bulls have a ton of players with size and physicality who are also highly mobile.
This type of versatility can help the Bulls punch above their weight defensively. It will also allow Splitter to experiment and see which young players thrive in which schemes. This season will be about experimentation and evaluation. This Bulls roster certainly allows for that.
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