With the 2019-2020 NBA season fast approaching, Our First Draft is providing team previews for all 30 NBA teams. These are intended to inform the reader about important roster changes for all teams, as well as summarizing the outlook of the team ahead. This includes the Vegas Over/Under line, OFD’s recommendation on which side to take, as well as a projected record for the team.
Team: Chicago Bulls
Conference: Eastern
Wins O/U: 32.5 (Over +100, Under -120)
Last Year’s Record: 22-60
Projected Roster (Projected Starters marked with asterisks): R. Arcidiacono, W. Carter Jr.*, K. Dunn, C. Felicio, D. Gafford, S. Harrison, C. Hutchinson, L. Kornet, Z. LaVine*, L. Markkanen*, O. Porter Jr.*, T. Satoransky*, D. Valentine, C. White, T. Young
Key Offseason Moves: Signed T. Young, Signed T. Satoransky, Drafted C. White, Lost R. Lopez
Overall Summary: The Bulls’ 10.5 game increase in the wins line compared to last year’s results represents the second largest, behind only the Lakers. This reflects the optimism around the young core, led by Markkanen, Carter Jr., and this year’s first round pick, speedster Coby White. Another reason for optimism is the addition of veterans like Thad Young and Tomas Satoransky, who will provide leadership and a steady hand in the locker. While Zach LaVine supposedly broke out last year, I am less optimistic about his NBA value than most, as I believe that his poor defense and playmaking aren’t quite offset by his explosive offensive potential. However, the big worry on this team is their coach, Jim Boylen. This isn’t only an issue with his archaic view of basketball, where his sense of pace and offensive shot selection belong in the short-shorts era of the NBA. This is an issue of management of players off the court, something that has become more and more important in today’s NBA. Hearing the words coach and mutiny in the same sentence is usually not a good sign.
Verdict: I would take the under (sorry Rachel). This is one of the more confounding teams to make a call on, because I believe their talent reflects a team that could surpass 32.5 wins. However, because of my doubts about Boylen’s management, I will project the Bulls to finish with a record of 30-52. That being said, it would not surprise me if this team finished well above 32 wins, pending improvement by Carter Jr. and a good year for White, and even competed for the 8th seed in the east.
Rachel’s Commentary: Last year was the first year I ever started paying attention to basketball and since I’m living in NYC I adopted the Knicks, which of course, is now devastating. Even more devastating is that what would be the second team I rooted for (Chicago forever) is almost as depressing. At least the Boylen drama is amazing.
