The Chicago Bulls have not been a fun team to watch over the past several years. Not only have they missed the playoffs in each of the last four seasons, but they’ve also surpassed the 30-win threshold only once during that stretch. Following an active offseason, here are three bold predictions for the Chicago Bulls for the upcoming 2021-22 NBA season.
3 Bold Predictions for the Chicago Bulls
But as every Bulls fan is aware of by now, the team has been very proactive during the offseason. And with the acquisitions of DeMar DeRozan, Lonzo Ball, and Alex Caruso, the fan base is hoping for big things.
With that in mind, here are three bold predictions for this Bulls squad as we look ahead to the 2021-22 NBA season with great anticipation.
Chicago Bulls Bold Prediction #1: Lonzo Ball is Here to Stay
The last Bulls player to win an MVP award was Derrick Rose, who the team parted ways with following the 2015-16 campaign. Unfortunately, the team hasn’t had consistent play at the point guard position since.
Enter Lonzo Ball.
Although he struggled somewhat during his first couple of seasons in the league, he shined with the New Orleans Pelicans last season. He averaged a career-best 14.6 points per contest. He also posted career-bests in overall efficiency (41.4 percent) and 3-point shooting (37.8 percent) as well. And at 6’5″, Ball has proven to be a threat at both ends of the floor. While Ball’s current deal is for three years, look for him to become a longtime fixture on this Bulls roster.
Bulls Bold Prediction #2: Zach Lavine Will Finish in the Top-10 in the MVP Voting Race
When the Bulls acquired Zach LaVine in a draft-night trade back in 2017, the consensus was that they were getting an athletic guard. However, coming off an ACL injury that kept him on the shelf for nearly a year, LaVine averaged just 16.7 points per contest in 24 games for the Bulls in 2017-18.
Since that season, though, LaVine’s stock has risen, to say the least. For example, he has increased his scoring output in each of the last three seasons. This includes a career-best 27.5 points per contest in 2020-21. LaVine also shot a career-high 50.7 percent from the field, which is a full four percent higher than his previous best mark, which was set back in 2018-19.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9f7vOQmYVto
LaVine also improved his shooting from distance, as he converted 41.9 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc. And just for good measure, let’s also mention that he posted career-bests in rebounds (five) and assists (4.9) as well. Now with a capable backcourt partner, and another All-Star in the mix, look for LaVine to have another breakout season with the Bulls.
Bulls Bold Prediction #3: The Team Will end its Four-Year Playoff Drought
The previous office regime opted to rebuild following the 2017 season. That strategy has not paid huge dividends, and that’s putting it nicely. In the first year of that rebuild, the Bulls produced just 27 victories. They went on to win 22 games apiece over the following two seasons. And last season, they won just 31 games.
On the heels of another losing season, the front office has made several moves to help build a roster that is capable of competing for a playoff spot. Whether these moves pan out remains to be seen. And while Billy Donovan is maintaining a wait-and-see approach, if these talented pieces end up being a good fit, the Bulls will be well on their way to claiming their first playoff berth in five seasons.
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