Chicago ended the season with a league-best 62-20 record last season, but would be defeated by the dominant Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals. Rookie head coach Tom Thibodeau modified the mindset of the team and changed them into one of the NBA’s top defensive squads with a relentless and punishing effort on the defensive side of the floor. Star point guard Derrick Rose had a terrific year, becoming the youngest MVP winner in league history, while Tom Thibodeau won Coach of the Year honors in his first season as head coach of Chicago. What the Bulls require to boost their team is to find a consistent scoring option to assist Rose. The lack of a dependable second scorer is what did them in versus the Heat.
Chicago managed to sign veteran shooting guard Richard Hamilton after looking for different options to upgrade the position. Hamilton spent nine seasons with the Pistons, and could be just what the Bulls need to reach the NBA Finals and bring a championship back to Chicago. The signing of Hamilton is decidedly a huge upgrade over Keith Bogans. He averaged a measly 4.4 points/game in 82 starts for the Bulls last season. After having a falling out with the Pistons last year and scoring just 14.1 points/game in limited minutes, he should provide the Bulls with 15-20 points a night and be a scoring threat for the Bulls this year.
Joining Hamilton in the starting lineup will be Derrick Rose, Luol Deng, Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer. Rose is the primary ball handler in Chicago and the offense runs through him because of his ability to create for himself and others. He was 7th in the league with 25 points/game and was 10th in assists with 7.7 a game. The addition of PF Carlos Boozer was supposed to provide a big spark to the offense, but his injuries hampered his game and forced him to seat out 23 games last year. Deng continues to grow offensively, and defensively he has been one of the league’s best defenders. If he continues to work on his offensive game, he can become an All-Star as soon as this season. Noah is the heart and soul of this Bulls squad and his defensive skill set is exactly what Thibodeau wants for his team. Noah averaged a double-double last year of 11.7 points and 10.4 rebounds a game and his defensive intensity is contagious, easily making up for his deficiencies on offense.
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