We have officially made it Bulls fans, the NBA season begins tonight. While the Bulls won’t begin their season tonight the season will officially begin. The Bulls kick off their 2021-22 NBA season tomorrow night against the Detroit Pistons. This will be the first regular-season game for the new-look Bulls. After a solid 4-0 record in the preseason, we will officially get to see what this team can do in the regular season. Ahead of the team’s first game the final roster has been released and let me tell you, this roster looks like it can contend.
Bulls finalized their 2021-22 opening night roster. Alize Johnson and Matt Thomas stuck from the non-guaranteed crew. Devon Dotson and Tyler Cook get the two-ways. pic.twitter.com/vk94XBoOk1
— Rob Schaefer (@rob_schaef) October 18, 2021
If you just look at the starting five for this team it’s hard not to put this team as a contender in the East. I know I have some bias but come on. You’ve got a new point guard with a high basketball IQ in Lonzo Ball. You have the return of All-Star’s Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic. Forward Patrick Williams is coming into his second year in the league ready to be a lockdown defender. Then you can’t forget the addition of forward DeMar DeRozan who is coming off 21.6 PPG & 6.9 APG last season. This Bulls starting five is night and day different from last year. As soon as this team gets chemistry with one another they are going to be a force. From the starters to the bench this team is much deeper than in seasons past. The key to this team getting hot is getting off to a solid start. Looking at this team’s schedule they appear like they can do just that.
The Bulls can start this season hot
Luckily for the Bulls, they start this season against some subpar competition. As you already know the team opens up against the Detroit Pistons and then the team will meet them again just three days later. Sandwiched between the two matchups against the Pistons the Bulls will meet with the Pelicans which is another winnable game. After those three games, the Bulls meet with the Toronto Raptors. This team could be looking at a 4-0 start as they head into a matchup at home against the New York Knicks. That would be key for this Bulls squad as their schedule gets significantly tougher after those first five games. While it’s a long season a hot start could give this team some early much-needed confidence.
Looking at the #Bulls schedule they need to get off to a hot start and win those first 4 games. Build the confidence early and set yourself up for that tough 10+ game stretch afterwards. This team has a lot of potential and they just need to get cooking early on. #BullsNation
— Conner Grant (@Connergrant31) October 19, 2021
While the team can’t change the way the schedule stacks up they can use these tough matchups to build chemistry. There will likely be some tough losses for this team as they learn to gel with one another. But not letting those games impact the overall team morale will be crucial. The starting five seems like they will be able to find a rhythm with one another in no time. The unit that needs to catch fire if the Bulls want to make a run is the bench.
The Bulls bench is key to their success
NBA fans everywhere know the major moves the Bulls made to improve the starting five this offseason. However, not everyone knows just how much this Bulls bench has changed. This Bulls bench only has three players remaining from the previous season, two of which came to the team midway through the season. The bench has a completely new look and it’s one that Bulls fans can get behind. Led by point guard Alex Caruso this bench is going to try and be the anchor this team is looking for.
Chicago Bulls HC Billy Donovan said Alex Caruso sees things from opponents before they happen. "He's a great communicator."
Zach LaVine on Caruso: "He's a big talker. I like it."
DeMar DeRozan on Caruso: "He brings so much knowledge out there on the court."
(Via Bulls FB Live)
— Daniel Greenberg (@ChiSportUpdates) October 16, 2021
After reading that Bulls fans should be beyond excited to have Caruso leading the bench unit. A huge key to success is communication and that’s exactly what Caruso does. He’s going to be leading a group of players that are almost all new to the Bulls including himself. If they are going to become a cohesive bench unit they will need to do so through communication. The Bulls have a lot of young talent coming off the bench in guard Coby White (once he returns from injury), forward Derrick Jones Jr., forward Troy Brown Jr., & center Tony Bradley. This unit has an average age of 23.4 so you know they will bring the energy. If the Bulls want to make a long run into the playoffs they are going to need a strong bench unit. The front office put all the pieces in place to make that happen, now it’s up to the players to get it done.
The Bulls are back
Some people may think we are getting ahead of ourselves but I would disagree. The Bulls front office put everything they possibly could into this upcoming season and they expect this team to compete. The Bulls haven’t been exciting for quite a few years. After a great offseason, this team has high expectations. The fans are excited to see Bulls basketball again and the city is ready to see them compete.
Picture this… the Bulls are back this week! pic.twitter.com/oGcVEwmdFK
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) October 18, 2021
With everything that was put into this team during the offseason the time is now for the Bulls to compete. The Bulls wanted to be relevant again and this season is their opportunity to do just that. There’s some tough competition ahead but this team is deep enough to compete and talented enough to be in the top teams in the East conversation. With the season tipping off tomorrow the time is now for the Bulls. No more waiting to see what this team can be. Throw all of the preseason predictions aside and show the world the type of team that you can be. Chicago basketball is back and we are hoping the Bulls can follow in the Sky’s footsteps.
