A look at the Central Division Part three: Chicago Bulls

With the bad comes a lot of good for this overhauled squad. With the loss of Noah, the Bulls were able to bring in a player I see as very similar to Joakim. Robin Lopez. They both play their heart out and at times don’t tear up the stat sheet, but can produce more quietly.

This is the one bright spark from the Rose trade. Robin is often the forgotten Lopez brother but he’s more of an all round player than Brook. Also, he doesn’t injure himself every second game. If he can provide enough of a threat down low that will open up the perimeter for guys like McDermott and Mirotic.

Jerian Grant was another player involved in the Rose trade. With limited time in his rookie season with the Knicks, Grant showed flashes of potential at times but for the most part struggled with a struggling team.

Next: Detroit Pistons Player Profile: Jon Leuer

That said, you can never judge a player based on their first season in the big leagues. With what Chicago staff have done with point guards in recent years (Coach Thibs making DJ Augustin look like an all star) I’m sure they could mould Grant’s game.

During the offseason, the Chicago Bulls traded Cameron Bairstow to the Detroit Pistons for Stan Van Gundy’s first draft pick with the team, Spencer Dinwiddie. Dinwiddie was waved by the Bulls on the seventh of July, only to be signed by them three weeks later after impressing at the Las Vegas summer league.

Dinwiddie will battle it out with Grant most likely for a spot in the rotation. A spot behind perhaps the Bulls best signing. Rajon Rondo. Rondo hasn’t had the best last few seasons. His time with the Mavericks was beyond a disappointment and while he did play well with the Sacramento Kings, they didn’t amount to anything.

If Rondo can bring that kind of play to this Chicago squad, this floor general is going to be dangerous. At his best, Rondo is one of, if not thee best point guard in the league. https://vine.co/v/iXvgLrrbnhW

If Rondo can co-exist with the returning home town hero, Dwyane Wade, the Bulls could be something special. It almost feels weird to say these two are going to be team mates. After the encounters these two have had it’s tough to even know if they like each other, but they’re both winners and I’m sure they’ll find a way to make it work.

Wade is aging. He’ll likely play less minutes and sit out games. That said, he’s still playing at an insane rate. He has the ability to rip a game open and tear the other team apart. He and Rondo will already be scheming at ways to get Wade into his preferred spots. Not to mention one of the rising stars in the NBA Jimmy Butler playing alongside them as another option.

If coach Hoiberg can get these three top tier players running smoothly, I think the Chicago Bulls are a darkhorse to take out the Central Division. The Pistons and Bulls rivalry could very well be revitalized this coming season.

Check back next week for a look at the reigning champion Cleveland Cavaliers.