After a full season and two playoff runs off Derrick Rose has made his much anticipated return to the Bulls lineup. The Bulls however have started off to a much less celebratory 1-2, with loses suffered at the hands of the world champion Heat and the allegedly tanking Sixers (who also beat the Heat) and narrowly eking a win out against the Knicks. After an 18 month break it is understandable that there would be rust to break off Rose's game yet still everyone seems terrified by the Bulls poor play. It's been nice to see Rose come out shooting, his percentages have been a little less pleasant (4-15 against MIA, 7-23 against NYC, 4-14 against PHI) but he's just readjusting, shots will start falling and it will get better.
That's not to brush everything off as early season jitters though the Bulls certainly have some issues to work out if they intend to seriously intend to make a push in the playoffs. Their offensive firepower is somewhat lacking. The Bulls are one of the most exceptional defenses in the league, and will continue to get better as the lineups they employ relearn how to work together now that Rose is back. But the Bulls need to have a consistent second, even third, option to get buckets. Boozer led all scorers in the season opener against the Heat with 31 pts. He scored 14 against the Knicks and 22 against the Sixers so while he provides some relief, he hasn't been what you would call a consistent scorer since he joined the Bulls. Deng had 20 pts against the Sixers and 17 against the Knicks, but only 4 against the Heat. It would seem though that second consitent, 20 pt a game scorer would help keep defenses honest and take a load of pressure off Rose who manages every aspect of the teams offense.
Taj Gibson and Jimmy Butler have been seen as possible new weapons to bring along but neither have found a level of success that is really going to alter a defenses game plan. Butler averaged 2.6 pts a game his rookie season and 8.6 ppg last season and those numbers will obviously increase with him being added to the starting lineup, just where that ceiling is though is still yet to be seen. Butler brought in 20 pts(6-12 FG, 6-7 FT) against the Heat's stifling defense which is a great sign, but only scored 11 against the Knicks and 9 against the Sixers. Taj Gibson, on his fifth season in the league, has remained a pretty consistent bench guy within Thibs' offense. He's averaged near or just under 10 points a game every season on 20-25 minutes a game. Gibson's numbers and potential would seem less promising than Butler, as it would seem Gibson has established his ceiling, but Gibson's game is versatile and has shown some flourishes of promise. He seems to have the ability to create and attack the basket and with his lean 6'9" frame he can match up against both SF and PF depending on who the Bulls are facing. This season would be prime for either player to make the move into viable option guy. With the loss of both Nate Robinson and Marco Belinelli the Bulls are still trying to figure out where to make up those points and big shots and will no doubt be testing all options out.
Another, possibly bigger issue facing the Bulls are the contracts of Luol Deng and Carlos Boozer. While Deng's numbers have been a bit inconsistent as the offense is fleshed out he is the guy on the team willing to dig in and do the dirty work. He has averaged close to 40 minutes each of the last four seasons and is a versatile defender. Deng's style is part of the core of the teams head down grind it out mentality. He led the league last season in minutes per game in both the regular season and playoffs and never complained but was reportedly upset about the Bulls' handling of his spinal tap and subsequent complications in last season's playoffs. Deng is playing in the last year of his current contract. Deng's willingness to risk life and limb feeling undervalued mixed with the fact that the Bulls have tabled his contract discussion, unwilling to seriously discuss an extension could cause him to leave in free agency next year or possibly even be traded before the February deadline if the Bulls feel sure he'd go.
Carlos Boozer's contract will be up at the end of next season and while he has proved a good solid power forward, the consensus would probably be that he is overvalued (set to make $15.3 million this year and 16.8 next year). Boozer has been good but has not lived up to the hopes the organization and their fans probably had when he came to town. He'll be close to 34 years old when it comes time to negotiate his next contract, if the don't sign an extension prior which would seem about as unlikely as a sequel to Fargo, so it's possible the Bulls could get him to sign at a (significantly) reduced rate. But it's unlikely that notoriously stingy owner Jerry Reinsdorf will want to keep both Deng and Boozer on at their current rates with higher luxury taxes coming more into effect. It is a very real possibility as well that the Bulls would choose to roll the dice on young talent and free agency allowing both players to leave.
It would seem obvious to any Bulls fan or casual viewer that Deng would be a necessity moving forward but depending on how the first half of this season plays out that relationship may be too far gone. Losing Deng and/or Boozer could set back the Bulls current need for growth even further, taking more time off the ticking careers of their solid young core (Rose, Noah, Butler, Gibson). The organization has some serious considerations to figure out as they plod through this season hoping to see this team stay healthy and reach the finals for the first time in the post Jordan era. After last years heartbreaking lost season of ups and downs and shoe string roster, fans and players alike are surely tired of watching time go by and falling just short of contention.
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