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This, imo, is a major make or break year for the Bulls organization. The person with the most to lose is Tom Thibodeau. We all know the problems he's having with Gar (Again, just my opinion, but I think this is a MAJOR issue). The biggest problem, if I'm following the story correctly, is his overuse of starters during the regular season - and it's not a wrong opinion to have. When you look at the core of this team since Thibs became head coach:
Derrick Rose: 110 regular season games missed
Joakim Noah: 52 regular season games missed
Luol Deng: 35 regular season games missed
Taj Gibson*: 38 regular season games missed
Point being, Thibs is going to have to trust this bench more than ever this year. Noah is already hampered by some injuries. You're best player off the bench, Kirk Hinrich**, is also hurting. How he manages these minutes is going to be a major thing to watch for this year.
Now for the good news: Thibs is a top 5 coach*** in the league. Look at the development of Jimmy Butler. If, and this is a major if, Marquis Teague develops in the same way as Butler has (probably unlikely just due to the positions the two play) I'd be breathing much easier. Add in Tony Snell who I think can develop a lot quicker, plus a veteran in Dunleavy and you should feel a lot better. Again, this is all based on Thibs trust them.
Now for the problem: If I'm the Bulls, I want home court. There is no way I wan to play the Pacers, and then the Heat in the playoffs. No sir, no way. Let those two beat each other up, and then the Bulls can get them in the ECF. But that might mean that you're looking at a lot of minutes of the four I mentioned above, plus Hinrich and Butler.
That's the issue I see this year. I have a strong feeling the two Dick Tracy villains will be fighting all season long because of the minutes being played. Unfortunately, I think Gar will be the one that wins out in the end.
* I do not consider Taj Gibson to be part of the core, but some of you might, so I included him.
** That should scare you.
*** Top 2 really, but I don't want to come off as a homer.
Derrick Rose: 110 regular season games missed
Joakim Noah: 52 regular season games missed
Luol Deng: 35 regular season games missed
Taj Gibson*: 38 regular season games missed
Point being, Thibs is going to have to trust this bench more than ever this year. Noah is already hampered by some injuries. You're best player off the bench, Kirk Hinrich**, is also hurting. How he manages these minutes is going to be a major thing to watch for this year.
Now for the good news: Thibs is a top 5 coach*** in the league. Look at the development of Jimmy Butler. If, and this is a major if, Marquis Teague develops in the same way as Butler has (probably unlikely just due to the positions the two play) I'd be breathing much easier. Add in Tony Snell who I think can develop a lot quicker, plus a veteran in Dunleavy and you should feel a lot better. Again, this is all based on Thibs trust them.
Now for the problem: If I'm the Bulls, I want home court. There is no way I wan to play the Pacers, and then the Heat in the playoffs. No sir, no way. Let those two beat each other up, and then the Bulls can get them in the ECF. But that might mean that you're looking at a lot of minutes of the four I mentioned above, plus Hinrich and Butler.
That's the issue I see this year. I have a strong feeling the two Dick Tracy villains will be fighting all season long because of the minutes being played. Unfortunately, I think Gar will be the one that wins out in the end.
* I do not consider Taj Gibson to be part of the core, but some of you might, so I included him.
** That should scare you.
*** Top 2 really, but I don't want to come off as a homer.