In the Eastern Conference, all the focus is on Brooklyn and Milwaukee, as they are currently favored to win the Conference this year.
But, in Chicago, the Bulls are ready to prove they belong in the conversation.
Last season, the front office made a big splash by trading for All-Star big man Nikola Vucevic. For, perhaps, the first time in his career, Zach LaVine had a real co-star and t was a sign that the team could be headed in a positive direction.
Months later, and the Bulls followed up that move with a slew of acquisitions, that includes Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso, and DeMar DeRozan
Ahead of the new campaign, LaVine spoke on his crew and warned the NBA that they are ready for bigger and better things.
“We’re an extremely explosive offensive team. When we lock in on the defensive end, we can be extremely scary. We got a bunch of guys out here playing for each other,” LaVine said, via KC Johnson of NBC Sports.
If you’ve been following the Bulls over the past few years, you’ll know they have been a highly dysfunctional franchise. With constant coaching changes and poor front-office decision-making, the well-known and prestigious organization had trouble attracting talent and building a quality roster.
With three All-Stars now on the team, it seems things have changed for the better. And while some still have their doubts, Zach is confident he and his teammates can make things work.
“I don’t get that at all, because that’s just outside narratives,” LaVine told Heavy. “At the end of the day, we are some of the basketball players in the world and we know how to make something work. It’s our job to get out there and get to know each other, obviously personally and as a basketball player. It’s easy to make things work on the basketball court if you all have the same intent, and that’s winning.”
It remains to be seen how this chapter will end for Chicago. Are they ready for a higher level of competition?
We’ll see soon enough just what they’re capable of.
