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Maybe all that will pan out, Da Bulls are surely a contender for the East.
But often the athleticism of star players decides playoff series'. I don't see much athleticism (by NBA standards) on the Bulls roster. Jimmy Butler will have to stop alot of elite scorers along the way, and he's pretty mediocre to be playing 40 minutes a game. I'm not convinced Noah and Gasol are a great fit together either. And of course you have the unknown of D.Rose.
I'd still put my money on Cleveland (has that sentence ever been written before?)
I'll bite...this article reaks of the Bulls will win because the Cavs can't or will be...leads me to believe the writer has just as much doubt that the Bulls can't do it.
First, Its the Cavs/Bulls or Bulls/Cavs Eastern Conference especially this year. I hear (not this article) the Wizards and the Heat and neither team can take the Cavs or Bulls to a game 7 and will probably struggle to get to a 6 game.
I love the Bulls defense. I think they made some nice moves bringing in some guys who can shoot the basketball...something they really needed. I also think it takes time for the Cavs to adjust although I'm not giving it a year just because it took the Heat a year to win a CHAMPIONSHIP. I think the Cavs lineup now (with Love) is better than that Heat team a few years back (certainly debatable though).
Regarding Blatt- his name has been around the block and he'll do fine- same as Thib's a few years ago- if the Cavs hired Mark Jackson- I think we'd hear some of the same concerns. I actually like what the Cavs did in bringing in Lue as a Top Assistant- we essentially have two guys that could be and will be NBA Head coaches soon.
Cavs bad defense- "bad" defense and a lebron led team don't go together. Remember Mo Williams, Wally Z, Broken down Shaq, Sasha Pavs- we played nice team defense and did well with limited athletes. For instance, I think Waiters is an underrated defender certainly much more capable than our previous guards. The Rim protector and possible a lengthy wing like Marion are coming. We'll be okay here and certainly good enough with the offense we will have, which is being severly underestimated.
Pressure? What pressure? In two years? Maybe. This season- no way. Go back and read Lebron's manifesto.
Inexperience? Our best player has been to 5 NBA finals- and Your best player? Don't get me wrong I am a little worried about a team like the Spurs, but the Bulls in regard to playoff experience?
Other than Varejao, Cleveland has no interior size of consequence on defense....and he's shaky at best to be able to contribute a lot of games or minutes.
Interior Defense- true As of August 14- I think it may be addressed before the season starts. Maybe Okafur? If not they may hang tight and try to out score the Eastern Conference. I think the team makeup is a little flawed now but the flaw may be disguised with an out of this world offense that will test a great Bulls defense.
Bulls will need to go small and run with the Cavs as the Cavs have the pieces to run many teams off the court.
I look for the Cavs to unload Haywood's contract 10M next season plus the MLE and throw in a pick for a Defense minded Big in the 12-15M range that a team may try to unload. Easier said than the done- but our GM has set us up for a move like that.
And Depth is great in the regular season less important in the playoffs. Don't get me wrong Miami Heat depth is not good, but if the Cavs are giving bench minutes to guys like Thompson/Marion/Miller/Delladova and if Ray Allen signs..Fine by me. You are stretching your starters anyway- and teams like the Cavs and Bulls aren't getting that much resistance in the first round of the playoffs anyway.
Other than Varejao, Cleveland has no interior size of consequence on defense....and he's shaky at best to be able to contribute a lot of games or minutes.
Bulls have size. LOTS of size.
The other big advantage is depth.
^This. And not only does Chicago have size, they have mobile size. I'm thinking specifically of Gibson and Noah. They aren't just the "pack the paint" type of defenders. They can move their feet and defend well away from the rim.
The player that will make or break Cleveland's fortunes is Irving, IMO. LeBron is LeBron. Teams will be content to let him score like the Spurs did in the Finals. Then they will put their most mobile player over 6'7" on Love. While the debate has been about if Love is over rated or not, I think more questions should be pointed at Irving.
Clearly he is talented. But he has question marks as well. He's really two guard masquerading as a point. He likes to dominate the ball. And like a young Kobe Bryant, he's never seen a difficult shot he didn't like. The biggest thing is he doesn't defend.
When I see people declaring LeBron's new big three better than his old big three I scratch my head. Maybe they are today. But no way they are better than the 2010-2013 versions. A big reason is defense. Wade and Bosh were excellent defenders at one point. Bosh's ability to cover ground quickly is what saved game 6 for Miami in 2013 (along with Ray Allen's shot).
Of course if Derrick Rose has another set back this season then Chicago won't be challenging Cleveland.
Interior Defense- true As of August 14- I think it may be addressed before the season starts. Maybe Okafur? If not they may hang tight and try to out score the Eastern Conference. I think the team makeup is a little flawed now but the flaw may be disguised with an out of this world offense that will test a great Bulls defense.
Bulls will need to go small and run with the Cavs as the Cavs have the pieces to run many teams off the court.
I look for the Cavs to unload Haywood's contract 10M next season plus the MLE and throw in a pick for a Defense minded Big in the 12-15M range that a team may try to unload. Easier said than the done- but our GM has set us up for a move like that.
And Depth is great in the regular season less important in the playoffs. Don't get me wrong Miami Heat depth is not good, but if the Cavs are giving bench minutes to guys like Thompson/Marion/Miller/Delladova and if Ray Allen signs..Fine by me. You are stretching your starters anyway- and teams like the Cavs and Bulls aren't getting that much resistance in the first round of the playoffs anyway.
Depth can wear teams down even in the playoffs. The Spurs did just that in the finals.
The only reason rosters tighten up in the playoffs is when most teams have severe drop offs at key positions.
The Bulls don't have severe depth dropoffs like that.
Additionally, it insulates them from fouls accumulating on any single player.
Regardless, I'm excited. May the best team win. Both teams have question marks, I'm just praying that both teams stay healthy and we all get to see a great dog fight.
Cav's big three will have the same problem that Miami did--lack of supporting cast.
The Bulls have a lot of 'ifs.' Obviously Rose's health, but also how effective will McDermott and Mirotic be as rookies. If those two can contribute as rookies, the Bulls will have great depth and flexibility. Another if is Jimmy Butler. The Bulls need better offense from him to really click. I think Gasol and Noah will be the rare twin towers who will complement each other. There has been talk that Tony Snell could be better this year too, but of course that is another 'if.'
The Bulls should be a great passing team w/ Rose, Hinrich, & Noah all good passers. I think Gasol and Mike Dunleavy also are good passers.
"Cav's big three will have the same problem that Miami did--lack of supporting cast."
Okay so Irving and Love cancel out Bosh and Wade...But, What about Waiters? There was nobody of Waiter's caliber on those Heat teams and they didn't have a big either like Varejeo. Throw in a rebounding specialist like Thompson. This Cavs team clearly has better support than those Heat teams. Only difference those Heat teams didn't have the resistance like the Cavs because the Bulls 2014>>> better than Indy 2012-2013.
"The player that will make or break Cleveland's fortunes is Irving, IMO."
I disagree. I thinks its Waiters- I think Lebron reigns him in and they use him in a 6 man role and he scores big on second units, which was the downfall of some of those Heat teams.
I think the Bulls are not going to want Rose to be scoring 25/game. Then if Butler repeats his offensive performance of last year (.397 FG%, .283 3Pt%, 13 pts/gm) that leaves them dependent on Gasol and a pair of rookies as mainstays on offense.
Butler is great on defense, but the team needs him to produce on offense.
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