Bulls: Thoughts, Grades and Takeaways Through First Two Games of Season

Oct 28, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) sends a shot over Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) as the final buzzer sounds during the fourth quarter at Barclays Center. Chicago won 115-100. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bulls are 2-0 to start the season for the first time since the start of the 2012-13 season. How did they get there? We’ll take a look and also give out some grades for the Bulls for their hot start to the year.

Tuesday was all about the Chicago Bulls making two huge defensive plays in the final seconds to hold off a comeback by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the season opener. Wednesday was all about the Bulls setting the (Brooklyn) Nets on fire with 14 three-pointers and a balanced scoring attack.

There’s been a few dull stretches where the Bulls have let their foot off the gas — a 36-point second quarter on the defensive end against Brooklyn for example — but the 2-0 start has had a ton of good come from it. Not only have 11 guys seen action in the first two games, new Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg is giving his youth some chances to produce and prove they should have minutes in the rotation.

ALSO AT PIPPEN AIN’T EASY: Nikola Mirotic’s Hot Start Shows Hoiberg Made Right Call

The Bulls have looked much fresher later in ballgames thanks to a minutes balance from Hoiberg, while also making a starting lineup changes that is paying off already with 80 games left. Nikola Mirotic looks like a completely different player than he did in his rookie season. (It’s amazing what a tournament appearance with Team Spain in EuroBasket and a promotion into the starting lineup with do, huh?)

Sure, it’s October 29th, but it’s good to see the Bulls playing more freely and providing a sense of balance in the early going of Hoiberg’s rookie season in Chicago.

Thursday is an off-day for the Bulls, so here’s a little mix of thoughts, analysis and some overall grades through the first two games of the season.

Next: The Starters