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Current and Former Chicago Bulls Will Compete in the Olympics

By Paul Steeno

Jul 20, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; USA guard Jimmy Butler (4) looks for a pass during a practice at Mendenhall Center. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 20, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; USA guard Jimmy Butler (4) looks for a pass during a practice at Mendenhall Center. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 18, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic (44) talks with teammate center Pau Gasol (16) on the court in the game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Bulls won 103-97. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic (44) talks with teammate center Pau Gasol (16) on the court in the game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Bulls won 103-97. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /

A reunion between Gasol and Mirotic

After finally deciding the Zika virus wouldn’t kill him, former Chicago Bull Pau Gasol chose to represent Spain in the Olympics for the fourth time in his career. A fixture of international basketball competition, the 36-year-old will attempt to lead the Spaniards to their first-ever Olympic gold in basketball.

After spending two up and down seasons with the Chicago Bulls, Gasol opted to sign with the San Antonio Spurs this summer for $31.6 million across the next two seasons.

He averaged 17.6 points per game on 48.3 percent from the field and collected 11.4 rebounds per game in two seasons with the Bulls. He also solidified his reputation as one of the best passing big men in the game during his time in Chicago with his 3.4 assists per game and made the All-Star team in both of his seasons with the Chicago Bulls.

Joining Gasol on the Spanish Olympic team roster is Nikola Mirotic, who will navigate his way through the first Olympics of his career this summer.

The 25-year-old enters his third season with the Chicago Bulls. Sky-high expectations accompanied his arrival to the team in 2014. Although he has shown some flashes of excellence, inconsistency with his shooting stroke has caused Mirotic to struggle at times.

The lack of good shooters on the starting unit makes Mirotic a likely starter for next season. The Bulls need him to improve upon or maintain the 39 percent three-point field goal percentage he posted last season; otherwise, floor spacing will be a major problem on the starting unit.

Mirotic has a lot to work on as he tries to take that next step in his NBA progression. An Olympic tune-up against the best in the world will force him to work on things he struggled with his first two seasons with the Bulls.

Next: Brazil

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