Water Cooler Talk: State of the Chicago Bulls

Although the Chicago Bulls lost a number of key rotation players in the offseason, the team remains in good spirits particularly with the acquisition of Dwayne Wade and Rajon Rondo.

The year is 2016.

Charlie Henry, formerly a coach at Iowa State during Fred Hoiberg’s tenure at the collegiate basketball level, joins the Chicago Bulls coaching staff and adds to the hype surrounding the franchise this year.

With increased attention, there’s room for discussion around the water cooler. Let’s get to the rim of discussions held about preseason basketball and take an inside look at the game from two zones. One zone: hyperbole – positive and negative. The other zone: fact.

Zone 1: The Positive

We walk into a pre-game tailgating party outside the United Center. Everyone is sounding off about the various offseason changes. In overhearing their discussion about Chicago Bulls basketball, here’s a recap of what was said.

“Now that Derrick Rose is off the payroll, let’s make it clear: this is Jimmy Butler’s team.”

“Welcome home, Dwyane Wade. You’re the real MVP.”

“Having three alpha dogs is better than one.”

Zone 1: The Negative

We walk into a support group for wives of former basketball players. A number of those in attendance for the meeting are groaning about their husband’s love for the Chicago Bulls franchise. The women huddle around the table mocking their spouses, only to run off on a tangent about the most recent offseason changes.

Zone 2: Fact

The Chicago Bulls may have sent a number of players packing this summer, but there are others who will be returning for another year. Bobby Portis is among some of those expected to receive more game action, along with rookie Denzel Valentine, who was drafted in the first round by the Bulls earlier this summer.

Fictional reader chimes in: the Bulls bench will be more exciting to watch than the starting lineup.

And rightfully so, let’s take a look at the Bulls’ bench squad.

Zone 1: The Positive

A number of retired basketball players are holding camps for community youth. These men are evaluating the talent exhibited by the children on the hardwood when one of them starts talking about the Chicago Bulls and the changing face of the franchise.

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“Note to the NBA: Beware of Bobby ‘Crazy Eyes’ Portis. He’s a man on a mission to prove everybody wrong.”

“Denzel Valentine’s bandwagon includes Denzel Washington. Who’s on your bandwagon?”

Zone 1: The Negative

A group of guys are hanging out at a sports bar one evening. Their time spent together flies as they huddle together in a large booth before a sea of flat screens. Soon all the televisions in the room broadcast the news of all the offseason changes the Bulls have made and that’s where the discussion began.

“Denzel Valentine may have some skills on the hardwood, but his social media game is under par.”

“Houston, we have a problem. Bobby Portis has hit the rookie wall and thinks he’s still in Arkansas.”

Zone 2: Fact

Bobby Portis was a sigh of relief in his first year as a Chicago Bull last year, averaging seven points per game. Although those statistics were earned while coming off the bench, the second-year forward is expected see a lot of growth and a larger role in moving forward. The change in organizational direction means that Portis is likely to oust Taj Gibson for the starting power forward job.

Denzel Valentine showed a promising start to his NBA career when he made his debut during the Las Vegas Summer League. With Wade, Butler and Rondo on the squad, it might be possible to see Valentine gaining play time at both point and shooting guard and maybe even some small forward this year.

You can see the Chicago Bulls kick off their regular season schedule against the Boston Celtics October 27, with tip-off beginning in Chicago just after 7 p.m. CT.