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Chicago Bulls Midseason Grades: Butler shines, Wade and Rondo shrug

By Hunter Kuffel

Dec 13, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) reacts after making a basket against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at the United Center. Minnesota defeats Chicago 99-94. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) reacts after making a basket against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at the United Center. Minnesota defeats Chicago 99-94. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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NBA fans everywhere are gearing up for All Star Weekend, which means that we’re over halfway done with the 82-game regular season. With almost 50 games in the books for the Chicago Bulls, it’s time to grade each player’s performance. Some are having career years, while others are leaving something to be desired.

Next: Film Room: What happened against the Hawks?

It’s report card time for the Bulls.

A little over halfway through a very tumultuous season, Chicago has seen better days. Mired in controversy, they’ve lost all the preseason hype, and the days when they were top 10 in both offense and defense are barely visible in the rearview mirror.

The Bulls are 20th in points, 1st in rebounds, and dead last in 3-point attempts, all per 100 possessions. Just by looking at these three stats, it seems like the Bulls are right where we thought they would be. Only an idealistic few had any delusions about this team’s ability to score, and most believed that the offense would be safely below average and the team would continue their infuriating relationship with the 3-pointer.

Many also predicted that free agent acquisition Rajon Rondo would eventually cause some drama off the court, and lo and behold, he has taken to Instagram to chastise his teammates for airing grievances through the media. Because that makes sense.

In a nutshell, we had a feeling coming into this year that the Bulls would struggle, but not enough to reap any benefits. So far, we’re right on the money. As of Sunday, Chicago is in eighth place in an Eastern Conference that’s rapidly losing any credibility it may have gained this season. There doesn’t seem to be any indication that the Bulls will make the necessary changes to break free of the mediocrity that’s gripped them for the last five years.

But we’re not here to whine about the Bulls’ lack of direction. No, that’s reserved for friends and family that are sick and tired of receiving my text messages (my girlfriend is more well-versed in how Cristiano Felicio needs a bigger role than she ever wanted to be).

We’re here to grade the first half of the season for every player on the Bulls roster, so let’s get right to it, starting with the man himself.

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