Pippen Ain't Easy
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Chicago Bulls All-Star Roundtable

Dec 26, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Dwyane Wade (3) reacts after dunking against the Indiana Pacers in the final seconds of the game during the second half at the United Center. The Bulls won 90-85. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Dwyane Wade (3) reacts after dunking against the Indiana Pacers in the final seconds of the game during the second half at the United Center. The Bulls won 90-85. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
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Dec 23, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Rajon Rondo (9) falls over Charlotte Hornets center Cody Zeller (40) while chasing a loose ball during the first half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Rajon Rondo (9) falls over Charlotte Hornets center Cody Zeller (40) while chasing a loose ball during the first half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

3. Is there anyone on this roster that could win the Skills Challenge? Who?

Berry: Okay the Skills Challenge involves being able to dribble, pass, and shoot. The championship matchup is set up as a big man vs. guard/wing player. Niko would be the only Bulls big with a real shot to advance, as Bobby Portis can shoot well enough but is not an adept passer. Yes, I know it’s just a chest pass, but let’s be real here. It’s not happening. The big man spot is out. Now let’s go to the guards. I could see McDermott, Butler and Denzel Valentine advancing. Valentine shot over 40 percent from 3 his last two years in college, and while it hasn’t translated to the pros yet that can be partly attributed to inconsistent playing time. While I see all three making a run at it, I have a hard time any of them would beat Isaiah Thomas or Gordon Hayward in this years contest.

Kuffel: For all of his struggles this season, Denzel Valentine has a chance. He’s a solid passer, shooter, and ball handler, which is all you really need for the skills challenge. I’m not sure how great his chances are to win, but he could make it up there at least. If we changed the 3-pointer at the end to a towel-throwing contest, then Rondo’s got it locked up.

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Whitlow: Simply put, no. The name of the game in the Skills Challenge is speed. Sure, the format has changed and big men have shown that they can hang with the shorter ball-handlers in the league, but nobody on the Bulls roster screams out “Skills Challenge Champion”. Butler might struggle with the passes, Rajon Rondo would probably struggle with the course-ending 3-pointer, and Dwyane Wade isn’t exactly “The Flash” we knew before that won back-to-back titles in this event. If I had to pick someone that could compete, and I know he’d struggle with the 3-pointer as well, but Michael Carter-Williams (who has participated in the Skills Challenge before) would be an interesting thought.

Coughlin: No.

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