5 Positives From the 2016-17 Chicago Bulls

Apr 8, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) drives past Brooklyn Nets guard KJ McDaniels (14) during the third quarter at Barclays Center. Brooklyn Nets won 107-106. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) drives past Brooklyn Nets guard KJ McDaniels (14) during the third quarter at Barclays Center. Brooklyn Nets won 107-106. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
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Robin Lopez, C, Chicago Bulls
Mar 21, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A fight breaks out between Toronto Raptors forward Serge Ibaka (9) and Chicago Bulls center Robin Lopez (8) at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Chicago 122-120 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Centers of Attention

If you assigned yourself of watching most Bulls games this year you’d know how inconsistencies have been riddled throughout the roster. Whether it be rotations or general play, you weren’t sure what to expect night-to-night. This wasn’t the case for all Chicago players.

Robin Lopez and Cristiano Felicio have been rocks. Harder than rocks, diamonds even. These bigs may not have the most versatile skill sets, but you knew what you were going to get from them.

Some say the mid-range shot is a dying art in the NBA; Lopez has been painting his masterpiece all season. Lopez’s mid-range shot was as reliable as you’d hope it could be this year. It’s not exactly stretching the floor like a 3-point threat can but at least the Bulls had a nice dump off option when teams left Robin to cut off rim penetrators.

Felicio was the ideal back up center for most of the year. He brought energy and effort night in and night out. His hands have proven to be surprisingly soft making him an adequate rim runner.

The most exciting part about Felicio is the flashes he’s shown defending in space when dragged away from the rim. That’s basically the only thing missing from Lopez’s defensive skill set and could really set the young Brazilian apart going forward.

It was a long season though you could rely on these two Bulls centers to do the things they do well every night.