Grading the Chicago Bulls at the halfway point of the season

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 06: Fred Hoiberg the head coach of the Chicago Bulls watches the action against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on January 6, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 06: Fred Hoiberg the head coach of the Chicago Bulls watches the action against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on January 6, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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The Chicago Bulls are through half of their season and are shocking many people with they’re improved play. Here are the tanking grades and overall grades through 41 games.

Overall Team Grade: C-

Previous Grade: B

After their improbable seven game winning streak, the Bulls settled back into reality going 4-7 in their next 11 games. This gives the Bulls the third worst record in the East and the seventh worst record in the entire NBA.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: The Bulls just don’t have enough talent. This is news to no one, of course, but still the biggest reason as to why they struggle to find continued success.

One thing Bulls fans can be thrilled about despite being on the losing end of the scoreboard most nights, is the continued growth and success of the Jimmy Butler trade pieces.

Lauri Markkanen is averaging approximately 15 points and seven rebounds in just under 30 minutes of play. He’s also shooting about 36 percent from three-point range.

Not only has Lauri looked pretty good so far, but if he keeps up this level of play for the rest of the season, he’ll have better rookie numbers than the two stars that many people loved to compare him to around the time of the draft: Dirk Nowitzki and Kristaps Porzingis.

Kris Dunn is having a good season

The other budding star that Bulls fans are quickly falling in love with is Kris Dunn. In his last eight games played, Dunn is averaging approximately 17 points, eight assists, and five rebounds. Even though that is a relatively small sample size, Dunn is playing some really high quality basketball – something Bulls fans have been looking for out of their point guards for the last few years.

Can you imagine when he gets a backcourt running mate like Zach LaVine? Sheesh, they’ll be fun to watch.

Dunn is also a hound defensively. Halfway through the season he is fourth in the NBA in steals per game. He is the only one in the top five, to play less than 30 minutes per game. Per 48 minutes Kris Dunn is tied for the league-lead in steals.

His tenacity on the defensive end is a great way to lead a young team by example and something the Bulls will look forward to seeing more of as they improve as a team over the next few years.

But despite the improving play of their young guns and the potential that the Bulls show in flashes, the Bulls are still one of the worst teams in the league. Sigh.

Tanking Grade: C+

Previous grade: D+

After an utterly terrible stretch for the tank, the Bulls finally got back on track losing seven out of their last 11.

If the season were to end today, the Bulls would have the seventh worst record in the league. This would land them a player in the caliber of maybe Mo Bamba? Miles Bridges? Collin Sexton? Don’t get me wrong, these are all fine players. At the beginning of the season there was so much hope for the Bulls to get a player like Marvin Bagley or Luka Doncic, but I’m slowly losing faith in that.

I know half a season is a long time – plenty of time to lose a multitude of games – but still, this young Bulls core works so hard, and continues to steadily improve that I can’t see them getting back into the top three draft pick conversation again.

Of course, there are factors that could change my mind.

Some people think that the addition of Zach LaVine will make them immediately better, while some believe that it will make them immediately worse for the time being. I tend to agree with the latter.

Adding someone halfway through the season who has never played in a Bulls uniform before will undoubtedly take a temporary toll on the chemistry of the unit.

This is a great step for the future of the Bulls but I believe it will be a step back for the time being. That means it’s perfect for the tank. Another factor that could contribute to an increase in the tank is the possible trade scenarios for Nikola Mirotic.

Next: Should the Bulls trade any of their players?

Mirotic has been helping the Bulls win games. And as odd as this sounds – that means it’s time to get rid of him. I love Niko, but let’s let him go help another team.

The Bulls continue their season tonight against the Knicks: a must-lose for the tank, a must-win for the overall standings of the team.

As always, go Bulls!

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