Chicago Bulls: Five reasons why the team will be better in 2018-19

For Chicago Bulls fans, the 2017-18 season is in the rearview mirror after the team finished with a 27-55 record. The official start to the 2018-19 season is approaching so here are five reasons why the Bulls will be better.

1. Fred Hoiberg

I know what you’re thinking.

Fred Hoiberg has been a head coach for 3 years and has a record of 110-136. That’s not good but the more on the job training you receive, the more experienced you become. Despite the record that the team had last season, Hoiberg has no issue with getting this young group to play hard for him.

Hoiberg has a system in place and has the front office’s full support. That support has been obvious with the Chicago Bulls’ offseason moves –  acquiring players that fit what he wants to do. In my opinion, the Bulls had a successful draft. They also signed Jabari Parker and brought back Zach LaVine.

The arrow is pointing up for Coach Hoiberg.

2. Zach LaVine

Bringing back Zach LaVine was looked at as a massive gamble by some Bulls fans, but at the same time, he was the best free agent available and a huge part of last years team. The Bulls front office gets criticized every offseason for not signing free agents. This summer, they signed a valuable free agent but still got criticized.

LaVine was about to be on his way to Sacramento before the Bulls matched his 4-year, $78 million offer sheet. LaVine has shown flashes of brilliance that point to him being a key piece to this Bulls team. Last season he averaged 16.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game in his 24 appearances.

The 4-year pro has insane athleticism and the potential to be a huge part of the Bulls plans moving forward. In 3 seasons with the Timberwolves LaVine was making huge leaps as a scorer. He averaged 10.1 points per game during his rookie year, 14.0 points per game during his sophomore seasons and 18.1 points per game during his third and final year as a member of the Timberwolves. If LaVine plays more than 24 games this season (which I expect), then he can solidify himself as a viable scoring option for the Bulls and easily average 20+ points per game.

3. Jabari Parker

The Bulls signed the former No. 2 overall pick from Duke (who also happens to be a Chicago native) this offseason. This was another move that was heavily criticized by fans mainly due to health concerns.

But here’s the deal: Jabari Parker was once considered to be one of the top prospects in basketball. It’s far too early to give up on him.

Parker is one full year removed from averaging 20.1 points per game with the Milwaukee Bucks. Injuries are what have been holding him back from being the star we expected him to be coming out of Duke. Now, with him coming home to Chicago and looking healthy, Parker should be a big part of the team’s hopeful improvement during the 2018-19 season.

4. Lauri Markkanen

Could we say that Lauri Markkanen was the Bulls best player last season?

Markkanen is entering his 2nd season with the Bulls after averaging 15 points and 7 rebounds per game as a rookie. You could argue that not only was Markkanen the best player on the team last year, but he might have been the most consistent. That says a lot about a rookie.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that Markkanen was also named to the NBA’s All-Rookie first team. You guys get my drift here with Markennen.

The same goes for Markkanen as goes with Hoiberg. More experience should yield more success. Now that “The Finnisher” has a full season under his belt, he should be even better in 2018-19. There’s a chance he continues trending upward and proves to be the cornerstone of the Bulls franchise.

5. Eastern Conference

Have you guys by chance heard that LeBron James signed with the Los Angeles Lakers? If not, here’s your breaking news!

In all seriousness, that move takes a huge weight off of teams in the Eastern Conference.

The Boston Celtics are considered by most to be the favorites to come out of the East, but for the first time in years, the East is wide open. Just knowing that the Bulls won’t have the best player in the world in their conference means they can breathe a huge sigh of relief – and so can the fans. LeBron has broken our hearts too many times.

The Bulls won 27 games in the 2017-18 season and 21 of those wins came against the Eastern Conference. The Bulls roster is talented enough (and the East is weak enough) for them to at least capture the 8th seed in the playoffs. This is an exciting time for Bulls fans.