The Chicago Bulls are sitting just outside the eastern conference playoff picture after they made win now moves at the NBA trade deadline. Included in what they traded away at the deadline is their first-round pick in the upcoming NBA Draft (Protected 1-4).
That, combined with the caliber players they added to the roster, specifically in Nikola Vucevic, makes the playoffs this season not only a goal but an expectation. There is work to be done in order to meet that expectation and the Bulls need to get to work quickly so they could make the most of their remaining games.
They will need to learn how to play together as a group on the fly and in the early going may rely heavily on their two All-Star players, Zach LaVine and Vucevic. It won’t be long before the rest of the roster will need to be coming around and doing their part, though, despite how talented the top two players on the team are.
Remember that this NBA season there is a play-in tournament prior to the start of the playoffs. That means 10 teams will remain in the hunt in each conference at the conclusion of the regular season.
With the clock already ticking on the rest of the regular season here are the Chicago Bulls three keys to a successful playoff push.
3 Keys to a Chicago Bulls playoff push: Start protecting home court
With only 29 games remaining on the schedule following the finalization of the trade deadline deals, it’s far too late for the Bulls to correct their home court failures on the season. They can get their home record to a more respectable number, though, and they’ll need to do exactly that if they want to earn themselves a playoff spot.
So far the Bulls are just 9-16 at home, a shockingly bad record for them to have in the United Center. A lack of fans is no excuse, either, as teams across the league have been dealing with the same thing on their home courts.
Additionally, there are still advantages in being comfortable and having a routine in the lead-up to games. That is even more true in the current restricted world players are in when they are on road trips. There is little to do and not much at all they could do anyway. The weird structure of life for players on the road right now should be helping the Bulls pull off home wins.
Now they have no choice but to start winning at home. Just 11 of their final 29 games are at the United Center, meaning they need to pick up each and every win they can while in Chicago. It will not be easy.
Five of the remaining 11 home games for the Bulls are against the eastern conference elite. The Nets and Bucks both come to town twice while the 76ers make one trip to the Windy City. The Bulls need to take at least two games of those five.
Additionally, the Bulls need to handle business in the other six home games they will play. Half of those six come against teams they are battling with for a playoff spot in the Celtics, Hornets and Raptors. If the Bulls plan on controlling their own fate this season they are going to need to start playing better on their home court.
3 Keys to a Chicago Bulls playoff push: Veteran contributions
The Chicago Bulls are going to need to count on their veteran players at a number of different times in the coming weeks. That is a welcomed development for a few reasons. First, it is a big part of why some veterans are on the roster in the first place. Second, the experienced players in Chicago will be able to help younger players through situations they have no reason to be comfortable in. That becomes even more valued as the Bulls will be learning on the fly but also very interested in picking up wins in the short term.
These veteran players will be crucial in getting the Bulls into the playoffs this season.
- Thaddeus Young
- Garrett Temple
- Tomas Satoransky
Young and Sato both will be crucial in regards to what they are asked to do on the court for the team. The veterans are two of the Bulls best facilitators and will each see their fair share of playing time down the stretch. In seven starts so far this season, Sato has averaged 6.1 assists while Young is averaging 4.6 assists of his own in his seven starts.
Temple may see a fair number of minutes as well but even if that doesn’t prove to be the case he will be a valuable player in the ear of those in the rotation. His I.Q. and ability to see the game defensively will have value in being communicated to any of the players on the court for the Bulls moving forward.
You likely noticed two players missing from the list of veterans but that will soon make sense. An honorable mention as a veteran presence goes to Al-Farouq Aminu, who was part of the Vucevic trade at the deadline. It isn’t clear what he is capable of on the court right now but he has been a very good role player at different points in his career.
If healthy he will be a great option for the Bulls as a defender and veteran teacher to players like rookie Patrick Williams. It is very possible he earns his way into the rotation in the coming weeks.
3 Keys to a Chicago Bulls playoff push: Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic living up to the hype
Given the limited number of games remaining for the Chicago Bulls there is added pressure on both LaVine and Vucevic to develop chemistry early and build on it each and every night moving forward. There are more reasons than not to assume they will be able to get on the same page quickly and learn to play off one another without much trouble.
Why so optimistic? Easy. Both LaVine and Vucevic are special offensive players that can get it done in so many different ways. That gives them and head coach Billy Donovan flexibility in finding what works best early and will see the Bulls use both players in a variety of ways.
For example, both players are above 40% shooters from behind the arc this season. When the team runs simple two-man action offensively one of their star players will be able to either get themselves a good look or find the other one for an open three.
Expect to see Vucevic used in the post like this with the possession resulting in either a good shot attempt or a kick out to LaVine for a three with space due to his helping defender. On the other side, simple pick and pop actions will allow LaVine room to beat his man off the dribble if help isn’t provided off the screen. If that help does come there’s a good chance he can kick it to his big man for an open three.
That is one of many ways the two are going to open each other’s games up even more offensively. For the current playoff push, they need to get on the same page as quickly as possible. While the veterans around them will support them consistently with well-rounded performances, the bulk of the teams scoring will be generated by one of either LaVine or Vucevic.
If they develop chemistry quickly, which I expect them to, the Bulls should be well on their way to a playoff appearance this season.