The Chicago Bulls are definitely one of the hardest teams to gauge headed into the 2021-2022 season. Outside of continued dominance from Zach LaVine, there is very little that Bulls fans can pin as a likelihood for this team.
Lonzo Ball is a massive question mark, DeMar DeRozan is 32 years old and has yet to experience any true team success since his time in Toronto, and Patrick Williams will have the tough task of transferring Summer League success to the regular season.
This Chicago team is the most interesting roster the Bulls have had in years, and could be the most intriguing team in the NBA this year.
With the increase in media attention sure to come from such a roster, setting the tone early is going to be key. These three games have the potential to be defining matchups that could set the tone for the Bulls season.
It’s a long season, but these games are a little more important than the others.
1. October 22nd: Chicago Bulls vs. New Orleans Pelicans
The Bulls home opener was going to be a big game no matter who it was against, but a matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans makes it that much more exciting.
Lonzo will be playing his first game at the United Center and will be pitted against the team he spent the past two seasons with.
Many questions still surround Ball’s ability to score from deep and contribute to a winning team. There is no better way to prove his worth than in a revenge game against a New Orleans team that he struggled to succeed with.
Outside of the obvious Lonzo headline performance, the Bulls will also have a key opportunity to test their defense against the monster that is Zion Williamson in a game against another team expected to be fighting for the playoffs this season.