Chicago Bulls: 3 important early 21-22 season games
By Nick Porr
2. October 28th: Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks
The Bulls could learn from the 2020 New York Knicks.
Just like the Bulls, the Knicks took in a former Las Angeles Laker draft-pick-turned Pelican in Julius Randle last year in free agency.
Randle found success with the Knicks last season, earning his first All-Star performance and leading the Knicks to a four-seed in the Eastern Conference.
Although extremely different players, Ball could have a similar effect in Chicago. Randle’s underrated talent helped accelerate growth in a young Knicks team by providing a post scorer and a player to run the offense through. Ball could supply similar playmaking for Chicago, albeit from the top of the key and with a very different skillset.
Additionally, after getting bounced in the first round, the Knicks could find themselves on the edge of the playoffs in an improved Eastern Conference. With the Bulls looking to find their way into the playoff picture, an early win against New York could pay future dividends.
A victory over former Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau wouldn’t hurt either.
A win against their historic rivals could give the Bulls a leg up when the playoff race becomes close later in the season.