Chicago Bulls: MJ thinks this team can compete in the East

Some very positive words that were nice to hear from the Chicago Bulls all-time great shooting guard Michael Jordan recently gave some optimism to this team under second-year head coach Billy Donovan. Jordan, the majority owner of the Charlotte Hornets, will get to witness first-hand what this Bulls team is able to do in the Eastern Conference this season.

In an interview with NBC’s TODAY this week, Jordan talked mainly about the expectations surrounding Bubba Wallace in his newly formed NASCAR team this year. But he also talked about his basketball legacy and expectations around the NBA for the upcoming season.

Jordan specifically mentioned that he thinks his old team will be a difficult out in the East this season in this interview on Oct. 11.

Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan likes the team’s chances in the East this season

Here’s more on what he had to say on the matter of expectations around the East this season, and with the Bulls specifically (quotes thanks to Bleacher Nation).

"I’m a firm believer that if you’re a champion, someone is going to have to knock you off the pedal. You got Brooklyn in the East. Miami has change. You know, my old team Chicago made some big big changes, so they may compete in the East, as well,”"

You haven’t heard this type of optimism from Jordan surrounding the Bulls’ chances in the East like this in a good while. It signals a new era coming in the Windy City for this up-and-coming Bulls team.

Three games into the four-game preseason slate, the Bulls have passed the eye test so far. But it is still the preseason and it won’t matter much until the Bulls can start winning later this month as the regular season slate tips off.

The first time that the Bulls face the Hornets this season will come on Nov. 29 in Charlotte. That will be the first time that Jordan will see the team that he owns take on the team that he won six titles with during the heyday of his playing career in the NBA with the Bulls during the dynasty years of the 1990s.

Following a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers for the second time during this preseason slate thus far for the Bulls, the record sits at 3-0. Next up for Donovan and the Bulls in the preseason is the finale at home at the United Center on Oct. 15 against the Memphis Grizzlies.