What does every guy on the Chicago Bulls roster and organization want this holiday season? A cup of cheer? Some hot cocoa? How about a glass of egg nog? Carolers at their doorstep singing? Grandma’s delicious cookies? New kicks? More outdoor lights? Do I dare continue? Let’s narrow this down to match our No. 2 ranking in the East and tell you the two things that we really need, want, and absolutely have to have.
That is; DeMar DeRozan suited back up in the Bulls uniform, as well as to slide up to the No. 1 spot in the Eastern Conference standings. Let’s get this going. At this time of the year, we are seeking greatness, no doubt about it. With 2022 right around the corner, we are out to elevate our 2021-2022 legacy of Bulls’ glory and fame.
It has been truly amazing to watch this Bulls squad compete this season. We have definitely turned heads, reached team goals, doing the unexpected, have made a name for ourselves around the league and world, and have proven how talented we are as a tight-knit group. It’s no surprise that Zach LaVine, DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic have been putting up the big scoring numbers and have been very consistent with their beast-like performances each night.
Then we got a guy like Lonzo Ball who has just been nothing but a serious thrill to come watch and has been enormously ballin’ out this whole season. Ball’s efficiency and ability to round out the stat sheet night in and night out has opened many people’s eyes.
He can easily dime out, put the ball in the net, and can mix it up down low with the giants and bigs by grabbing down the boards with authority. What catches my eye more than anything about Ball’s game is his playmaking capabilities and ability to read the defenses, as well as his knowledge of spacing.
DeMar DeRozan returning will reignite this improved Chicago Bulls team
He’s very smooth in both the open floor and half-court; while making his fellow teammates look good with incredible passes. In my personal opinion, he has been the heart and soul of this team this season. He has made DeRozan and LaVine two of the top scorers in the NBA.
Vucevic is coming off some outstanding games this past week and has made his presence known. With DeRozan and LaVine getting a ton of praise this year, that has not stopped Vucevic from doing what he’s fully capable of doing and performing to the best of his ability by taking care of his third wheel ignition. He’s been putting on a show this past week by averaging 22 points per game and nine rebounds in four games and has surely been on a definite roll.
Alex Caruso has been a phenomenal hooper and addition for the Bulls this season. His athletic ability fits in great with the Bull’s style of play and this man thrives miraculously in the open floor and transition. He finishes at the rim well, but can also dish out dimes cleverly. He has a knack to fool defenses quickly, as does Mr. Ball. Caruso’s ability to rack up the steals makes him a motorized scooter on the defensive end. He’s a knock-down shooter as well.
Javonte Green has been another perimeter threat for the Bulls and can do a lot on both ends of the floor. This season, he is averaging 5.4 points per game and 4.3 rebounds. He’s another guy that has a lot of innate athletic ability. Ayo Dosunmu had a phenomenal game the other night against the Denver Nuggets with 11 points, eight assists, and six rebounds. He also brings a great deal of athleticism onto this squad and the sky is the limit.
The sweet thing here is, is that we don’t necessarily have a “Big 3” like the (2010-2014) Miami Heat of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh; or various “Big 3’s” of many other current teams, which has become a very common trend in this day and age around the league. This could be justified and looked into a little bit; however, I believe the Bulls have so many offensive weapons that can easily cut loose on any given night.
Yes, we have two of the top scorers in the league with DeRozan and LaVine; but we got a lot of talented players who all know what it takes to win, how to play, have a sheer understanding of the game at an elite level, and who are hungry and eager for an NBA championship. This crop of guys is something special. They have grace, charisma, high IQs, a distinct knowledge of the game, and rub off on each other.
Both DeRozan and LaVine have achieved a terrific feat. They both are in the top four (No. 1 and No. 3 respectively) in fourth-quarter points scored this season amongst all players in the NBA as of current press time Dec. 4.
DeRozan has scored 178 and LaVine has scored 149. This shows these two guys’ grit and mentality to fight to the end of each game, never give up, and play to the final buzzer and whistle. Huge amounts of their scoring prowess are coming in the final quarter, so that definitely shows what kind of shape they are in and their top-notch conditioning preparation and habits.
DeRozan has been placed in the NBA’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols list. He will be sidelined for many games, and his return back to the court is not known at this time.
In conclusion, the Chicago Bulls are no question, “ballers for real.” The way they play is spectacular and gives the fans something to stand up and clap for with pure entertainment and pleasure. I truly think they are one of the most exciting teams to watch in the NBA right now. Do not fret, the Bulls are not finished and have a lot to look forward to in the upcoming weeks and months.
They are currently in the midst of a battle with the Cleveland Cavaliers at this present time right now. They will be taking on the Miami Heat Saturday, Dec. 11, in Miami. They then will travel back here for a home game against the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, Dec. 14. They will then make their way out to Toronto for a game against the Raptors on Thursday, Dec. 16. They conclude the weekly slate with a home game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, Dec. 19. Please come check out this Bulls team live in action!