The NBA season is not even a week old, and the Chicago Bulls have already quietly exceeded the expectations placed upon them entering this year. Through two games, they sit at 2–0 with hard-fought victories over the Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic, making them one of only four teams still with a zero in the loss column.
Most analysts assumed the Bulls were fully pivoting toward youth development and destined for another year in the bottom third of the NBA. That expectation was reflected in the initial power rankings, which placed Chicago at a discouraging 23rd out of 30 teams. One week later, the perception has shifted significantly, and the Bulls have earned every bit of the newfound respect.
A six-spot surge
The latest edition of the NBA’s power rankings dropped Monday morning and rewarded Chicago’s strong start with a six-spot climb to 17th overall. That kind of move in a single week is rare and speaks to how impactful their early performances have been.
The offense certainly hasn’t been the reason for the surge, at least not yet. With a 105.6 offensive rating that currently sits second-worst in the league, Chicago still has work to do as Coby White, their best offensive weapon, continues to sit out due to his lingering calf injury.
Defensively, though, they have been dominant. A league-best 98.1 defensive rating shows a team forcing opponents into uncomfortable decisions and capitalizing on mistakes. Combine that with the sixth-fastest pace in the NBA at 106.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and you get a style that wears teams down and punishes them before they can recover.
However, now comes the real test. This week’s schedule will prove whether these performances are sustainable or simply an early-season fluke. Chicago hosts the 15th-ranked Atlanta Hawks and the 27th-ranked Sacramento Kings before a tough doubleheader against the fourth-ranked New York Knicks. Coming out of that stretch with an overall record of 5-1, or even 4-2, could push the Bulls into a top-15 ranking and spark meaningful conversation around the league.
A new trajectory?
What’s becoming clear is that this group is embracing a different approach than in seasons past. They have ranked high in pace for years, but the focus previously leaned heavily on perimeter scoring. Billy Donovan’s vision for a physical, transition-heavy roster is finally taking shape, with added length and defensive intensity driving the change.
If the Bulls continue to defend at an elite level and keep climbing in the power rankings, they may finally have the recipe necessary to skip the Play-In Tournament that has ended their season three years in a row. In a year when the Eastern Conference has far more questions than answers outside the top tier, this might be Chicago’s chance to rewrite its trajectory.