Can the Bulls get the first post Jordan title?

When Tom Thibodeau was appointed the head coach , it seemed that the Chicago Bulls, led by their star guard, Derrick Rose could be winning their 7th NBA Title.  Their regular season was a testimony to this fact, but they always fell short in the playoffs. Losing Rose for the better part of three seasons did not help their cause. During the 2014/15 season, the Bulls were second best in the Central Division to the rejuvenated Cavaliers, but it seemed Rose was finally getting back to fitness. They offered some resistance to the Cavs but they succumbed 4-2 in the Playoff series.

The Bulls have finally parted company with Tom Thibodeau, as he wasn’t able to get the best out of his squad, even with the addition of someone like Pau Gasol. To prepare for the 2015/16 season, the Bulls firstly hired Fred Hoiberg as their new head coach.  Hoiberg, who played in the NBA for 10 years including a four-season stint in Chicago, was the coach of Iowa State University.  Hoiberg, led Iowa from a four consecutive losing season streak to winning ways right from his first season, which is what may have promoted his appointment. He is also familiar with the Bulls having played for the franchise.

The Bulls possess one of the best starting lineups with Jimmy Butler, Derrick Rose, Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah and Mike Dunleavy Jr. However, where the bulls have really struggled is their bench play. Beyond Taj Gibson and Aaron Brooks, they do not have sufficient quality on the bench, with Kirk Hinrich occassionally providing some useful performances but is very inconsistent.  If they have title hopes, Hoiberg would want the bench to step up throughout the regular season, to limit the minutes per game to the main starting five of the Bulls, to keep them well rested for the playoffs, as the Bulls have mainted more or less the same squad, with an impressive addition in the draft,  Forward Bobby Partis who has so far impressed for the team in the pre-season.

Pre-season has seen the Bulls so far have a record of 2-4, with 2 more matches left to play.  The results have been mixed, but the biggest positive sign has been Bobby Partis, who has been the best Bulls Player, leading in scoring and/or rebounds in several games. He might just be the replacement for Mike Dunleavy Jr. in the starting lineup for the Bulls during the regular season, and this no doubt offers more depth to the Bulls roster.

So if the Bulls bench can pull through, and Derrick Rose can keep fit and avoid getting injured, there is no reason to see the Bulls not having an outside chance of winning the NBA title. They really ought to be winning the Central Division though, as their squad, overall is better than the Cleveland Cavaliers.