I'm going to say yes. The Bulls are primed to win the title this year. Rose, when he's playing, looks like an all-star level player. I'll assume he's healthy for the playoffs. Jimmy Butler has turned into an all-star level 2/3 and is playing like a shot creator while giving us all-NBA defense. Pau Gasol is better than expected. He's currently playing at an all-star level. Noah, if he can play like he did in the Clippers game health-wise, is an all-star level player. The Bulls have a deep bench. Mirotic looks like he'll be a contributor by the end of the season. Gibson, IMO, could be a close to all-star player on another team as the starting PF. Magic Mike is a solid glue player. Hinrich and Brooks are both good bench guards. The Bulls can play an aggressive defense, clear the boards, create shots, share the ball and go 10 deep. They have the big man depth that other contenders in the East lack and with Rose and Butler, have two shot creators and stretch snipers in Dunleavy, Mirotic, McDermott (perhaps) and Brooks that can make teams pay. The Bulls will dominate other East contenders at the 4/5 and we finally have the offensive punch to make teams pay for doubling Rose. If this team stays healthy, they are my pick to win the title this year.
I voted no, since any team's chances of winning the title in any given year are less than 50%. That said, this year their chances are as good as any for the reasons given by K4E.
I think the Spurs chances are better than 50%, tho the oddsmakers say 4:1. I'm not sure a team of mostly older and sometimes gimpy players beats a talented young team.
A lot went right for the Spurs last year. They're no doubt a contender but I don't think they're beyond reproach as repeat champs. They're sensitive to certain types of matchups and father time is not on their side.
Even if they've got a 99% chance to win, it doesn't mean they're sure to win. The problem for the oddsmakers is if they made the odds 1:1 (50%), it would be a disincentive to bet on the Spurs. > 50% does not mean they're beyond reproach as repeat champs. They won it last year, and it seems like they have the quality players and depth to do it again using the same formula. The only team with better odds might be the Cavs, and that's assuming LeBron can and will assert himself like the dominant player he's been at times and if the chemistry works.
Speaking of betting odds, it'll be interesting to see how they move as the season progresses. If you feel strongly about the Bulls chances, now might be a good time to get your bets down. If the betting public starts believing that Butler is the real deal, the current price (somewhere around 7-1 or 8-1) will probably be the best you'll see, Sent from my Venue 8 Pro 5830 using Tapatalk
8-1 sounds like pretty good odds to me. It basically hinges on Derrick's ability to be his old self and Jimmy's sustained play. I don't think Jimmy's play is a fluke. He's an all-star out there. When Rose has been on the court he looks like himself. It's an issue of getting to the end of the season in one piece.
I say yes KK4E IF... a big IF we are healthy and playing well come playoffs. Butler is playing like an all-star! Rose and Gasol were in the past. Bench has fire power! And if we play defense the way the Bulls teams have in recent years.
This can't be overemphasized. It is not like Butler is making over 50% of his 3s or that every silly shot he tries is going in. He's just strong, quick, aggressive and uber-confident. He's averaging 8 FTAs/game...that's how big-time scorers become big-time scorers. Gasol has been wonderful and when Rose has played, he's looked great, but for me, Butler is the clear #1 Bulls story of this young season.
I remember when Jamal was on the Bulls he'd always have these stretches where he'd score lots of points but it was usually because he was hitting a bunch of 20 foot step-back jumpers that aren't going to go in more than 45% of the time over the course of a normal season. So it was good while it lasted but it didn't indicate anything. But Jimmy can just manufacture points from all these different spots on the floor. If his defender weighs less than 210 lbs it's like he can just drive right through you.
Healthy Bulls vs Healthy Kings - Bulls win in 5 in a 7 game series IMO. The age of Gasol is an issue, that's why resting him Duncan style this season is fine with me. As for Rose, its hard to understand how he can be sitting out like he is. I guess he just has carte blanche to sit out whenever he wants for whatever reason? Its frustrating to see old man Kirk busting his hump out there while Rose is chilling in suit. That being said, who knows what the health issue really is with him.
How serious is the injury and what is the time frame to return? Is this another situation where the organization and their medical staff feels he could / should play and Derrick is just choosing to sit again? I would just like to know more about what is actually going on. I also realize I won't get a firm answer to these questions. Given Derrick's history though, its eyebrow raising.
