HOOPSAHOLIC

The Chicago Bulls have one of the most historic franchises in all of basketball, remember that guy named Michael Jordan? He was pretty good at hoops. Anyways, the Bulls will be without MJ, but they have a roster filled with talent and one of the best coaches in the league in Tom Thibodeau. With LeBron in the first year of a new system in Cleveland, the Eastern Conference is wide open and the Bulls are looking to make it back to the NBA Finals. 

The return of Derrick Rose.. doesn't that sound way too familiar? Just last season Rose was supposed to make that hyped return, but those plans were derailed early into the season when Rose yet again suffered a knee injury. Now with another year of rest under his belt, the former league MVP will try to get back on track. For his career, Rose has averaged 21 points per game to go along with 6.8 assists and 3.8 rebounds. The Bulls have desperately missed Rose these last couple of years, and many believe they are title contenders with him running the offense. After a great preseason showing I expect to see the old Derrick Rose back this season. 

Despite not having Rose, the Bulls did have the Defensive Player of the Year on their roster last season in Joakim Noah. He "beasted" on teams the entire year, averaging 12.6 points, 11.3 rebounds and five assists. He could be the best center in the league while still being a great passer, which forms a dominant duo at the point guard and center positions for the Bulls. This Chicago team will go as far as these two guys take them. 

The acquisition of Pau Gasol through free agency in the off season could be the move that puts this Chicago team over the hump. Gasol is a proven player in this league who averaged 17.4 points and 9.7 rebounds last season. He brings a great skill set for a big-man and his veteran leadership will strengthen the chemistry of this previously fragile Bulls team. Gasol has always been a team first guy that teammates love, so I don't see that changing now that he's with the Bulls. 

The Bulls selected the best scorer in the '14 draft class in Doug McDermott. You don't have to be a basketball junkie to know that McDermott can light it up from anywhere on the court. He has a deadly three-point shot while he's also able to bring it in and score off of the dribble. He probably won't start right away with veteran Mike Dunleavy ahead of him on the depth chart, but I do see McDermott getting his opportunities to shine under Thibodeau's guidance. 

The Bulls could have the most depth in the entire NBA this upcoming season. They will start Jimmy Butler at shooting guard, who had a great season last year averaging 13 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. Off the bench they will have players such as McDermott, Taj Gibson, Tony Snell and Nikola Mirotic who can come in to bring energy and points. I definitely believe this team is for real, and we should see them at least in the Eastern Conference Finals.