Ranking Tom Thibodeau's 6 Biggest Challenges for Chicago Bulls Next Season

Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau should face several challenges next season.
Superstar point guard Derrick Rose will miss most of the year sidelined by an ACL injury and a handful of key players from last year's squad will be playing elsewhere.

Thibodeau has been nothing short of sensational during his stay in Chicago, guiding the Bulls to the top seed in the Eastern Conference two years in a row.

However, things will get tough—really tough— next season for the NBA's 2011 Coach of the Year.
With D-Rose on the shelf, can Thibodeau’s Bulls stay relevant or sadly transform into a lottery team?
And will the newcomers buy into Thibodeau’s system?
Here are six challenges for Thibodeau’s Bulls in 2012-13.

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau should face several challenges next season.
Superstar point guard Derrick Rose will miss most of the year sidelined by an ACL injury and a handful of key players from last year's squad will be playing elsewhere.
Thibodeau has been nothing short of sensational during his stay in Chicago, guiding the Bulls to the top seed in the Eastern Conference two years in a row.
However, things will get tough—really tough— next season for the NBA's 2011 Coach of the Year.
With D-Rose on the shelf, can Thibodeau’s Bulls stay relevant or sadly transform into a lottery team?
And will the newcomers buy into Thibodeau’s system?
Here are six challenges for Thibodeau’s Bulls in 2012-13.

6. Getting Carlos Boozer to Step Up His Game

During the summer of 2010, the Bulls missed out on superstar free agents like LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, but they did manage to sign Carlos Boozer.

In Utah, Boozer was a two-time All-Star and one of the league's better power forwards. Unfortunately as a Bull, the former Duke star's game has slipped quite a bit.

With Derrick Rose injured, Thibodeau needs Boozer to step up and be the nearly 20-point, 10-rebound-type of performer whom he was as a member of the Jazz. 

5. Getting the Point Guard Combo to Hold Down the Fort Until Rose Returns 

Chicago will likely start Kirk Hinrich at the point guard spot with rookie Marquis Teague backing him up.
Hinrich—who's in his second stint with the Bulls—is known for his solid defense and should do a commendable job next season.
Drafted by the team 29th overall in this year's draft, the quick and highly athletic Teague could turn out to have a huge impact in his first year as a pro.
 Can the point guard duo hold down the fort until D-Rose returns to the lineup?

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau should face several challenges next season.
Superstar point guard Derrick Rose will miss most of the year sidelined by an ACL injury and a handful of key players from last year's squad will be playing elsewhere.
Thibodeau has been nothing short of sensational during his stay in Chicago, guiding the Bulls to the top seed in the Eastern Conference two years in a row.
However, things will get tough—really tough— next season for the NBA's 2011 Coach of the Year.
With D-Rose on the shelf, can Thibodeau’s Bulls stay relevant or sadly transform into a lottery team?
And will the newcomers buy into Thibodeau’s system?
Here are six challenges for Thibodeau’s Bulls in 2012-13.

6. Getting Carlos Boozer to Step Up His Game

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

During the summer of 2010, the Bulls missed out on superstar free agents like LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, but they did manage to sign Carlos Boozer.
In Utah, Boozer was a two-time All-Star and one of the league's better power forwards. Unfortunately as a Bull, the former Duke star's game has slipped quite a bit.
With Derrick Rose injured, Thibodeau needs Boozer to step up and be the nearly 20-point, 10-rebound-type of performer whom he was as a member of the Jazz.  

5. Getting the Point Guard Combo to Hold Down the Fort Until Rose Returns

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Chicago will likely start Kirk Hinrich at the point guard spot with rookie Marquis Teague backing him up.
Hinrich—who's in his second stint with the Bulls—is known for his solid defense and should do a commendable job next season.
Drafted by the team 29th overall in this year's draft, the quick and highly athletic Teague could turn out to have a huge impact in his first year as a pro.
Can the point guard duo hold down the fort until D-Rose returns to the lineup?   

4. Having an Injury-Free Team

As everybody knows, Derrick Rose will miss a lot of games during the 2012-13 campaign due to injury.
Hopefully, he's the only valuable member of the Bulls who will miss a significant amount of time.
Rip Hamilton missed 38 games last season, and Joakim Noah sprained his ankle in the playoffs against Philadelphia.
Thibodeau needs to have his players healthy in order to have a great season.

 

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau should face several challenges next season.
Superstar point guard Derrick Rose will miss most of the year sidelined by an ACL injury and a handful of key players from last year's squad will be playing elsewhere.
Thibodeau has been nothing short of sensational during his stay in Chicago, guiding the Bulls to the top seed in the Eastern Conference two years in a row.
However, things will get tough—really tough— next season for the NBA's 2011 Coach of the Year.
With D-Rose on the shelf, can Thibodeau’s Bulls stay relevant or sadly transform into a lottery team?
And will the newcomers buy into Thibodeau’s system?
Here are six challenges for Thibodeau’s Bulls in 2012-13.

6. Getting Carlos Boozer to Step Up His Game

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

During the summer of 2010, the Bulls missed out on superstar free agents like LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, but they did manage to sign Carlos Boozer.
In Utah, Boozer was a two-time All-Star and one of the league's better power forwards. Unfortunately as a Bull, the former Duke star's game has slipped quite a bit.
With Derrick Rose injured, Thibodeau needs Boozer to step up and be the nearly 20-point, 10-rebound-type of performer whom he was as a member of the Jazz.  

5. Getting the Point Guard Combo to Hold Down the Fort Until Rose Returns

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Chicago will likely start Kirk Hinrich at the point guard spot with rookie Marquis Teague backing him up.
Hinrich—who's in his second stint with the Bulls—is known for his solid defense and should do a commendable job next season.
Drafted by the team 29th overall in this year's draft, the quick and highly athletic Teague could turn out to have a huge impact in his first year as a pro.
Can the point guard duo hold down the fort until D-Rose returns to the lineup?   

4. Having an Injury-Free Team

Drew Hallowell/Getty Images

As everybody knows, Derrick Rose will miss a lot of games during the 2012-13 campaign due to injury.
Hopefully, he's the only valuable member of the Bulls who will miss a significant amount of time.
Rip Hamilton missed 38 games last season, and Joakim Noah sprained his ankle in the playoffs against Philadelphia.
Thibodeau needs to have his players healthy in order to have a great season.

3. Getting Production from a New Bench

The Bulls bench—known as the "Bench Mob"—was one of the main reasons for the team's success over the past two seasons.
This offseason, the second unit was dismantled as Omer Asik, Kyle Korver, C.J. Watson and Ronnie Brewer were let go.
Now, the bench consists of returnees Taj Gibson and Jimmy Butler—who will have a bigger role—as well as new guys Marco Belinelli, Marquis Teague and Nazr Mohammad.
Chicago fans hope this group can play at a high level.    

2. Keeping the Bulls an Elite Defensive Team

Saying the Bulls have been a stellar defensive ballclub the past two years is truly an understatement.
The team owned the league's top defensive rating in 2010-11 and ranked second last season.
Chicago has a few newcomers, but they should manage to remain an elite defensive team, especially with Thibodeau running the show.

1. Getting the Team Back to the Postseason

Guiding the Bulls to the playoffs next season has to be the biggest challenge for Thibodeau.
With Rose out and role players like Omer Asik, C.J. Watson and Ronnie Brewer gone, Thibodeau is going to have is work cut out for him.
If Luol Deng can continue to play like an All-Star and guys like Rip Hamilton and Joakim Noah can stay healthy, Chicago should reach the postseason for the fifth straight year.

 

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau should face several challenges next season.
Superstar point guard Derrick Rose will miss most of the year sidelined by an ACL injury and a handful of key players from last year's squad will be playing elsewhere.
Thibodeau has been nothing short of sensational during his stay in Chicago, guiding the Bulls to the top seed in the Eastern Conference two years in a row.
However, things will get tough—really tough— next season for the NBA's 2011 Coach of the Year.
With D-Rose on the shelf, can Thibodeau’s Bulls stay relevant or sadly transform into a lottery team?
And will the newcomers buy into Thibodeau’s system?
Here are six challenges for Thibodeau’s Bulls in 2012-13.

6. Getting Carlos Boozer to Step Up His Game

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

During the summer of 2010, the Bulls missed out on superstar free agents like LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, but they did manage to sign Carlos Boozer.
In Utah, Boozer was a two-time All-Star and one of the league's better power forwards. Unfortunately as a Bull, the former Duke star's game has slipped quite a bit.
With Derrick Rose injured, Thibodeau needs Boozer to step up and be the nearly 20-point, 10-rebound-type of performer whom he was as a member of the Jazz.  

5. Getting the Point Guard Combo to Hold Down the Fort Until Rose Returns

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Chicago will likely start Kirk Hinrich at the point guard spot with rookie Marquis Teague backing him up.
Hinrich—who's in his second stint with the Bulls—is known for his solid defense and should do a commendable job next season.
Drafted by the team 29th overall in this year's draft, the quick and highly athletic Teague could turn out to have a huge impact in his first year as a pro.
Can the point guard duo hold down the fort until D-Rose returns to the lineup?   

4. Having an Injury-Free Team

Drew Hallowell/Getty Images

As everybody knows, Derrick Rose will miss a lot of games during the 2012-13 campaign due to injury.
Hopefully, he's the only valuable member of the Bulls who will miss a significant amount of time.
Rip Hamilton missed 38 games last season, and Joakim Noah sprained his ankle in the playoffs against Philadelphia.
Thibodeau needs to have his players healthy in order to have a great season.

3. Getting Production from a New Bench

Drew Hallowell/Getty Images

The Bulls bench—known as the "Bench Mob"—was one of the main reasons for the team's success over the past two seasons.
This offseason, the second unit was dismantled as Omer Asik, Kyle Korver, C.J. Watson and Ronnie Brewer were let go.
Now, the bench consists of returnees Taj Gibson and Jimmy Butler—who will have a bigger role—as well as new guys Marco Belinelli, Marquis Teague and Nazr Mohammad.
Chicago fans hope this group can play at a high level.   

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau should face several challenges next season.
Superstar point guard Derrick Rose will miss most of the year sidelined by an ACL injury and a handful of key players from last year's squad will be playing elsewhere.
Thibodeau has been nothing short of sensational during his stay in Chicago, guiding the Bulls to the top seed in the Eastern Conference two years in a row.
However, things will get tough—really tough— next season for the NBA's 2011 Coach of the Year.
With D-Rose on the shelf, can Thibodeau’s Bulls stay relevant or sadly transform into a lottery team?
And will the newcomers buy into Thibodeau’s system?
Here are six challenges for Thibodeau’s Bulls in 2012-13.

6. Getting Carlos Boozer to Step Up His Game

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

During the summer of 2010, the Bulls missed out on superstar free agents like LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, but they did manage to sign Carlos Boozer.
In Utah, Boozer was a two-time All-Star and one of the league's better power forwards. Unfortunately as a Bull, the former Duke star's game has slipped quite a bit.
With Derrick Rose injured, Thibodeau needs Boozer to step up and be the nearly 20-point, 10-rebound-type of performer whom he was as a member of the Jazz.  

How Chicago Bulls' New Bench Mob Stacks Up with the Old Group

Taj Gibson, the ultimate role player
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images g ng caption

Reality struck the Chicago Bulls this offseason when the front office decided to break up the Bench Mob to avoid the NBA luxury tax.
The Bulls lost four main contributors on arguably the deepest bench in the league. Now, Chicago will have plenty of new faces on its reserve unit.
Chicago parted ways with C.J. Watson, Kyle Korver, Ronnie Brewer and Omer Asik. The team then added Marco Belinelli, Vladimir Radmanovic and Nazr Mohammed via free agency, and it drafted point guard Marquis Teague. The Bulls are expected to give second-year forward Jimmy Butler an increased role this season.
Taj Gibson is the lone returning member of the Bench Mob, but he was the most important player to retain out of the group.
Chicago's biggest free agent acquisition was Kirk Hinrich, who played seven seasons in the Windy City before being traded in 2010. Hinrich will begin the year as the starting point guard, but when Derrick Rose returns from his ACL injury, Hinrich will become a versatile guard off the bench.
Here is how the new Bulls subs stack up against the fan-favorite Bench Mob of the past two years.

Bulls announce Robinson signing

Veteran essentially replaces John Lucas III

By Teddy Greenstein, Chicago Tribune reporter

7:47 p.m. CDT, July 31, 2012

The Bulls just got a little more interesting. On Tuesday they announced the signing of Nate Robinson, the seven-year vet known for his leaping ability and unfiltered, free-flowing ways with the media.

Robinson essentially replaces John Lucas III (who signed with Toronto), joining a Bulls backcourt with Kirk Hinrich, Richard Hamilton, Marquis Teague, swingmen Jimmy Butler and Marco Belinelli and the on-the-mend Derrick Rose.

The Bulls also have added forward Vladimir Radmanovic and center Nazr Mohammed this summer.

The well-traveled Robinson appeared in 51 games (nine starts) for Golden State last season, averaging 11.2 points, 4.5 assists and 1.2 steals in 23.4 minutes. The 28-year-old native of Seattle shot .424 from the field, .365 from downtown and .832 from the foul line.

Despite his 5-foot-9 frame, Robinson is a three-time NBA slam dunk champion.

tgreenstein@tribune.com

Deng- A Proud Bulls Conquers London Olympics

Reuters

9:21 p.m. CDT, August 2, 2012

LONDON -- Two nail-biting finishes kept the pot boiling at the top of Group B in the men's Olympic basketball on Thursday while a record-breaking romp underlined why United States are the favorites to land gold.

Russia squeezed past Brazil 75-74 to maintain their unbeaten record at the summit of Group B along with 2008 silver medalists Spain (3-0) who narrowly held off an inspired British team (0-3) to score a 79-78 victory.

The Bulls' Luol Deng had 26 points and Joel Freeland scored 25 as Britain used some sharp three-point shooting to give world number two Spain a fright.

Vitaliy Fridzon's three-pointer while falling came with four seconds left on the clock and saw Russia home against Brazil (2-1).

"They hit a very tough shot," Brazil captain Marcelinho Huertas told reporters.

"He could do that 10 times and he wouldn't make it again. He was falling and a guy was under his feet. We have to forget this right away."

Spain looked like they were going through the motions before waking up in the last minute to avoid a shock defeat against gutsy Britain.

"We were always at half-speed until the very end when the game was in danger," said coach Sergio Scariolo.

Lakers center Pau Gasol said the close call for his team would wake up the Spaniards.

"This was not the kind of result we expected but it was a good game for us to realize that we have to play 100 percent all the time," said Gasol. "It's good that it didn't cost us."

Britain's coach appreciated another valiant effort by his team who also pressurized Russia before losing and were beaten by five points by Brazil.

"We're proud of our players," said the host nation's American coach Chris Finch. "We had an unbelievable atmosphere in the arena and I'm proud of our fans.

"Maybe we can make some noise for the greater good of the game with these types of games but for our own purpose and our own team we need to win."

A flood of three-point scoring earned the defending champions from the U.S. (3-0) a 156-73 drubbing of Nigeria (1-2) in Group A.

Led by Carmelo Anthony, who picked up 37 points including a remarkable 10-of-12 from three-point range, the Americans set an Olympic record for most points in a game to surpass the haul of 138 by Brazil in 1988.

The U.S. team's 78 points at halftime was also a Games record.

In other preliminary round games, France (2-1) beat Lithuania (1-2) 82-74, Argentina (2-1) beat Tunisia (0-3) 92-69 and Australia (1-2) defeated China (0-3) 81-61.

Copyright © 2012, Chicago Tribune

Noah's Message: A Bucket of Tears

"I haven’t seen him in a couple of weeks, but, I know he’s working really hard at getting back as soon as possible. It was obviously a tough break for us, but we’re going to bounce back. Right now, people are sleeping on us, and we’re alright with that. We know that at the end of the day, come playoff time, we’ll be ready to go. I love Derrick, he’s like a little brother to me, and I know how competitive he is. I know he wants to bring a championship back to Chicago more than anything. He’s a really humble guy, and there’s no other superstar player in the NBA like him. I just hope when he comes back and it’s not about how many shots he takes, at the end of the day, I just think he does whatever it takes to win a basketball game – and since he’s gotten into the league, we’ve won quite a few. It was emotional for him and for all of us [when he went down], we worked so hard to get to where we were at and to see our best player, not even just our best player, but a good dude, go down like that, it was definitely tough. Like I said, a lot of people are sleeping on us right now, but we know that we are going to bounce back and be hungrier than ever."

“Joakim Noah On Derrick Rose”

The Chicago Bulls are set for the next season.They are one of the teams I loved to watch in the NBA League. During the Jordan era, they have set a record in the history of basketball. They have won 6 championship title.But after Jordan's retirement, the Chicago Bulls is nowhere to be found in the league.


But it all changes...
When the BULLS acquire Derrick Rose back in 2008, the momentum shifted to this team and still continues to make history.

Derrick Rose is a native from Chicago. He is the youngest MVP in the history of NBA and counting. As of now, he suffers from a torn ACL that happened during their first round encounter against the Sixers during the playoffs. Rose is having a rehab.His work ethic in rehab is phenomenal. He's rehab took place at California.

Updates about his recovery....
“He’s walking without a brace. He’s way ahead of schedule. It’s just keeping him focused, and we’re not trying to rush him. Basically, just rehab, rehab, rehab. We haven’t put nothing basketball in his face. It’s just a peace of mind. He can’t do too much in Chicago. The other day I talked to him, he was at Target just picking up stuff. Stuff like that, you can’t do in Chicago. Eventually he will (speak publicly of his injury). Just for now, he’s getting his mind right and is out in in California.”

—	Reggie Rose on Derrick Rose

"If only Rose wasn't injured, it could have been a different story". Get well soon MVP <3