If things play out in reality as they do on paper, the Eastern Conference will be a two horse race between the Cleveland Cavaliers and YOUR Chicago Bulls.
This was a truly eventful summer that was filled with fantasies of a Chicago starting five that would have been the best since the Michael Jordan Era. However, when the Bulls were forced to go with Plan B, they went with Plan BIG, as in bringing in two-time NBA Champion Pau Gasol and former Spanish League MVP Nikola Mirotic, as well as, NCAA Scoring Champ and the Consensus College Player of the Year Doug McDermott. If it is possible, the Chicago Bulls may find that in June, they were better off missing on Carmelo Anthony than if they had gotten him.
As for right now, there is great hope and optimism that these Chicago Bulls are something special.
#CHIvsCLE Young Wings
After Lebron James decided to return to Cleveland and the Cavaliers, Dion Waiters decided to shoot his mouth off.The #4 Overall Pick in the 2011 NBA Draft took to twitter to say of a match-up with the current Chicago Bulls starting shooting guard that Jimmy Butler could not guard him.
Well, if Jimmy Butler can bottle up Lebron, winning a spot on the All-Defensive Second Team, then that would make Dion Waiters better than Lebron James (even if it is only in his own mind).
Anyhow, since Jimmy Butler's talents would better serve the Bulls by flexing his defensive muscles on the Cleveland Cavalier's best wing player, then that would leave one of several possible match-ups on Waiters.
Waiters may be one of the biggest beneficieries of Lebron returning to Cleveland.
When in seasons past Butler might have been available to lock down Waiters last season, Lebron will now draw Butler, or any opposing team's best wing defender, leaving Waiters to show presumably why he was drafted ahead of Damien Lillard and Andre Drummond.
On the other side of the ball, this is currently Chicago's weakest positional match-up.
While Jimmy Butler is the Chicago Bulls starting shooting guard, his ability to defend Lebron James is now legendary, so another wing will have to cross-match Waiters, or the Chicago Bulls might consider a customized line-up to start against Cleveland specifically.
If it is a defensive match-up Coach Thibs wants to put on Waiters, look no further than the second-year swingman out of New Mexico, Tony Snell.
Snell showed flashes of brilliance in his opportunities during his rookie campaign, including big clutch buckets in a triple overtime victory against the Orlando Magic.
And after an explosive showing in summer league alongside Chicago Bulls rookie Doug McDermott, in which he averaged 20 PPG, 4 RPG, and 2.8 APG while shooting a ridiculous 50% from 3-point range and earned All-Summer League First Team honors, Snell seems poised for a breakout season.
Without serious talks of adding a veteran shooting guard, Snell may earn the opportunity to crack the starting lineup with his smooth stroke from 3 and his active hands and long arms on defense.
So, BullsNation, who wins this match-up? Tell us who you are voting for in the comments below! And stay tuned to our Facebook Page for results and our next vote!
