Dwyane Wade & New Look 2016-17 Chicago Bulls Debut at United Center vs Milwaukee Bucks

CHICAGO, IL.  After one of the most competitive practices in the last two seasons, Chicago Bulls' players said that there is "a very different vibe" this season compared to last season.

New Chicago Bulls Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo have brought leadership and championship experience to the first days of Chicago Bulls training camp. 

With long time mainstays Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah now in New York and new Chicago Bulls' Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo adding veteran leadership and championship experience, it is no surprise that the "vibe" surrounding the 2016-17 edition of the Chicago Bulls will drive them to improve from last season's 42-40 record.

Dwyane Wade has already leveraged his experience in practices at the direction of second year head coach Fred Hoiberg, and if his leadership of the Miami Heat is any indicator, the Chicago Bulls will be back among the top teams in the Eastern Conference.

While it is too soon to expect a finished product, tonight's preseason opener in front of Chicago Bulls fans at the United Center will provide a benchmark for expectations this season.

Even diehard Chicago Bulls fans aren't expecting Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo in their primes, but tonight we will get our first glimpse into if the Chicago Bulls will have a chance at challenging the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference.

According to Hoiberg, Dwyane Wade will only play 10 to 12 minutes tonight.

Another thing to watch for tonight is how Hoiberg will handle the rotation at the power forward slot. Following yesterday's practice, Hoiberg stated that there was no clear cut starter among Taj Gibson, Nikola Mirotic, and second year man Bobby Portis at the four.

With Bobby Portis emerging as a leader for the Chicago Bulls NBA Summer League championship squad, Taj Gibson may be featured in order to improve his trade stock so that the Bulls can address any needs that might emerge early in the season.

What are you most looking forward to in tonight's Chicago Bulls preseason opener? Which new Bulls player are you most looking forward to seeing tonight? Please let us know in the comments below!

CHICAGO BULLS OFF-SEASON REPORT: The Chicago Bulls Can Make An Impressive Deal For Russell Westbrook

With Kevin Durant's decision in the rear view mirror, the Oklahoma City Thunder must now deal with another big free agent departure.

After trying to lock up Russell Westbrook long term following the departure of Durant, the Oklahoma City Thunder got their second difficult bit of news this week.

With Russell Westbrook in the final year of his contract and declining to sign an extension at this time, OKC must plan to trade him some time this season or risk losing Westbrook for nothing next summer. 

Russell Westbrook has declined signing an extension with OKC, likely signalling that when his current contract expires after this upcoming season, that he will test the waters of free agency and probably depart the Thunder.

This news will necessitate the Oklahoma City Thunder planning their first rebuilding process since the team moved from Seattle to their present day home in Oklahoma City.

The Oklahoma City Thunder will begin that rebuilding process by putting their elite point guard on the trading block, as of right now.

Would the Chicago Bulls be interested in trading for a Top 5 Player in the NBA in Russell Westbrook?

Of course!

The Chicago Bulls are among six teams that are reportedly interested in dealing for Westbrook. The Chicago Bulls will have to outbid the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers, and the Orlando Magic.

And it also makes some sense for the Chicago Bulls, who are still built to win right now.

And although the Chicago Bulls will be losing both Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah to free agency, they got back a solid starter in Robin Lopez (via the Derrick Rose trade), and they still have Taj Gibson, Bobby Portis, and Nikola Mirotic up front.

Having not dealt Jimmy Butler yet, the Chicago Bulls should be able to plug Russell Westbrook right into Derrick Rose's role on the team.

The Chicago Bulls would return to being in the mix among the best teams in the Eastern Conference, except they would have a player that is at this point, more athletic, a better shooter, and a more explosive scorer than Derrick Rose is now.

For the rebuilding Oklahoma City Thunder, they would be looking for some young starters and draft picks in exchange for their All-Star. Bobby Portis, Doug McDermott, Jerian Grant, and draft picks would probably have to be included as part of a potential deal.

This would leave the Chicago Bulls with a solid starting line-up:

• PG    Westbrook
• SG    Butler
• SF    Mirotic
• PF    Gibson
• C     Lopez

And while the bench would be stripped bare, the additional cap space under this collective bargaining agreement would allow for the Chicago Bulls to add several veteran role players to help fill out the roster this season.

And with the quirky way the salary cap will jump again next summer, the Chicago Bulls would be able to add a max contract player to this already solid starting line-up that would be able to challenge the Cleveland Cavaliers for the top spot in the East.

What do you think it will take to acquire Russell Westbrook? Ultimately, where do you think Russell Westbrook wants to go in a trade/ free agency? Tell us what you think in the comments below!

CHICAGO BULLS OFF-SEASON REPORT: The First 12 Hours of NBA Free Agency, Day 1

It has only been half a day that teams could officially speak to free agents, although there are already  a number of leading indicators about where several top targets might be landing.

Joakim Noah is close to inking a deal with the New York Knicks, reportedly for 4 years, $72M.

Leading them all is the Chicago Bulls' own Joakim Noah. He has been among the top trending topics on Facebook for more than 24 hours now as rumors have him most likely joining former Chicago Bull Derrick Rose in New York. Noah's meeting with the Knicks is scheduled for this after noon, but more information leaked indicating that Joakim Noah may be close to signing a deal worth $72M for 4 years.

The Chicago Bulls have been linked to several younger players, including Dion Waiters. They have not extend any offers yet and will most likely be waiting to get young talent on a bargain contract.

DONE DEALS

Timofey Mozgov will be joining the Los Angeles Lakers on a 4 year, $64M deal. After being a huge factor in helping the Cleveland Cavaliers reach the NBA Finals in 2015 due to his size and ability to protect the rim, the Cavaliers had mostly relegated the 7-1 center to the bench for much of the playoffs and finals.

DeMar DeRozan has reportedly signed a 5-year, $139M deal to return to the Toronto Raptors. After a disappointing exit from the Eastern Conference Finals, DeRozan approached the off-season wanting to lead the Toronto Raptors back. The Raptors' number 1 goal was bringing DeRozan back for another run, and it resulted in being able to complete the deal quickly.

DeMar DeRozan and the Toronto Raptors came together quickly on a 5 year, $139M deal.

Nicolas Batum has reportedly agreed to a 5 year, $120M deal with the Charlotte Hornets.

Hassan Whiteside was given a Max contract, 5 years, $98M, to return to the Miami Heat.

Jeremy Lin and the Brooklyn Nets agreed to a 3 year, $36M deal.

CLOSE TO A DEAL

Bradley Beal is closing in on a 5-year Max deal to stay with the Washington Wizards that would make him $42M more than John Wall over the period of the deal.

Andre Drummond, who is a restricted free agent, is near agreeing to a Max deal with the Detroit Pistons.

OTHER NEWS

Kevin Durant reportedly had a good meeting with the Oklahoma City Thunder; his next stop will be with the Golden State Warriors. The Washington Wizards and the New York Knicks were not granted meetings.

Dwight Howard is reportedly seeking a $24M per year deal.

Chandler Parsons will definitely be leaving the Dallas Mavericks in search of a max contract. The 27- year old swingman was expecting a max offer and felt slighted with the Mavs lower offer.


What deals stand out to you? Which teams are the winners of free agency so far? Which teams are the losers? Tell us in the comments below!

CHICAGO BULLS OFF-SEASON REPORT: Joakim Noah Headed To The New York Knicks When Free Agency Begins Tomorrow

Chicago Bulls' front office had already known for a while that Joakim Noah would not be resigning with the Chicago Bulls.

However, after Derrick Rose was traded to the New York Knicks  a day before the NBA Draft, recent rumors surfaced this week that Derrick Rose was actively recruiting Joakim Noah to his new team.

It seems that his efforts will be successful.

After initially being linked to the Washington Wizards, possibly in an attempt to build a better case for attracting Kevin Durant to Washington, the 2014 NBA Defensive Player of the Year is now strongly rumored to be signing with the New York Knicks when NBA Free Agency opens tomorrow.

BITTERSWEET to finally see the Big Three of Carmelo Anthony, Joakim Noah, and Derrick Rose challenge Lebron and the Cleveland Cavaliers. It just won't be in Chicago.

The move will put together the rumored 2014 Chicago Bulls Big Three in New York, joining Joakim Noah, Derrick Rose, and Carmelo Anthony.

The Chicago Bulls, after completing a disappointing 2015-16 season where they missed the playoffs under new head coach Fred Hoiberg and badly missed preseason expectations of challenging the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference, have been forced into rebuilding due to the imminent departures of Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol in free agency.

Both All-Star big men want to play for a contender, and they believed their best option was to leave.

This plunged the Bulls into a "restructuring" effort that began with sending Derrick Rose to the New York Knicks last week, and the Chicago Bulls have reportedly had advanced discussions about dealing Taj Gibson, as well as, Jimmy Butler.

It is bittersweet, especially the off-season after watching the Cleveland Cavaliers win the NBA Championship, to finally see the Chicago Bulls Big Three of 2014, Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, and Carmelo Anthony, come together to challenge Lebron James and the Cavs in the Eastern Conference. However, to watch them come together on the New York Knicks with all three players two years older feels like a great injustice to the fans in Chicago.

I, for one, will welcome any team that will meaningfully challenge the Cavaliers in the East, and I will probably root for Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose, the hometown kid, if he wins a ring. He gave the Chicago Bulls many great moments, one incredible season, and the chance to dream of NBA Championships.

What do you think about Joakim Noah joining Derrick Rose and Carmelo Anthony on the New York Knicks in free agency? How will they fair against the Cleveland Cavaliers? Tell us what you think in the comments below!

CHICAGO BULLS OFF-SEASON REPORT: Kevin Durant, Jimmy Butler, and the Chicago Bulls

It is with a bittersweet feeling that I am pondering the pending free agency of Kevin Durant.

Was it a mere two years ago that the Chicago Bulls were in the hunt for possibly signing Carmelo Anthony to form a Chicago Bulls Big Three along with Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler.

It makes the drop-off of this past season even more painful when considering, if they were competitive like the Chicago Bulls always were under Tom Thibodeau, would the Chicago Bulls have been able to make a serious run at getting Kevin Durant?

Kevin Durant must weigh his options for where he has the best chance of winning an NBA Championship (ie. the Eastern Conference, for starters).

However, with the disappointing first season of the Fred Hoiberg-era and the recent trade of Derrick Rose to New York, the Chicago Bulls wouldn't know what to do with Kevin Durant if he showed up at the Berto Center with a pen ready to sign a contract.

The Chicago Bulls are not in retool mode with the departure of Derrick Rose and the pending departures of All-Star Pau Gasol and former Defensive Player of the Year Joakim Noah; they need to go into full rebuild mode and liquidate their assets for draft picks and young players the way the Chicago Cubs have done.

We are witnessing on the North Side how well that plan is bearing out.

Going into full rebuilding mode and tanking this next season will yield a high pick in one of the potentially best draft classes of all time. Pair that with the potential of getting a first round pick in return for Butler, and the Chicago Bulls could be drafting the cornerstones of a playoff team that could be relevent in as little as 2 or 3 years.

Chicago fans waited 20 years between Michael Jordan and the Bulls' 6th Championship and the 2008 NBA Draft miracle that yielded then-future NBA MVP Derrick Rose.

With the Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Boston Celtics as the model of rebuilding in the modern NBA, it is clear that the future is brighter for teams that hit rock bottom than for teams that linger in the middle of the road.

Keeping Jimmy Butler would make the Bulls just a little too good to have a real shot at a Top 3 pick in the NBA Draft. And if you could get a 2017 Draft Pick in return for Jimmy Buckets, especially one that could potentially be in the lottery, too, then you owe it to your fans to make that move.

So, if the Boston Celtics can get together a package of Jae Crowder, James Young, their 2017 First Round Pick, and a future First Round Pick in exchange for Jimmy Butler by June 30th, the Chicago Bulls front office might just have to pick up the phone.

And with Jimmy Butler in the fold, the Boston Celtics will have a pitch for Kevin Durant worth listening to.

And the Chicago Bulls could find themselves a mere year away from drafting two cornerstones of their team of the future.

What do you think of the rebuilding plan that the Chicago Bulls already have underway? What is the next move to get the Chicago Bulls back into the Championship hunt? Let us know in the comments below!

Chicago Bulls Dominate Christmas Day Match-Up With Lakers On Christmas Day

CHICAGO, IL.  It was one of the primetime match-ups of the NBA Christmas Day calendar as Pau Gasol's new Chicago Bulls team took on his former squad, the Los Angeles Lakers.

And while the Lakers were able to pull off a huge upset, beating the NBA-leading Golden State Warriors in their previous game (also without Kobe Bryant), the Bryant-less Lakers were no match for a Chicago Bulls team that has been rolling, adding yet another victory to their current 5-game winning streak.

This was an especially emotional game for the Pau Gasol, the former Los Angeles Lakers star who signed a free agent deal with the Chicago Bulls during this past summer.

Despite being a major catalyst for two Los Angeles Lakers NBA Championships, the Lakers' coaching and front office decisions took for granted the gifted 7-footer, forcing Gasol to look for another situation that would put him on a Championship contender. Fortunately, Gasol was looking for a major market franchise, and so he signed with Chicago, and he has been rejuvenated.

Early in the contest, Gasol and the Chicago Bulls were able to jump out in front of the lethargic Lakers, despite being at home for the Christmas Day match-up, where the Bulls have only managed a 7-5 record on the season. However, the Bulls were able to get the lead and cruised to an 11 point halftime lead.

The Lakers started the 3rd quarter with an 11-2 run that narrowed the Chicago Bulls' lead to 2 points, tighten the game up. The Los Angeles Lakers battled, but the Bulls were able to take an 83-77 lead into the 4th quarter.

However, Gasol drove for a layup to key a 10-2 run that bumped Chicago's lead back up to 12 early in the 4th quarter, and the Chicago Bulls' defense flexed its muscles to hold the Lakers to only 15 points in the fourth.

The 30-15 fourth quarter disparity helped the Bulls to win the game handily, 113-93, in front of a festive United Center crowd.

Gasol's 23 points and 13 rebounds lead three Chicago Bulls' with 20 points. Jimmy Butler posted another 20 point game, finishing with 21 points to go along with 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks.

Derrick Rose put up his 3rd consecutive 20 point game, his longest such streak since January 2012; it is a sign of DRose's return to good health and finding his game and growing into his role with this current Chicago Bulls team.

The Chicago Bulls have only had their entire team healthy for the last three games, and it has been a great opportunity to see what this Chicago Bulls team will be capable of when the playoffs roll around.

In that short time we have been able to see Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler, Mike Dunleavy Jr., Pau Gasol, and Joakim Noah grow into the starting unit that we expected. We've also seen Jimmy Butler grow into a player that exceeds our greatest hopes, a player worthy of a starting All-Star spot. [#VoteYourBulls by following the link HERE!]

We Hope that everyone had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday season! Please SHARE our links for the All-Star Voting so that we can get Jimmy Butler and the boys onto the 2015 NBA All-Star Team! Thanks for all your support, BullsNation!

#BullsNation Votes #CHIvsCLE Match-Up #6: @joakimnoah vs. Anderson Varejao!

NOTE: #CHIvsCLE Match-ups are based on team role and not necessarily position.

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 Defensive Big With Unlimited Energy

Anderson Varejao is one of the best match-ups for Joakim Noah in that they are players of the same mold.

Varejao plays with energy and rebounds and defends. Sound like anyone we know?

For his defensive intensity, he was named to the All-Defensive Second Team in 2010.

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However, at 31 going on 32 by the time the NBA season rolls around, Varejao was once able to use his experience to get the best of Noah in this match-up.

But Noah has gotten wiser, and Varejao has gotten, well, older. Last season, due to aging, minutes, and injuries, Varejao's numbers fell off of career bests in 2012-13 of 14.1 PPG and 14.4 RPG to 8.4 PPG and 9.7 RPG last season.

Meanwhile, in our corner is the man in the middle who is coming off of his best season as a professional. Joakim Noah averaged 12.6 PPG, 11.3 RPG, 5.4 APG, 1.2 SPG, 1.5 BPG. Jo had a very strong season, which he capped off by being named Defensive Player of the Year, as well as, being named to the All-NBA and All-Defensive First Teams.

And most importantly, Joakim blossomed into the role as the leader of this Chicago Bulls team, as well as, a representative of the Chicago Bulls franchise.

Noah was in the center of the recruiting efforts to bring Carmelo Anthony to Chicago, and when it became clear that Anthony would decide to return to New York, Jo was a part of the delegation that met Pau Gasol in Los Angeles in an effort that ended up bringing the former NBA Champion to the Windy City.

He has led by example, and refused to sacrifice the culture of winning in Chicago be sacrificed for a higher draft pick. Ultimately, that more than anything else may be Joakim Noah's legacy as a Chicago Bull: maintaining the cohesion and culture of winning... oh, and really wanting to beat Lebron.

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!

#BullsNation Votes #CHIvsCLE Match-Up #3: @mr_2eight1 vs. Lebron James!

NOTE: #CHIvsCLE Match-ups are based on team role and not necessarily position.

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 Small Forward (The Unstoppable Force vs. The Immovable Object)

Lebron's heartfelt essay and his return to the hometown he abandoned in search of an easier path to an NBA Championship aside, Lebron's move back to the Cleveland Cavaliers is mostly about putting himself in a better situation to win.

The Cleveland Cavaliers were able to stock assets after losing Lebron and then losing game after game for four long seasons, and after winning the NBA Draft Lottery three of the last four years, they had the pieces to bring in All-Star Kevin Love to play alongside Lebron and 2010 #1 Overall Pick Kyrie Irving to form a younger, potentially better Big Three than the one assembled in Miami.

At this point, Dwayne Wade is a shell of his former self and while Chris Bosh capitalized on the departure of Lebron to get a max contract from a desparate Pat Riley, he can only dream of dominating the boards the way Kevin Love has shown he can.

After dominating a weak Eastern Conference last season, the Miami Heat were demolished and Lebron clearly saw that he was back to being a solo act in a one-man show and that was not a situation he knew how to win in.

With the Cleveland Cavaliers apparent turn around in fortune, the Chicago Bulls will be going to a proven answer. After an incredible 2013 NBA Playoff series and several 2013-14 regular season match-ups against the Miami Heat, Bulls Head Coach Tom Thibodeau knows who to go to in order to contain and frustrate Lebron James.

Jimmy Butler's defense and endurance in matching up with Lebron in the 2013 NBA Playoffs made him a household name and helped earn him a starting job at the shooting guard position.

And while Butler's offensive stats dipped during the 2013-14 campaign, Butler's defense remained consistent and earned him All-Defensive Second Team honors.

But all Chicago Bulls fans relish his legendary battles against Lebron James the most.

And one game exemplifies what Jimmy Butler brings against Lebron that no one else in today's NBA does, and that was the Chicago Bulls victory over the Miami Heat in OT on 2014.03.09.

Butler and Noah combined to will the overachieving Chicago Bulls from a 12 point 4th quarter deficit to win in OT. Butler had the game-saving play of the game, stripping Lebron on his last second drive to the basket in regulation.

ALL HEART, BABY!

Look for more epic battles this coming season between Jimmy Butler and Lebron James, but if you are a Chicago Bulls fan, there is only one player to pick in this match-up!

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!

#BullsNation Votes #CHIvsCLE Match-Up #1: @joakimnoah vs. Anderson Varejao!

Starting today, we will be breaking down the important match-ups between the Chicago Bulls and our chief Central Division rivals, the Cleveland Cavaliers!

Here we will breakdown the match-up, and then BullsNation will have just 24 hours to vote on the winner of the crucial Chicago Bulls vs. Cleveland Cavalier match-up.

So, BullsNation, are you ready? Today's match-up is:

Joakim Noah vs. Anderson Varejao

Anderson Varejao is one of the best match-ups for Joakim Noah in that they are players of the same mold.

Varejao plays with energy and rebounds and defends. Sound like anyone we know?

For his defensive intensity, he was named to the All-Defensive Second Team in 2010.

However, at 31 going on 32 by the time the NBA season rolls around, Varejao was once able to use his experience to get the best of Noah in this match-up.

But Noah has gotten wiser, and Varejao has gotten, well, older. Last season, due to aging, minutes, and injuries, Varejao's numbers fell off of career bests in 2012-13 of 14.1 PPG and 14.4 RPG to 8.4 PPG and 9.7 RPG last season.

Meanwhile, in our corner is the man in the middle who is coming off of his best season as a professional. Joakim Noah averaged 12.6 PPG, 11.3 RPG, 5.4 APG, 1.2 SPG, 1.5 BPG. Jo had a very strong season, which he capped off by being named Defensive Player of the Year, as well as, being named to the All-NBA and All-Defensive First Teams.

And most importantly, Joakim blossomed into the role as the leader of this Chicago Bulls team, as well as, a representative of the Chicago Bulls franchise.

Noah was in the center of the recruiting efforts to bring Carmelo Anthony to Chicago, and when it became clear that Anthony would decide to return to New York, Jo was a part of the delegation that met Pau Gasol in Los Angeles in an effort that ended up bringing the former NBA Champion to the Windy City.

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He has led by example, and refused to sacrifice the culture of winning in Chicago be sacrificed for a higher draft pick. Ultimately, that more than anything else may be Joakim Noah's legacy as a Chicago Bull: maintaining the cohesion and culture of winning... oh, and really wanting to beat Lebron.

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!