The Chicago Bulls dealt with a devastating injury to Derrick Rose last season and while that would likely stop other teams from competing in their conference, the team never allowed it to happen and after making a nice run into the playoffs, the franchise is ready to go for a championship as Rose returns to the lineup fully healthy.
The team avoided any major moves this offseason and instead opted to rebound by adding solid veterans and young players, including bringing back Nazr Mohammed, signing Mike Dunleavy and drafting young guns Tony Snell and Erik Murphy. The team lost Nate Robinson and Marco Belinelli and got rid of Richard Hamilton, but the team sees those moves as things they can overcome and adding Dunleavy should help with the loss of Robinson on offense. The team was rumored in talks for LaMarcus Aldridge and while names like Dwight Howard and Josh Smith signed elsewhere, the Bulls see themselves as prime title contenders to the Heat this season.
Dunleavy will help most from long range as he shot over 42 percent from downtown last season and hit 128 threes and that was basically the reason the team signed him. The Bulls were one of the worst teams from three last year and bringing him in gives the team a bonafide scorer from the outside that they didn't have last season and with Rose back in the fold, those drive and dish plays should be plenty for the Bulls this year. Dunleavy has dealt with injuries and while he has missed over 100 games the past five seasons, he appears healthy this offseason and now he has the chance to get to the postseason for the first time in years.
Mohammed adds depth to the roster and intensity inside and while he doesn't put up amazing numbers, he adds key rebounding skills to the team. Mohammed proved in the playoffs he can come up big when needed, as he had nine points and six boards against the Nets and he also showed during the regular season against the Raptors that he has a game of 16 points and 13 rebounds still in him. Mohammed will be 36 during the season and while he is getting up there in age, the team doesn't need much from him behind Joakim Noah.
Snell is a solid addition as well out of New Mexico and he comes in after hitting nearly 40 percent from three last year. As another scorer with Rose, the team could use Snell in various sets and he showed during the summer league that he can be a solid defender as well. Murphy will join him as a solid three point shooter with over 45 percent at Florida last year and the team will give him a chance to get better overall in the offense after he averaged just over five rebounds per game last season and shot under 80 percent from the line.
All the additions will help Rose and the Bulls, but will it be enough to beat the Heat?
