The 2013 NBA season is getting closer and closer and after the free agency period and the summer leagues have quieted down, teams can look at their rosters and work out expectations for the season and one team that is very excited are the Chicago Bulls.
The team is getting back a healthy Derrick Rose after going all last year without him and they also have a prime breakout player candidate in Jimmy Butler this season. Butler stepped up in the playoffs last season while Rose was out and now that Nate Robinson is gone as well, that is another player he won't have to share minutes with and after matching up against the Miami Heat in the playoffs, Butler now has the experience of playing a championship team heading into this season.
Butler showed that he could handle the moment and he also improved his scoring to 13.3 points in the playoffs, up from the regular season and he also showed that he has the potential to be an elite defender in the league. He played in 12 playoff games and shot over 40 percent from long range and if he continues to develop, the Bulls could have an All-Star on their hands. The Celtics blew up their team and while overall that might make this season a lost cause, one player that may benefit is Jared Sullinger, as he could have a breakout season for the team.
Sullinger played less than 20 minutes per game last season but averaged 10.9 points and 10.7 rebounds per 36 minutes, meaning some more time on the court should boost his numbers. The team still has Rajon Rondo and with Brandon Bass, Kris Humphries and Kelly Olynyk in the fold, the frontcourt should actually be solid. Drummond is coming into the season with high expectations after the Detroit Pistons traded for Brandon Jennings and signed Josh Smith and Drummond will be the focal point in the front court as Joe Dumars tries to get the team back to the playoffs.
Rockets point guard Patrick Beverley showed while playing for Jeremy Lin in the playoffs that he has potential and another player that should get more chances this season is Wesley Johnson. Playing with Kobe Bryant on the Lakers will give him more opportunities to develop into a consistent threat and along with Beverley, he could surprise. Shumpert was mentioned in trade rumors this year, but the Knicks were smarter than that and now he could have a huge season with Carmelo Anthony if he can stay healthy and he has already shown he is one of the best young defenders in the game.
