CHICAGO (AP) — No matter how this season plays out, this much is clear about the Chicago Bulls: They’re worth watching.
They jettisoned one hometown superstar and welcomed another when they traded former MVP Derrick Rose and signed three-time NBA champion Dwyane Wade.
They also handed the keys to an All-Star guard in Jimmy Butler who called out his coach last season. And on top of that, they added mercurial point guard Rajon Rondo to the mix.
Coming off a flat season that ended with them missing the playoffs for the first time since 2008, the Bulls at least spiced things up in the offseason. Now, it’s time to see if interesting also means better.
“I love the vibe of this group,” Hoiberg said. “I love the competitiveness of this group.”
The Bulls clearly had to do something after a year that began with high expectations ended with a 42-40 record, a fractured locker room and all sorts of questions about team leadership.
Gone is Chicago native Rose, derailed by injuries after leading the Bulls to heights they hadn’t reached since the Michael Jordan Era, after being dealt to New York for center Robin Lopez and guard Jerian Grant. So is Joakim Noah, who signed with Knicks not long after the big trade. Pau Gasol went to San Antonio as a free agent.
Wade shocked Miami when he chose to come home to Chicago and accept a two-year deal worth about $47 million.
