A team with essentially one new player doesn't often consider itself in a rebuilding mode. But the Bulls are clearly trying to reshape their style and also bounce back from a dreadful disappointment.
A year ago at this time, they were considered Eastern Conference contenders, a team the revamped Boston Celtics would be trying to catch. Instead, the Bulls got off to an 0-4 start and never recovered. Coach Scott Skiles was let go on Christmas Eve, while free agent addition Ben Wallace was sent to Cleveland in February, less than two years into a $60 million contract. The Bulls finished 33-49, missing the playoffs for the first time in four years. The Bulls' fortunes changed when they beat 1.7 percent odds to win the top pick in the draft and selected Chicago native Derrick Rose. As a freshman point guard, Rose led Memphis to within a few seconds of its first national title before losing in overtime to Kansas.
In search of a new coach, the Bulls were turned down by Phoenix Suns run-and-gun specialist Mike D'Antoni and finally settled on a candidate without a single day of coaching experience, Vinny Del Negro. Since ending a 12-year pro career, Del Negro has worked as a broadcaster for San Antonio and a scout in Phoenix.
So now the plan is to run an up-tempo attack with Rose at the wheel. But no one knows who long it will take for Rose to find success or if Del Negro can convey his vision to the 12 players he'll coach. The Bulls did bring in an experienced staff to assist Del Negro, featuring longtime head coaches Del Harris and Bernie Bickerstaff.
"I don't know if you're ever ready," Del Negro said. "No matter how many years of experience you have, there are always different things you can learn as a coach. All the coaches I've talked to that have a lot of experience say you just have to figure out what's best for your team, put them in those situations and it will work from there."
Del Negro's toughest job will be trying to figure out which combinations work best for the Bulls. They have a guard-heavy roster and no standout superstar to lean on. At least 10 players will compete for regular playing time, but there are several who have been to the playoffs before, such as Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon, Luol Deng and Drew Gooden.
The early part of the schedule will be brutal, though, with eight road dates against playoff teams from last year before the end of November. A slow start seems inevitable, but Rose figures to grow as the season progresses. The main question is whether Rose can mesh well enough with the veterans in time for the Bulls to make a playoff push this year.
COACHING STAFF: Head Coach -- Vinny Del Negro, 1st year overall, 1st with Bulls. Assistants -- Del Harris, Bernie Bickerstaff, Bob Ociepka, Pete Myers, Mike Wilhelm.
LAST SEASON, REMEMBERED: 33-49 (4th in Central).
THIS SEASON, PREDICTED: 38-44 (4th in Central), playoffs will be tough to crack unless the Eastern Conference is even worse than last year.
POSSIBLE CHANGES, PREDICTED: The Bulls would love to thin out the backcourt or package several of their young players for a talented veteran big man. But changes will be tough because there isn't great demand for a player like Larry Hughes, and Ben Gordon cannot be traded without his permission.
