The first few months of the Bulls’ season haven’t been easy.
They weren’t supposed to be.
That was coach Billy Donovan’s concern coming out of training camp — the start of the schedule. There was no easing into it, only being dropped into it. As Donovan and his players found out, dropped headfirst on far too many nights.
There was a loss Oct. 28 in Detroit — one of only two wins for the 2-27 Pistons this season — and a 22-point loss to the defending NBA champion Nuggets in early November. The Bulls hit rock bottom Nov. 28 in Boston when the Celtics ran up the score so they could qualify for the knockout round of the In-Season Tournament.
But since that Boston massacre, the Bulls have experienced an awakening, an understanding of how they need to play on both ends of the floor for this group to succeed. And when the team reconvenes to host the Hawks on Tuesday night, there will be a bit more light shining through the trees.
The Celtics have the easiest remaining schedule in the NBA with 54 games left, with the opposition sporting a combined .464 winning percentage. The Magic have the second-easiest (.477) and the Bulls the third (.478).
If the Bulls’ 8-4 record in the last 12 games is sustainable, the days of fans figuring out lottery odds and diving into mock drafts could come to an end quickly.
Here are three ways that will -happen:
1. The Zach attack
At some point in the next few weeks, two-time All-Star Zach LaVine will be ready to return from an injured right foot. Yes, the front office is still trying to trade him, but that’s hard to do when a dance partner refuses to show up to the hall, let alone come to the floor. Expect the market to get more serious by mid-January.
Until then, the best thing for LaVine and the Bulls is for him to show he’s healthy and willing to play the style Donovan has been preaching since October.
2. Avoid the White out
Coby White is putting together something special, not only with his scoring and three-point shooting, but his decision-making, defense and all-around numbers.
In 12 games without LaVine, White is averaging 23.8 points, 6.5 assists and 6.3 rebounds while shooting 49.3% from the field and 43.8% from three-point range.
To put that in perspective, LaVine’s best season was the 2020-21 campaign, in which he averaged 27.4 points, five rebounds and 4.9 assists per game while shooting 50.7% from the field and 41.9% from three. This season, he’s at 21 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game, shooting 44.3% from the field and 33.6% from three.
But forget those numbers. The biggest difference between the two? LaVine is making $40 million this season as part of a max deal that pays him $43 million next year, $46 million the season after that and has a $48.9 million player option for 2026-27.
The Bulls extended White’s contract last summer. He’ll make $11.1 million this season, $12 million next season and $12.9 million in the final year of the deal. He’s also five years younger than LaVine.
When LaVine returns, the worst thing that could happen is White’s progress stalls. He has earned his place in the pecking order, and it’s good business to keep White ahead of LaVine in that department.
3. Dine on defense
The key in the last 12 games has been the improvement and focus on defense. That’s where this team is at its best, causing havoc and getting out in transition.
Since that loss in Boston, the Bulls have the seventh-best defensive rating (113.4) in the league. If that continues trending upward, so will the wins.
