How Optimistic Are Bulls Fans About This Upcoming Season? And Other Bulls Bullets

I’ll be on the road for about six hours, which is extremely unfortunate news considering it’s the first football Sunday of the year. Do you think I can convince my girlfriend to do her best Scott Hanson impression and give me the Redzone play-by-play?

Can’t hurt to ask!

  • I took to the Twitterverse to poll Bulls fans on their expectations for the upcoming season. Among the 1,240 folks who participated in the online survey, 57.2 percent picked the team to, once again, evade the Play-In Tournament and finish between the 4-6 seeds in the Eastern Conference. The second-highest percentage of fans (28.7) picked the team to finish between 7-9, while the third-highest percentage (12.8%) chose 1-3. You can view the full results below:
  • Considering I sent out this poll from an account primarily followed by hardcore Bulls fans, I probably shouldn’t be surprised by the overall sense of optimism. Still, I just can’t have this team finishing in that 4-6 range as of now, especially after all the improvements we’ve seen from their close competition this season. Whether it be Donovan Mitchell to Cleveland, Dejounte Murray to Atlanta, or Kevin Durant back to Brooklyn, those are three teams who finished behind Chicago last year that could very well surge past them in the coming months. Not to mention, Lonzo Ball’s injury looms, and this squad isn’t going to be its most competitive self until that’s figured out.
  • Now, do I think the Bulls are capable of another finish inside the 4-6 range? Sure! If health is on their side and they receive the kind of boost they seem to expect from Patrick Williams, this team could replicate the first-half success we saw last year. The problem is that I simply can’t believe we’re going to get that team until I actually see it on the court. The lack of real offseason roster improvements makes it feel as if the group we saw in the second half of last year could also pop up somewhat easily, which I think we can all agree is a scary thought.
  • So, yeah, I don’t want to be a Debby Downer and tell the majority of fans not to head into this season expecting better production from this team. You 100 percent have the right to be excited about the Bulls after their first winning season since before the Three-Alphas experiment. But I also hate being set up for disappointment, so I’m just going to force myself to enter this year anticipating a slight drop-off. That way I can be even more excited when they rise back up to the No. 1 seed and beat the Greek Freak in the Eastern Conference Finals! Oh, crap. I already screwed up!
  • AC’s overseas journey continues.
  • Caruso spoke with a french publication about his European journey thus far and the upcoming season. The defensive stopper expressed plenty of confidence in what the Bulls have brewing, and you can check out that article here (heads up … it’s all in french).
  • Goran Dragic showed some respect for his new central division foe. Maybe Arturas Karnisovas told him to start the recruiting effort!
  • As EuroBasket 2022 continues, Finland native and former-Bull Lauri Markkanen continues to look like a dominant force. I know this is a completely different stage and the competition isn’t nearly the same, but this is the kind of confidence I wish we saw more of from The Finnisher in Chicago.
  • Phoenix front office leader James Jones reportedly told the Arizona Republic that the Deandre Ayton drama is completely behind the two sides. I’m sorry, but I refuse to believe that. While thing may have cooled off for now, I can see old tension start to arise the moment life gets hard for the Suns. Ayton, in particular, has all the right in the world to feel slighted after the organization threw around his name in the trade market and made him sign an offer sheet with the Pacers. So, if Ayton ends up back in trade talks, my jaw won’t be on the floor (I just hope those talks don’t send him to the East).
  • So about that dome …
  • So. Many. Fun. Prospects.
  • written by

    Elias Schuster is the Lead Chicago Bulls writer at Bleacher Nation. He started with BN full-time in 2019 immediately after graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign with a degree in Journalism (yes, he started with the Jim Boylen Era). Since joining, Elias has been the driving force behind Bulls and NBA content for both the site and social accounts. You can follow him on Twitter/X @Schuster_Elias.

    more bulls news

    Enhanced Box Score: Bulls 125, Pacers 99 – March 27, 2024

    I got to be honest, I'm even more upset about the Washington Wizards' loss. If the Chicago Bulls played like they did tonight, they would have beaten that depleted Wizards team by 40. This was a locked-in group from the...

    Javonte Green Makes Bulls Return… Immediately Does Awesome Stuff

    Javonte Green has officially made his Chicago Bulls debut ... again. The 30-year-old signed with the organization via a 10-day hardship deal on March 22. Injuries to Lonzo Ball, Zach LaVine, Patrick Williams, and Julian Phillips paved the way for...

    WATCH: Alex Caruso Snatches Rookie Ben Sheppard’s Ankles

    Alex Caruso will always be known for his defense capabilities, but he's showing a lot more than that this season. The veteran guard is averaging double-digit points for the first time in his career. A big part of that has...

    Draymond Green Ejected Less Than 4 Minutes Into Game Against Orlando

    Draymond Green was at it again on Wednesday night. Out East to take on the Orlando Magic, the Golden State Warriors watched Paolo Banchero bulldoze Andrew Wiggins to the rim early in the first quarter. As Banchero high-fived his teammates...

    Pre-Gamin’: Indiana Pacers at Chicago Bulls (7:00 CT), Projected Lineups, How to Watch, More

    Everything was awful on Tuesday. Be Better. https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1772971933161705610?s=20 Game Info Indiana Pacers (41-32) at Chicago Bulls (34-38) – 7:00 p.m. CT on NBC Sports Chicago (TV) and 670 The Score (Radio) Projected Starting Lineups Chicago Bulls Coby White Alex Caruso Ayo Dosunmu...

    Around the Association: Caitlin Clark Gets Big(3) Offer, Knicks Getting Help, Lakers OT Thriller, More

    It's hard to believe we have less than three weeks remaining in the NBA's regular season, and we should be in for some real drama down the stretch. The Knicks have plenty to play for in their remaining 11 games...

    WHOA: NCAA Looking to Ban Prop Betting on All College Athletes

    As the NCAA men's basketball tournament gears up for the Sweet Sixteen, the college sports world received some big news. On Wednesday morning, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that NCAA president Charlie Baker wants to officially ban prop betting on college...

    NBA Playoffs Update: Several Races Are Still Undecided

    The NBA season is winding down. We have some awesome races for the NBA Playoffs to keep an eye on in the final 2+ weeks of the season. The top seed in the West is still up for grabs in...

    Alex Caruso’s Status in Question for Matchup with Pacers

    The Chicago Bulls might be without their best defensive player against the best offensive team in the NBA. Not great! The latest injury report lists Alex Caruso as "questionable" for Wednesday night's meeting with the Indiana Pacers. Caruso has been...

    Needing a Win, One More with the Pacers, Alex Caruso Guards Everyone, and Other Bulls Bullets

    *scratches long, disheveled beard and grabs a piece of chalk* *crosses out another game on the cave wall* *sits back on ground, grabs knees, rocks back and forth* Nine more games. Nine more games. Nine more games. Look, I want...

    Latest News

    Orioles vs. Angels Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Baltimore Orioles begin their season as -192 favorites in a home tilt against the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday at 3:05 PM ET, live on BSW.Baltimore's Corbin Burnes and Los Angeles' Patrick Sandoval have been named the starters for...

    Wyoming vs South Dakota Women’s College Basketball Odds and Prediction – March 29

    The South Dakota Coyotes (23-12) will try to break a three-game road losing streak when they square off against the Wyoming Cowgirls (17-14) on March 29, 2024 at Arena-Auditorium.Wyoming vs. South Dakota NCAA Game InfoDate: Friday, March 29, 2024Time: 8:30...

    Minnesota vs North Dakota State Women’s College Basketball Odds and Prediction – March 29

    The Minnesota Golden Gophers (17-15) face the North Dakota State Bison (22-11) on March 29, 2024.Minnesota vs. North Dakota State NCAA Game InfoDate: Friday, March 29, 2024Time: 8:00 PM ETWhere: Minneapolis, MinnesotaVenue: Williams ArenaLast Game For Each TeamMinnesota enters this...

    Rays vs. Blue Jays Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

    The Tampa Bay Rays (0-0) and the Toronto Blue Jays (0-0) face off on Thursday at Tropicana Field for Opening Day. First pitch is at 4:10 PM ET.The Rays will call on Zach Eflin versus the Blue Jays and Jose...

    Dodgers vs. Cardinals Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

    The Los Angeles Dodgers (1-1) and the St. Louis Cardinals (0-0) face off at Dodger Stadium on Thursday at 4:10 PM ET, starting a four-game series.The Dodgers will look to Tyler Glasnow versus the Cardinals and Miles Mikolas.Dodgers vs. Cardinals...

    Padres vs. Giants Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

    The San Francisco Giants (0-0) begin a four-game series against the San Diego Padres (1-1) on Thursday at PETCO Park. First pitch is at 4:10 PM.The Padres will look to Yu Darvish versus the Giants and Logan Webb.Padres vs. Giants...

    Astros vs. Yankees Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

    The Houston Astros (0-0) and the New York Yankees (0-0) face off on Thursday at Minute Maid Park for Opening Day. First pitch is at 4:10 PM ET.The Astros will call on Framber Valdez against the Yankees and Nestor Cortes...

    Reds vs. Nationals Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

    The Cincinnati Reds (0-0) and the Washington Nationals (0-0) face off on Thursday at Great American Ball Park for Opening Day. First pitch is at 4:10 PM ET.The Reds will call on Frankie Montas against the Nationals and Josiah Gray.Reds...

    Marlins vs. Pirates Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

    The Miami Marlins (0-0) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (0-0) match up on Thursday at LoanDepot park for Opening Day. First pitch is at 4:10 PM ET.The Marlins will look to Jesus Luzardo versus the Pirates and Mitch Keller.Marlins vs. Pirates...

    Twins vs. Royals Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

    The Kansas City Royals (0-0) host the Minnesota Twins (0-0) in an Opening Day contest at 4:10 PM ET on Thursday.The Twins will call on Pablo Lopez versus the Royals and Cole Ragans.Twins vs. Royals Pitcher Matchup and Game InfoWhen:...

    more bulls news