The Chicago Bulls have made quite a number of changes this season. While the NBA team's decision barely caused ripples across the industry, a closer look at their moves reveal just how the Chicago Bulls plan to dominate the upcoming NBA season.
One of most notable moves of the Chicago Bulls is the NBA team's decision to re-sign star player Jimmy Butler and extend his contract to reach five years. Prior to landing this secured deal with the Chicago Bulls, Butler has already proven his worth as he actually bagged a spot in the All-Defensive Second Team of the NBA. The Chicago Bulls star also snagged his first appearance in the NBA All-Star game as well as landed the Most Improved Player award during his stint with Derick Rose.
The sacking of Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau signified yet another bold move by the NBA team. Following their abysmal lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the previous NBA season, it looks like the Chicago Bulls have determined that a change is absolutely necessary to prevent the devastating losses from occurring again. With Fred Hoiberg of Iowa State now onboard as the new coach, the Chicago Bulls are hoping to see a better control of the locker room and improved game plays this NBA season.
Although Thibodeau is now out of the Chicago Bulls, NBA star Butler will still have the opportunity to work with his former coach. According to Chicago Tribune, Butler has been chosen as one of the NBA stars included in the roster of the USA Basketball team. While his teammate, Rose, opted out of the summer camp, this event will grant Butler a rare opportunity to work with other NBA stars handpicked to join the national team.
"We recognize and understand that some of our players' availability to participate is still up in the air," shared USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo, referring to the decision of Chicago Bulls star Rose to opt out of the event. He added, "Some players are coming off of injuries and are not yet ready to actively participate, or they are getting ready for their NBA seasons. So it's a good thing that we don't have a competition to get ready for this summer."
Apart from Butler, the USA Basketball roster boasts of heavyweights in the NBA including Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James and Golden State Warriors MVP Stephen Curry. Apart from the two NBA stars, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, James Harden, Kevin Durant, Dwight Howard, Blake Griffin, Kyrie Irving and Mike Conley are expected to attend the training.
Meanwhile, another Chicago Bulls star is back making waves in the NBA. Michael Jordan, one of the most notable players in the NBA, recently made headlines as he unflinchingly responded to questions fielded by the members of the audience in attendance in the Q & A session held at the Michael Jordan Flight School camp in Santa Barbara, California.
One of the most memorable questions raised by the crowd involves Michael Jordan's advice to the now veteran Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers.
"Actually, Kobe and I are good friends," said Michael Jordan. He added, "I like Kobe, we talk a lot, I hope he comes back healthy. I think he's one of the great players of the game, I think he's done a lot for the game, and he has a true love for the game of basketball. I absolutely have high regard for Kobe Bryant."
As for the question on whether or not he agrees with Shaquille O'Neal that the all-time best players of the Los Angeles Lakers could definitely beat their counterpart in the Chicago Bulls, Michael Jordan thinks his team would have "killed" the other.
Earlier reports reveal that the Los Angeles Lakers all-star team that could beat the Chicago Bulls, according to O'Neal, is composed of himself, Kobe Bryant, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson and Elgin Baylor. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls all-star team would include Michael Jordan, Horace Grant, Derrick Rose, Dennis Rodman and Scottie Pippen.
