The Bulls have recent history on their side.
If not in the chair next to them, at least sitting in the same room.
The NBA Defending Champions had an impressive start to their run last season, as Oklahoma City came out of the gate 7-0. The year prior, it was the eventual champions in Boston running to a 5-0 start.
So should the NBA just mail the Larry O’Brien Trophy to the United Center without a return address attached? Pump the brakes.
What the Bulls have done in jumping out to a 5-0 start is not a mirage. There are some sustainable elements on both sides of the ball. That starts with the offensive philosophy of run-and-gun that coach Billy Donovan embraced prior to the 2024-25 campaign and had his players execute to near perfection.
That’s why the Bulls finished No. 2 in pace last year (102.83 possessions per 48 minutes of play) and are very close to equaling that through the early part of this season (102), looking to only get quicker.
The goal? Hands on knees for the opposition by the fourth quarter, gasping for air.
“It wears you out throughout the game,” new Bulls forward Isaac Okoro said this week. “I remember when I was in Cleveland last year and we were playing here, it was like, ‘The Bulls are going to play fast, just try and slow them down in transition.’ But that pace really gets to you. It gets you fatigued by the fourth quarter and then you lose your legs, your shot starts coming up short, and now being here now, playing with that pace and seeing teams fold by the fourth quarter, you see the legs go. You see the hands start going on the knees, and that’s what you want to see. You want to see the opponent tired because that’s when you start killing them.”
Which the Bulls are also showcasing, sporting the second-best point differential in the East at 8.8 per game. Coincidentally, Miami is No. 1 in point differential (11.4) in the conference, as well as No. 1 in pace (105.79).
But there is also one underlying concern that can’t be ignored. That’s why the foot should be kept near the brake pedal.
WHAT’S REAL FOR THE BULLS
Bench Mob – The Bulls bench showed signs last season, averaging 36 points per game (14th). So far this season, however, they’ve been lethal. Even with a subpar showing in the opener against Detroit, Donovan’s “Bench Mob” was second in the NBA with 49 points per game. Take the Pistons game out and the group has averaged 52.5 points per game.
Now the kicker: They’re only going to add more depth. Once Coby White (calf strain) and Zach Collins (wrist) return, expect the bench talent to only improve.
Giddey up – Just in case there were still any questions about which Josh Giddey the Bulls paid for in the summer (four-year, $100-million extension), it was the one that was dominant post-trade deadline last year.
All Giddey has done is average 22 points, 8.8 rebounds and eight assists per game this season, shooting 45.5% from three. In his final 19 games last year he was 21.2 points per game, 10.7 rebounds, 9.3 assists, and shot 45.7% from three.
In his first 51 games as a Bull, Giddey averaged 12.2 points, shot 34.5% from three, and was even benched late in several games.
The defense doesn’t rest – The sample size is small, but the focus all offseason and training camp was improving on a defense that was 20th in efficiency last year. The Okoro addition seems to be paying off through five games, with the Bulls currently 9th.
WHAT’S STILL A CONCERN
Star power – Depth and pace are great … for the regular season. And the Bulls could ride that to actually hosting a first-round playoff series if it continues. At some point – especially in the playoffs – it comes down to slower play and physicality. A point in a game where your star has to shine brighter than the other team’s star.
Do the Bulls have that dude? Maybe it will be Matas Buzelis or Giddey, or even a healthy White. But it’s not now. Is there a trade out there to be had, especially with six players on expiring contracts, including White? A question that executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas will explore. He better.