I wish I had that beard.
Sitting at the press conference room is Bulls' CEO Marcos Beck. If we were playing NBA 2k16, more specifically MyGM mode, one of the present journalists would quickly ask Beck the following question after Chicago's first game:
"What are the goals for your team moving forward?"
Consistently Improve. That's gotta always be the answer.
"There are 30 teams fighting for one objective. Some see it as success or total bust. We see that as an opportunity to measure where we was last season and where are we right now. Of course, we also want the big prize. But every time you achieve better results while positioning yourself for a better future it's a positive season overall." said an enthusiastic Beck.
"Being our first time at ECF against Detroit who has been there multiple times, we were very happy to get where we have never been before. Of course it was a 4-1 series but there's much space for improvement in that roster. We'll keep the confidence up, continue to work and improve our players and try to be even better next season" coach Tom Thibodeau, currently in his 6th season with Chicago, added.
"So that means next season you guys will be finalists or you have failed?" asked another reporter.
"Yeah. That's it. We'll work as hard as possible to get there, where we always wanted to be. If we'll be there? I don't know. But this year showed our guys that we can be great. We can achieve great things here. Confidence is high, morale is high, players are very motivated to put in the work in the offseason so our next season only ends in June." ended Thibs.
They seem to be pretty legit in their comments, indeed. Marcos has openly said that star PG Derrick Rose will get a max offer from Chicago when the very first day of Free Agency comes. "We'll be there at midnight, standing next to his house, with our offer. Not a single dollar less than the max. He deserves it. Thank God he leaves nearby me, and if we do it quickly, I can get home early so my girl does not wait for me too long."
Gary Harris and Nic Batum are expected to work a lot with each other to improve their chemistry at the wings next season. Harris, entering his 3rd year, is expected to come into training camp with an improved, more strong body, and better stamina overall. Batum will continue to work on leaving the post so Derrick and big man Al Horford can work their magic from there. Both will be asked to shoot more 3s next season as well, improving Chicago's floor spacing alongside sharpshooter Danny Green, who's expected to be back with the team as well.
Horford, by the way, came into an agreement with former Bulls star and currently assistant coach Charles Oakley that he'll come back to TC in a lighter, 240lb frame, so he can fly around the perimeter better chasing smaller, quicker players. This should help to improve an already decent Bulls' defense.
Noah, on the other hand, is hitting the tough age of 32. That means slight decreases in his elite defensive and rebounding skills, which he plans to compensate with more dedication and hard work. "Iggy is 32 and played his best basketball of his career this year. I feel I can do the same and help this team win it all as well", said Jo.
Chicago, by the way, has agreed to their first offseason move when they brought home F Brice Johnson, an original draft pick traded from Philly to the Suns and then shipped for the Jazz's 1st pick in 2019. Even though Chicago had lots of hope that this Jazz's pick could turn out to be a lottery selection, Bulls' scoutings absolutely felt in love with Johnson's abilities and how he could potentially fit with the Al Horford / Joakim Noah duo. After Dave Bollwinkel, Chicago's leading scout, showed Beck and his front office videos and scouting reports from Brice, it was clear that they would do everything reasonable to bring him to Chicago. It seems that it worked.
"I'm not skinny, bro."
"I'm excited to be there. Learning behind Noah, Horford, those guys are among the best of their position. Saric, another young player, Zeller, those guys are experienced. But I'll work as much as possible to be there playing, to be there competing with them for playing time." Brice commented as he knew he was being moved for the second time in draft day, this time for the right squad.
After a season in which they repeated Beck's best record at 63-19 while reaching a whole new level of success during postseason with their first trip to the Eastern Conference Finals, objectives are clear for the Bulls. Improve, improve, improve. Consistently improve, as they like to point. With a lot of work to do this upcoming months, can Marcos and his staff give them the chance to fulfill their goal for next season? Will he keep the basis of the team that worked so well for most of the season or will he do what he always does, trade everyone and roll with a new core?
For now, just relax and enjoy: Rose is a banner-boy (although he looks terrible with that beard haha).
