So far this season the Chicago Bulls have been underperforming. Really the Bulls have gone from a playoff-hopeful team back to the basement of the Eastern Conference.
That’s why this next stretch of games is important for their season. These games are against the Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks.
Of these games, the Bulls have a shot of winning all of them but the Clippers game. If the Bulls want to turn their season around, this would be the time to do it. Sitting at 9-17 right now they could feasibly bump themselves up to 15-17, just under the .500 mark.
How?
Something the Bulls have struggled with a lot this season is maintaining a lead. Especially in the past several games the Bulls have either kept it close or had a lead, only to lose it at the end.
All it takes is one game going their way for them to gain the confidence they need. Things also have been looking moderately better for the team. They are scoring more and seeming to get more consistent on defense.
The biggest thing will be getting their offense to be less streaky. Looking specifically at Zach LaVine he is one of the most inconsistent offensive players on the team. For example, he shot 12-16 from the field and 7-7 from beyond the arc in 25 minutes against the Hawks. Then two games earlier against the Heat he was invisible. Only shooting 5-19 from the field and 1-8 from three-point range in 41 minutes.
If the team, and LaVine specifically, can get their offense on a hot streak it will be key for the Bulls going forward.
This is a time for those corrections to come into place and help try and salvage this, so far, abysmal season.
Is this realistic?
It may not be entirely realistic based on past performances of this team. But here is the truth. The Bulls can compete. They had a 20-point lead against the Lakers who are arguably the best team in the league.
Now, if they put together some good performances it wouldn’t be a huge stretch to think that they could beat these teams. Especially since they have done it before.
Would this really help?
Sure. More wins are better than losses of course.
While a lot of this may be conjecture, it is definitely a confidence booster to go on a winning streak. Even if it is against worse teams. Plus this would move the Bulls closer to a playoff spot. It seems like, right now, building confidence is another key for the Bulls.
Right now is the time for this team to show what they are capable of and at least attempt to turn this season around.
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