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Is this Thibodeau's best Bulls team?

In 2010, Derrick Rose's opening salvo was, “Why can't I be MVP?”

Rose proved prophetic, but since then the Bulls haven't been able to match the team success of the 2010-11 campaign, which included 62 wins and a loss to Miami in the Eastern Conference finals.

Four years have passed, and this is supposed to be the Bulls' next-best chance to climb that mountain.

Just as in 2010, LeBron James and his new team will provide the primary competition in the East.

On the eve of the regular-season opener, Jimmy Butler made a declaration, which contained a few qualifiers.

“You never know what can happen through the course of a season, but for right now, if we're healthy, why can't we be the best team?” Butler asked.

The Bulls open Wednesday against the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden.

There's an 82-game gap between now and when we find out if the Bulls are title contenders, but a good place to start might be an assessment of whether they are better now than in 2010.

Coach Tom Thibodeau hasn't changed — much — so here's a look at the players:

Point guard

Rose in 2010-11 won the MVP in a runaway. Based on the last two preseason games, everything is great with Rose, who averaged 28.5 points and shot 59 percent in those two exhibitions.

No one should go overboard pinning title hopes on someone who played just 10 games the last two seasons. But if Rose is healthy, as he seems to be, the results should be positive.

“I expect him to get back to exactly who he was,” Thibodeau said Tuesday at the Advocate Center. “You've just got to remember what he did to play like that. (There's) a lot of rust to shake off.”

Small forward

Let's skip shooting guard for now, because the starter at two guard, Jimmy Butler, compares better to Luol Deng, the small forward in 2010-11.

Like Deng, Butler will take on the toughest perimeter defensive assignment, including James, and play heavy minutes.

Do the Bulls think Butler is better than Deng? Well, they traded Deng in January and plan to keep Butler, probably at a higher price than what they offered Deng. So, yes.

By the way, Butler did not practice Tuesday because of the sprained left thumb and is questionable for the opener.

Shooting guard

Remember, this was the supposed weak spot in 2010-11 when Keith Bogans started every game. The fact that they were nearly unbeatable when Bogans scored at least 6 points suggested a better scorer could put them over the top.

Richard Hamilton wasn't the answer. Mike Dunleavy will get the first chance to fill the role of long-range specialist. He was a little off last season (38 percent) but pushed it to 44 percent this preseason.

Power forward

For argument's sake, let's say Joakim Noah belongs here with both teams. In 2010-11, he played just 48 games because of a thumb injury and other issues.

His statistics then were only slightly below last season's numbers, which led to all-NBA first team and defensive player of the year honors.

Noah could play more than in 2010-11 but also might take on more of a supporting role, with Rose back and a new teammate at center.

“Chemistry is probably the most important thing,” Noah said. “Chemistry doesn't happen overnight.

“You've just got to keep working at it, keep understanding where guys want the ball; play to each other's strengths, cover up our weaknesses and keep growing as a group … through the good and through the bad.”

Center

During the preseason, Pau Gasol was an effective rim protector. Four years ago Carlos Boozer stayed in the paint defensively and didn't provide much protection.

But Boozer averaged 17.5 points and 9.6 rebounds that season. Gasol is usually good for those kind of numbers, but he's 34 now.

Bench

Taj Gibson remains the best bench player, and he has improved significantly since 2010-11. Kirk Hinrich figures to be the second-best wing defender, after Butler, which makes him a decent replacement for 2011's Ronnie Brewer.

Aaron Brooks could be a nice addition if he provides instant offense. He should score more than C.J. Watson, who was a better facilitator.

Rookies Doug McDermott and Nikola Mirotic both will get a chance to add long-range shooting.

Kyle Korver looms as one of the league's best 3-point specialists, but in 2010-11 he averaged just 1.5 long-range buckets per game and shot 41.5 percent.

To recap, improving on the 2011 finish hinges on these factors: good health, a rust-free Rose, Dunleavy keeping his shooting stroke, Noah and Gasol meshing well, Brooks sticking to what he does best and the rookies tossing in a few baskets from long range.

As they say, there is a long way to go.

Bulls hope Butler recovers quickly from injury

Bulls' glass attack has been underwhelming

Bulls finish preseason with a big thud

Bulls still sorting out late rotation

Bulls' early forecast looks like bright days ahead

Bulls game day

Breaking down the roster

Guard Derrick Rose and the Bulls take on the Knicks and Carmelo Anthony in Wednesday night's season opener at New York. Associated Press File Photo/April 2011
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