Breaking down the roster
As the Bulls open the NBA season in New York on Wednesday, Mike McGraw offers his perspective on the roster:
No. Player Ht. Pos. Age
0 Aaron Brooks 6-0 PG 29
In the preseason, Brooks seemed to be most effective when he took a high number of shots. It worked for Nate Robinson.
1 Derrick Rose 6-3 PG 26
Forget about winning another MVP. If Rose gets through the season without clutching a knee in pain, the results should be good.
3 Doug McDermott 6-8 SF 22
At some point in the playoffs, a game will be decided on whether McDermott can knock down an open 3-pointer. Of course, he won't be playing if he can't master coach Tom Thibodeau's defense.
12 Kirk Hinrich 6-4 PG/SG 33
We all expect gritty defense and offensive execution from Hinrich. In the preseason against Charlotte, he knocked down 11 of 14 shots. Will "Heat Check" Hinrich return for the regular season?
13 Joakim Noah 6-11 PF/C 29
So far his surgically repaired left knee seems to be doing well. The rebounding came around in the preseason, but his offense lagged.
16 Pau Gasol 7-0 C/PF 34
Gasol was the last piece to the Lakers' championship puzzle in 2009 (at 29, obviously). The Bulls will accept a similar result.
20 Tony Snell 6-7 SG 22
He has good skills and incredible length. Thibodeau wants to see more consistency and urgency.
21 Jimmy Butler 6-7 SG 25
Until suffering the sprained left thumb, Butler was one of the biggest preseason surprises in the entire league. Picking up where he left off could prove to be a challenge.
22 Taj Gibson 6-9 PF 29
Gibson has been a loyal employee, helping recruit Carmelo Anthony, then refusing to complain when Gasol basically took his starting spot. A Sixth Man Award could be the reward.
34 Mike Dunleavy 6-9 SF 34
Being a savvy veteran is all well and good. The Bulls need Dunleavy to either hit 3-point shots or make way for the rookies.
41 Cameron Bairstow 6-9 PF/C 23
He grew up on Australia's Gold Coast, which should provide nice memories while sitting on the bench.
44 Nikola Mirotic 6-10 PF 23
There probably will be nights when the former Real Madrid star takes over games, but his transition to the NBA will take time.
48 Nazr Mohammed 6-10 C 37
He probably won't get much run, but who could pass on a 17th NBA season for a projected hometown contender?
55 E'Twaun Moore 6-4 SG 25
Former Purdue star and East Chicago native barely played in the preseason, but he is just two or three injuries away from becoming the "next man up."