New season for Bulls, and a lot of new faces
The Bulls will open training camp Monday at the Berto Center after some major off-season changes.
Led by longtime NBA assistant Tom Thibodeau, the coaching staff is completely different, other than advance scout Mike Wilhelm.
On the court, the Bulls will have at least eight new players. Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah are the only ones still around who saw action in the epic 2009 playoff series against Boston. Luol Deng was sidelined by an injury during the Celtics series.
Changes create questions, so here are a few heading into the 2010-11 season:
1. How will Thibodeau adjust to being a head coach?There's no question Thibodeau is qualified for the job. He has been billed as a master defensive strategist for years and helped guide Boston to the Finals twice in the past three seasons.But he hasn't been a head coach since the 1984-85 season at Salem (Mass.) State. This is the first time in the NBA that he will be the one addressing the players every day, finalizing practice plans, delegating authority, etc.Thibodeau figures to run a hardworking, defensive-oriented camp. The players sound ready to buy in, but even they won't know what to expect until the first practice begins.2. Are there enough minutes in a game to make everyone happy?The starters are pretty much set in stone, with Carlos Boozer joining Rose, Noah, Deng and Ronnie Brewer, most likely. Taj Gibson will get plenty of minutes at the inside spots.In the backcourt, though, the Bulls will want to get their new 3-point specialist, Kyle Korver, on the floor. C.J. Watson was used to playing about half the game in Golden State, and Keith Bogans also is in the mix.The odd man out could be second-year forward James Johnson, who struggled in summer league. Brewer could slide to the three when Deng is out, making more room for Korver and Watson at the guard spots.3. Do the Bulls have any chance to beat Miami's power trio?It's a daunting task, but Miami collecting Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh is an unprecedented experiment in team chemistry. Wade and James are both under 30 and have averaged 30 points for a season.The Heat's tricky chemistry might be the best hope, along with the Bulls potentially having a stronger inside game with Boozer and Noah. The Bulls won't see Miami until Jan. 15 at the United Center.4. Will it bother Noah if he doesn't sign an extension by Oct. 31?Doubtful. Compared to the young players who have been through the Berto Center since 1998, it has been refreshing to see Noah thoroughly endorse summer improvement and team success.The threat of labor turmoil next summer probably will cause the Bulls to keep their offer low, so it will be no surprise if nothing happens.5. Any chance Carmelo Anthony plays for the Bulls this season?If the alleged four-way deal sending Anthony to the Nets falls apart, anything is possible. Denver needs to do something before the February trade deadline, because Anthony seems prepared to sign with New York as a free agent next summer.The problem facing the Bulls is they can't offer the Nuggets much salary relief, since Deng has to be included in any deal. Trading Deng and Noah just creates a gaping chasm in the Bulls' lineup.A new rumor Sunday had Denver talking about trading for Philadelphia's Andre Iguodala, who has more money left on his deal than Deng.False7441437Carlos Boozer was the Bulls big free-agent prize this summer.Associated Press fileFalse