Since Michael Jordan’s departure from Chicago in 1998, the Bulls have not made a large impact in the playoffs. Their first hope for the next championship team did not occur until the 2010-11 season. Twenty-two year old point guard Derrick Rose became the youngest MVP in league history, Coach Tom Thibodeau won Coach of the Year, and the team earned their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 13 seasons. Hopes were high and reasonably so. Though the Bull’s MVP played in less than half of the team’s games the following season, Chicago still finished first in the eastern conference. The Bulls were favored in the first round of the playoffs facing the 76ers, but things turned for the worst. Derrick Rose’s season ended with an ACL tear in the first game of the series, and the Bulls were later knocked out in six games. After the former MVP’s recovery, more major injuries followed nearly derailing his career. Luckily for Chicago, Rose’s injury struggles gave former backup Jimmy Butler an opportunity to prove himself. The 30th pick in the 2011 NBA draft developed into a flat out star, earning the most improved player award in 2015. Establishing himself as a premier wing defender and scorer the following season, the Bulls took this opportunity to create a new core.

  After trading Rose, the team hit free agency to pick up two very decorated veterans in Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo. Wade, a three time champion, left Miami after 13 seasons to play for his hometown Bulls. Rondo, a champion in 2008, has been searching for a home after being traded from Boston in 2014. With three point shooting becoming a major importance of winning teams recently, many experts claim Butler, Rondo, and Wade’s lack thereof will cause the Bulls to miss the playoffs this year. Chicago, however, sees Rondo and Wade as leaders capable of showing Butler what it takes to become a champion. The three may have to adapt their games, but already they seem more in sync than the overwhelming championship favorite, the Warriors. Never a good long distance shooter, Dwyane Wade has dedicated himself to improving his three point shot. After failing to shoot above 32% beyond the arc throughout his career (the league average is 35%), Wade has shot above 50% since the beginning of last seasons playoffs. Junior Ryan Homsher said, “After Dwyane Wade adapted to playing with LeBron, I think he can with anyone. He is one of the greatest shooting guards of all time and he is just smart.”

  With a good chemistry that has developed almost instantly, Chicago’s starting five is one of the best in the league. Though the championship contending Cavaliers seem to repeat as the best in the east, the Bull’s veteran experience appears as the Cav’s biggest threat. Dwyane Wade has as much championship experience as LeBron James, the two winning a pair of championships together with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013. Both superstars have proved their championship success individually, Wade winning his first in 2006 and James winning his third in 2015. Rondo was the second of the three stars to win a title in 2008 with the star studded Celtics consisting of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen. Rondo’s championship squad won it all during their first season together, something Chicago is looking to do. Though their players’ success occurred elsewhere, the Bulls hope to show they can win without the best player in league history.