After nine games for the new-look Chicago Bulls, it's time to check up on the results of the active trading season for the team.
While on paper the team appears to be visibly improved from its prior form, the statistics aren't reflecting such a visible uplift, if any at all:
| Before | After | |
| Record | 21-27 (.438) | 4-5 (.444) |
| FG% | 44.4% | 45.3% |
| PPG | 99.1 | 104.8 |
| Opp PPG | 102.0 | 104.7 |
So, the team is shooting slightly better, scoring more, but also allowing opponents to score more. Most other stats are relatively the same.
Yes, Tim Thomas has missed three games so far with the Bulls, thanks to a bum knee, and Jerome James has yet to play a game for the team, but those are definitely not explanations for these mixed results so far.
Nine games are nothing to go to the bank with, but if you're a game-by-game type of fan, this probably worries you a bit.
But this is just a matter of time. The Bulls need more time to gel with John Salmons and Brad Miller, who have played admirably for the team thus far.
Expect the Bulls to improve their play going forward, as Salmons feels out his role as a starter while Luol Deng recovers from a leg injury.
The potential issue will be how coach Vinny Del Negro handles his player's minutes when Deng returns (maybe in late March), especially if the team makes the playoffs.
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Jason Hahn
Jason Hahn is a fervent fan of the NBA and is currently living in Evanston where he is a graduate journalism student. More
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