NBA Season Preview: Chicago Bulls

Mark Rawden, and his associates over at Examiner.com (http://www.examiner.com), are running their own NBA Season Preview for each team in the NBA prior to the beginning of the regular season. Here's a look at the the 2009-10 Chicago Bulls, and a Q&A with Examiner Chris Cason: (http://www.examiner.com/x-10630-Boston-Celtics-Examiner~y2009m9d30-QA-on-the-Cs-with-Bulls-Examiner-Chris-Cason) 1) What do you feel is the mindset of this team going into this season?Despite a few elephants in the room, the mindset is very positive, and everyone seems to be ready to challenge for a championship. Rondo is excited, same with Pierce. However, those elephants (KG’s health and Ray Allen’s expiring contract) are lurking and everyone is simply trying to ignore them.You get the feeling that the team is back in 2007 mode with a few new players and team-wide sense of urgency, excitement, and anxiety. That collection of emotions led to a title that season, and Doc’s crew is obviously hoping for the same in 2009.2) Your thoughts about the Rondo trade rumors this summer. What do you feel is his value to this team and if they even considered trading him, do you think they would get anywhere near equal value?They were understandable, as Rondo still hasn’t developed anything resembling a reliable jumper, and rumors swirled about his “coachability.” I’m not sure if the latter is true, but the former certainly is. He had an unbelievable series against Chicago in the playoffs, but Orlando simply sat back and watched him clank jumpers.He needs to significantly upgrade his jumper this year or the trade rumors will begin again next summer (or possibly earlier) and Danny Ainge may not deny them when they do. He’ll probably have to go in a package deal for salary purposes, or he’ll have to be traded for a promising rookie and draft picks. Equal value is possible, but doubtful.3) The team has added depth, are one year removed from an NBA title, didn't have KG for the latter part of last season and almost made it to the Conference Finals, with a healthy KG, this team can get back to the Finals, what are your thoughts on most experts ranking them third behind Orlando and Cleveland?It’s insulting, but not surprising. “Experts” like to come to a collective decision and run with it. Everyone seems to think that Orlando added the Vince Carter of 2002, not 2009, and everyone seems to think that KG is shot and Ray Allen has nothing left in the tank ,thanks to his sporadic performance in the playoffs last year. Of course, they’ve forgotten about the additions of Sheed and Marquis Daniels, plus the hunger Ray is going to have since this is a contract year for him and the Celtics’ excellent depth will allow Doc to rest the Big Three more down the stretch. Boston is definitely better than Orlando (Boston took the Magic to seven games last year without KG or Leon Powe, and they now have KG, Sheed, and Daniels while the Magic are essentially the same) and probably even with Cleveland. The Cavs are a wildcard because of Shaq – I don’t know how he’ll fit in. If his game collides with LeBoron’s, then Boston has nothing to worry about.4) The team's primary core are getting up there in mileage, Ray Allen will be a free agent, Paul Pierce can opt out, do you see any scenario where the Big Three- if they get knocked out of any round before the Finals this year- are not on this roster next season?To read the rest of Mark's Q&A, click here. (http://www.examiner.com/x-10630-Boston-Celtics-Examiner~y2009m9d30-QA-on-the-Cs-with-Bulls-Examiner-Chris-Cason)