NBA: Central Division: Kneel before the new ruler

The NBA season is just around the corner – time for the annual Division Previews! We introduce all teams, look at the respective Best and Worst Case and venture a prognosis. Today: The Central Division.

No, the Bulls don’t stand a chance at the playoffs, and that’s their blessing. The Rebuild is prolonged by unfortunate circumstances. Both Jabari Parker and Zach LaVine are out again and again, so the team can’t find any rhythm. It’s easy to see in Windy City that this time Tanking is the only right step.

But we learned from last season and don’t do it so obviously anymore. But more important is that Lauri Markkanen doesn’t stop his development and worked on his postgame in the offseason. The Finn is the best offensive option for the Bulls. In Chicago they are thievishly happy about it and make fun of the Timberwolves internally.

Because not only Markkanen convinces. Point Guard Kris Dunn also makes another leap in his development. The Bulls see him as the playmaker for the next few years. In the draft, the Bulls even end up in the top three and choose another talented wing player.

The Bulls’ defense is even worse than expected. Chicago usually needs over 120 points to win games at all. Especially Jabari Parker is heavily criticized, even the status as Hometown Hero doesn’t help much. Parker shows no understanding for the attacks anyway and insists on his opinion that he is not being paid for defense here.

But Robin Lopez doesn’t like this at all. The center asks Parker to put on Benny the Bull’s costume. As soon as the forward is in his clothes, the giant mercilessly stretches him down. Bobby Portis then pats his frontcourt colleague on the back with an appreciative pat. The Bulls report Parker’s season out, officially he fell heavily in the shower at home.

Meanwhile, the Front Office is not at all satisfied with the performance in the field. The rebuild is far too slow to their liking, so they are reacting before the trade deadline, although they are already eight games behind in eighth place. For his own first round pick 2019 and the disgraced Lopez (Parker-Gate) comes Veteran (please insert name as you like) but in the end he is no help at all.

Forecast: 5th place in the Central Division

Page 1: Chicago Bulls

Page 2: Cleveland Cavaliers

Page 3: Detroit Pistons

Page 4: Indiana Pacers

Page 5: Milwaukee Bucks