Chicago Sports Then and Now

Luol Deng and the Chicago Bulls are already showing signs that this could be another roller coaster season.

This years Bulls team is reminiscent of the 2002-06 Detroit Pistons teams.

I’m not saying that they mirror each other in every facet of the game, because that is the farthest from the truth.

Maybe I should rephrase that.  This years Bulls team is like a poor man’s 2002-06 Detroit Pistons team.

Derrick Rose is a more talented point guard than Chauncey Billups, but Billups was more seasoned and played his role better.  John Salmons has a similar game to Rip Hamilton’s, but the difference is that the Pistons played to all of Hamilton’s strengths and the offense made Rip Hamilton who he was instead of him having to make it himself.  Luol Deng can match Tayshaun Prince’s length.  His defense is not up to the same level, but it’s not too far off.  The power forward position is where the teams truly differ.  Either with Taj Gibson or Tyrus Thomas, we don’t have the scoring threat that the Pistons had with Rasheed.  And, at center, we have the young Ben Wallace in Joakim Noah.

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Michael Jordan led the Bulls to six titles, what will it take for Derrick Rose to lead the Bulls to a seventh?

If the Bulls want to get back to their glory days of the mid-to-late 90s Championship teams, they are going to have to recreate what the teams of today are doing more so than what the Bulls teams of the past did.

But, since we have no idea what the team is going to look like this upcoming season, I thought it would be fun to go back and compare the last Bulls Championship team to this years expected roster, and see how they match up and if this seasons’ team has any chance at being a contender.
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The author was lucky enough to grow up in Chicago watching Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen lead the Bulls.

As a sports fan, you remember portions of your life based on what was going on with your favorite teams.

Such as the time my little league baseball team was in the midst of the regional finals at the same time Michael Jordan and the Bulls were in the midst of downing the Portland Trailblazers for the NBA Championship.

Or, when my parents told us we were going to Disney World, and I asked if we could go in August instead of June, because I didn’t want to miss the Bulls playoff run.

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