Time for official predictions

As preseason begins, it is time to at least talk the talk and put ur words where ur mouth is.

How many games do you predict the Bulls will win this season, and what major changes do u expect to occur to our current Bulls, if any.

As much as it hurts, I give them: 31 Wins.

I expect a big season for Jamal Crawford, and for him to outplay JWill by season's end.

I think 35 would be a better estimate, because of the progress the Baby Bulls made at Big Man camp, and the addition of Jay Williams. I think this little war b/w Williams and Crawford to benefit the both of them. Eventually, I'd like to see Jay at the 2 and Jamal at the 1.

Jalen rose can move back to the 3, put chandler and curry at 4 and 5, and bring marshall off the bench.

I expect Hassell to play well, improving upon his rookie numbers. He will also emerge as a reliable player who is on the floor during the closing minutes of close games.

I expect Fizer and ERob to continue to disappoint, and one or both to be traded during the season for a pittance.

When the young guys are clicking and the fast break working, I expect the Bulls to blow out some teams, even some average teams, at home. However, I expect their youth will cost them many a close game. That said, I expect 25-30 wins. Next year's their breakout season.

There has to be some sort of karmic payback to the city of Chicago for the hideously unrealized expectations of the Cubs, White Sox, and to this point the Bears (not to mention the Hawks' playoff meltdown and subsequent offseason). Therefore, I'll predict the Bulls surprise everyone and work some kind of freaky magic on the way to 43 wins.

snip

'If we can't control our paint and we can't rebound the ball, we're not going to win.' So says Bill Cartwright in a current ESPN article. http://espn.go.com/nba/camp2002/columns/aldridge_david/ 1443899.html At least the Bulls have a head coach who knows his head from a hole in the ground. I tend to be more of a pessimist than most. In the Eastern conference, the only team I see the Bulls finishing ahead of is Cleveland. Soft at the 5 spot, inconsistent from the wings, its going to be HARD for the Bulls to get to 25 wins. The fulcrum of every decision, I believe, is whether the Bulls want to win some now or play the youngsters as much as possible and see if this is a plan worth going the distance with. Changes.... another 60+ loss season.....Baxter kept for toughness......Fizer to be gone....Krause to be fired.

See you in April

I guess that's fair to say: Their best players ARE really young, after all. I can agree with that.

I'll stick with 30.

Crawford will not outplay Williams at point. It is unlikely Crawford will outplay Williams anywhere. Williams is the only guy on the team who is able/willing to take anybody off the dribble. Crawford has shown himself to be an outside shooter.

31 wins would be a major accomplishment. It isn't impossible but I think it is more likely they will fall into the 20-25 win slot. They don't rebound and they don't play defense. It is damn hard to win without at least doing one of those things.