CHICAGO -- The anticipation is high and the expectations are higher. As the Chicago Bulls head into media day on Monday afternoon, they'll be doing so with the same championship aspirations they had to begin last season. Only this time, they'll be doing so with a deep, talented group that expects to have a healthy Derrick Rose leading the way.
With that in mind, let's take a look at 10 of the top storylines facing the Bulls this season:
Can Rose stay healthy?
It's the question that won't go away for the Bulls. Nobody knows the answer. The former MVP didn't play very well as a member of Team USA at the World Cup earlier this month, but he played, and that's a good sign for the Bulls. He still has a lot of rust to shake off and fans shouldn't rush to judge his game early in the year, but if the Bulls want to compete for a title, everyone in the United Center knows Rose must be able to stay on the floor. It's going to be very interesting to see how coach Tom Thibodeau uses Rose early in the season. The guess here is that Thibodeau will be extra cautious with his star. Despite Thibodeau's track record of piling up the minutes, I'd be very surprised if Rose consistently played close to 40 minutes a night early in the season.
Can Noah have another All-Star season?
Joakim Noah has proved himself to be one of the best centers in the game and an integral part of everything the Bulls do. He had offseason knee surgery and said earlier in the summer that he'd be fine once training camp rolled around. With Rose on the floor he won't have as much pressure to create offensively, but he is a much better player than he was the last time Rose played anywhere close to a full season. Noah should be able to continue building on the great play he's put together the past two seasons.
What kind of impact will McDermott have?
A large one. I've been asked a lot this summer about Doug McDermott and whether he will have a bigger impact this season than fellow rookie Nikola Mirotic. I think he will, and I think McDermott will become the first rookie to have a major role in Thibodeau's rotation. Omer Asik played some solid minutes in his rookie season, but he didn't get consistent minutes early on. McDermott has a chance to be a difference-maker from the start. The Bulls' staff loves the way he can shoot and space the floor for Rose & Co. If the rookie from Creighton proves he can pick up Thibodeau's defensive schemes quickly, he will see minutes early.
Will Mirotic make an impact?
Early in the season, likely not. The Bulls' front office loves Mirotic's ability and believes he can grow into a very good player over time, but the 23-year-old must prove to Thibodeau that he can play defense and adjust to NBA competition. Mirotic could be a big factor off the bench for Thibodeau later in the season, but with Pau Gasol and Taj Gibson at the 4, there aren't a lot of minutes to go around.
How much does Gasol have left in the tank?
Gasol averaged 17.4 points and 9.7 rebounds last season and gives the Bulls the type of back-to-the-basket scorer they've been yearning for, but he is 34 years old. The former All-Star can still produce at a high level, but can he stay healthy throughout the season? Much like Rose, it's going to be intriguing to see how Thibodeau doles out Gasol's minutes to keep him fresh.
How will Thibs use Noah, Gasol, Gibson?
The educated guess here is that Gasol will be used in a similar role to that of the departed Carlos Boozer, playing 25-30 minutes a night. But it will be Noah and Gibson whom Thibodeau uses to close out games because of their defensive prowess.
Can Butler improve his shot?
Jimmy Butler shot just 39.7 percent from the field last season and struggled to find his shooting stroke throughout various points of the season. Going into his fourth season, Butler will be seeking a big contract extension this summer, but to get that he must prove he can find his offense. Butler is one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA and is well-liked in the locker room, but to take the next step in his progression he must start knocking down more jumpers. The good news for him is that playing alongside Rose -- really for the first time for a long stretch -- should free up more space for him on the floor.
Can Snell take another step?
Maybe. The Bulls' coaching staff loved what Tony Snell did during the Vegas summer league, but now the second-year swingman has to prove he can play well when the games count. He showed flashes last season but didn't always look confident on the floor. After Snell added more muscle in the offseason, the Bulls hope he can take a step the same way Butler did in his second season.
Is there enough offense?
Always the million-dollar question behind that of Rose's health. The reality for Thibodeau is that there should be enough as long as his roster stays relatively healthy -- at least enough to get to an expected showdown with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals. Rose's presence on the floor and his ability to create make his teammates better. McDermott and Mike Dunleavy should be able to knock down open looks, while Gasol and Noah can clean up the glass. But the issue for the Bulls is the same as it ever was: Who besides Rose will be able to create offense in the postseason? Thibodeau will have to cross that bridge when he gets there.
Will Thibs actually use his bench?
On paper, the Bulls are 11 players deep, 12 if you count veteran center Nazr Mohammed, who was re-signed last week. Bulls general manager Gar Forman and executive vice president John Paxson did a nice job filling up the roster for Thibodeau after failing to land Carmelo Anthony in free agency. But now it's up to Thibodeau to use the new players throughout the season and pace his team so that it will be ready for the postseason. This team is much deeper than it was a year ago, and there is a sense of urgency within the organization that this is the year for the Bulls to win their first title of the post-Jordan era.
