Despite an underwhelming April where they’ve gone 7-8 and have a -0.4 net rating, the Chicago Bulls are still clinging to the edge of the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
Currently a game behind the Washington Wizards for the 10th and final playoff spot, the Bulls are still in a good position to return to the postseason and ostensibly compete for a title (yes, they have as much of a chance to reach the NBA Finals as the average person has of hitting the Powerball jackpot, but it’s a chance nonetheless).
However, with 11 games left on a schedule that ranks as the fourth-toughest slate of remaining opponents in the NBA, that trek to at least the play-in tournament is an arduous one for the Bulls.
These are three players who could go on a tear for the Chicago Bulls for the team’s remaining stretch of the season.
If the Bulls want to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2017, they will need some great performances from a number of players. In theory, these performances can come from anyone on the roster (okay, probably not Cristiano Felicio), but for the purposes of this piece — and to maintain some semblance of realism — these are the three players who could get going to help this team achieve what is a reachable goal for 2020-21.
3. Coby White could get hot for the Chicago Bulls
Even in year two, it’s time to start wondering whether guard Coby White will ever become an effective NBA starter, let alone a star player. Just about every single-number metric (LEBRON, RAPTOR, Estimated Plus/Minus, Box Plus/Minus) views White as a net negative for the Bulls due to his inefficient scoring (53.7 true shooting percentage) and awful defense (-1.8 defensive EPM, -1.18 D-LEBRON, -1.6 DBPM, -0.8 Defensive RAPTOR), but as Bulls fans have learned over the last couple of years, a fool’s gold hot streak is always around the corner.
As we saw last season prior to the COVID suspension and parts of this season, White can produce some stretches where he drops at least 20 points and hits multiple 3-pointers. Because White isn’t a good finisher at the rim and doesn’t get to the free throw line nearly as much as he should, these streaks tend to waver as much as his jump shot, but his high usage ensures that he’ll always have a chance to get going offensively.
If the Bulls want to make the play-in, they’re going to need more of those heat check games from White, even if there’s an equal chance of him having a string of games where he goes 2-for-10 from the field.