NBA preview- Bulls

Chicago Bulls- The Bulls are entering this season hoping to advance further in the playoffs after last year's heartbreaking loss to the Celtics in the first round. If the Bulls are planning on making it past the first round of the playoffs they are going to need answer some early question marks. Obviously Derrick Rose is going to get the job done at Point Guard and I believe John Salmons will replace the loss of Ben Gordon, but Luol Deng, Taj Gibson, Tyrus Thomas and Kirk Heinrick will have to have productive seasons. Deng needs to regain his touch that he had a few years ago, Gibson needs to prove he can play in the NBA, and Thomas and Heinrick just need to play efficiently. I think Deng and Heinrick will have good seasons, but I have doubts on whether Thomas and Gibson will be good enough for the Bulls to do any damage in this year's playoffs. Looking at the Bulls schedule and the strength of teams in their conference I think they are a lock to make the playoffs, but as far as being a real contender for the NBA title the season we'll just have to wait and see.