The Bulls currently have a bit of a logjam at the power forward position heading into training camp. Veteran Pau Gasol is the expected starter, but after him things become a bit muddled. The remainder of minutes at the four spot will need to be divvied up between Taj Gibson, Nikola Mirotic, rookie Bobby Portis, Cameron Bairstow, and offseason signee Cristiano Felicio. While not all of these players are assured of a regular season roster spot, new head coach Fred Hoiberg will certainly have some tough calls to make, not just during the preseason, but over the course of each and every contest throughout the season.
This brings me to the topic of the day: Who should the Bulls’ power forward rotation consist of during the 2015/16 season?
Time for you to play head coach and make the call. Should Gasol be utilized off the bench to better take advantage of his versatility, or should he indeed remain the starter? As for the rest of the rotation, who makes the cut, and what should be the minutes allotments between those players? If you feel that the team is too stacked at the four, who would you trade, and why? Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the subject. We look forward to what you have to say.
I think bulls should start Mirotic bring Gasol off bench Taj will play behind Noah leaving spare min for portis. This would keep core fresh and develop Niko game. There is no chance McDermott is a pro 4 even as a stretch the need to find a athletic gaurd to compliment the new most valuable bull Jimmy is the real battle that new coach Mayor Fred will solve.
Thr solution is simple.
1. Gasol played the 5 pretty much all of last season. Hence let him start as the 5 and pair him with Gibson at the 4.
2. Noah and Mirotic can come off the bench and help close the game, i.e. playing the entire 4th qtr
3. Split minutes at around 20 to 22 mins per 5 and 4 combo
4. Portis and Bairstow can play te 5 and 4, 3rd string at 8 to 6 mins a game.
5. Portis and Bairstow will see increased minutes if (and they should) mandate rest days for Noah, Gasol and Gibson. As those 3 are critical for a post season push.
*Yes, lets copy the Spurs.
I Love what Gibson brings as a player but if you can get a trade done with the Kings for Rudy Gay and give up Snell and Hinrich instead Doug and then sign Crawford. Then I would start Mirotic alongside either Gasol or Noah having Portis and Dunleavy for the small ball game backing up the PF position. That combo of ROSE, BUTLER & GAY is deadly.
Jo and Niko start and Pau and taj come off the bench. I think it best to keep the rotations balanced, a defensive minded player with an offensive minded one. We need to keep our lineup on the younger end, we are a slow team as it is. Jo will be nice bringing the ball up the floor more assertively, should have plenty of floor spacing with either Gasol or Niko on the floor at all times. A lot of room to play, quite exciting.
It will be interesting at the beginning of the year with gibson out. Added playing time for mirotic and probably portis. I see coach not asking noah or gasol to come off the bench as he needs the vets behind his system to be on board. I see noah and gasol to start and i bank on mirotic playing his way to force coach to start as the season progresses. Noah or gasol will be more apt later in the season to allow a roll off the bench. If noah is playing all star basketball and doesnt look like last year he will start.if not gasol will start with mirotic.
It’s gotta be Taj and Gasol starting. Gasol won’t be able to come off the bench at age 35 and run with the new offense, plus Noah’s skill set is better suited for a bench role than Pau’s.
Mirotic at the 4 off the bench then Portis getting some minutes when needed. The Felicio signing made no sense to me, as I don’t anticipate him getting any PT over Portis or Bairstow, who will most likely only see blowout or injury minutes like he saw last year.
I think Noah would be the better fit for the bench, would allow him more time in the offense to utilize his passing skills and set up with some point forward and elbow duties that worked so well in 13/14.