Zach LaVine's Return To The Bulls Lineup Has Been Confirmed

Let's face it, the second half of this season has been terrible. This Bulls team has struggled to find any sort of rhythm as a team. That was stifled further when shooting guard Zach LaVine was required to sit out due to the league's health and safety protocols. In the end, LaVine missed 11 games and the team went 4-7. While they weren't doing great before LaVine went out this certainly didn't help the team's cause. Well after his 11 game hiatus LaVine will officially be back in action on Thursday.

With seven games remaining for the Bulls, it's too little too late for LaVine's return. It will be good for the team to try and build on some chemistry issues in the final seven games but that's all they will be playing for. Everything looked right for this team post-trade deadline and with the East struggling it seemed like there would be no way the Bulls would be on the outside looking in. They sit 4 games behind the Washington Wizards who are surging as of late. The only thing left to see is who should stay and who should go on this team.

Things never panned out after the trade deadline

Everyone is left scratching their head when they look at where this Bulls team is currently. They made a huge splash at the trade deadline bringing in center Nikola Vucevic. They added some nice complementary pieces in center Daniel Theis, guard Javonte Green, & forward Troy Brown. Yet here we are at the end of the season and they look worse than they did before the trade.

This team never seemed to click with one another. It seemed even more siloed than before the deadline at times. Most nights we didn't have to worry about LaVine and Vucevic but the supporting cast was hit or miss. You never knew which version of forward Lauri Markkanen, guard Coby White, or forward Patrick Williams you were going to get. Some nights they would play to their potential and other nights they would be non-existent. The team relied completely on two players and when they needed the supporting cast they just weren't there. There needs to be a lot of adjustments made this offseason if the Bulls want to get back to greatness.

Not all hope is lost

Well, let me rephrase that, not all hope is lost for fans who want to attend games. In case you didn't hear the Bulls are allowing fans at the United Center for the team's final four home games. While they most likely won't be fighting for a playoff spot fans will still be able to enjoy some Bulls basketball in person. With the return of LaVine and most likely Vucevic fans can at least get a glimpse at the future for this team.

The burn will still be there. The Bulls aren't making the playoffs this season. It sucks to be at this point but the option to see the team play before the end of the season is a tough one to pass up.

Seven games left

With only seven games left the Bulls most likely know they have a very slim chance at making the postseason. Back four games on the Wizards the Bulls would essentially need to go 7-0 and hope the Wizards lose 5 out of their last 7. It's not impossible but after watching 65 Bulls games this year it's clear this Bulls team can't win 7 straight. The Bulls remaining 7 games are tough and even the game they should win might turn out to be a loss. The Bull's final 6 opponents have a combined record of 239-220 (.520). This doesn't look too tough until you compare that to the Bulls 26-39 (.400) record it's tough.  They will most likely come out of this stretch with a record of 2-5 unless top teams rest starters in the final games of the season. When all is said and done the Bulls will probably be looking at a record of 28-44 (.389). Another disappointing season in the books. It's a tough one to swallow. If you can make it go out and cheer on the Bulls as they close out this season. Pack the UC so Bulls players know what to expect next season.