Could the Chicago Bulls Be the Surprise Team Everyone Underestimates This Year? Sam Smith Thinks So
Heading into a new NBA season, expectations for the Chicago Bulls are modest at best — but veteran analyst Sam Smith believes that if a few pieces align, the team could shatter those expectations. In a recent breakdown, Smith laid out six compelling reasons why the Bulls might surprise critics and fans alike, offering a narrative of potential rather than prediction.
Smith’s optimism centers on a mix of emerging talent, defensive upgrades, roster depth, health, continuity, and intangible momentum. Among his key points: the maturation of young players ready to take bigger roles; improved cohesion on both ends of the floor; and a coaching staff that understands how to maximize matchups and rotations. That combination, he argues, could allow Chicago to exceed win totals projected by most analysts.
One of Smith’s most pointed observations relates to roster continuity. While many teams remake their lineups every offseason, the Bulls enter this year with a relatively stable core. He notes that chemistry and mutual understanding take time to build, and Chicago may benefit from fewer adjustments than some of its rivals. In his words: “When you stop remodeling and let your players breathe, growth can happen faster.”
Health is another critical factor. The Bulls have had years where injuries derailed momentum, and Smith suggests that even a modest improvement in availability could amplify their progress. He also highlights the significance of matchups — with some of the Eastern Conference’s old guard showing signs of decline, Chicago might exploit windows where opponents are vulnerable.
Perhaps most compelling is his belief in the Bulls’ untapped ceiling: that the recent influx of young talent has not yet hit full stride. If that development accelerates, and if veterans step up in leadership, the Bulls could find themselves in position to surprise more than once. But Smith is careful not to promise anything — surprise, by nature, must remain conditional.
Still, these six reasons offer a guiding light in what might otherwise be a dark forecast. The Bulls enter the season as underdogs, burdened by low expectations and external skepticism. But Smith’s case provides a counterpoint — a narrative of hope rooted in structure, potential, and timing. If all goes right, the surprises won’t just be for the fans; they may pose a real shock to those who wrote Chicago off before tipoff.
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