Sam Smith Predicts Bulls Could Surprise Despite Low Expectations
CHICAGO — Veteran NBA writer Sam Smith, one of the most respected voices in Chicago basketball, believes the Bulls might be better than many expect. In his latest Chicago Bulls Mailbag on NBA.com, Smith responded to a fan question about whether the team can post a winning record this season — and his answer offered cautious optimism.
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“I see this Bulls version as a team which will steal games they aren’t expected to win,” Smith wrote. “They’re deep with higher-level talent — nine, ten, even eleven guys — and they’re equipped to play a style that some teams with more serious aspirations won’t want to challenge.”
It’s a measured but hopeful assessment from the longtime Bulls insider, who has covered the team since the Michael Jordan era. While many analysts have pegged Chicago as a rebuilding or play-in hopeful at best, Smith’s comments suggest that the Bulls could outperform expectations through sheer depth, versatility, and experience.
The Bulls enter the 2025–26 season with a roster that blends seasoned veterans with promising young players. The front office’s decision to maintain continuity while adding strategic depth pieces has created a squad that, while lacking a superstar centerpiece, may be among the more balanced units in the Eastern Conference.
Players like Coby White and Patrick Williams are expected to take significant steps forward, while veterans such as DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vučević, and Alex Caruso continue to anchor the team with leadership and consistency. The addition of role players capable of contributing on both ends has strengthened the rotation — something Smith believes will be crucial in grinding out close games.
“Depth matters in today’s NBA,” Smith noted. “You need ten or eleven guys who can step in, play meaningful minutes, and fit within multiple lineups. The Bulls have that. They might not blow teams away, but they’ll be tough to play against every night.”
The team’s defensive identity also remains a focal point. Under head coach Billy Donovan, Chicago has emphasized ball pressure, transition defense, and physicality — areas where Smith believes the Bulls can consistently frustrate more talented opponents. “They’re not going to outscore everyone, but they can make life miserable for the teams that take them lightly,” he wrote.
Still, questions persist about the team’s ceiling. Without a clear All-NBA-level star, many analysts doubt Chicago’s ability to compete with top-tier teams like Boston or Milwaukee. Injuries, which have haunted the Bulls in recent years, also remain a major variable.
Even so, Smith’s view suggests that success this season won’t be measured solely by standings, but by competitiveness and identity. “They’re not tanking, and they’re not chasing something unrealistic,” Smith said. “They’re building a culture of accountability and effort — and that’s something fans should respect.”
His comments come at a time when the Bulls fan base is deeply divided. Some advocate for a full rebuild centered on youth, while others support management’s decision to stay competitive. Smith’s assessment offers a middle ground: a team that may not contend for a championship but could still earn respect through hard work, chemistry, and toughness.
The Bulls have long been a franchise in search of stability since the end of the Derrick Rose era. For Smith — who has seen every iteration of the team, from dynasty to dysfunction — this year’s group represents a return to basketball fundamentals. “This team plays with pride,” he said. “They may not have the flash, but they’ve got fight.”
Whether or not the Bulls finish above .500, Smith’s outlook captures the quiet confidence building within the organization — a belief that the right combination of depth, discipline, and hunger could turn low expectations into meaningful progress.
“They’re not out here to prove everyone wrong,” Smith concluded. “They’re out here to prove to themselves that they can compete, night in and night out. That’s how winning teams are built…”
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