Bulls have lot to prove to themselves

— -- CHICAGO -- When Derrick Rose raised the MVP trophy in 2011 after a 60-win season, there was a feeling throughout Chicagoland that the Bulls were entering a new era of greatness after the long post- Michael Jordan darkness. Key word in there being "era."

That concept has now been long forgotten, there's no longer time for the Bulls to lean on the long run. If they are going to make something happen with what was once a promising core of young players, then the time is likely right now.

That's the reality the Bulls carry as they enter the 2014-15 season. The Cleveland Cavaliers' potential super team, with roles to define and some holes to fill, is perhaps now as vulnerable as it will be for the next few years. The Indiana Pacers are devastated with Paul George's injury. The four-time defending East champs in Miami have taken a step back. Derrick Rose is as healthy as he's been since his ACL tear but his reliability is in question. Joakim Noah is wearing down a bit, coming off knee surgery that he has said will change his life. Their huge free-agent pickup, Pau Gasol, is 34 years old with his own history of knee problems. Taj Gibson turned 29 over the summer.

Simply put, there's no more waiting for next year for the Bulls.

The entire Bulls organization has been traumatized by the past few seasons and the scar tissue from that has perhaps made the enthusiasm coming into this season just a little more cautious. Indeed, the Bulls are as deep and as talented as they've been in the Rose era, essentially two deep at every position and with perhaps the most impressive frontcourt rotation in the league.

But because of their recent past, their frame of mind has been altered -- nothing should be assumed.

"It's not just the adversity Derrick went through, it's the adversity we all went through," Noah said. "That will make it sweeter when we win it. When you bring a guy like Derrick back, the possibilities are endless."

The Bulls' array of possibilities is what is perhaps most intriguing about them. On one hand, you can tick off their roster and talk about just how much better they should be offensively, which has regularly been a weak spot, because of a few moves: the Rose return, the Gasol addition and the draft-night trade with the Denver Nuggets to leap up and grab Doug McDermott, who was one of the most prolific scorers in recent collegiate history.

Rose and Gasol running pick-and-rolls late in important games and McDermott's fantastic ability to create his shot seem like they are the perfect antidote for the Bulls' offensive woes last season. After the latest Rose knee injury, the team was in such an offensive jam that Noah basically had to re-invent himself as a point-center just to tug the Bulls into the postseason.

Team president John Paxson and general manager Gar Forman attacked the problem. After swinging big for Carmelo Anthony, they won the Gasol sweepstakes and coveted McDermott enough to trade two first-round picks for him. They did some impressive salary-cap wrangling to afford to bring over prized 2011 draft pick Nikola Mirotic from the Spanish pro league, believing these moves provide the tools for the Bulls to make a legitimate run this season.

On the other hand, it is a little murky as to how the Bulls will use these additions because of coach Tom Thibodeau's devotion to defense and veteran players.