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The Milwaukee Bucks shocked the NBA world when they traded for “Dame Time” himself, Damian Lillard. While the Bucks’ fanbase certainly celebrated this incredible development, the same can’t be said for the Chicago Bulls, as they must now face a Bucks team that is undoubtedly more talented than before. 

The Bulls won’t have to wait long to see how good this Bucks squad can be as the two teams face off in preseason action on October 8.

Gap has widened

While the Bulls will take the training camp to decide who their starting point guard will be, the Bucks will spend theirs integrating a seven-time All-Star into their fold. It is clear that the gap between the two teams has widened, and the Bulls will have a hefty challenge ahead of them if they wish to dethrone Milwaukee from their throne atop the Central Division.

The Bulls have more problems to work out before considering how to defend the Dame-Giannis combo. Aside from needing a proven point guard to lead the charge, the team must also find a way to maximize their core of DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Nikola Vucevic, whom they brought back on a new three-year pact.

Continuity vs. contention

Both the Bulls and the Bucks are grouped in the Central Division. That’s as far as the similarities go, however. While the Bucks boast a roster of veterans and championship-caliber talent, the Bulls are trying to stay relevant in a conference that is becoming more competitive with each passing season.

The Bucks and the Boston Celtics remain the cream of the crop in the East. While the Miami Heat has suffered a string of bad luck involving high-profile free agents remains deadly. Philadelphia has its own internal issues involving the disgruntled James Harden but a team that employs the reigning league NBA must never be counted out.

Meanwhile, the Bulls continue to walk the well-worn path of continuity with no clear light at the end of the tunnel.