The Bulls need to come back stronger and stay healthy after the All-Star break

Photo Courtesy of Mike Dinovo-USA Sports Today

The Bulls' season has surpassed most of the fans' expectations so far, but the team needs to keep the good energy going and come back even stronger after the All-Star break.

This is the time to prove that they are no longer a team stuck in the rebuilding stage for the last 20 years. This is the time to let the rest of the Eastern Conference know that they could pose a threat.

The Bulls enter the All-Star break at 16-18 and in 10th place in a crammed Eastern Conference after their 128-124 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.

Looking back to all that's happened in the first 34 games, the Bulls gave fans a reason to watch the games again. That's mainly because of Zach LaVine's superstar performances, which led him to becoming an All-Star. LaVine has been impacting winning and has been posting career highs. Let's not forget the veterans like Thad Young and Garrett Temple. Young has been a versatile piece to the Bulls' frontcourt and could be a great addition for a playoff-contending team if traded.

While the Bulls have exceeded expectations, they still have some distance to go to really come back strong in the second half of the season. This All-Star break could be dangerous for the Bulls if they get too comfortable and lose the momentum.

They shouldn't be satisfied with where they're at. There are things that need to be fixed, especially learning how to close games.

Wednesday's game epitomizes why the Bulls need to work on closing games. They were leading by 19 points in the second half and then allowed the Pelicans to cut that lead to four. On top of that, they just kept fouling 3-point shooters and turned the ball over 16 times. Those are mistakes that can easily be avoided.

Another disappointment has been the inconsistency from certain players and injuries.

I'll start with Coby White. He doesn't fit the point guard role that the Bulls expect. They need a pass-first, true point guard with strong perimeter defense. White just isn't that. He's better off coming in as a sixth man who can just focus more on scoring, since that's what his strength.

Otto Porter Jr. is even more disappointing considering that he's had injuries holding him back since he's been on the Bulls. How can I analyze someone if they're almost always sidelined due to injury?

Lauri Markkanen is next. He hasn't been too valuable to the team this season because he's barely been available. His injuries keep holding him back from getting those big moments. As soon as he's had the chance to have some decent performances, an injury sets him back. This gives rookie Patrick Williams more time to step in and improve his game, which is a better option.

While Zach LaVine is master-key to the Bulls' success, Williams deserves a breather to come back and finish his rookie season strong.

The 19-year-old forward had an impressive first half, averaging 10.2 points per game and 4.8 rebounds while shooting 47.4% from the field and 39% from 3. His athleticism and defensive performance caught the attention of LeBron James -- and this is all without playing in the Summer League and having a shortened training camp.

Williams will be spending his All-Star break in Los Angeles, so hopefully he'll come back recharged with some sun and rest.

It's been a tough first half of the season overall, considering what happened in the world with the pandemic and its impact on the sports world, but the guys have been pushing through. Players will finally be allowed to travel across the country to see their family and friends. This is great for them but risky for the Bulls, since there will be no restrictions placed on the players once they leave the team facilities.

So staying healthy is also crucial for the Bulls' success after the All-Star break.