The latest polls are in, and the Chicago Bulls are gaining attention around the NBA. After a successful 4-2 Circus Trip, the 10-6 Bulls are tied for 2nd in the Eastern Conference behind only the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers. Not many expected this kind of early success from a completely overhauled roster lacking in three point shooters. But numbers don’t lie, and Fred Hoiberg must be happy with some of these initial returns.

Keep Climbing

The latest power rankings from ESPN’s NBA expert Marc Stein came out today, and the Bulls continued their ascent. This week they come in at #6, jumping up two more spots from last week’s rankings. In his analysis of the Bulls’ current situation, Stein points out a very enlightening statistic.

“How perfect. The Bulls have only one game left this month: Wednesday night’s date with the Lakers. The same Lakers who stand as the only team that can realistically deny Jimmy Butler & Co. from being crowned November’s Biggest Surprise Team. Chicago awoke Monday on a short list of three teams, alongside only Golden State and the L.A. Clippers, that find themselves in the top 10 in both offensive and defensive efficiency — as predicted by absolutely no one.” – Marc Stein

Stein is right. Nobody predicted this kind of efficiency from the Bulls, at least not from the start. With so many new players, including veteran guys like Rajon Rondo and Dwyane Wade with championship-sized egos, a rocky start seemed certain.

So much for that idea.

As Stein notes here, the Bulls are joined by only the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors-two Western Conference powerhouses-as NBA teams to rank in the top 10 in both offensive and defensive efficiency to date. Chicago ranks 7th with an offensive efficiency rating of 107.0. The Clippers are 6th at 109.3, while the Warriors lead the league with an astounding 115.4. Defensively, the Bulls are currently 8th with an efficiency rating of 102.1. Golden State checks in 7th with 101.9, and the Clippers are 3rd at 98.9.

The question begs: which stat is more surprising for these sneakily good Bulls?

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