How watchable are the Chicago Bulls this season?

Here are several reasons to tune in to Bulls games this season.

© David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Renowned ESPN writer Zach Lowe recently released his annual League Pass Rankings, a frivolous but fun exercise in which he ranks all 30 teams based on how entertaining they are to watch. As you might expect, the Bulls were ranked pretty low on the list, coming in at #18 out of 30 teams. And while some fans may be discouraged by this ranking, it's important to remember that many factors go into determining how watchable a team is, such as "highlight potential" and "style."

Absence of ZO2

One factor the Bulls had going against them is the indefinite absence of starting point guard Lonzo Ball, who's recovering from his second knee surgery this year. A two-way force for the Bulls, Ball is the primary instigator of the team's fastbreak attack and a critical playmaker on offense. His absence will be felt not only by the Bulls but also by fans who enjoy watching him create plays like these:

"The younger, bouncier, cockier Bulls looked as if they were playing a different sport. They passed and cut and jacked 3s ahead of the Lakers. Ball and Alex Caruso terrorized L.A. on defense. The Lakers quit. The Bulls danced," remarked Lowe of what he witnessed when the Bulls creamed the Los Angeles Lakers in a game last November.

Change of pace

Things drastically changed when Ball went down with a knee injury in January, as the Bulls' offense lost much of its speed and spontaneity. Without Ball, the team's play became more structured and predictable, resulting in a significant dip in offensive efficiency.

"It got slower, more predictable, over-dependent on DeMar DeRozan's graceful but somewhat repetitive midrange game," wrote Lowe.

While the Bulls may not be must-see T.V., they still have the potential to wow viewers on any given night. They have two former slam dunk champions, Zach LaVine and Derrick Jones Jr., rookie guard Dalen Terry, and even forward Patrick Williams.

So if you want to watch an exciting, fast-paced team in the NBA this season, look no further than the Chicago Bulls. They may not be as flashy or thrilling as some other teams on Lowe's list, but they are still worth watching for any basketball fan.