Great post OP.
Some things the Bulls need to do to become contenders:
1. Play Hinrich way less than his WAY too many minutes.
2. Tell D-Rose to drive, drive, and drive some more and dish and stop taking 5 and 1/2 3's a game.
3. Play Brooks more minutes a game (taking the washed up never was, screwing things up with his crazy (in a bad way) play.
4. Find a more consistent rotation
Meaning Pau, Noah, Taj, Mirotic up front Butler, Rose, and Brooks in the backcourt. Everyone else play sparingly. Meaning build chemistry (which is impossible when Hinrich is on the floor so much; what a coincidence when Hinrich was out the Bulls were locking in and playing their best ball of the season).
The Bulls are a great team who are merely playing okay, due to some bad rotations and playing the wrong players. Stop being so cute Thibs; throw Taj, Noah, Pau, Butler, and Rose (or Brooks) out there and let them lock in.
Doesn't need to be that hard.