’Tis the season for Bulls to face some ghosts from the past

DeMar DeRozan’s analogies have become legendary since he joined the Bulls during the offseason in 2021.

Most of them give the media a clearer idea of what DeRozan is thinking or feeling at that moment. Every so often, however, it’s more of a one-way ticket to a wild journey into his mind that ends up with DeRozan laughing as it spirals.

He was right on when describing the Eastern Conference at the start of training camp.

‘‘I love the competitive island that the East is on,’’ DeRozan said. ‘‘That’s what brings the best out of you — when you have the best around you. You have to compete. For me, people get so caught up in the rankings. You put me in a room with the best, it brings out the best in me.’’

Then came the analogy.

‘‘There are no nights off,’’ DeRozan said. ‘‘That’s how you want it. You don’t want to go to the movies and watch 10 movies and they’re all crappy movies. I want to see all blockbuster thrillers.’’

Unfortunately for DeRozan and the Bulls, there will be games this season in which they will feel like they’re in a horror film. And each of the teams that finished better than the Bulls last season has a ‘‘Halloween’’-style Michael Myers who should keep them on their toes.

Bucks

2021-22 record vs. Bulls, including playoffs: 8-1

Michael Myers: Grayson Allen

Throw the numbers out the window. Allen derailed guard Alex Caruso’s inaugural season with the Bulls, all but tackling him in midair Jan. 21 and leaving him with a fractured wrist.

The Bulls held Allen in check scoring-wise during the regular season. His 8.8-point average in four games was more than two points less than his average.

But Allen haunted the Bulls in the postseason, scoring 22 and 27 points in Games 3 and 4 and shooting a blistering 58.3% from three-point range as the Bucks won the first-round series in five games.

Celtics

2021-22 record vs. Bulls: 2-1

Michael Myers: Al Horford

Whether it was the matchup or just the way the Bulls played Horford defensively, the veteran big man turned back the clock in the three games. His 17.3-point average was his highest against any NBA team last season, and he shot 53.8% from three-point range.

76ers

2021-22 record vs. Bulls: 4-0

Michael Myers: Joel Embiid

Embiid averaged 32.8 points and 10.8 rebounds against the Bulls last season, but it goes deeper than that. He hasn’t lost to the Bulls in 11 games he has played against them since entering the NBA, averaging 29.5 points, 11.6 rebounds and 2.8 blocked shots.

Heat

2021-22 record vs. Bulls: 4-0

Michael Myers: Duncan Robinson

Jimmy Butler has gone 7-3 against the Bulls since they traded him in 2017, averaging 24.6 points in those games. But it was Robinson who gave the Bulls problems last season, averaging 14.8 points (his season average was 10.9) and shooting 40% from three-point range against them.

Raptors

2021-22 record vs. Bulls: 1-2

Michael Myers: OG Anunoby

Anunoby developed into a solid player last season, averaging 17.1 points and 2.6 assists. But he kicked it up a notch when facing the Bulls, averaging 22 points and five assists. It was the most assists he averaged against any team.