Potential Playoffs Matchup: Chicago Bulls

by Jeff Clark on Apr 5, 2009 1:56 PM EDT in Articles Comment 4 comments

Continuing our series on Potential Playoff Matchups we look at the Chicago Bulls. (Also see Miami Heat, Detroit Pistons, Philadelphia 76ers)

Chicago Bulls
Celtics won season series 2-1
Team Blog: Blog-a-Bull

Pros: With all due respect to Ben Gordon and John Salmons, their best player is probably Derrick Rose. Usually when a team's best player is a rookie, that's a bad sign for the team. In addition, if you use Blog-a-Bull as a barometer, there's not a lot of faith left in coach Vinnie Del Negro.

Is that really playoff experience? Not really. Vinny's going to be fired 20 games into next season, and then we can get on with forming a real squad (one likely without Ben Gordon, here's to self-created obstacles!), and the 2009 playoff team will have little significance to what that new squad will become.

Cons: The last time these teams played, we saw how Salmons can fill up a box score quickly. Ben Gordon is also prone for hot streaks from time to time. Rose is a star in the making. Brad Miller is a former All Star. Hinrich and Deng were once considered cornerstones. Noah and Tyrus Thomas are former lottery pick big men. In short, there's talent there. If they ever put it all together, watch out.

Matchup Highlights: Rose vs. Rondo could be fun to watch, ...for years to come. Brad Miller gives them a reliable big man dimension that they lacked in the past, even if he's on the downside of his career, he can hurt you. Beyond that, their big men don't scare me at all.

Conclusion: Chicago is another team in transition that likely needs another year or two to put things together. Could they put it all together for a brief postseason run? Maybe, but not against an elite team. With or without Garnett, the Celtics should be able to handle them.

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Not so worried

Even without KG, the Bulls oppose no real threat for the C’s, I’ll be shocked if we have to go more than a 5 game series with the Bulls

by dwlefty13 on Apr 5, 2009 2:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Don't understand what's missing

Two good point guards, fill ’er up 2 guard, good center tandem now, Salmons as X factor, Ty Thomas coming along. They should scare people more than they do.

by Wildblu1 on Apr 5, 2009 3:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

heh, that should tell you something

(psssssst: it’s vinny)

USE THE SOFTWARE. Actions-> Rec/Flag. Reply to comments with the reply button. Rec good fanposts/fanshots so the crud gets pushed down.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 5, 2009 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is Derrick Rose the team’s best player? I’m not sure that he’s even better than Hinrich.

Clearly he will be the Bulls best player, and probably as soon as next season, but is he even better than Kirk right now?

I don’t think so. Rose is more explosive and dynamic, capable of greater highs …. but better overall, on a consistent basis? Ehh.

For the first month or so of the season, it wasn’t a question, but I think Rose has dropped off considerably since then and that the Bulls would be in better immediate shape if Kirk Hinrich had been, well healthy, and starting ahead of Rose.

For a guy who needs the ball in his hands as much as Rose, he doesn’t do enough to help his team. Not currently.

Terrific prospect though.

by Who on Apr 5, 2009 6:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs