Derrick Rose leads Chicago to Playoffs
Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls are gaining steam at the quintessential time of the NBA season. Rose and company finally resembled a playoff-worthy team with the return to proper form, and health, by Luol Deng and Joakim Noah.
The Bulls wrung out a hard fought 109-108 victory over the Eastern Conference leading Cleveland Cavaliers thrusting themselves into a a tie with the Toronto Raptors for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Easter Conference.
Although the Raptors own the season series tie breaker, it might not even matter. Toronto will be without Chris Bosh indefinitely after Bosh fractured his face, giving Chicago an opportunity to finish out the season securing the eight seed.
Rose is lifting the young Bulls.
Derrick Rose has been playing stellar basketball for Chicago, and scored 24 points with 10 assists while leading a well-balanced offensive attack that featured 23 points from Kirk Hinrich, 22 from Luol Deng, and 17 points and 15 rebounds from Joakim Noah. Noah also had 4 blocks and 4 assists.
When fully healthy Chicago is a young, athletic, mercurially streaky team. They are unpredictable and highly fun to watch. When on his game, Noah is an ambassador of post defense and rebounding in addition to constantly bringing a winning attitude to the floor that is infectious to the Bulls team defense.
The Bulls look poised to hoist themselves into the playoffs, but will find themselves facing a Cleveland Cavaliers team with LeBron James in the lineup come playoff time. With James out Thursday night in order to rest, the Bulls only managed to win by 1 point.
Rose, Deng, and Noah seem to be the core power trio to Chicago having a slim chance, if any, to advance in the playoffs.
Realistically, they need one more marquee name, such as Chicago native Dwyane Wade, to sign via free agency this summer, before they are a bona fide title contender. But if that happens, all bets are of in the East.
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Fri, Apr 9, 2010 by Adam Sedie
News, Opinions