Chicago Bulls prove themselves as a formidable team with or without Derrick Rose – NBA Feature
In what was one of the most thrilling matches of the season, the Chicago Bulls were able to defeat the Miami Heat in over time. All of the predictions that analysts had made came true in the match. James had a big night and Bosh stepped up. Miami blocked out Joakim Noah and reduced his rebounds, particularly on the offense. All that though wasn’t enough for Miami to get the win.
C.J Watson and Kyle Korver were the highlights of the night. But there was one fact that stood out in the game which no one could have imagined. Derrick Rose scored only 2 points off 1 of 13 shooting for the night, and Chicago still won.
Rose had one of the most terrible nights of his basketball career as he looked rusty and missed open opportunities, was even blocked once by LeBron James as he went for the layup. It is understandable that even a player of the calibre of Derrick Rose can have an off night. Do not forget that he has only played 2 of the Bulls last 15 games. But the debate is not about how Rose was ineffective, it is about how the Bulls were so effective even without him.
Take a look at this Chicago roster and you will not find any one apart from Rose who will instantly grab your attention. Neither is there any one again apart from Rose who commands a star status. But this team has played so well together that they have the best record in the league by a clear margin. In the 23 games Rose had missed this season due to injury, they are 15-7. Then take into account the game last night where Rose played but did not manage to do anything for the team. And the Bulls still won.
I think it is now time to look at the Bulls from a different perspective than what we have been looking at them with. Chicago has proven that they are a team of rising stars who play hard ball on the court and get support from every single member of the roster. They are probably the best team in terms of players knowing their roles and delivering.
Last night against Miami, C.J Watson stole the game away from Miami and Kyle Korver was unstoppable from the 3 point range. The game before that where the Bulls won against New York, Richard “Rip” Hamilton came out of nowhere to score 20 points. We have seen Taj Gibson and Carlos Boozer give stellar performances.
The Bulls bench outscore their opponents bench in almost every game. And defensively, they know their role and stick to it, making the Bulls the best defensive team in the league. They have so many options offensively that Coach Tom Thibodeau can throw in a player suited for any situation and he will come in and steal the game away.
With the Playoffs approaching, the Bulls now look towards going into the NBA Finals this year, unlike last season when they were stopped by Miami. The Bulls are playing excellent basketball, and the depth of their bench is proving to be a nuisance for defending teams. Derrick Rose’s role in the team is definitely crucial and anybody who says that the Bulls play better without Rose or that the Bulls do not need Rose in the roster is doing injustice to the talents of Rose.
I think they need a reminder that Rose has carried this team on his shoulders all season and won the game single handedly for the Bulls on many occasions. Rose needs to be in the team playing at his best come playoffs. But the type of diversity the Bulls are showing in their game leaves us to question our earlier assessment that Bulls are a one-man team.
Now Thibodeau needs to use his assets sensibly, like he has been doing so far, and play with the immense options he has got and the Bulls will be a serious threat come Playoffs. Watch out for Korver, Watson and Gibson coming off the bench. They are going to do wonders once the playoffs start.
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