Chicago Bulls 2010-2011 Season Recap

Now that the Chicago Bulls season has come to a close, I won't say that this team overachieved but lead my the youngest MVP in league history, The Chicago Bulls exceeded all expectations by finishing with the best record in the NBA going 62-20. Going into the season the Bulls were supposed contend with Orlando, Boston, and Miami but not surpass them. The object was to avoid Boston or Miami until the Eastern Conference Finals meaning land the one or two seed.

On that note mission accomplished but after last weeks heart breaking defeat by the Miami Heat at the United Center, the Bulls now must address the missing piece in their lineup which is a scoring shooting guard to compliment Derrick Rose. Towards the end of the season and all through the playoffs, Derrick Rose was our primary scorer and point guard. As a result, teams forced the MVP to take bad shots which resulted in rare losses for this ball club.

Jokim Noah must work on his offensive game this off-season. If Noah comes back an explosive offensive weapon, that means trouble for the Miami Heat. Taj Gibson must continue to be the spark off the bench providing occasional double-doubles. Carlos Boozer must learn to play above the rim and pretty much must learn how to move his feet and play defense overall. Boozer should not lay the ball up when he's underneath the basket he must learn to finish strong like Blake Griffin.

Along with the Executive of the Year, MVP, Coach Tom also collected hardware by winning the Coach of the Year. The defensive minded Thiboodeau made sure less isolation ball was played and more team defense was played. As a result other than the Miami Heat, the Bulls team was the best defensive team in the NBA which lead to a ton of transition points scored. Keith Bogans made all defensive second team but must drastically work on his offensive game this off-season. Once Kyle Korver learn how to create his own shot rather than going through screen, he'll become an unstoppable weapon on offense. At this point the only advice I have for Omar is to remain healthy but once healthy, he must improve his defense if he want to become a dominant force at the center position.

If this core group stays together, I see a minimum two championships out of this group but first they must acquire  a legit shooting guard.

Bulls Best in East????

With the loss to the New Jersey Nets tonight the Boston Celtics are now tied with the Chicago Bulls for the best record in the Eastern Conference. The Miami Heat and Orlando Magic will continue to beat each other up in the South Division, The Celtics have the experience but are beginning to show their age which is why the young Bulls lead by the leading MVP candidate Derrick Rose will play in the NBA Finals this year.

During the beginning of the season many projected the Celtics, Heat, or Magic to contend to Eastern Conference supremacy (including myself) but none of the "experts" projected the Bulls to be the Beast of the East. Will they reach the NBA Finals this year remains to be seen but I can tell you why they'll finish with the best record in the East.

Other than the Chicago Bulls, the NBA Central is full of teams that will participate in the NBA Lottery. Currently the Bulls are undefeated in their division and should remain that way the rest of the season. The point guard is the most dominant position in the NBA today but the Bulls have the best of the best lead guard in Derrick Rose who'll most likely win the MVP award this year. Rose's scoring, assist are up this year and has even become more of a vocal leader along with his improved jump shot.

Improved front court: If Derrick Rose is the MVP than Jokim Noah is the most improved. Noah's scoring and rebounding has increased every year and would have been an All-Star if not for his hand surgery. Carlos Boozer is the much need low post scoring we've been missing since Elton Brand. Taj Gibson has shown glimpse of stardom and occasionally gets double-doubles. Lou Deng is the "veteran" of this young core that provides the scoring Rose doesn't. Kyle Korver is the new John Paxton, Steve Kerr (you get the picture).

Their lack of a legit scoring guard will become a problem deep in the playoffs but should be enough to finish with the best record in the East....GO BULLS!!!!!!

Potential Eastern All-Star Lineup

When the all-stars gear up to play the annual game in the Staples Center next center fans are still voting for the starting lineup and as of today, Derrick Rose surpased Rondo for second place only trailing Dwayne Wade for the top spot in guard voting. Coaches get to add the reserves but if it were up to me, this would be the starting lineup for the Eastern Conference:

• PG - Derrick Rose - Leading candidate for MVP for the first place Central Bulls.
• SG - Dwayne Wade - What other shooting guard is better
• SF - LeBron James - Best overall player in the League....hands down!!!!!
• PF - Amare Stoudamire - Playing in the top market has led made him and MVP candidate for the improved Knicks.
• C -   Jokim Noah - Scoring and rebounding has improved each season. Top five in rebounding before hand surgery.

Preview - Chicago Bulls 2010-2011

With the NBA training camp underway every team has an eye to dethrone the defending champions Los Angeles Lakers. Today we'll focus on my home team the Chicago Bulls and their outlook for the upcoming season. Jokim Noah resigned which gives the Bulls a solid defender for the next six years but the team caught a bad break Sunday when newly signed Carlos Boozer broke his had and is out for 2 months. According to Boozer this injury occurred at home but he's been injury prone throughout his career. Once Boozer returns to action, pencil him in for 20-10 every night. He's the lone low post scorer they've been missing since Elton Brand. All Rookie Taj Gibson will start until Boozer returns and should be improved after an impressive rookie season. 

For the back-court it starts and ends with Derrick Rose. The best point guard in the League has improved his game every season going back to his junior year at Simeon. Ronnie Brewer is an defensive minded guard with great athleticism should be great in transition. The Bulls lost out on JJ Reddick but got a much better shooter in Kyle Korver. Expect Rose to rank top 5 in assist as well as a legit MVP candidate. 

Overall: Coach Tom is a defensive minded coach with championship experience. This team will contend with the Heat, Celtics, and Magic for Eastern Conference supremacy. Another first round exit not excepted.