I'm Happy!

No matter what happens the rest of this road trip, I'm happy. Before the trip started I wanted a minimum of three wins and last night after a great win against the Spurs the Bulls accomplished this feat! More impressive, the Bulls beat three Western playoff teams: the Suns, Rockets and Spurs. In fact, they swept the Spurs this year. This is one of the only teams that is supposed to challenge the Lakers out West and the BULS SWEPT THEM?! Amazing! Looking forward, the Bulls go to Oklahoma City tomorrow night and then head to New Orleans on Friday to wrap up their longest trip of the season. It's an awful lot to ask for the Bulls to beat either of those teams, but then I didn't think they had any chance against the Spurs with Rose sick and Noah hobbled. So anything is possible. Regardless of the outcome, I am happy with three wins...BUT I'D BE REALLY HAPPY WITH FOUR!

So this doesn't mean the Bulls are going to contend for a title, but it does mean they should easily make the playoffs and even fight for that fifth seed (they are currently 1.5 games back) which means they COULD, not should, but could win a playoff series. This also doesn't mean VDN is the coach of the future. It does mean he will no doubt hold onto his job for the season, but who knows what the off season will hold. This also doesn't mean the Bulls won't make any major moves at the trade deadline. I think anyone not named Rose or Noah is on the block and the goal more than anything else is to get cap space for this off season. One interesting name that would give cap space and be a stud is Amar'e Stoudamire. It sounds like the Suns will take the best offer at the deadline because they know they aren't going to be bringing him back after he opts out of his contract. So if the Bulls make a move for him, it gives the organization an opportunity to resign Amar'e for the Maximum six years (which scares me because of his injury history, but sometimes you just have to go for it) or let him go and go after a bigger fish. No matter what happens at the deadline, I hope they hold onto Deng. He is the perfect compliment to Rose, Noah, and any other scorer they bring in. Deng doesn't need the ball to be effective, he is a great mid range shooter, one of the best defenders at his position, and is a very unselfish player! Championships are won when he is your third or fourth best player, like hopefully next season.

Bulls Notes:

Both Noah and Rose continue to impress every night playing at all-star levels despite being nowhere near 100%. The all-star reserves are announced Thursday and both players deserve it, but if only one makes the team I'll understand, but I will be downright pissed if neither makes it!

I know the Bulls are looking to trade Kirk Hinrich, but I hope they can figure out a way to keep him and still get the necessary money to make a run at a big FA. With Hinrich finally starting to shoot close to his career norms, the Bulls are becoming a very difficult team to match up against. Plus Hinrich just bothers people on defense. No one wants him to guard them and he is capable of guarding three positions. Last night he guarded Tony Parker, George Hill, and Roger Mason. In last years playoffs he guarded Rondo, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce. How many players in the League can do that?

If the Bulls make a major move it will definitely involve Tyrus Thomas. Which is fine, the organization has already given up on him. But I hope the Bulls include Taj, James Johnson, or John Salmons before they include Deng or Hinrich. Potential is nothing compared to guys that actually produce (unless the Bulls can get Anthony Randolphy, that type of potential is worth a lot)!