Bulls Hitting their Stride

After falling to 2-3 the Bulls have run off three wins in a row over the Nuggets, Warriors and Wizards. And I must admit, I've been very impressed with the Bulls the entire season, especially during this three game run. Against the Nuggets the Bulls controlled the game from the tap, and other than Carmelo Anthony having another fine day, the game wasn't even close. The Bulls closed out on shooters, pushed the tempo and took advantage of their serious size difference. Against the Warriors the Bulls played just about a perfect game. They jumped out early, didn't let up, and held a high scoring transition team to only 90 points while scoring 120 themselves. Last night the Bulls beat the John Wall led Wizards in a game that featured two of the leagues fastest point guards and the return of Kirk Hinrich. For three quarters the Bulls dominated the game but in the fourth the Wizards got hot from the perimeter. Yes, the Bulls could have done a better job of getting out on the shooters, and yes when guys start hitting threes you need to make them drive even if it leads to a layup. Nothing is more demoralizing than a team hitting two or three 3s in a row to get back into a game. At some point you have to run them off the line no matter what. All that being said, I still liked the way the Bulls closed out on the mid range shooters and I loved the way they finished out the night hitting clutch shots and actually making free throws down the stretch to put the game out of touch.

The Bulls are great shape heading out on their circus trip, which starts Tuesday in Houston. The Rockets are struggling and are missing two of their best players thanks to injuries to Yao Ming and Aaron Brooks. That screams victory for the Bulls. On Wednesday they move to San Antonio to face the second best team in the West. I don't have high hopes for this game, but that's why they play them. From there they move on to Dallas to complete the Texas Swing. This is a winnable game and several of the match-ups actually favor the Bulls, like at PG, Center, and SF. The big issue is can Taj Gibson control Dirk Nowitzki. If Dirk doesn't go insane like he usually does against the Bulls (last season he averaged 27 points a game v. the Bulls), then I give them at least a 50-50 chance to win the game.

The Texas swing is tough, but what follows is four games in five nights surrounding thanksgiving. It starts in LA with the Lakers on the 23rd, then heads to Phoenix on the 24th and culminates with a back to back against the Nuggets on the 26th and the Kings on the 27th. The Bulls have little shot to beat the Lakers unless Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah just go insane, which is possible, but not probable. I expect the Bulls to beat the Suns, the match-ups are all in favor of the Bulls and since they'll most likely be coming off a loss I think the Bulls will be pissed and ready to go. The Bulls just beat the Nuggets and could do it again. That's a 50-50 game. As for the Kings, I think it will be all about how the road trip is going. If the Bulls are say 2-4 heading into that game I think they win cause they will be focused. If they are 3-3 I think they may lose because they will be ready to get back home. Anyway you look at it the Bulls should win at least 3 of the 7 road games which would be a great start to the season. Especially because Carlos Boozer is planning to return as soon as the Bulls get back home.

-One non Bulls note. Am I the only one that is giddy about the collapse of Chris Bosh? I have had this argument for some time with a friend of mine that Bosh is not a top ten player and is not even top five at his position. And right now he is proving me right. All he has to do is grab rebounds, defend, and makeup layups. So what does he have to show for it? A pedestrian 14.5ppg, 6 rebounds per game, and only a block and less than a steal per night. That is what gets you 106 million dollars? Amazing. I've said it all year long, if the HEAT are going to have any 'Serious' issues this season it's going to be because Bosh gets tired of playing third or maybe even fourth banana. Plus the bigger the game, it seems like the less he is involved and the more he shrinks under the pressure. It's great! For comparison sake, Taj Gibson is averaging 14.3ppg, 6.4 rebounds, a steal and almost 2 blocks a night. And he's doing it in less minutes. Taj makes 1.1 million this season while Bosh is making 14.5 million. That's pretty good value for the Bulls!