2012 NBA Playoffs: With Derrick Rose Out The Chicago Bulls Have Nothing To Lose; Everything To Gain
The dust has settled for the Chicago Bulls after Derrick Rose’s devastating injury in yesterday’s game 1 victory versus the Philadelphia 76ers. The bottom line for the Bulls is that Rose is out and he will not be back. It is unfortunate that Rose will miss the rest of the playoffs after another hard fought season for the Bulls.
However, do not think for a second that the Bulls are just going to lie down; basketball is a team game and it takes more than one guy to win. Sure the Bulls will be without their superstar point guard but they have proven time and time again that they can win without Rose; the Bulls posted an 18-9 record with Rose out of the lineup during the regular season.
Now that the Bulls have lost their star, what more do they have to lose? A team that has nothing to lose can be very dangerous; I know the Bulls will come out Tuesday and win game 2 for their fallen leader. The Bulls are arguably the deepest team in the NBA and they have very good team chemistry.
I feel like people often underestimate team chemistry but having chemistry is what separates champions from contenders. This Bulls team will come out strong in game 2 and the rest of the playoffs. The Bulls are a team with their backs against the ropes, but they are not a team that will just concede defeat.
How great would it be if the Bulls make it all the way to the NBA Finals without Rose? That would validate the entire team, Tom Thibodeau, and the Bulls’ back to back league leading records. I know that a lot of people think the Bulls won’t even make it to the eastern conference finals, but all I am saying is that there is always a chance for a team like the Bulls. To quote John Lennon, “You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.” Even though the Bulls’ title chances look a little bleak I know I am not the only one who thinks the Bulls still have a shot.
I know it might be a ludicrous idea that the Bulls have a shot at getting to the Finals, but let us look at some facts. According to NBA.com, the Bulls were the best defensive team in the NBA, holding opponents to only 88.2 points per game. Furthermore, the Bulls led the league in rebounding with 46.67 rebounds per game, and they led the league in rebounding differential with +6.68.
The Bulls were only 18th in the league in scoring with 96.35 points per game, but they did lead the league in point differential with +8.18. Whether you think stats matter or not you cannot deny that the Bulls were the best defensive team in the NBA. That is how the Bulls will still have a fighting chance at making it to the NBA Finals.
The Bulls have hung their hats on defense for the past two seasons and that has been a big part of their success. The Bulls have bought into Thibodeau’s defensive philosophy and why wouldn’t they? It’s working! Defense does win championships and even though the Bulls will be without their best player they have their great defense and also a great supporting cast.
The “Bench Mob” is another reason the Bulls can still make a deep playoff run. For the past two seasons the Bulls have established one of the best benches in the NBA and this season the bench has stepped up in a big way. Rose was not the only one to miss a significant amount of games this season; Richard Hamilton and Luol Deng missed plenty of games as well. During that time the “Bench Mob” were playing starters minutes and have great production on both ends of the court.
Even with all of the injuries that occurred this season the Bulls were still able to get the NBA’s best overall record, for the second year in a row. The Bulls are the best team in the NBA dealing with injuries and that is because they have the best bench in the NBA.
The Bulls lost their best player and it could not have come at a worse time, but I think the Bulls will rise to the occasion and make a legitimate run in the playoffs. The Bulls have the defense, the bench, and the chemistry to still have a good shot at the Finals. I will say it again, with nothing left to lose the Bulls have the potential to be a very dangerous team and gain everything they want.
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