Chicago Bulls Improving Every Step of the Way

The Chicago Bulls are playing sensational in the second half of the season yet again after dominating the Pistons in a 106-88 statement game Wednesday night

The Chicago Bulls put the Eastern Conference on notice Wednesday night...they are for real.

Heading into the Palace, the Bulls were without former Piston Big Ben Wallace due to sinus inflammation, so someone would have to pick up the slack on the boards. Early on, another Ben was crippled due to foul trouble. Ben Gordon scored only two points in 12 minutes of action after entering averaging 21.5 points a game, so someone would have to pick up the slack offensively too.
With both tasks at hand, the whole squad decided to rise to the occasion in the rout. Kirk Hinrich poured in 29 points going 4-6 from 3-point land, and grabbed eight rebounds. Loul Deng continued his incredible play by dropping 22 points and snatching nine rebounds, while Thabo Sefolosha started his first game in the NBA, notched 11 points and 10 rebounds in a career-high 40 minutes of action. The other stud rookie Tyrus Thomas put on another spectacle by high-flying to 13 points, snatching eight rebounds, including five offensive in ten minutes of action before being ejected in the fourth quarter with 8:12 remaining after an altercation with Richard Hamilton.

The Bulls steam rolled into Detroit grabbing their sixth win out of their last seven, while taking the season series three to four for the first time since the Jordan era (1998). With only six games remaining, the Bulls still find themselves only a 1/2 game behind Cleveland for the second-seed in the East. However, the last six are against the Nets twice, Raptors, Knicks, Bobcats, and Wizards (possibly Gilbert Arenas-less) with three of the six at the United Center.

Over the last three years, the young Bulls have shared a common theme: improving significantly throughout the season. Although, this time they aren't playing for their playoff lives. The Bulls secured that spot long ago and clinched last week, yet with the second seed on the line the Bulls are playing their best basketball at the end of the season again. Since the All-Star Break, the Bulls are a remarkable 16-6 and improved to 12-4 against divisional opponents with their W over the Pistons.

Taking a look at the Bulls as a whole, GM John Paxson deserves a huge pat on the back and a toast for his excellent work. Over the last four years, Paxson has drafted exceptionally starting with Kirk Hinrich seventh overall in 2003. Then Ben Gordon third, Loul Deng seventh (originally drafted by Phoenix), and Chris Duhon 38th in 2004. The Bulls had no draft picks in 2005, but rebounded with fourth pick Tyrus Thomas (originally drafted by Portland, traded for second pick LaMarcus Aldridge) and Thabo Sefolosha at 13 in 2006. The Bulls also have the option of flipping picks with the New York Knicks in the 2007 draft, which they will of course do (anything can happen in the lottery).

After congratulating Paxson, fans should turn their next "thank yous" to head coach Scott Skiles. Skiles has molded the young crop of Hinrich, Gordon, Deng, Duhon, Thomas, and Sefolosha beautifully with veterans Ben Wallace and P.J. Brown. All six of the picks over the last four years have contributed significantly to the Bulls reemergence in the Eastern Conference, while Hinrich, Deng and Gordon have become stars with Thomas and Sefolosha chomping at the bit.

On top of it all, gritty warrior Andres Nocioni is scheduled to return to action this Friday against the Nets after sitting out since basically Feb. 3 due to plantar fasciitis. Paxson managed to sign Nocioni as a free agent from Argentina in August of 2004. To say the least, 2004 was a big year for the Bulls with Gordon, Deng and Nocioni joining the ranks to form the nucleus. With Nocioni's return the Bulls add yet another scorer and rebounder in their talented rotation.

Since the Jordan era ended in 1998, Bulls youngsters have been cycled in and out; however, this crop has a different bounce to their step. Those youngsters of the past include Elton Brand, Marcus Fizer, Jamal Crawford, Tyson Chandler, Eddy Curry, and Jay Williams (motorcycle was a great mistake). All were shipped out of town, but in 2003 the new crop arrived starting with floor general Hinrich.

The pieces are all in the place. The Bulls are primed to snatch the two-seed from the Cavs and claim home-court advantage (28-10 at the United Center).

On Wednesday, the Bulls proved they are for real, but the next six games will show whether they are a true contender.

I already got them in the Eastern Conference Finals, and I hope to see you there as well.