chicago - are they serious?

[stretch]

do you think Chicago is a serious contender to win a championship?

why?

or why not, and what are they missing?

[DeadlyDynasty]

They play defense, have a decent bench, and probably the league's MVP this year. That being said they are a good SG away from winning a title. They might finish best in the East but I still think the Heat or Celtics beat them in the playoffs. The Lakers would make quick work of them in the finals, imo.

[DeadlyDynasty]

They'll also have to rely on Carlos Boozer at times...yeah...

[stretch]

They play defense, have a decent bench, and probably the league's MVP this year. That being said they are a good SG away from winning a title. They might finish best in the East but I still think the Heat or Celtics beat them in the playoffs. The Lakers would make quick work of them in the finals, imo.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

Not enough offensive firepower IMO. Not to mention Rose is still sort of a one trick pony. Force him to beat you with the jumper (of course easier said than done), and the team starts having problems. They rely almost entirely on him to penetrate to create offense for the entire team.

[Texas_Ranger]

A team with Keith Bogans in their starting lineup will NEVER win shit.

[Cuckolded Sissy]

Rose has the choker gene

[DPG21920]

Hey Stretch, remember when you tried to argue with me about Mavs/Spurs last playoff and got Gregulated?

[JJ Hickson]

NB4 that hitman poster makes a dumbass post about the bulls steamrolling the HEAT/Celtics/Lakers on their way to 6 consecutive titles.

[rayjayjohnson]

i;m not sure i buy the whole 'they need a good SG' thing.

they have an elite PG, an elite PF (I think boozer is, I know that's debatable - but with him and noah in the middle it's hard for anyone to get boards), a high level C, a high level SF, and it's not like the shooting guards they have are total scrubs or anything, i like aston kutcher a lot tbh

[rayjayjohnson]

Rose has the choker gene

mavs fan talking about choking. seen it all now

[stretch]

Hey Stretch, remember when you tried to argue with me about Mavs/Spurs last playoff and got Gregulated?

Hey DPG, remember when you tried to score on me in basketball and got the shit blocked out of you, only to follow that up on the next possession by getting posterized by me feeding BUMP an alley-oop dunk?

[stretch]

mavs fan talking about choking. seen it all now

nugget fan talking basketball. seen it all now

[stretch]

i;m not sure i buy the whole 'they need a good SG' thing.

they have an elite PG, an elite PF (I think boozer is, I know that's debatable - but with him and noah in the middle it's hard for anyone to get boards), a high level C, a high level SF, and it's not like the shooting guards they have are total scrubs or anything, i like aston kutcher a lot tbh

not neccesarily a need for a SG, as opposed to someone who can create points without Rose's penetration, or Rose opening things up for his teammates in ways other than just penetration (by developing a consistent 3pt shot in particular).

[Giuseppe]

They'd have to wiseguy the Celtics out of the playoffs. Even without Perkins that'll never happen.

[Ace]

It would take a consistent high level of play out of Deng and Bogans to somehow become a NBA player. They do play great defense...

[Greg Oden]

The NBA would be f:lolcked if they got The Juiceman at the trade deadline.

[Hoops Czar]

do you think Chicago is a serious contender to win a championship?

why?

or why not, and what are they missing?

As serious as you are that Dallas is going to win a championship this year.

[Ace]

Also no one other than Rose can create.


Edit: stretch

[Axe Murderer]

tbh I think they are.

It's a superstars league and they obviously have one. For as much shit as Boozer gets, he's been decent in the playoffs but struggles once he faces a big frontline like LA

[rayjayjohnson]

nugget fan talking basketball. seen it all now

lol, i'll pay that. nice one.

[TIMMYtoZO]

No they aren't. They have an elite player in Rose, and that is it. Chalmers will limit Rose when they meet in the playoffs. He won't shut Rose down, but he will make him struggle. The Heat's frontline can battle with the Bulls frontline. Bulls have no other slashers while the heat have the 2 best in the game. Miami will beat them in 5-6 games max. Chicago is just a great regular season team.

[Hoops Czar]

No they aren't. They have an elite player in Rose, and that is it. Chalmers will limit Rose when they meet in the playoffs. He won't shut Rose down, but he will make him struggle. The Heat's frontline can battle with the Bulls frontline. Bulls have no other slashers while the heat have the 2 best in the game. Miami will beat them in 5-6 games max. Chicago is just a great regular season team.

Yeah, because Chicago has been just a great regular season team over the last two years.

Bulls 3-0 vs the Heatles... that is all!

[DPG21920]

Hey DPG, remember when you tried to score on me in basketball and got the shit blocked out of you, only to follow that up on the next possession by getting posterized by me feeding BUMP an alley-oop dunk?

Nope, don't remember that. I do remember what I said though, do you? There is proof of what I say....

To answer your question, yes. Chicago is legit. When you play defense that well, and have a guy like Rose, you are legit.

[TIMMYtoZO]

Bulls 3-0 vs the Heatles... that is all!


And all 3 losses were tossups. In a 7 game series, Miami has the better talent and better team. If they have the desire to match the talent (which they will in the playoffs), game over for the Bulls and anyone else who stands in the Heatles way.

[DazedAndConfused]

No, not enough size to really do any damage right now. Also, little playoff experience amongst the core. They will be ready in a year or two though.

Boston will take them out come playoff time.

[Ace]

Log in log off...

[Hoops Czar]

And all 3 losses were tossups. In a 7 game series, Miami has the better talent and better team. If they have the desire to match the talent (which they will in the playoffs), game over for the Bulls and anyone else who stands in the Heatles way.

TIMMYtoZO getting a big head every time the Heatles tear off a winning streak and beat a quality opponent. Last I checked, the Heat don't fair well in close games, a staple of post-season basketball. No Heat team will win a Championship when Bibby is second to none coming off the bench. The Heat have better talent at two positions but they don't have a team. Chicago is much deeper, more physical, and have a plethora of weapons they can rely on whether it be in the starting lineup or off the bench. Chicago in 5.

[DPG21920]

No, not enough size to really do any damage right now. Also, little playoff experience amongst the core. They will be ready in a year or two though.

Boston will take them out come playoff time.

Between Noah/Boozer, they have size. They also have a big wing in Deng and Rose is a huge PG.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

No, they desperately need a shooting guard.

[Killakobe81]

Yes, but their lack of a big-time number two scorer is alarming. Plus Rose has to do soo much for them to win. Passing and scoring it may wear him down ...but I like them ...they have a shot but doubt they can beat Boston ...Miami maybe but I doubt it ...but we shall see.

[xellos88330]

I think they are a title contender. If they weren't, they wouldn't be sitting atop the East right now.

[DPG21920]

They aren't the favorites, but just because you can't beat MIA or BOS, doesn't mean the gap is huge.

Boozer is a legit #2 scoring option. Rose is young, I wouldn't worry about him getting worn out. I would take CHI over Boston, not over MIA.

[Hoops Czar]

They aren't the favorites, but just because you can't beat MIA or BOS, doesn't mean the gap is huge.

Boozer is a legit #2 scoring option. Rose is young, I wouldn't worry about him getting worn out. I would take CHI over Boston, not over MIA.

Miami is the flavor of the week.... Beat a couple of quality teams at home and abuse a mentally weak Atlanta team and all of a sudden, they're one of the favorites. There's a reason Miami's 0-6 vs Boston and Chicago. Miami is terrible in close games and things aren't going to change just because the playoffs are around the corner.

[DPG21920]

I said before the season that MIA was going to be elite. I said they were going to elite defensively and even better defensively than they were offensively. Nothing I have seen changes that. They still have struggled, but their struggling still has them in a good spot to win almost every game.

They may fizzle out and you may be right, but I don't see it. I see them winning the East.

I also see the Bulls beating Boston if they play.

[LnGrrrR]

I don't see why everyone is discounting the Bulls against the Celtics. They took us to 7 games in 2009 (granted, with no KG).

I'd say that the Bulls have a 1/4 chance to take the Celtics in a 7 game series.

[ElNono]

Booz is unreliable in the playoffs... plus Rose is really good, but a lot of times they end up being a one man show... I don't know that's going to fly all the time in the playoffs...

[Cane]

Imo the East is a crapshoot. The Celtics, Heat, and Bulls all have potentially huge weaknesses and are still a work in progress when it comes to chemistry. The ancient C's are still adjusting to their new players and are gambling on the O'Neals to make a healthy return, the Heat have huge holes at the 1 and 5 and Haslem's injured, the Bulls play the 2 by committee and their team never really got to gel since Noah/Boozer haven't played many games together IIRC.

[tlongII]

Definitely a true contender. Best defense in the league.

[jeebus]

Rose is good but he's averaging like 38 mins a game right now. I dunno come playoff time...

[Ace]

I don't see why everyone is discounting the Bulls against the Celtics. They took us to 7 games in 2009 (granted, with no KG).

I'd say that the Bulls have a 1/4 chance to take the Celtics in a 7 game series.

Who hasn't taken the Celtics to 7? Not to mention the reason it went that far was amazing shooting by Gordon.

[Kai]

Yes, you are what your record is. They spanked the Heat and cans split the season series with Boston. Rose is amazing and they have a very solid bunch of role players. Don't forget that Thibodeux's defense won the C's a title.

[Ace]

Yes, you are what your record is. They spanked the Heat and cans split the season series with Boston. Rose is amazing and they have a very solid bunch of role players. Don't forget that Thibodeux's defense won the C's a title.

Leave it to a Rocket fan to bring the bads. See Magic vs Lakers

[Kai]

Leave it to a Rocket fan to bring the bads. See Magic vs Lakers

Leave it to a bandwagon Heat fan to come up with such a great fucking comparison :lmao

[Killakobe81]

Maybe becuz he crapped the bed vs. the Lakers in the playffs but Boozer doesnt impress me. He is the weakest #2 in fact bulls have the weakest BIG 3 of of the elite East teams:

Miami's big 3> Boston's (right now)> bulls(Rose Boozer Deng) ...but that is why Rose is MVP.

[Ace]

Leave it to a bandwagon Heat fan to come up with such a great fucking comparison :lmao

Its an example not a comparison. Being a Rocket, fail is per the usual par course...

[Kai]

Its an example not a comparison. Being a Rocket, fail is per the usual par course...

:lmao:lmao:lmao I'm sorry you need to just think about what you just said. Please don't make me explain to you the concept of listing an example.

[Ace]

:lmao:lmao:lmao I'm sorry you need to just think about what you just said. Please don't make me explain to you the concept of listing an example.

The example is the regular season has nothing to do with the playoffs. Its not a comparison between Heat/Chicago and Magic/Lakers. You can't really be this stupid.

[HarlemHeat37]

The Bulls are a cute regular season story, led by ex-gang banger turned sweetheart, Derrick Rose..however, they aren't a team I'm going to be scared of in the playoffs..

[#41 Shoot Em Up]

What a stupid fucking thread

[Kai]

The example is the regular season has nothing to do with the playoffs. Its not a comparison between Heat/Chicago and Magic/Lakers. You can't really be this stupid.

Hate to break it to you Mr. Genius, but that still remains a comparison, whether you want to use the word or not.

[Hoops Czar]

The Bulls are a cute regular season story, led by ex-gang banger turned sweetheart, Derrick Rose..however, they aren't a team I'm going to be scared of in the playoffs..

Are you talking from a Miami standpoint? If so, the Heatles have no shot.

[ogait]

They're serious. Won't get past the Celtics though.

[mathbzh]

I don't think their weakness at SG is such a problem.
If they are a good SG away from winning the title then the Lakers are one good PG away (and arguably one SF), Miami one PG and one C away, the Spurs one big away...

Their big 3 (Rose/Boozer/Deng) may be one of the weakest among the elite teams, but Noah is a great complementary player who don't need to score and create extra-possession with offensive rebounds (in a Rodman role with less rebounds and more points).

There will be a lot of pressure on Rose, but he is already playoffs proven and should be able to handle it.

I like their chance against any team in the East.

[Venti Quattro]

The Lakers have had Fisher and Farmar as point guards and it has not hindered them from winning 2 rings and go to 3 straight finals. Chicago's SG problem is kind of overrated IMO. I don't master Chicago's rotation but I'm sure Thibs can slide Rose to the 2.

The main ? for them is Boozer. It has been since the day they inked him to be a Bull.

[Ace]

The Lakers have had Fisher and Farmar as point guards and it has not hindered them from winning 2 rings and go to 3 straight finals. Chicago's SG problem is kind of overrated IMO. I don't master Chicago's rotation but I'm sure Thibs can slide Rose to the 2.

The main ? for them is Boozer. It has been since the day they inked him to be a Bull.

Fisher can create his own shot, no one on the Bulls other than Rose can. Its not the defensive reliability of their SG.

[Kyle Orton]

The Lakers have had Fisher and Farmar as point guards and it has not hindered them from winning 2 rings and go to 3 straight finals. Chicago's SG problem is kind of overrated IMO.

broken record time: Look at the last 20 years. Teams have had a much easier time winning in spite of a weak link at PG as oppose to winning with a weak link at SG/SF.

[21_Blessings]

Fisher can create his own shot,

:lmao

[Venti Quattro]

:lmao

Blessings with the goods :lmao :lmao :lmao

[Blake]

I think Chicago is the real deal if they can get Noah to stop dribbling the basketball.

[Killakobe81]

Fisher can create his own shot?!
Fisher can make clutch shots when they doubling Kobe and gasol but CREAT his own shot?

I love Dfish but watching hime "create" is comical at times ...

[Ace]

Fisher can create his own shot?!
Fisher can make clutch shots when they doubling Kobe and gasol but CREAT his own shot?

I love Dfish but watching hime "create" is comical at times ...

Didn't say he was great but he can.

[HarlemHeat37]

:lol Fisher sucked in 2009, but his 2008 and 2010 playoffs were both very solid..he isn't comparable to Bogans at all..Bogans is one of the worst players in the NBA, ask any Bulls fan..

Fisher carried the Lakers to a crucial W in the Finals last year, respect..

[21_Blessings]

Didn't say he was great but he can.

Fisher hoisting up a terrible transition jumper is not creating his own shot. Also, you're dumb.

[Ghazi]

My man 21!

[Kyle Orton]

:lol Fisher sucked in 2009, but his 2008 and 2010 playoffs were both very solid..he isn't comparable to Bogans at all..Bogans is one of the worst players in the NBA, ask any Bulls fan..

Fisher carried the Lakers to a crucial W in the Finals last year, respect..

Doesn't change the fact he can't create his own shot.

[hitmanyr2k]

Fisher can create his own shot?!
Fisher can make clutch shots when they doubling Kobe and gasol but CREAT his own shot?

I love Dfish but watching hime "create" is comical at times ...

I remember Fisher dribbling the length of the floor and knocking down a clutch three in Courtney Lee's eye to save LA from defeat in the NBA Finals in 2009. Also took over Game 3 of last years Finals constantly beating the Celtics off the dribble and finishing with some difficult shots in the 4th. He's not as bad as people make him out to be.

One thing is for damn sure....Bogans isn't going to duplicate any of Fisher's heroics in the playoffs.

[IronMexican]

Fisher cannot create his own shot. Every now and then, he can pump fake a retarded defender, put the ball on the floor and have a nice 18 footer, but that's like a once a game shot.

[Kai]

Lookin serious tonight...

[Ace]

I remember Fisher dribbling the length of the floor and knocking down a clutch three in Courtney Lee's eye to save LA from defeat in the NBA Finals in 2009. Also took over Game 3 of last years Finals constantly beating the Celtics off the dribble and finishing with some difficult shots in the 4th. He's not as bad as people make him out to be.

One thing is for damn sure....Bogans isn't going to duplicate any of Fisher's heroics in the playoffs.

[hitmanyr2k]

Lookin serious tonight...

They're just doing what they're supposed to do to crap teams...beat the dogshit out of'em. Their schedule for the next week or two is softer than a wet roll of Charmin. Then the very last week of the season it gets interesting again with the Celtics (possible battle for #1 seed), the Magic, and the Knicks.

[IronMexican]

If bullsfan was talking about game 3 pointer, that was against Nelson, and it was 2 fucking years ago. He's been good for what LA has needed this year, but he certainly cannot create his own shot. He'll drive in the lane and hoist up anything looking for a foul at times.

[Kai]

If bullsfan was talking about game 3 pointer, that was against Nelson, and it was 2 fucking years ago. He's been good for what LA has needed this year, but he certainly cannot create his own shot. He'll drive in the lane and hoist up anything looking for a foul at times.

Didn't Nelson give him like 4 feet to get the shot off anyways? :lol

[IronMexican]

He was behind the line up by 3, yeah.

[#41 Shoot Em Up]

As if the op couldn't look any more fucking retarded.

[Kyle Orton]

So Nelson deciding to give Fisher space and give him a shot he could walk into and shoot uncontested means Fisher can create his own shot? The Celtics' defense randomly falling apart and giving fisher wide open driving lanes means Fisher can create his own shot?

[hitmanyr2k]

So Nelson deciding to give Fisher space and give him a shot he could walk into and shoot uncontested means Fisher can create his own shot? The Celtics' defense randomly falling apart and giving fisher wide open driving lanes means Fisher can create his own shot?

Was Fisher dribbling the ball and creating his own offense? Yes he was. It's not like he was just sitting there waiting for a kickout :lol Fisher made the offense happen and took over. The Laker offense was dead in the water without him. He took shots off the dribble. Took the ball coast to coast in the clutch and finished over 3 Celtic defenders. You will never EVER in your life see Bogans do that in a regular season game never mind the biggest stage in basketball. And if he does kiss your ass goodbye because the world will come to an end.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-oxLbAVYaY#t=3m45s

[# 1 Troll]

Great thread brah :tu, really got your point across. lolololol mavs

[Kyle Orton]

Was Fisher dribbling the ball and creating his own offense? Yes he was. It's not like he was just sitting there waiting for a kickout :lol Fisher made the offense happen and took over. The Laker offense was dead in the water without him. He took shots off the dribble. Took the ball coast to coast in the clutch and finished over 3 Celtic defenders. You will never EVER in your life see Bogans do that in a regular season game never mind the biggest stage in basketball. And if he does kiss your ass goodbye because the world will come to an end.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-oxLbAVYaY#t=3m45s

If i dribbled the ball up the court, was given a wide open 3 by a retarded defender and sank it, does that mean I can create at an NBA level?

[#41 Shoot Em Up]

Is it just me or is dok making some
kind if weird sense??

[hitmanyr2k]

If i dribbled the ball up the court, was given a wide open 3 by a retarded defender and sank it, does that mean I can create at an NBA level?

You'd probably be too fuckin scared to dribble the ball the length of the court with 5 seconds left to go in a championship game....never mind shoot the MF :lol

[Kyle Orton]

And Bogans being worse than Fisher doesn't make the retarded argument that Fisher can create any less retarded. Fisher going coast to coast because the Celtics for some reason decided they didn't need to get back on defense doesn't mean Fisher can create. There are high school players who could have gone coast to coast on that play.

[Kyle Orton]

You'd probably be too fuckin scared to dribble the ball the length of the court with 5 seconds left to go in a championship game....never mind shoot the MF :lol

You didn't answer the question.

[# 1 Troll]

Is it just me or is dok making some
kind if weird sense??

It's you, dok is a full fledge retard. Snap out of it 41

[#41 Shoot Em Up]

Every once in a while I
feel bad for the lil nigga lol

[Kyle Orton]

Is it just me or is dok making some
kind if weird sense??

No, it's everyone who has ever watched Derek Fisher play basketball.

[# 1 Troll]

No, it's everyone who has ever watched Derek Fisher play basketball.

Keep proving my point of how fucking retarded you are miss. dok. lololololololol

[Kyle Orton]

Wow, miss dok. Idk how I'm gonna recover from that one. Putting miss in front of someone's name is pretty original.

[LnGrrrR]

Chicago doing their best to prove wrong everyone who clicked "No" :lol

[# 1 Troll]

Wow, miss dok. Idk how I'm gonna recover from that one. Putting miss in front of someone's name is pretty original.

Almost as creative as 41 shits pushings....... almost lolololololol

[LnGrrrR]

If bullsfan was talking about game 3 pointer, that was against Nelson, and it was 2 fucking years ago. He's been good for what LA has needed this year, but he certainly cannot create his own shot. He'll drive in the lane and hoist up anything looking for a foul at times.

If the refs blew a whistle every time I fell down, I'd probably do the same thing :lol

[# 1 Troll]

In all seriousness the dumb fuck jew ruins any kind of basketball discussion with his retarded ass insight. Miss dok has never picked a basketball up his whole life, but trust him when it comes to bball discussions lolololololololol

[Kyle Orton]

Good point, I've never made an awesome layup video with Brittney Spears music in the background.

[# 1 Troll]

D Fish recieves the ball D fish makes a sharp move baseline step back J. That ladies and gentleman is creating your own shot. How anyone can't see that idk

[# 1 Troll]

Good point, I've never made an awesome layup video with Brittney Spears music in the background.

Ay brah? u mad?? Just because their is someone here to call you out for your failure not only in life, but on spurstalk when you try and sound like you know what you're talking about, when in fact you sound like a full fledge retard every damn time.

[#41 Shoot Em Up]

Get em lil nigga lol

[TampaDude]

Wow...what a beatdown...

[Kyle Orton]

Ay brah? u mad?? Just because their is someone here to call you out for your failure not only in life, but on spurstalk when you try and sound like you know what you're talking about, when in fact you sound like a full fledge retard every damn time.

:lmao right, I sound like a full fledged retard saying Fisher can't create his own shot.....:lmao:lmao:lmao:lmao:lmao

[# 1 Troll]

:lmao right, I sound like a full fledged retard saying Fisher can't create his own shot.....:lmao:lmao:lmao:lmao:lmao

Simple minded.... another sign of a full fledged retard. You sound like a ffr on almost everything thing you say(giving your dumbass a little credit) Not only about d fish. And he can create his own shot. Watch him tonight when he runs circles around your beloved phoenix suns.

[Kyle Orton]

I'm pretty sure Maged cares more about the Suns than I do.

[# 1 Troll]

lolololololololol turning on your beloved suns already huh miss dok??? damn I sure would hate to live your life. Thank you jesus for all my blessings. I'm pretty sure

[# 1 Troll]

I would have killed myself by now, but props for hanging in there

[Kyle Orton]

lolololololololol turning on your beloved suns already huh miss dok??? damn I sure would hate to live your life. Thank you jesus for all my blessings. I'm pretty sure

Shouldn't you be thanking Allah?

[#41 Shoot Em Up]

This lil faggot nigga dok getting turned out
like the faggot he is lol

[# 1 Troll]

Shouldn't you be thanking Allah?

i'm sorry i can't hear you over the sound of how fat you are

[# 1 Troll]

i didn't know creating your shot one time meant you were great at it

What up blood?? lolololololol slow day on the aim chats and 2k11?? You see how it works is usually if you do that on a consistent basis and are somewhat successful at it, that would mean you are very good at said issue(d fish creating his own shot) Nice try though you flaming faggot

[Kyle Orton]

if you think derek fisher creates his own shot then i think it's time you went jihad on an empty building, killing no one but yourself.

:lmao

[Kyle Orton]

:lmao now he creates his own shot on a consistent basis? Jesus fuck Assraft gets dumber by the day.

[# 1 Troll]

wassup brah? http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT68V7eXN1CTynPJVpMsLGuYzx2b7Fm8 mrFURr0JilDTOQELWIk&t=1

[# 1 Troll]

http://yvisc.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/fat-gangster.jpg?w=400&h=382

[Kyle Orton]

:lmao if you seriously think that's me

[# 1 Troll]

lololololololololol

[# 1 Troll]

Mav krews finest!! lololololololol

[# 1 Troll]

Hey brah, can I join these intense 2k11 battles?? Maybe talk for hours on aim??? You know my life isn't complete without it lolololololol

[ginobili's bald spot]

Fisher can create his own shot, no one on the Bulls other than Rose can.


:lol WTF is this shit?

[# 1 Troll]

A jew, a wigga, and a fat honky lololololololol Mav krew # 1

[Kyle Orton]

Watch him tonight when he runs circles around your beloved phoenix suns.

0-4 for 0 points at the end of regulation

Tacker shits on himself once again :lmao

[Axe Murderer]

it's time you went jihad on an empty building, killing no one but yourself.

tbh that sounds like something pussyface would say

[duncan228]

5-on-5 (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=5-on-5-110324)
Five ESPN.com writers debate five of the biggest talking points in the NBA today

Are the Bulls the team to beat in the East?

Abbott: Yes. It's probably smart to discount the first 30 or so games as they mastered coach Tom Thibodeau's team defense. Since then, they've been electric.

Adande: Because the Celtics are the defending conference champs, they're the team to beat, regardless of how the seeding shakes down. However, the Bulls will beat them.

Arnovitz: We know that Thibodeau's team has the stingiest defense in the league, and that has been the case for the better part of the season. But what's frightening about the Bulls right now is their offense, which is starting to hum. The conference semifinals aren't for six more weeks, so there's still plenty of time for another realignment, but until Boston re-establishes that old fire and Miami reaches its full potential for an extended stretch, the Bulls are the most competitive team in the East.

Sheridan: More and more, it is looking that way. Miami hasn't beaten the good teams and hasn't made big shots in close games. Boston has been brutal (by Celtics standards) since the Kendrick Perkins trade. Orlando hasn't integrated Gilbert Arenas whatsoever. Chicago is the only East team that has been steady all season.

Stein: Nope. Because there isn't one.

The Bulls should be that team on paper, given what they've achieved in the regular season, but the fact that this group hasn't proved anything in the playoffs yet is a disclaimer that can't be ignored … unfair as that might sound when they haven't yet had the chance.

The Celtics, meanwhile, aren't the Celtics anymore, although there's still time for them to snap out of this sulky funk and finally move on without Perkins.

I firmly believe that you can't make a clear-cut case for Chicago, Boston or Miami as the East favorite, which is one of the things I look forward to most in these playoffs. We just don't know. Suspense!

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=5-on-5-110324

[Brazil]

They are the best defensive team and they have an mvp candidate I don't see in what world they couldn't be considered contenders. Of course a solid SG is missing but every team has his weakness and history shows that you can win a title with this kind of D