Let's Get It Back Together

Why the long face, Carlos? You're the only Bull to play in every game this season and surprisingly, you haven't had any health issues this year. Shouldn't you be happy?

Oh right. Basketball is a team sport and most of the rest of your fellow starters aren't in the same boat as you as far as playing consistently. Not to mention you're on a team that despite having the best record in the NBA, just lost consecutive regular-season games for the first time since last February. I guess you have every right to feel the way you do right now.

Yes, times look tough for the Bulls right now. Being without Derrick Rose appears to have finally caught up to them. Rip Hamilton is back, but looked rusty against the Rockets. Luol Deng's wrist continues to draw attention for unwanted reasons. The Bench Mob has been logging more minutes than they should and that's starting to catch up with them too. Whether it's the toll of a compressed season or just bad timing, this is the first time the Bulls have looked vulnerable all year. Even the best teams go through adversity at one time or another, but it doesn't make the past couple of games any easier to take.

Help might be on the way though. Derrick Rose could return Thursday for the nationally televised game against the Celtics. Just today, he went through full contact in practice. But in case he can't go, the team plans to sign Mike James for the rest of the year. C.J. Watson and John Lucas III must be grateful for that. Give those guys more of a rest so they can be fresher come playoff time.

The Celtics game could pretty much represent the start of the home stretch for the regular season. Since the Bulls finally have a losing streak, it's time to see how they respond and it starts against a team that's had a better window for a title, but is still one of the better teams in the East. It's a perfect opponent for Rose to come back against. He's needed for match-ups like this or the Bulls are less than a title contender. The team's destined to win the division as there's no way the Pacers are catching them, but Rose is needed to wrap up the No. 1 seed in the East and the top record in the league. As we've seen recently, teams are hell bent on protecting their turf. When the best meet, the team with the crowd has been winning more often than not. The Bulls love the United Center and we as fans are there to back them up no matter what.

Pray for our MVP so that he returns. We want him. We need him. And we love him. Let's get the Bulls back to 100 percent so they can be the threat they've shown to be.