Coupled with Taj Gibson's ankle healing and Derrick Rose close to taking contact in practices, is there a big light at the end of this long tunnel? Are we about to see the Bulls unleash their best basketball of the season? And is the timing right as we creep closer to the postseason?
We don't know the answer to any of these questions, but it's nice to feel hope again. At the same time, we're reminded of how tumultuous the long regular season can be. There are ups and downs and everything in between. Heck, even the 1998 Bulls struggled to stay above .500 for the first month, although Scottie Pippen's absence had something to do with that.
This is a time when we have every right to once more consider how far this group can go. With three key guys expected back at or close to full strength for the playoffs, the Bulls could have plenty of momentum at the right time. They'll have sat out some games to stay fresh, albeit unwillingly, but perhaps enough to give them that extra bit of energy they'll need.
Of course, these are only three guys we're talking about and you could count Joakim Noah among that group too. The rest of the rotation has continued to play heavy minutes under Tom Thibodeau, which still gets on the nerves of the front office and could be a reason for a possible departure after the season. Everyone needs to be fresh, but that freshness varies across the board. While we don't know how that will factor for the playoffs, recent postseasons for this club indicate it is not favorable.
If the playoffs started today, the Bulls would have the fourth seed and play Washington in the first round. Although many pundits would still take the Bulls in that particular seven-game series, we've seen time and again how poor a matchup that is for them. Cleveland looks to have a grasp on the second seed, so the Bulls will have to battle Toronto for the third seed and the right to play one of the terrible teams the Eastern Conference will inevitably field in late April this year. It still baffles me how a conference in any season can have so few good teams, let alone great teams.
As good as the Bulls are supposed to be, they should also realize that drawing Atlanta or Cleveland in the second round has become inevitable. There's no question they'd be the underdog in either potential series. Both of those teams can build strong cases for reaching the Finals this year. With that in mind, some might be all set to hear Gar Forman and John Paxson give Thibodeau his walking papers.
But the Bulls are equipped to be the team most likely to stop either championship run. Noah has said the team is the toughest one to beat in any series. That suggestion and mentality are allowing fans and players alike to keep the faith that something special could happen this season. Often times, when you play a series tough, that increases your chance to move on towards your own ultimate goal.
We know what the guys who have been out can do, but those haven't provide tangibles any team would appreciate. Pau Gasol is a double-double machine, Mirotic is the top fourth-quarter scorer in the NBA (9.5 points per game), Mike Dunleavy stabilizes the offense and Aaron Brooks is the team's latest scoring spark at point guard. Even Kirk Hinrich often shows signs of his former self and he might provide a key moment in the season yet.
The Bulls can grab the third seed from the Raptors Wednesday when they visit them in Canada. My co-worker Luis Medina often refers to Toronto as "basketball frauds" because of their 13-20 record against teams at or above .500. Couple that with a November win at Air Canada Centre and the Bulls have a good chance to jump ahead in the conference standings, at least for a couple of nights. Prospects like that are sure to keep us watching.
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