Many Road Dates While the Mouse Skates

More than halfway through the season and we still don't know who the Bulls are.  They hang tough one night and then sleepwalk the next.  Sometimes, that order is reversed.  Chicago radio personality Alex Quigley might have tweeted it best after Derrick Rose left Monday's loss to the Miami Heat with right hamstring and lower back injuries:

There's really no point in following the Bulls. Unless you like guaranteed frustration, then DEFINITELY follow them

While I'm not going to stop following my favorite team, I can understand his and everyone's frustration.  The point has been beaten to death on here and elsewhere, but you just never know which Bulls team will show up.  They might lay an egg against Boston and follow that up by defeating Cleveland soundly on national TV 24 hours later.  I recently heard one 670 The Score caller refer to the Bulls as a treadmill, meaning they're running in place and stuck there.

It doesn't help that their in a rough stretch.  Their 3-7 record over their last 10 games is the worst in the Central.  While we're not even at the All-Star break yet, only 3 1/2 games separate them from ninth-place Charlotte in the East.  Look at those standings and you'll they're closer to being a lottery team than overtaking Toronto for second.

Now, they have to embark on their longest road trip of the season, seven games, while Disney on Ice takes over the United Center.  There have been many times this year when we could say this was the moment to define the season.  This might actually be it for sure.  After Mickey and his pals clear out, there's only one home game before the All-Star festivities commence.

Here's who the Bulls will visit from Thursday through Feb. 8:  the Lakers, Clippers, Jazz, Kings, Nuggets, Timberwolves and Hornets.  On paper, only the Clippers, Hornets and maybe the Kings should give them trouble.  So 4-3 might be the most realistic goal.  But considering these Bulls' unpredictability, especially against the worst teams, there's really nothing that would give an accurate prognostication.

If they're going to improve on that 9-10 road record, this is the time to do it.  More so, it's the time to show they're built to handle a deep playoff run despite recent evidence to the contrary.  If they don't, the calls to trade Pau Gasol and others will only grow louder.  They're probably stuck in basketball hell anyway, but at least do something to dispute that.

They also might have to sign another point guard soon if Aaron Brooks is the only one available.  Rose is day-to-day, but with Kirk Hinrich (quad injury) out for a longer period and E'Twaun Moore's status uncertain, (hamstring strain), they can't afford to go much thinner.  John Lucas III and Nate Robinson are available, so hopefully, they're waiting by the phone.  While the easy thing would appear to be for Rose to avoid injuries at all, we all know that's easier said than done.

Have something comforting on standby for these next couple of weeks.  You'll want to keep it handy during this trip.  Even if that doesn't work and the Bulls lose out, maybe some of that Disney magic will be left behind at the United Center and it'll do its thing for the building's tenants.  Hey, at this point, I'm willing to try anything.