LEST we forget, the current NBA season is a truncated one, shorter by 16 games because of the pre-season haggling over basketball-related income. Before you know it, the teams have already played their 66 games and we’re right into the playoffs.
Let’s first take a look at the Eastern Conference battlefield that has had explosive games of late, happening almost every day.
The Chicago Bulls are riding on the crest of their resurgence as a franchise with a young and scrappy collection of players who have no fear and awareness of their size limitations. Their leader is of course reigning MVP Derrick Rose but they are trying to hold the fort while Rose is recuperating from a variety of injuries that have bothered him throughout the season.
Rose has already missed 23 games because of his health concerns. Recently, he tried to return to the line-up against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Rose attempted to go full throttle but injured his ankle to add to his list of injuries, most prominent of which is a groin pain.
However, because of a esprit d’ corps where every player knows his role clearly, the Bulls have still won 16 of the 23 games Rose missed. In a return bout with the Knicks in Chicago, the Bulls rebounded well and shared the ball to thwart New York, 98-86. Former Piston Richard Hamilton knocked in 20 points while getting contributions as well from Luol Deng and sharpshooter Kyle Korver.
The Bulls will have to work Rose back into the line-up slowly since they’ve managed to stay together despite his absence and still lead the Eastern conference with a 44-14 slate. Rose is clearly a competitive athlete and you can imagine his agony of not being able to play. But nursing Rose back to health now is more essential because they will need him in the playoffs for leadership and scoring.
Around the East, the possible playoff matches reveal intriguing combinations. The Bulls could face either the Knicks or the Milwaukee Bucks who are both trying to make it to the eighth and final spot. The race to the last spot is always interesting to watch not because we want to celebrate an eighth place finish. It simply means one team will play in the post season and one will miss the cut.
The Heat could take on Philadelphia and again make short work of the 76ers like last year. Indiana could face Orlando and that young Pacer team could catch the Magic off guard while Dwight Howard and company try to mend their broken ties. Howard of course had wanted to be traded during the season.
The league is intrigued by the resurgence of the Boston Celtics as a playoff contender. The most successful NBA franchise in history is getting maximum mileage from a big three—Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett—who are playing with pride and fire at their senior NBA ages. The Celtics have won eight of their last 10 and could meet the hungry Atlanta Hawks in the first round.
The playoffs are that time when teams need their biggest stars to make major contributions. Games are more often than not decided by intangibles like maturity and experience and the huge talent inputs of the superstars. The Bulls cannot go far in the playoffs with a rose by any other name than Derrick.