Who Is Laughing Now? Bulls' Success Due to John Paxson's Decisions

(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Who is laughing now? Bulls Vice President of Basketball Operations, John Paxson still may not be with practically an entire series against the defending champions yet ahead.

But with how the Bulls’ season has progressed, he has a reason to smile…and perhaps chuckle a bit.

“The Bulls should have picked Michael Beasley."

"The Bulls should have hired a respected and experienced coach."

"The Bulls should have traded Ty Thomas (and perhaps Ben Gordon, Kirk Hinrich or Luol Deng) as part of a package for someone big and strong inside. Say, Kevin Garnett?"

"The Bulls should have got rid of Ben Gordon when they had the chance."

"The Bulls should have done this, done that.”

For those who thought these thoughts, so far you’re dead wrong. So far, at least.

The Bulls, through all their recent struggles in the last year, have won the first game of the divisional series in Boston against the defending champions and continue to roll.

As the hottest team in the Eastern Conference beyond the Cavaliers, it is the 13th win of their last 17 games.

With every one of those wins being huge, in hindsight, for their road to the playoffs, some of those important games came against top teams like New Orleans and…Boston.

But the story within the story is that the decisions Paxson has made—criticized heavily by fans and writers across the country—appear to be paying off for the storied franchise.

Going back to the beginning of March, the Bulls have won 15 of 23 and forced themselves into the playoffs as the seventh seed, passing several teams in the playoff race including division rival, Detroit.

This run has not only put the Bulls back in the playoffs, it has solidified that several of Paxson’s decisions, despite the criticism, were crucial to Chicago’s success.

First, the very important streak leading into the playoffs proved that Paxson’s decision to trade Andres Nocioni—a key player for the Bulls in their last playoff appearance—and Drew Gooden among others to the Kings for Brad Miller and John Salmons was ultimately a good one.

Brad Miller, beyond having been a Bull before and thus knowing Chicago, gives the youthful Bulls’ big men a veteran presence off the bench to continue learning from.

Salmons, on the other hand, has filled the void in the starting lineup (because of Luol Deng’s season-ending injury) beautifully to say the least.

Averaging over 18 points, Salmons has scored in double figures in all but two games as a Bull.

Secondly, head coach Vinny Del Negro has shown the ability to both earn the respect of his players and, thus, get the most out of the roster.

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