5 NBA Teams That Could Prevent a Chicago Bulls 2011-12 Title

A quarter of the season is almost done and the Chicago Bulls are off to a fast 12-3 start. However, there are other teams around the league that are making an equal amount of noise.

Nothing is guaranteed in the NBA and the Bulls know that.

Here are five teams that can contend with Chicago and stop them from winning the 2011-2012 NBA championship.

5. Philadelphia 76ers

Stats

PPG: 101.3 (3rd)

OPP: 86.2 (2nd)

FG%: 47.9 (3rd)

OPP FG%:  40.1 (1st)

DIFF:  +15.1 (1st)

Philadelphia is a dark mystery. They have the third-best record in the league but their schedule has been very favoring. Either way, this team has turned games into blowouts and can make noise in the playoffs.

Why the Bulls might struggle against 76ers

The 76ers have the best defense in the league. Let’s just say that the Bulls have not been pretty on offense at times. They have continuously gone on spurts of five to 10 minutes without scoring which can be a concern against a defensive stopper like the 76ers.

Doug Collins has definitely made his mark on his players, as they have turned into a defensive-minded team.

Why the Bulls shouldn’t worry too much

The 76ers have played the Washington Wizards four times.

Four times.

 Playing against such a mediocre team that often will definitely make your team look good this early in the season.

They have lost to pretty much all the good teams they have faced such as the Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz.

Until this team can beat a worthy opponent, they will remain a mystery. However, the Bulls should keep an eye on them.

4. Los Angeles Lakers

Stats

 PPG: 94.7 (13th)

OPP: 90.8 (5th)

FG%: 46.2 (6th)

OPP FG%:  41.3 (3rd)

DIFF:  +3.9 (11th)

No matter what happens, the Lakers still find a way to compete with the elite every year. From Kobe’s divorce, to Odom’s departure, to new coaching, this team is still winning.

Primary reason: they have some guy named Kobe Bryant.

Why the Bulls might struggle against the Lakers

In simple words: Kobe Bryant.

This guy has been on a tear this year, putting up 40-point games on a nightly basis. He doesn’t care about all the drama, all the critics and even his coach. His mentality is to win and silence everyone.

A motivated Kobe makes for a dangerous player to defend. Combine that with the fact that Bynum is developing into an All-Star center and probably the second-best center behind Dwight Howard, and you have an elite team.

Oh yeah, they also have a third All-Star in Pau Gasol.

The Lakers are a very good defensive team and the Bulls have to develop an inside game otherwise Bynum and Gasol will destroy the Bulls inside offensively and defensively.

The Bulls should watch out for this team, as they barely beat them in the Christmas opener.

The Black Mamba is ready to strike and the Bulls better be ready for it.

3. Chicago Bulls

No, that is not a typo. You can make a case for some teams who can beat the Bulls but the Bulls themselves are the only thing stopping them from that NBA championship.

This is the mentality of the Bulls players and coaching staff. Derrick Rose believes his team can beat anyone. If they lose, Rose and the Bulls will put the blame only on themselves regardless of which team knocked them out.

The injuries of the Bulls are the main factor that can hold this team from a championship.

Hamilton being out makes the offense stagnant and ugly at times. From the few times we have seen Rip on the court, the Bulls have performed much more cohesively.

Korver and Hamilton on the court makes defenses scrambling at all ends opening up shots for Noah, Boozer and even Rose to drive to the rim.

Watson being out depletes the bench a little.

If Noah can improve his play and the Bulls stay healthy, no team can beat them.

The Worries

• Noah’s improvement

• Derrick Rose’s ongoing toe injury

• Keeping players healthy

2. Oklahoma City Thunder

Stats

PPG: 100.1 (5th)

OPP: 95.1 (16th)

FG%: 46.8 (5th)

OPP FG%:  42.7 (8th)

DIFF:  +5.0 (8th)

Why the Bulls might struggle against the Thunder

The Thunder have the best record in the league, so they should definitely be an obstacle in the Bulls' path to ultimate greatness.

Primarily, their scoring weapons exceed the Bulls'.

Derrick Rose is the only player on the Bulls who can create his own shot....the Thunder have Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

Plus, the Thunder have the potential Sixth Man of the Year in James Harden who can shoot lights out at times.

Where the Bulls can dominate

The Thunder’s primary frontline with Kendrick Perkins and Serge Ibaka is small compared to the bigs the Bulls can throw out.

Asik, Gibson, Noah and Boozer should be able to take advantage of the weak Thunder inside presence giving open shots for shooters such as Korver and Brewer.

Also, the overall bench of the Bulls is better compared to the Thunder who primarily have Harden and then no one really else to step up.

Kevin Durant is going to get his, but if the Bulls can limit Westbrook’s driving opportunities and take advantage inside the paint, they have a very good chance to beat OKC.

1. Miami Heat

Stats

PPG: 106.2 (1st)

OPP: 99.3 (26th)

FG%: 48.7 (Tied for 1st)

OPP FG%:  42.6 (7th)

DIFF:  +6.9 (4th)

Everyone outside of Miami hates the Heat, but you have to give them credit where credit is due. Until the Bulls can prove to beat this team in the playoffs, the Miami Heat are the ultimate roadblock for Chicago.

Why the Bulls Will Struggle against Miami

Based on the Eastern Conference playoffs from last year and the way the Bulls have been playing on offense this year, it is a guarantee that Miami will give Chicago a run for their money.

Simply put: Miami has two superstars and an All-Star.

The Bulls can’t match that. For other teams such as the Lakers and Oklahoma City, they have multiple superstars/All-Stars to match against Miami’s.

The matchups are unfavorable for the Bulls.

LeBron James averages more points against Chicago than any other team in his career and his defense on Rose is the best anyone can ever do.

Dwayne Wade is better than Brewer/Korver/Hamilton combined (no offense to these players).

Bosh can absolutely destroy Boozer’s ugly defense as he did in the playoffs last year.

Plus, a healthy Udonis Haslem makes this team a legit threat to win it all and prevent the Bulls from getting out of the East for the next several years.

What the Bulls can take advantage of

Wade has played with injuries throughout the year and is hurt right now. If this continues on into the playoffs, the Bulls can make Wade work by having him chase Korver and Hamilton around screens.

As for Chris Bosh, there is a simple formula: Don’t put Boozer on him. Put anyone, Gibson, Noah, Asik or even Deng, because Boozer’s defense is terrible.

In regards to LeBron James, you can’t really do much except make him work for the shots he’s going to make.

Final word 

The Heat can’t close games. The Bulls have to take advantage of this fact. In a seven-game series if the Bulls can keep every game close and improve in making clutch shots, they can tire out the Miami starters because the Heat’s bench is susceptible in allowing teams to comeback.

You can say LeBron isn’t clutch, but if he defends Rose the way he can and did in the playoffs last year, the Bulls have little chance of beating the Heat. Then try telling LeBron he isn’t clutch.