5 Reasons Derrick Rose and Bulls Will Wither Under the Miami Heat

The Chicago Bulls, currently first in the Eastern Conference, are probably the most likely challenger to take down last year's conference champions: the Miami Heat.

These two teams are considered by some to be the favorites out East, setting up a potential rematch of last year's conference championship series.

With an undisputed superstar leading the way in Chicago, the Bulls have a team that is ready to put the pressure on Miami.

But not all teams fold under pressure. 

The Heat have started the season looking much more ready to play together than last year's squad, and as a result, find themselves being considered one of the hottest teams through six weeks of play.

Chicago finished last season with the league's best record, but couldn't get past the Heat in the playoffs. The Bulls have yet to make any major changes since their departure last season, so don't be surprised if they follow that same path come this spring.

Addition of Rip Hamilton Is Not Enough

The Bulls brought in Rip Hamilton to take some of the pressure off of Derrick Rose, but he has turned out to be only the team's fourth leading scorer this season.

At age 33, Hamilton can still score, but has not provided the firepower that is going to be necessary to beat a Heat team that is scoring the second most points per game in the NBA this season.

Injuries have been a problem for Hamilton this year, and in a shortened season, it can be difficult for a player to stay in rhythm when he can't get on the court. 

If the Bulls are able to bring in free agent guard J.R. Smith, this point of concern might just lose its emphasis.

Until then, however, the Bulls are going to have to find someone on the current roster, other than Rose, who can become a difference maker. 

Barring a major move by Chicago, the Heat will have three of the four best players every time these two teams meet, and against a Bulls team that couldn't get it done against the "Big 3" last May, that gives the advantage to Miami once again.

Deng's Return Will Not Solve All Problems

Luol Deng was absent for the first matchup this season between these two teams, and following a 97-93 Heat victory, it's easy to reflect on what could have been had Deng been in the lineup.

It's a little too easy, however, to think he would have been the key to a Chicago victory.

Deng's 16.4 points per game were certainly missed, and his offense would have been key down the stretch, as relief to Rose's iso-ball approach. 

Chicago's defense, however, would have been in just as much trouble.

Could LeBron James have jumped over Deng for one of the top dunks of the entire NBA season? Not likely.

But could he have still put together a stat sheet of 35 points, 11 rebounds and five assists?

You better believe it.

Athleticism

Athleticism isn't a statistic that will win a team a game on its own.

When you have a matchup, however, that is as close as Chicago and Miami have proven to be, athleticism can be the spark that gives one team the edge over the other.

Aside from Derrick Rose, it's tough to pinpoint another player on the Bulls who is as athletically gifted as the best that Miami has to throw their way. 

Although the Bulls held Miami to only 14 fast break points in their first matchup this season, the Heat are a threat to get out on the break and score quickly, regardless of whom they are playing.

Defense is another beneficiary of an athletic group of guys.

While the Heat aren't ultra-athletic at every position from every player, the core group of players have more versatility than the core group for the Bulls. Defending the Bulls with athleticism is far more likely than the Bulls doing the same to Miami.  

If LeBron James is beating Luol Deng, is Ronnie Brewer going to do any better? Can Rose force James into a bad situation with his size and intensity?

Certain stretches might prove yes, but the answer is "no" when a player is trying to keep up for an entire game—or series. 

Post Play

Nobody is going to tout the Miami Heat for their inside presence.

That being said, the Chicago Bulls are going to have a hard time taking advantage of what is arguably Miami's most vulnerable spot on the floor.

Joakim Noah is a good defender, while Carlos Boozer is a decent second or third scoring option. Unfortunately, each player is only dangerous on one side of the ball.

Boozer has a tendency to allow his man a lane, giving the edge to a scoring forward such as Chris Bosh. When Boozer gets left behind, the rest of the defense has to help, throwing off the groove of the entire Chicago defense.

Noah, on the other hand, has very little offensive game to claim, and against a mediocre center in Joel Anthony, a center with refined low-post skills would be able to take advantage of one of the Heat's most glaring weaknesses. 

LeBron James

Quite frankly, LeBron James should probably be first on this list.

Knock him for his late-game performances if you'd like, but realize that James is having an MVP season if there ever was one.

Averaging nearly 30 points per game this season, James is also bringing in career high numbers in rebounds, field goal percentage and three point percentage; showing that smart, aggressive play can make great players even better.

The Bulls don't have a player on their roster who can stop James—not even a healthy Luol Deng.

Derrick Rose may be in a similar category, but the sheer power of James is something that not even Rose has, through no fault of his own.

To top it all off, James is playing about three minutes less per game than his career average. Less minutes and more production equals an efficient player who is ready to step up in the absence of fallen teammates, and get his team back to the NBA Finals.