Chicago Bulls: Michael Jordan Had The Pistons, Derrick Rose Has the Heat

Former Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan is regarded as one of the greatest clutch performers in NBA history. Jordan lived for the big moments, and often had his best games in the playoffs when it mattered most.

Although Jordan retired with six championships, many forget his team struggled mightily in the playoffs in the years preceding his first title. That title came in 1991.

The years of 1988-1990 were dominated by the "Jordan Rules" the Detroit Pistons deployed on Jordan. Those rules included double and triple teams thrown at him every time he touched the ball, as well as tough, physical fouls when Jordan attacked the basket.

The Bulls would streak through the early rounds of the playoffs from 1988-1990, but the "Bad Boy" Pistons would knock them out in the later rounds every time.

Jordan was individually successful on the court, but the Pistons had a better team.

It was in 1991 when Jordan finally broke through in the playoffs by sweeping the Pistons. It was the emergence of a young Scottie Pippen that gave the Bulls the much needed help to stop the Pistons.

There hasn't been a star like Jordan to lead the Bulls since his departure, but Chicago may be on the cusp of change.

Point guard Derrick Rose has emerged as not only a top player in the NBA, but the league's MVP. Rose was thought to be a good player heading into last season, but his performance last year was simply astonishing. He led the Bulls to the best record in the NBA and into the Eastern Conference Finals. The Bulls' hot season would ultimately be stopped by LeBron James and the Miami Heat.

Rose now faces the same problems with the Miami Heat that Jordan's former Bulls encountered with the Pistons.

The Miami Heat are older and more experienced than Rose's Bulls. They also have an offense where three different players can get their own shot anytime they want.

Rose, much like Jordan, is his team's only option. The Bulls begin and end with Rose, and that is cause for concern.

As seen in last year's Eastern Conference Finals, if Rose has a subpar game, the Bulls' chances are minute.

There is no Scottie Pippen or Horace Grant walking through that door, which makes the Bulls' NBA Finals hopes seem very difficult. If Jordan couldn't do it by himself, then why should we expect Rose to beat three perennial All-Stars by himself?

It's next to impossible.

Jordan went for 30 every game against the Bad Boys and always fell short.

If the Bulls don't add another scorer, they will fall again to the Heat.

The problem is their money is obligated and their trade assets are too valuable to get rid of.

One thing is sure, the hopes of the Bulls currently lie with Richard Hamilton. He has been injured and unstable all season. The Bulls are hoping he regains his health and is ready come playoff time. If Rip can't give the team double figures every night heading into that collision course with the Heat, the Bulls may be home once again watching the Heat in the NBA Finals.

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