Chicago Bulls: 3 Players Who Must Step Up for Tom Thibodeau

If head coach Tom Thibodeau and the Chicago Bulls hope to keep the NBA's best record, some of his players will have to raise their level of play during the second half of the season.

Thanks to the efforts of reigning MVP Derrick Rose, the team finds itself atop the standings with its 31-8 record. 

As the season begins to close, here are three teammates who could help lighten his load.

Richard Hamilton

No one is going to mistake Chicago's man in the mask for Kobe Bryant; yet when Richard Hamilton came from the Detroit Pistons, he was supposed to bring big-game experience and reliability to the Bulls' backcourt.

So far, the 12-year veteran has struggled in his first season with Chicago.  Not only has he been unable to stay on the court due to injury, but has also been subjugated to a bench role in late-game situations.

Hamilton’s 12.4-point average is the lowest since his rookie year in Washington. 

While in Detroit, the man they call “Rip” had developed a reputation for the way he caused separation from defenders around off-ball screens. In Chicago, he has fallen victim to his nagging injuries and he lacks the strength and explosion to manipulate his body and cause separation.

As long as Thibodeau is forced to monitor Hamilton’s minutes, he will continue to hurt the team in a compounding way.

In his extended absence, the Bulls have looked to Ronnie Brewer, someone who is known more for his defensive prowess than scoring ability.  This explains why the Bulls have a tendency to go through dry spells, even though they have a top-six scoring offense.

If Chicago hopes to end the season with a consistent scoring threat from the 2-spot, it will fall upon Hamilton to stay healthy and improve his mediocre play.

Carlos Boozer

Similar to Hamilton, Thibodeau expects Carlos Boozer to provide the starting lineup with offensive firepower.

Yet, similar to Hamilton, he is averaging the fewest points, along with the fewest rebounds, since his rookie season.

Boozer remains as Chicago’s best interior scoring option but lacks the physical presence to dominate the paint; however, his ability to consistently knock down the 17-foot jumper has been imperative to the success of Rose and the Bulls.

By making the free-throw line extended shot, Boozer forces opposing post defenders to step out and challenge him.  This creates additional room for Rose on drives to the basket and a safe second-option in the pick-and-roll offense.

What Boozer has struggled with is rebounding and defense—two things a Tom Thibodeau-coached team is suppose to epitomize.

The Bulls were out-rebounded by five in their most recent victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.  They lost the battle of the boards thanks in part to allowing 18 offensive rebounds to their opponents.

Starting center Joakim Noah grabbed 18 rebounds compared to Boozer’s seven. Not only did he lose the battle with his teammate, but also his matchup against Elton Brand.  In 33 minutes, Brand tallied 13 rebounds, with eight of them coming on the offensive end.

When a team allows that many offensive rebounds, it shows a lack of discipline and fundamentals.  Lucky for Chicago, these are things that Boozer can correct and improve.

Simply put, if Chicago wants to get the ball in the hands of its best player, it needs to rebound misses.

These extra possessions could prove to be costly in the playoffs and may force Coach Thibodeau into giving the more minutes to Taj Gibson or Omer Asik, players who don’t make the same impact on offense.

C.J. Watson

It’s hard to pick on a player who averages nearly 10 points per game off the bench; however, C.J. Watson might have to shoulder a heavier load as the postseason nears.

With the Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder playing exceptionally well, Chicago might be forced to contend for the NBA’s best record and home-court advantage in the playoffs until the end of the regular season.

This causes a tough decision for the team's head coach.

Will Thibodeau jeopardize the possibility of getting the No. 1 overall seed by resting his players?  Or will he run the risk of injury by extending minutes to enjoy a benefit they had last year?

Whatever he decides, look for Watson’s role to expand.

As the team’s leading scorer and distributor, Rose has already sat out 11 games this season due to back spasms and turf toe. Both of these injuries have the potential to hinder Rose’s aggressive style of play and may limit him during the playoffs. Given the nature of back spasms, it is very possible for the injury to flare up at any given moment, which would force Watson into Rose’s role as primary ball-handler.

Watson has starting experience and does a good job throughout games in a relief appearance; however, the fate of Chi-Town’s playoff seeding may soon fall in his hands.