Chicago Bulls Trade Rumors: Windy City Will Remain Calm Through Deadline Storm

The Chicago Bulls will be manning the phones today before the trade deadline, but don't look for them to make any panicked moves. They don't need to. They established that last night when they beat the Miami Heat while Derrick Rose watched from the sideline.

That's not say that last night's win "proves" that the Bulls are automatic in a seven-game series, but it does establish they don't need to make a desperation move at the trade deadline that's as likely to hurt them as help them.

John Lucas III had a great game, and he deserves the game ball for that, but the playoff ramifications of that performance are pretty much nil. That doesn't mean that there's no take home from this game that gives a window into the playoffs though. 

The key thing that can be taken from the game last night is this—Joakim Noah, Carlos Boozer, Taj Gibson and Omer Asik combined for 26 rebounds. The Heat's bigs combined for 12. The Bulls bigs outscored the Heat's bigs, 28-16. 

When the Heat lose the efficiency recap battle in the frontcourt they are 4-8. When they lose the battle in the paint, they are 16-11. When the Bulls have won the battle in the paint they are 26-2. When they win the frontcourt battle they are 29-0. 

What this means is the Bulls have a very good frontcourt and they win when their frontcourt performs well. Miami loses when their frontcourt does not play well. 

The Bulls are built to win games in the paint and the way to beat the Heat is in the paint. 

The Bulls could use a secondary scorer, or an insurance if Rip Hamilton doesn't get better. Those things are true. However they don't need to give up the thing which is helping them to win to get there.They don't need to dig one hole to fill another. 

While it is true that the Heat have given the Bulls problems by running the trap plays at the end of games, it's also true the Bulls have given the Heat struggles too. In fact, no team has consistently played the Heat as well as Chicago has. Through 10 games played the net scoring difference is three points.

The Bulls might make a trade today to get that secondary scorer. There are rumors they have talked to the Houston Rockets about getting Courtney Lee. That might happen, but it's unlikely. The Rockets are reported to be asking "a lot" and that probably means some of their length. 

Don't expect the Bulls to panic and go "big for small" and give up the advantage they have over the Heat, especially when they have proved it's a winning formula.