NBA: Power Ranking the Biggest Threats to Chicago Bulls' Playoff Destiny

At this point, the Chicago Bulls lead the NBA with a 40-11 record. They have the best overall winning percentage, the smallest amount of losses, and were the first team in the NBA to 40 wins. They even became the first team to clinch a playoff spot, and it's only March.  

Despite all this success, Bulls fans know that nothing matters until we get to the playoffs. Last season, the Pacers and Hawks both put up more of a fight than we would have liked before the Bulls lost to the Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals. 

This season, there are eight additional teams with a chance to make the Eastern Conference playoffs. Which teams would the Bulls fare the worst against? 

8. Milwaukee Bucks

The team right now that worries me the least out of any team is the Milwaukee Bucks. It's true, they are a new-look team with the arrival of Monta Ellis and the departure of Andrew Bogut. However, the Bulls still have clear advantages. 

The most glaringly obvious hole that the Bulls can take advantage of is the hole at center. For many games since the trade, Drew Gooden has been starting for the Bucks at center.

Drew Gooden!

While he is a fine offensive power forward, he is a terrible defensive center. When you place him next to Ersan Illyasova, you have a team that is going to struggle to protect the basket. The team will also likely be out-rebounded quite easily. 

If there are two things you don't want to let Chicago do, it's attack the rim and out-rebound you. 

7. New York Knicks

The Knicks have been one of the most disappointing teams in the league this season after coming in with so much hype.

However, this is not entirely unexpected for a team from New York. 

The Knicks are a team that has the talent to beat you, but the talent does not fit together in the slightest. Jeremy Lin plays a certain style of offense that fits in with Amar'e Stoudemire, but Carmelo Anthony doesn't fit in with that style. Melo is what is known as a "ball-stopper." He causes the offense to completely pause while he makes his move. 

That said, the Knicks have looked strong since D'Antoni resigned. They have managed to be one of the best offensive and defensive teams in the league. However, I will take half a season's worth of work over a couple of games, especially if Amar'e misses significant time. 

6. Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks have played pretty well this season, 30-20 at this point. They have a deep lineup that boasts Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Jeff Teague, and many other key players. The one thing they lack this season is big man Al Horford. 

Horford is the one player that causes the Bulls problems consistently. He has a great post game and a deadly mid-range jumper. He causes Joakim Noah to have to leave his post as defensive quarterback in order to man him up, and that causes problems for the Bulls offense.

With Horford out, the Hawks are limited. 

The one other player that can really hurt Chicago is Josh Smith, who has improved greatly this season. However, without another true rebounding partner, Smith will get out-rebounded and out-defended by the Bulls' frontcourt of Noah, Boozer, Gibson and Asik. 

Unless Horford can get back soon, the Hawks have no chance against the Bulls. 

5. Boston Celtics

The Celtics are effectively done. Their best players are all old—except for Rajon Rondo, and Rondo isn't a player who can really even score. Their defense is still good, but it's not good enough to overcome their lack of depth and their poor offense. 

The one thing you have to be wary of is of the Celtics making a 1999 Knicks-like run. The Knicks were the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, and managed to make it to the Finals against the eventual champion San Antonio Spurs. Teams who know how to win just flat out know how to win. 

I don't think the Bulls would have any problem, but you have to be careful. 

4. Orlando Magic

The Magic are a team that can either blow you out or get blown out on any given night, regardless of who they're playing. When they are hitting their shots, they can beat ANY team in the NBA. When they're not...well, then they can be held to 59 points. 

The only reason that the Magic are so high is because of one player: Dwight Howard. Howard can single-handedly get the Bulls' players in foul trouble and take Derrick Rose out of his element.

However, by himself, he's just not enough. 

3. Philadelphia 76ers

Philadelphia is like a poor man's Miami in my eyes.

They have dynamic wing defenders who can flock around Derrick Rose and force him into turnovers, similar to Miami. They give the Bulls a very different look on offense though, as they have a very balanced scoring attack. 

The greatest strength of the Sixers, however, is their bench. They have their leading scorer coming off the bench in Lou Williams, and a dynamic combo-forward in Thaddeus Young.

However, the Bulls have a bench to match, and shouldn't have too much problem beating the Sixers, especially with home-court advantage. 

2. Indiana Pacers

The second biggest obstacle to the Bulls getting to the Finals is the Indiana Pacers. They are a team that hustles, has size, has offense all over the court, can move the ball, and that plays great defense. They really are a complete team. 

The Pacers' best defender is Paul George. Last season in the playoffs, George was able to limit Derrick Rose to some extent, except for in the fourth quarter. Rose was able to impose his will in the fourth quarter, but George is a difficult opponent to play against. 

The Pacers also are one of the most tenacious teams in the league right now, especially when they play the division-rival Bulls.

I can tell you this much, the Pacers wouldn't just lose 4-1 if they played the Bulls this year. 

1. Miami Heat

There is nothing more obvious than this answer. The Heat are the bane to the Bulls' existence right now.

They have the best player in the league, a top five player in the league, and arguably a top five power forward in the league, too! Even though the Bulls beat the Heat without Rose, there is no question that they wouldn't be favored. 

The Heat are the best team in the NBA right now, and in my mind are the Bulls' only obstacle to a title. It remains to be seen whether the Bulls can match up with this Heat team when it matters the most, but only time will tell. 

Until that happens, the Heat are undoubtedly the Bulls' biggest hindrance to a title.