Chicago Bulls: 5 Pitfalls Bulls Must Watch out for in the Playoffs

The Bulls are about to get their swag back with the return of Derrick Rose, who is expected to join the starting five on Sunday.

Chicago has been a force on the court all season, and winning has become expected.

As a native of the Chicago area, I haven't witnessed this level of confidence in the squad since No. 23 was dropping J's in the United Center.

This will be the second consecutive year the Bulls have had the best winning percentage in the NBA. 

With that being said, Chicago has weaknesses that opponents can take advantage of.

What are those you ask?

Well, let's take a look.

Depending Too Much on D-Rose

Derrick Rose is the man—period. I haven't seen a guy do what he has at the point guard position, since watching ESPN classic as a kid and watching old Magic Johnson clips.

One thing, as fan, is you have to look at the big picture.

As a Bulls fan you need to realize even Magic needed help. Hell, even Jordan needed help.

To ask a point guard to take a team to the championship is a ridiculous task to ask. 

Last season, the Heat's strategy was simple, and I've alluded to it several times. LeBron will guard Rose in 1-on-1 situations when the game gets tight; bank on it.

However, this year, the Bulls have an answer, and his name isn't Luol Deng. The management has done an outstanding job landing and keeping talent (outside of extending Thibodeau's contract), and now the team is at elite status. 

Surrounding an outstanding slasher with great shooters is the best way to counteract a aggressive defense, and the GM has done just that in Chicago. 

Will the Bulls Have Production from the Bench?

Ashton Kutcher can flat out shoot the rock.

Oh wait...my bad I meant Kyle Korver.

With all jokes aside, Korver will have a lot to do with Chicago's success in the playoffs. He has a ridiculously quick release on a lethal jump shot, and the Bulls will need him to drop a couple bombs from deep for a title run.

Along with Korver, CJ Watson and John Lucas III will have to contribute. The starters for Chicago are outstanding, but it's the bench that makes the Chi-town boys stand out.

If the second squad consistently outplays their opponents, Chicago will be very hard to stop.

Can Rip Stay Healthy?

Rip is exactly what Chicago needed, well at least that's what I originally thought.

Since joining the fold, the veteran has been ravaged by injuries. Hamilton needs to get his legs back under him, and when he does he will once again be one of the best shooters in the game.

For Chicago to make a run this year, they simply can't afford to lose Rip. No offense to Kyle Korver or Ronnie Brewer, but they simply aren't the same player.

Korver can't play D, and Brewer can't shoot. With Hamilton you have a player that can do both, and also has been through the grind of a championship season.

If Rip truly is healthy, he will be the man guarding Wade in the Conference Finals.

Can Carlos Boozer Guard Bosh?

Look, I'm not going to hate on Carlos Boozer. The cat can ball, plain and simple. It's the little things about his game that I find absolutely infuriating. 

For one, he can't guard his shadow.

This will be a BIG problem against Miami—as we saw last postseason. Bosh has the ability to shred Boozer on every play, and it will be interesting to see how Thibodeau approaches this situation come May.

If Boozer can't stick Bosh at a respectable level, look for Thib's to start Taj Gibson, and bring Boozer off the bench for an offensive punch in the second line.

Did Chicago Learn from There Mistakes from a Year Ago?

Taj Gibson has far exceeded my expectations in a Bulls uniform, but then again I was one of the guys that wanted to draft Michael Beasley over D-Rose (insert insults here). 

Luckily for Bulls fans, I'm not the man in charge of acquiring and scouting talent, and Gibson is one of the players the Bulls drafted who has made a tremendous impact.

Chicago is a very young team as a whole, and it will be interesting to see how much they learned from last season's highs and lows. 

Chicago has the talent; however, it will take health, teamwork and luck to make the title run complete, which is what every championship team needs in my opinion.

Can the Bulls do it?

I think so....Will they?

Only time will tell.