Chicago Bulls: 3 Fixes Tom Thibodeau Must Make Before the Postseason Begins

The Chicago Bulls are gearing up for the postseason.  But even after a signature win over the Miami Heat, coach Tom Thibodeau still has to find a few critical fixes for the team to contend in the playoffs.

So, what changes should coach Thibodeau make to bring home a title to the Windy City for the first time since the Jordan era?

Find a Late Game Scoring Alternative to Derrick Rose

Obviously, Derrick Rose is the Bulls' go-to guy late in games when he is healthy.

Unfortunately, Rose is dealing with nagging injuries.  He looked good recently, but there is no guarantee he will be 100 percent for the playoffs.

If he is not, Thibodeau will need to find another Bull capable of stepping up and propelling Chicago to the win late in close games.  In the Bulls' signature win over Miami, it was C.J. Watson, with an assist from Kyle Korver.

In the playoffs, those two can help but either Luol Deng or Carlos Boozer will need to step up their game and be a temporary go-to player.  That is the only way Chicago can get tight wins over elite playoff teams without a fully healthy Rose.  

Find a Consistent Wing Shooter

Who will be the Bulls' go-to shooter off the wing?

Will it be Rip Hamilton, the former Pistons star who can both create his own shot and catch and shoot off screens?  Thibodeau would consider him the perfect solution, but Hamilton has not been healthy all season.  Chances are he will still be banged up for the playoffs.

Will it be Korver?  The former Utah Jazz sixth man can dazzle with his long-range shooting, but he is also inconsistent and often unable to create his own offense.  He is strictly a catch and shoot guy.

Either way, Thibodeau will need one or both of them to step up in a big way.  

Help Carlos Boozer Find His Scoring Groove

Carlos Boozer has been healthy all season, but he has not produced the kind of scoring numbers the Bulls need.  

He was signed to be a 20-point, 10-rebound player on offense with the power to bang and finish inside.  He has become more of a 15-point, eight-rebound player who prefers to shoot it from mid-range.

That needs to change.  Thibodeau needs to get through to Boozer and convince him to embrace being an offensive force in the post.  The Bulls need him to do that; Chicago has a deep front line but Boozer is the team's only player with the offensive skills that will fill that void.