The 11 Most Memorable Plays of the Chicago Bulls' 2011-12 Season

Derrick Rose is really clutch, just ask the Los Angeles Lakers. 

The Chicago Bulls were trailing 87-86 in the waning seconds at the Staples Center on Christmas Day.

Luol Deng stole the ball from Kobe Bryant and the ball unsurprisingly fell into Rose's hands.

Rose then did what Rose does and nailed a fabulous floater to give the Bulls the lead. 

Honorable Mention: Worst Play of the Year

No list would be complete with the absolute worst play of the year.

When the Chicago Bulls were facing the Miami Heat Jan. 29, LeBron James had a monster game en route to 35 points.

Two of LeBron's points came on a powerful baseline jam where he scaled Bulls reserve John Lucas III.

Well, maybe Lucas will get his revenge on King James later on this list...

11: Brian Scalabrine Steal and Smooth Assist Against Charlotte Bobcats

If you have read my previous work, it would come as no surprise that I'm not a fan of Brian Scalabrine.

But Scalabrine did have a great sequence Jan. 21 against the Charlotte Bobcats.

The overly glorified Scalabrine jumped the passing lane for a steal and led the fast break. Instead of going for the layup, he pump faked in the air and dished it to Kyle Korver for the easy two points.

Scalabrine doesn't do much, but the White Mamba looked like Kobe Bryant for a few seconds.

10: Omer Asik Steal and Behind the Back Pass Against Memphis Grizzlies

The Chicago Bulls absolutely destroyed the Memphis Grizzlies 104-64 on New Year's Day, and Omer Asik provided one of the Bulls' most memorable plays.

The 7', 255-pound Asik gets the steal and loses the handle of it. However, the Turkish Delight does his best Magic Johnson impression with a behind-the-back pass to C.J. Watson that leads to a Ronnie Brewer bucket.

Asik might struggle offensively, but he could be proud of this play.

9: John Lucas III Fakes out LeBron James

John Lucas III remembers the Miami Heat's LeBron James posterizing him during the Chicago Bulls 97-93 loss on Jan. 29.

Lucas, who was an NBA journeyman bench player before this year, wanted to show King James why he belonged in the league.

During the Bulls' March 14th 106-102 win over the Heat, Lucas had 24 points and burned LeBron on this pull-up jumper.

Wonder who's going to win the next round in this unlikely rivalry?

8: Bulls Block Kobe Bryant on Christmas

The Chicago Bulls had a great Christmas Day matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers to open the NBA season.

With the Bulls up 88-87 after Derrick Rose hit the go-ahead jumper, Chicago knew the Lakers were going to feed the ball to Kobe Bryant for the last shot.

As the Black Mamba drove up the baseline against the Bulls, they triple-teamed him and Luol Deng got the block as time expired to preserve the win. 

7: C.J. Watson 3 Against Miami Heat

Derrick Rose has struggled with injuries all year, as the NBA's MVP sat 13 of 14 games before facing the Miami Heat April 12.

Rose was an abysmal 1-of-13 from the field and sat on the bench most of the fourth quarter and overtime period.

That's where C.J. Watson comes in.

The crafty backup had 16 points and nine assists in the Bulls' 96-86 win, including this killer three to force the game into overtime.

Watson's triple could ultimately secure home-court advantage for the Eastern Conference playoffs.

6: Taj Gibson Monster Slam Against Portland Trail Blazers

Taj Gibson gets a lot of love for throwing down a thunderous dunk on the Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade last year.

But the Chicago Bulls backup power forward regularly produces stellar slams.

During the March 16th 100-89 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers,  John Lucas III finds Taj Gibson on the fast-break alley-oop slam past Portland's Nolan Smith.

The United Center crowd and Stacey King went crazy thanks to Mr. Gibson's theatricality.

5: Joakim Noah Posterizes Glen "Big Baby" Davis

The Chicago Bulls produced their best defensive performance in an 85-59 road victory over the Orlando Magic March 19.

The Bulls won without Derrick Rose, and Joakim Noah was a huge reason why Chicago came out on top.

Noah (9 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST) provided strong energy, especially on this dunk against the Magic's Glen "Big Baby" Davis. 

John Lucas III ran a nice pick-and-roll with Noah as they caught Big Baby severely out of position.

Please let me know what is more entertaining, Davis falling on his booty or Stacey King's reaction?

4: Derrick Rose's Game-Winning Floater Against Los Angeles Lakers

Derrick Rose is really clutch, just ask the Los Angeles Lakers. 

The Chicago Bulls were trailing 87-86 in the waning seconds at the Staples Center on Christmas Day.

Luol Deng stole the ball from Kobe Bryant and the ball unsurprisingly fell into Rose's hands.

Rose then did what Rose does and nailed a fabulous floater to give the Bulls the lead. 

3: Joakim Noah's Block on Wade and Dunk on Anthony

Who doesn't like seeing the Chicago Bulls own the Miami Heat?

Joakim Noah made a great defensive and offensive play seconds apart during this March 14th showdown.

Noah stuffed a driving Dwyane Wade on a rapid right baseline cut and then started a fast break.

On the break, Noah gets the ball and royally owns Joel Anthony with this thunderous slam.

Wade and Anthony probably didn't watch SportsCenter that night.

2: Derrick Rose Game-Winner Against Milwaukee Bucks

March 7 saw the Chicago Bulls locked up in a street fight with the Milwaukee Bucks.

With the game tied at 104 in the waning seconds, the Bulls go to none other than Derrick Rose to save the day.

The NBA's MVP pulled up on the Bucks' Brandon Jennings and drilled this beautiful buzzer-beater, sending Milwaukee's fans to the exits devastated.

1: Luol Deng's Buzzer-Beating Putback Against Toronto Raptors

Other Chicago Bulls needed to step up as Derrick Rose has battled countless injuries, and Luol Deng did just that against the Toronto Raptors.

This March 24th showdown went into overtime as the Raptors powered their way to a 101-100 lead with only a few seconds left.

As for the Bulls, C.J. Watson shot was partially blocked by James Johnson as time was running out, but Luol Deng caught the errant pass and tipped it in at the buzzer for a key victory.

This writer was at a bar when Deng tipped the ball in and the place absolutely exploded. The raucous didn't simmer down until five minutes passed.

Bob Bajek is an NBA/Chicago Bulls featured columnist. He is also a freelance reporter and can be followed on Patch.com and Twitter.