Chicago Bulls: Key Players Who Must Perform in Playoffs

Heading into the 2012 NBA playoffs, the Chicago Bulls know that if they don't reach the NBA Finals this season, it will be a disappointing season on the west side of Chicago. 

For the second consecutive season, Tom Thibodeau has lead the Chicago Bulls to the best record in the Eastern Conference, something that hasn't been done since the Michael Jordan era. 

This season, the Bulls were once again plagued by injuries, losing key players in MVP Derrick Rose, Rip Hamilton and Luol Deng to injury throughout the season. 

In the playoffs, the Bulls are going to need everyone to be on the top of their game night in and night out if they are going to want to reach the finals.

Here are five key players who must perform if the Bulls want any chance at reaching the NBA Finals. 

Carlos Boozer

Carlos Boozer is going to need to perform in this years playoffs if the Bulls want any chance at reaching the finals.

Boozer was brought in to be the second scorer on this team, along with Derrick Rose.

That hasn't quite worked out in Chicago, so the Bulls will need Boozer to step up in this year's playoffs. He needs to be more than just another contributing player. 

Look for the Bulls to try and get him going early and often in there first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers.  

Luol Deng

Despite playing through his brutal wrist injury throughout the season, the Bulls are going to need Luol Deng to be on the top of his game during these playoffs. 

Deng will be once again asked to defend premier starters like Andre Iguodala.

This season, Deng has been a consistent scorer all year long, averaging 15.3 points per game. He also earned his first NBA All-Star appearance, and the Bulls are going to need him even better than he was in the regular season.

Rip Hamilton

Even though Rip Hamilton had an injury-plagued regular season, Hamilton can redeem himself if he can help bring a title to Chicago this season. 

Hamilton was brought in for one reason only: to be healthy in the postseason and be that shooting guard that the Bulls have not had since Ben Gordon left a few seasons ago. 

The Bulls were able to overcome Hamilton's injury in the regular season. However, if they want to be championship contenders, they will need a healthy Rip Hamilton in the playoffs. 

C.J. Watson

C.J. Watson was a starter for most of the season, filling in for Derrick Rose when he was dealing with his nagging injuries. 

Watson has surprised some with his play this season, and the Bulls will need him to continue to do so off the bench in the playoffs. 

The Bulls could use both Watson and Rose on the court at the same time if matchups allow them to.

The Bulls are going to need Watson to be the sixth man off the bench during these playoffs. 

Derrick Rose

After missing 26 games during the regular season due to a number of different injuries, Derrick Rose must return to his MVP form if the Bulls want any chance at reaching the finals. 

It remains to be seen if Rose can get back to his aggressive self again, and the Bulls are going to need him to in the playoffs.

Despite Rose missing all that time, the Bulls found a way to once again be the top seed in the Eastern Conference. However, the Bulls are going to need Rose to be the dominant player he was before the injuries.

They will need him to close out games on a nightly basis if they want any chance at reaching the NBA Finals.