Are the Chicago Bulls an "Elite" Team?

Before you read the title of this article and go straight to disagreeing in the comment posting, let me explain myself.

It's not very common to label a below .500 team as "elite" or "upper echelon," but what the Bulls did to the Orlando Magic last night really turned some heads. 

Currently, their record stands at 26-31, but lately the Bulls are playing their best ball of the season. While their record may not indicate it, Chicago has one of the better offensive attacks in the Eastern Conference, and after three huge trades before the deadline, they have added the final pieces needed for a strong playoff push. 

If the season ended today, the Bulls would be on the outside looking in as far as the playoffs go. But with their recent play and new look team, could the Bulls be an elite team?

1.  Emerging Superstars

Rookie point guard Derrick Rose has been absolutely phenomenal in his freshman campaign. He is averaging just under 17 points per contest, along with dishing out just shy of seven assists per game. He has been a great slasher for the Bulls, along with an excellent mid-range shooter.

Rose is proving all of his doubters to be wrong this season, and while his ceiling is still high, he is already one of the elite point guards in the NBA.

Shooting guard Ben Gordon is not considered by many to be a "superstar" type of player, but after 57 games in 2009 it's hard to label him as anything but. He is a dynamic scorer, and has been key to the Bulls' great month of February. He is averaging 20.8 points per contest, and is shooting 41.3 percent from beyond the arc.

2.  Complimentary "Bigs"

With the acquisition of center Brad Miller, the Bulls now have an established big man in the front court who can fill up a stat sheet. Miller has a good jump shot, is a great rebounder, and most of all is a very capable passer from down low. 

Unlike Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah, Miller knows how to create opportunities for his sharp-shooting teammates—and then take advantage of them.  He was a great acquisition by John Paxson at the deadline.

In addition to Miller, the Bulls have great complimentary big men in Thomas and Noah. 

While known mostly for being able to jump out of the gym and block shots, Tyrus Thomas is finally starting to consistently show why he was drafted so high back in 2006. He has really developed his outside shot, and is attacking the basket much more aggressively than he had before. 

In the month of February, Thomas has recorded five double-doubles in nine games, and is shooting nearly 53 percent from the field.

Just when everyone was about to paint him with the "bust" brush, second-year center Joakim Noah has really come on as a player. While he is not as aggressive as fans would like him to be, Noah is averaging a near double-double in February. His defense is greatly improving, and he is really crashing the boards hard.

3.  Key Role Players

With the emergence of Thomas, Gordon, and Rose, the Bulls have also added great role players to spell their starting five.  In fact, the Bulls' bench may be one of the most effective in all of the NBA. 

Team captain Kirk Hinrich is finally back from injury, and he may be the Bulls' best defensive player overall. 

Along with Hinrich in the backcourt is newcomer John Salmons, who is a great slasher and scorer. Before coming to the Bulls, Salmons was averaging over 18 points per game with the Kings. He is a great asset off the bench.

While the trade with the Kings was the most publicised, Chicago's deal with New York netted them a pretty solid backup. Tim Thomas, who is now in his second stint with Chicago, could be the most underrated big man in the league.

While he is very streaky, Thomas can get hot from any part of the court, and is a great shooter from the outside. His bench minutes will be extremely valuable to Vinny Del Negro and the Bulls.

4.  The Secret Weapon

Perhaps Chicago's best overall player is none other than Luol Deng. While Derrick Rose gets the hype, and Ben Gordon gets the double-team, Luol Deng quietly goes about his business on the court. 

Deng may be the best spot shooter on the Bulls' team, and is not given as many shots as he probably should. He is averaging over 14 points per game, and his lanky frame has allowed him to become a great rebounder. While he could be a bit stronger finisher, Deng has showed great ability to slash to the basket as well.

So are the Bulls an elite team? Only time will tell, but if this team can pull together a playoff run in the next couple of months, it will truly be one for the ages.