Bulls Or Bobcats: Who Makes It To The NBA Postseason?

Who would have thought it? The most exciting playoff race between two teams isn't even in the West!

It isn't even between two teams that, a month or so ago, were anywhere around the playoff race.

No, in my opinion, the most exciting playoff race is between the Chicago Bulls and the Charlotte Bobcats, playing for the eighth (and possibly even seventh) seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Of course, both teams desperately want to make the postseason, regardless of who they face at that No. 1 seed. And for both teams, it is still a very reachable goal.

Now, while it is possible that the Pistons' season falls out from under them and they slip out of the race, it isn't likely, meaning it is probable that only one of these two make the cut.

Which begs the question: Which team deserves it more?

In honor of the NCAA tourney (with the Sweet 16 tipping off tonight), we're going to pretend the eighth seed of the East is treated like a spot in the tourney and given on a decision by a committee, using the basis of who deserves it more.

So, Bulls or Bobcats? Lets break it down.

The Bulls' Case

After what seemed like another lost year in Chicago, the Bulls have turned it on since the All-Star break to overtake the Bucks for the eighth seed.

Rookie Derrick Rose has now easily run away with the R.O.Y award, currently averaging 17 points and six assists. These numbers aren't overwhelming, but he has been handed the team's reins and is handling that role well.

The return of Kirk Hinrich has been a bigger boost than most think after the sixth-year guard missed the beginning of the year with a thumb injury. He is the perfect complementary player to Rose, stepping in on a bench role.

After the off-season drama, Ben Gordon is starting to look like his old self again, scoring at a high clip once more at 20.8 so far this season. The Bulls' recent trade has also paid off dividends. John Salmons has already settled into the offense well and has all-put replaced oft-injured forward Luol Deng.

Brad Miller, in his second Chicago stint, has been able to provide mentorship to the young, raw bigs of the Bulls: Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah. Both have slowly improved their defense and rebounding over the season, giving the team exactly what it needs from them.

Many turned their noses up at Vinny Del Negro's hiring at the beginning of the year. It has yet to be seen what he can do with this roster, but so far, so good. They are currently in the playoffs, whereas last year they were nowhere near.

The Bobcats' case

If ever there was a Cinderella team in the NBA, this is it.

The Bobcats have been terrible ever since the team was created in 2004. Every year has been a major disappointment, and that didn't look to change this year at all.

Even with Larry Brown now at the helm, the season seemed lost early on.

But with several adjustments to the roster, the Bobcats have rallied and come out of nowhere to have a chance of making their first ever postseason bid.

While the Bobcats are still young and athletic, they have also brought in several veterans to help out the young guys. Former Suns Raja Bell and Boris Diaw have been huge down the stretch, especially Diaw, who has been revitalized since the trade.

Adding Juwan Howard and Desagana Diop has given the team since much needed interior presence, giving Emeka Okafor some much-needed help. This team has earned a slight reputation as giant killers, especially for the Boston Celtics, who they gave problems to even last year.

Would it be possible for them to do this in a playoff series? Whether they win a playoff game or not, the team and city desperately need this massive boost of just making the playoffs.

So who deserves it?

I take the Bobcats, for the simple reason that they have come out of nowhere with the roster they have, and I love a good story.

These guys really scrap for every win, and it would great for the franchise to finally have some success.

Who actually gets there?

For all my goings-on, the NBA is not the NCAA, and the eighth seed will be decided on record, not team merits. So which team is more likely to actually earn that spot?

The Bulls have a relatively easy schedule remaining. They only have three games remaining against playoff opponents, against Miami, Philadelphia, and away in Detroit. They won't go undefeated through this stretch, but it would be incredibly surprising if they do any worse than splitting even.

They do have the health of Derrick Rose to worry about, though, who missed the other nights game with a bad wrist (luckily, Kirk Hinrich stepped up in a big way).

The Bobcats have a much tougher schedule. They play the Lakers, Celtics, and Magic once each. They do stand a chance in the Magic game, as it's their last game of the year, and the Magic will be playing a meaningless game and resting their starters.

Aside from that, they only have three games against non-playoff teams. Its doable, but a very tall order.

The verdict

Chicago Bulls. Considering the schedule, you can't not believe that the Bulls won't hold onto the eighth spot. It would take a complete collapse for them to lose it now.

Then again, it's the Bulls...

Whoever wins, its a hell of a race.