Chicago Bulls Can Hold Heads High

They finished the regular season at 41-41.

They were the seventh seed.

And they were facing the reigning champs.

I'm sure if they had actually pulled it off and won the series, this would only be the first article of many to praise the underdog Bulls on their huge upset victory.

But that isn't what this is.

They won't be making a movie or writing a book about this story. Few will ever know the raw emotion and intensity that lived throughout this series, that is, unless you saw it for yourself.

That is, unless, someone who watched nearly every second of it can tell you, with a straight face: The Bulls are better than the Celtics.

They have more talent, more drive, and they are younger and faster.

It just so happens, the Celtics had home-court advantage, and they know how to win.

But that's the best part. Now, too, do these young Chicago Bulls.

After being out of the playoffs last year, the Bulls drafted Derrick Rose to replace Kirk Hinrich, and then lost Hinrich for the first half of the season to a torn ligament in his hand.

Drafting Rose turned out to be the right move, after all.

Rose did nothing short of amaze his doubters, as he guided Chicago back to respectability, while scoring 16 points and dishing out six assists per game.

He and the rest of the offense had terrific chemistry, and once Hinrich returned from injury, they were able to establish a better up-tempo offense where they had three athletic and quick guards on the floor.

Chicago began playing better defense, being more efficient on offense, and ultimately grew as a team.

The fact that we as fans, they as players, and any experts, cannot take for granted is the will to win. The will to get better. The will to improve.

These Bulls went from average to title contenders during this series.

With their point guard of the future, a solid veteran backing him up, as well as a slew of offensive talent, these Bulls will mold into an efficient offense that can lull you to sleep, as well as run with anybody.

With the defense of Joakim Noah and Tyrus Thomas, they can continue to attack the boards, as well as shots, displaying the stingy defensive mindset that Scott Skiles left behind.

But most of all, at least for now, this team can and should be satisfied. Because this was their title game. They nearly beat the champions.

The series was 4-3. There were four overtime games.

That is truly as close as it gets.

So, as they gear toward next season, work toward the summer, and think about the endless possibilities that 2010 brings, they can also let this underrated achievement set in.

They are the 2009 Chicago Bulls, and they can hold their heads high.