Come To Think of It: The Chicago Bulls Are Stuck in NBA Hell

"NBA Hell" is a place where you aren't good enough to compete for a championship, yet aren't bad enough to qualify for the lottery. That is my definition of NBA Hell.

The Chicago Bulls, by virtue of having made the playoffs as a seventh seed last season, are firmly entrenched as occupants in this not-so-desirable place.

They finished dead even, at 41-41 on the year. Yet they whetted our appetites by stretching the defending champion Boston Celtics to the limit in their playoff appearance.

True, the Celts were without Kevin Garnett. Still, the Bulls looked just good enough to make John Paxson, Gar Forman, and many of the Bulls fans think they are ready to take that next step.

Ah, but it's fools gold, I assure you.

I wish nothing but the best for the Bulls. Honest. I have been a fan since well before the Michael Jordan era.

But in looking at this objectively, I see a team that is at least one true superstar away from contending with the likes of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, and Celtics.

Bulls fans lie in wait for a Chris Bosh or an Amar'e Stoudemire to come riding in on their white horse. But unfortunately, the reality is that the Bulls are stuck with a long-term deal to the limited Luol Deng, and are trying to sign the height-challenged Ben Gordon to a long-term contract.

Look, that isn't going to get it done, folks. They have a young point guard in Derrick Rose. While you wouldn't want him taking your SAT for you, he is a solid building block for the Bullies.

But unless the Bulls go out and get a big man who can play power forward (or center), score, and complement Rose, they are destined to remain in this hell without realistic hope of another lottery selection in the draft to save them.

Rumor is that the Bulls would like to combine their two first round draft picks to move up in the draft. But aside from Blake Griffin, who will go No. 1, there isn't anybody that jumps out and says, "championship" to me.

Sure, there will be players who surprise and end up better than previously billed, but you can't count on the Bulls being the team that is fortunate enough to find such a  player.

This is especially true if they remain with the No. 16 and 26 picks.

B.J. Mullens, the 7'0" Ohio State center, would be a project if the Bulls were to select him. As they say, you can't teach seven feet, but he won't be ready to contribute right away.

Meanwhile, the Cavs have paired their superstar, LeBron James, with Shaq. Orlando has "Superman," Dwight Howard. Boston has Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and the aforementioned KG returning.

The champion LA Lakers, of course, have Kobe Bryant.

You see, you have to have that star player to even sniff the NBA crown. Then, you have to surround that player with enough talent to win.

Rose is going to be a really fine player, especially if he learns to play defense. But he isn't that dominant star player.

Like the Bulls once had with a fellow who had the initials MJ. You may have heard of him. That was NBA heaven, come to think of it.