2010-2011 NBA Predictions: Was Carlos Boozer's Injury a Blessing in Disguise?

When the news first hit, Bulls fans all around the country were devastated. The season hadn't even begun and already the Bulls' top free-agent prize Carlos Boozer was hit with the injury bug. 

This time, it happened to be a hand injury, on his fifth metacarpal, which will require surgery and keep the big man out for eight weeks.

I know, all the Bulls fans are a little annoyed right now but they've got to learn to deal with adversity because it will come time and time again during the course of the season. 

I'm sure everyone remembers how much it hurt when Joakim Noah was out and the Bulls went 0-10 during that stretch. Even Derrick Rose missed a couple of games.

This season, however, the Bulls are more than prepared to hold the fort down if an injury occurs, and by jolly, did it ever.

Now with Boozer out, it's not quite time to hit the panic button because this injury may bring a little early test to the Bulls that will show the resiliency of this group and see how they deal with adversity. 

I'll give you five reasons as to why the Boozer injury is actually a blessing in disguise.

5. Taj Gibson Gains Confidence and Experience

We all know Boozer's replacement for the duration of his injury will be the sophomore Taj Gibson. Last year, Gibson started an impressive 70 games as a rookie and posted averages of 9.0 points and 7.5 boards per game. That's not too bad for a first-year player who was drafted late in the first round.

Now with Boozer out, Gibson shall once again take the incumbent role of starting power forward. This should come as a surprise to Gibson, who was expecting to play behind Boozer. But now, he must step up and perform to the level he is capable of playing.

If Gibson can show the Bulls that he is a starting caliber power forward and excel at the position far better than he did last season, then he could be in for some major rewards.

The experience Gibson will gain from starting so many games will prove to be valuable as more injuries are sure to occur in the duration of the Bulls season.

Who knows? Boozer could go down once again, and if Gibson can show now that he can not only hold the fort down with Boozer out, but excel at the position, then it would do wonders for the Bulls.

This is the time for Taj Gibson to show the Bulls that he can be more than just a backup power forward, but rather a major part of the team and one of the more valuable players on the Bulls.

If he does, then he could cash himself into a big payday when his rookie contract expires.

4. Let's See How Deep the Bulls Really Are

Going into this season, the Bulls kept coming up as one of the deepest teams in the league with their incredible depth. They were compared with the likes of the Celtics, Lakers and Mavericks.

Well, it looks like the Bulls will get an early chance to show just how deep this team really is. With Boozer out, Gibson will start at the power forward spot, as I mentioned before.

So that leaves the Bulls with about a five big-man rotation in Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, Kurt Thomas, Omer Asik, and Brian Scalabrine.

With Gibson and Noah occupying the starting spots for the time being, how will their backups in Kurt Thomas and Omer Asik do?

Omer Asik should see some early extended playing time behind Gibson, and the Bulls will get a chance to see just how valuable the European big man really is.

That will also help determine whether Asik will be a factor later on in the season and into the playoffs.

Kurt Thomas' role shouldn't change much as he will continue to backup Noah, but he should also be ready to play some PF if called upon.

Joakim Noah will also be asked by the Bulls to play some PF, and he should have no problem playing it. He has essentially the same role but can extend his offensive game a bit more to the perimeter and maybe showcase an improved jumpshot.

Scalabrine won't be much of a factor but still, having him on the bench doesn't hurt. He could come in and give the Bulls some quick energy with a couple of perimeter jumpers. The Bulls also signed Chris Richard to add even more depth to their frontcourt. 

The Bulls seem to have a plethora of options in the front court even with Boozer out, so they shouldn't have too much trouble adjusting and finding lineups that work.

If the Bulls can truly showcase their depth, it would go a long way in helping them come playoff time.

3. How Does Tom Thibodeau Deal With Adversity?

I'm sure Tom Thibodeau wasn't expecting to deal with adversity before the season started, but things happen and you have to deal with them. 

That will be the case with the first-year head coach Thibodeau, who will have a chance to showcase how he is able to deviate and adjust from the plan that he had all summer.

The fact that the Bulls are expected to be a defensive-minded team won't change, but the fact that having Boozer would have allowed them to develop a simple offensive game-plan with pick-and-rolls and plenty of post-ups on the block will.

Now, they can no longer count on those plays. Instead, Thibodeau must develop an offensive strategy that will be effective with Boozer out. He needs to develop a game plan that would utilize the Bulls' strengths on offense and would be centered around their All-Star PG Derrick Rose.

Thibodeau already knows that Rose will be the focal point of the Bulls offense, but he needs to develop a game plan that will allow him to excel but at the same time make his team-mates better. Noah needs to become more involved in the offense, same goes for guys like Gibson and Brewer.

Thibodeau has a ton of work ahead of him, lets see what he is made of. 

2. Bulls Can Try Many Different Lineups

I'm sure this point has been emphasized but just to reiterate, the Bulls can try a ton of different lineups, especially in the front-court, with Boozer out.

The obvious ones are playing Joakim Noah and Kurt Thomas at power forward at times, or even playing Taj Gibson at center. Luol Deng may even see time at the PF spot. The Bulls will have the ability to play with a small speedy lineup, as well as a massive lineup, to anchor down defensively.

Players such as Luol Deng and James Johnson should expect to see time at the PF spot. As well as Omer Asik. Having Deng at the PF spot will allow Ronnie Brewer, Keith Bogans, or Kyle Korver to slide over to the SF position. As stated before, Noah should see time at PF as well.

Once, the Bulls find lineups that excel and mesh together well, they can utilize those lineups later on in the season and even when Carlos Boozer makes his much-awaited return.

1. Derrick Rose: Are You Really MVP Worthy?

The biggest question the Bulls have going into this season, now with Carlos Boozer out, is can Derrick Rose become an MVP candidate and enter super-stardom.

Recently, Rose stated that he sees himself not only as an MVP candidate but an MVP winner. Furthermore, everyone remembers the story that was leaked about how Rose refused to recruit LeBron James to the Chicago Bulls during this past offseason. It all clearly states the same conclusion: Derrick Rose wants to be the clear alpha-dog on the Bulls.

Well, now with Carlos Boozer out, Rose has the entire arena to himself to showcase if he can be the superstar and MVP candidate, that he so firmly believes he is. Rose also has to remember, that there is a BIG difference between being an All-Star and being an MVP.

Let's see if Derrick Rose has that superstar mentality to will his team to victory every night, when they're clearly outmatched by the loss of their All-Star power forward.

Let's see if Derrick Rose has that leader's mentality that reminds his teammates that in time of adversity, he will carry the team on his shoulders and lead them to victory after victory.

Let's see if Derrick Rose is really MVP worthy.

It's all up to you, Derrick.