Chicago Bulls: 5 Rotations Derrick Rose and Co. Should Use in the NBA Playoffs

Being successful in the NBA Playoffs hinges on being able to adapt to your opponent and to be diverse. The Chicago Bulls have been able to do both for most of the season with good schemes and multiple rotations.

To keep some of the tougher teams in the East on their toes, the Bulls will need to use a few rotations that have been stalwarts all season, and maybe throw in a kink to make some new rotations.

The Starting Five

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CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 21: Joakim Noah #13 (L) and Carlos Boozer #5 of the Chicago Bulls encourage teammates playing against the Sacramento Kings from the bench at the United Center on March 21, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Kings 132-92.

PG- Derrick Rose

SG- Keith Bogans

SF- Luol Deng

PF- Carlos Boozer

C- Joakim Noah

Chicago's starting five is one of the top five, if not the, best in the league. Short of a more consistent three-point threat, the starters are above average in every other offensive category.

Rose's continued improvement from the arc has made the offense much more versatile than it appeared before the season started.

Defensively, this group is average as a whole. Noah carries the defense in the paint, Deng is a plus defender who is asked to cover the opponent's top guy, and Rose and Bogans generally play average to above-average 'D.

If Boozer and Noah can stay healthy long enough for a deep playoff run, this grouping will win its fair share of games.

The Second Starting Five

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CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 28: Thaddeus Young #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives between Taj Gibson #22 and C.J. Watson #32 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on March 28, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees t

PG- C.J. Watson

SG- Ronnie Brewer

SF- Kyle Korver

PF- Taj Gibson

C- Omer Asik/Kurt Thomas

Chicago is blessed with a plethora of depth and diversity. For a large chunk of the season, these five have had to fill in for starters, or have been asked to attain or keep leads against other teams' starting fives.

Watson, Brewer and Gibson all hold their own on both sides of the court, while Kurt Thomas and Omer Asik have their flashes.

Thomas has been a great veteran presence for this club. Asik has surpassed expectations set forward for the season. It is not too often an undersized rookie center can out-duel Dwight Howard.

Kyle Korver is a sniper from three. Defensively, Kyle Korver is a sniper from three.

Two-Guard Set

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 04: C.J. Watson #32 of the Chicago Bulls goes up for a shot against the New York Knicks at the United Center on November 4, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Knicks defeated the Bulls 120-112. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and

PG- Derrick Rose

SG- C.J. Watson

SF- Kyle Korver

PF- Luol Deng

C- Joakim Noah

The Bulls will run this lineup when they want to run and get points by moving the ball around frequently.

Watson offers a lot more than most would realize. He is average or better at everything, to be honest. It is hard to imagine that Watson was a key part on a Golden State Warrior team.

He was also their best defender. You could also say he was their only defender.

Because this is a smaller lineup, having another plus shooter in the back court with Rose will help alleviate pressure that Deng and Noah would see inside.

Thibs' Specialty

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CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 25: Head coach Tom Thibodeau of the Chicago Bulls gives instructions to (L-R) Derrick Rose #1, Loul Deng #9, Keith Bogans #6 and Joakim Noah #13 during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the United Center on March 25, 2011 in Chic

PG- Derrick Rose

SG- Ronnie Brewer

SF- Luol Deng

PF- Taj Gibson

C- Joakim Noah

Tom Thibodeau has done something very few rookie coaches have attempted and succeeded at: bringing in a system and executing it. His defensive systems have been the main reason, aside from Derrick Rose, for Chicago's success.

This set is Chicago's best for playing defense, with the exception of Rose. Watson is a better defender, but there is no need to take out the best player on your team unless he is in dire need of a breather.

Chicago's Best Five

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CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 25: Members of the Chicago Bulls including (L-R) Carlos Boozer #5, Kyle Korver #26, Taj Gibson #22, Omer Asik #3, Kurt Thomas #40, Derrick Rose #1, Loul Deng #9 and Keith Bogans #6 huddle before a game against the Memphis Grizzlies at

PG- Derrick Rose

SG- Ronnie Brewer

SF- Luol Deng

PF- Carlos Boozer

C- Joakim Noah

Just because a team outs out a starting five doesn't mean their best five are out on the court to start a game.

Bogans is in to start as more of a filler. Brewer is a nice weapon that serves a better role off the bench. If a team shows its best cards right away, then what else is there to show?

Chicago's best have the perfect mix of offense and defense that often benefits each side of play.

Brewer is a weak offensive player, but his knack for baseline scoring makes for a twist in an opponent's defensive scheme. His defensive prowess and huge mitts make him a nice middle man to give Deng support with his tough assignments, and to cover up for the deficiencies Rose may have in his aggressive style of play.

Boozer may be a weak defender, but his rebounding helps out Noah, who most often is battling to get loose balls or creating space for teammates to do so.

On the other side, Boozer's ability to run a pick-and-pop takes attention off of Noah's lack of a scoring touch, leaving him open while defenders put an extra man on No. 5 in some situations.