NBA Playoffs 2011: Does Bull's Taj Gibson's Rise Spell Doom for the Miami Heat?

In the Chicago Bulls' thrashing of the Miami Heat in Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals, it wasn't a 40 point outburst by the 2011 MVP Derrick Rose, or even a 1-18 shooting performance for Miami's Chris Bosh that did Miami in. It was, in fact, an unsung hero for the Chicago Bulls.

The difference-maker for Chicago, was second-year forward, Taj Gibson.

Following Gibson's senior season at the University of Southern California, the 6'9'' post-player had developed into what was projected as a "safe-pick"; one that would provide constant help of the bench for an NBA franchise, but never truly become an impact player. So, as Gibson was selected by the Chicago Bulls with the 26th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, little did anyone know how much impact this young man would have.

Gibson's tremendous effort and hard-nosed defense pushed him into the starting lineup for 70 games during the 2009-2010 campaign. As the season progressed, so did Gibson.

He revealed a well-polished offensive game, complete with a knack for grabbing and putting-back offensive boards and a solid 15-18 foot jump shot. His constant energy and athletic defense provided the Bulls with a first-round steal.

As Gibson's rookie season ended, the Chicago Bulls were preparing to enter the free-agent frenzy that was the summer of 2010.

After courting forwards such as LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Amar'e Stoudamire before landing former Utah Jazz forward Carlos Boozer, Gibson had a sense of the role that he would be playing this season.

As Taj Gibson came into his sophomore year in the NBA, at an experienced 25 years of age, he was focused and prepared to lead a promising young Bulls team to their goal of an NBA Championship.

As the season began to pick up speed, and the Bulls' began to attract accolades for their success on the court, Gibson became the leader of the Chicago Bulls' second unit, nicknamed the "Bench Mob."

Although Gibson's averages in points, minutes, and rebounds diminished, his strong connection with new Head Coach Tom Thibodeau has made Gibson a force on the defensive end.

As Thibodeau figured out a set rotation during the regular season, he soon discovered that it was Gibson, not prized free agent Boozer that would be a part of Chicago's most productive lineup.

Gibson, along with Joakim Noah, Luol Deng, Kyle Korver, and Derrick Rose have provided a solid defensive grouping along with swift offensive prowess during many of Chicago's second-half runs.

And as Chicago entered the Eastern Conference Finals as under-dogs, despite containing the top-seed and home-court advantage, it was Gibson who was the catalyst for Chicago’s twenty one point beat-down of the Miami Heat.

In the first half it was his monster and-one dunk and poster of Dwayne Wade. In the second it was his stellar defense and block on LeBron James as the Bulls stomped on any hopes of a Heat comeback. And not to mention his put-back jam as the game was in the final minutes to put an exclamation point on the Bulls' Game One victory, setting a tone for the rest of the series.

And it’s not only the Bulls that have taken notice.

On Monday, the day after the Heat's loss, Dwayne Wade tweeted, "@dwadeofficial: I had 2 laugh at this..I was playing my oldest son Zaire on his nerf rim & he dunked & said Gibson while screaming."

So, as the Chicago Bulls look to Gibson for more of the same during Game Two of the series, the Heat will be in trouble.

With a shallow group of aging inside players, the young and athletic Gibson should again have his way with Miami's front-line. With his combination of size, strength, athleticism, and skill, the "Heatles" could be singing empty-handed with an early exit in the Eastern Conference Finals.

And for Gibson, his coming out party that is the 2011 NBA Playoffs, will continue to grow.

Josh Rosenblat is a high school student from Chicago looking to find a way to break into sports journalism. He often writes about the NBA (primarily the Chicago Bulls), as well as the MLB, College Basketball, and the NFL. You can email him at [e-mail] or follow him on twitter @JMRosenblat. Feel free to send him comments.