2011 NBA Playoffs: How the Chicago Bulls and Derrick Rose Will Get over the Hump
Despite the loss, the Chicago Bulls took not only one step toward improvement, but multiple this past season.
In 2008-09 and 2009-10 Chicago finished 41-41 each year while bowing out in the first round.
That said, finishing 62-20 this season with the overall No. 1 seed in the playoffs was easily unexpected.
Now, we look to the offseason where the Bulls need to draft well, make some moves and fix what must be fixed (more on all that later).
So, check out what "Your Chicago Bulls!" need to do this summer to get over the hump and back to the NBA Finals.
Sign a Ray Allen
1 of 10
If there's one thing Chicago needs, it's that second superstar at the 2 guard.
Well, although he's going to be 36 next season, Ray Allen can still light it up.
Even if the Bulls can sign him for a few years, his knowledge and experience would be very beneficial.
Not to mention he's the all-time three-point leader.
There, he could help Derrick Rose develop his shot from downtown.
And, help with the next slide. Check it out.
Draft a SG in the First Round
2 of 10
Yes, it may seem redundant to sign Ray Allen and draft a SG in the same summer.
But, think of how much influence Ray could be to a young player coming into the league.
It'd be like having a coach on the floor, in addition to his contributions.
That said, it'll be interesting enough to see who's available for Chicago at the end of the first round.
Now, what are we going to do with all these SGs? Read on the find out.
Release/Not Re-Sign Certain Players
3 of 10
If the Bulls happen to sign Ray Allen and draft a SG, then chances are Kyle Korver and Keith Bogans will be released.
As for Ronnie Brewer, they'll need his stellar defense to mentor the drafted SG, while Allen poses as his offensive connoisseur.
Moving into the frontcourt and we see Kurt Thomas turning 39 this fall. Don't be surprised if they let him go.
But, it's not the worst move if they keep him either.
That being said, Brian Scalabrine and Rasual Butler are free agents as well.
Both of them should be released as neither really contributed too much all season.
Now, to find out how Chicago goes from here to add depth, let you're curiosity take over.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Sign Tayshaun Prince
4 of 10
Detroit's Tayshaun Prince is a free agent.
Here's where it gets interesting.
Yes Luol Deng is a good player and has been playing consistently well for the past few years.
But, he hasn't been challenged by a teammate to start over him at SF.
Enter Tayshaun Prince and Deng will either vehemently improve, or remain stagnant.
For the Bulls it's a win-win, since Prince can still play at a high level, and if Deng improves, then you have that much more talent starting or coming off the bench.
Now, as we see on the next slide, the big men.
Add Depth to PF/C
5 of 10
If the Bulls decide to not re-sign Kurt Thomas or Brian Scalabrine, then there will need to be additions down low.
They could move to the draft and look at Lucas Nogieura, the 18 year-old center from Brazil, JaJuan Johnson, Jeremy Tyler, Kyle Singler or Trey Thompkins.
In the market there's Glen Davis, Kenyon Martin, Nene Hilario, David West, Samuel Dalembert and Tim Duncan.
The only issue here is if Chicago goes into free agency, superstar egos will be clashing for playing time.
In any event, sometimes having that internal competition is what brings out everyone's full potential, and ultimately, championships.
Derrick Rose Continues to Improve from Downtown
6 of 10
If there is one thing that Derrick Rose lacks, it's the jumper from long range.
However, he has been gradually improving with each season:
22.2 percent in 2008-09,
26.7 percent in 2009-10, and
33.2 percent 2010-11.
Obviously he won't take as many shots from beyond the deep arc if they sign a SG like Ray Allen, but getting that percentage up to around 37 or 38 (at the very least), will make him an even more diverse threat.
That said, no one is exempt from this next slide, even the league MVP.
Minimize Turnovers
7 of 10
As a team, minimizing their turnovers is a huge factor.
Especially when playing in a defensive battle, every single possession's importance becomes intensely magnetized on an astronomical level.
We all saw how extremely vital each possession was during the Eastern Conference Finals.
So, being able to control the ball and create a solid look at the bucket is key.
With what the Bulls have now, they have the potential to challenge for the Eastern Conference championship each year.
BUT, getting over that hump means minimizing those TOs, thus playing sound offense.
Offensive Synergy
8 of 10
Okay, so let's say they're able to cut down on TOs.
Well, moving well off the ball, setting screens, running the designed play, or whatever, is the next step.
Yeah they'll do that all season, but when the true colors are exposed, that's the only time it matters.
In Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the game was tied at 85 with eight seconds left.
LeBron James had been dominating on defense while shutting down Derrick Rose.
During those final eight seconds, NO ONE was moving. Everyone was playing spectator, watching Rose put up a shot that could have turned the momentum in their favor.
You can move off the ball and create open shots all season and have success, but those final eight seconds are the ones that will define your offense in a nutshell.
Consistent Health
9 of 10
Definitely a concern, and was also a key factor in the momentum swing against Miami.
It seemed like Carlos Boozer was on and off the IR virtually all season, Joakim Noah goes down for two months, and Derrick Rose's pesky ankle acted up.
Additionally, Omer Asik's fractured fibula turned out to be the final stake in the coffin for the Bulls.
Now, although the bench performed wonderfully all season, having the starters out for as much as they were did mess up the chemistry.
Therefore, maintaining health becomes such a concern that it's almost imperative to win a championship (if not multiple).
Finish
10 of 10
Chicago dominated Game 1 verse Miami.
They had a solid lead after the first quarter of Game 2, and then slowly died as it continued.
Miami dominated Game 3 and seemed to put the Bulls down for good.
In Game 4, Chicago held a five point lead going into the final period, and had the final possession with eight seconds left when the game was tied at 85.
Miami won 101-93 in OT.
Game 5 was eerily similar as the Bulls led by five heading into the final quarter.
Miami took an 83-80 lead, and Derrick Rose's final three-pointer to tie the game never hit the rim.
Folks, this was just the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Bulls underperformed against the Pacers in Round 1 (despite winning the series 4-1), and had trouble putting away the Hawks in Round 2 (despite winning the series 4-2).
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
