Chicago Bulls: Predicting How the 2011-2012 NBA Season Will Play Out

The Chicago Bulls are the untouchables. The star gangs of the East may make the headlines like Al Capone, but the by-the-book, Elliott Ness-like Chicago Bulls are looking to capture their bounty.

These former contention refugees are our sleeper pick for future championship glory.

Chicago are cooking, having last year established themselves in the central division pole position after a decent season and valiant second-round effort in the playoffs.

This team is stone cold and that's the bottom line. Other Eastern Conference teams may be wrestling with storied reputations and superstar status symbols, but the charging Chicago Bulls look to lasso the championship belt off the Mavericks.

It's time for the rest of the best to smarten up.

Sure, Miami may have the talents of LeBron, Wade and Bosh, and New York and Amar'e may have been Carmelo's final decision, but in this "who wants to buy a millionaire?" league, the only team that can touch these Chi-town Bulls out East is the Boston Celtics, the other complete, team-based unit of stars.

With these two popular and recognisable franchises looking to rule the roost, it feels like somewhere between the 80's and the 90's again, right now in the second decade of the new millennium.

Sure, everything goes through the reigning Eastern Conference champs in South Beach, but these Baby Bulls are all grown up. However, they still have the youth and the speed to keep up with Miami's three stars and the Rondo-led Celtics.

Speaking of Rajon, Chicago have their own "move aside, D-Will and CP3" point guard in Derrick Rose.

Sure, the one-time underrated Rajon Rondo may now be the critics' pick, but that doesn't mean that the mild-mannered Rose isn't right there with him in everybody's mind.

Rose is in bloom; he can shoot, score, muscle, bench-press and eat Rondo under the table on his best night. Or any player for that matter; the MVP is always the best, right?

This former Windy City No. 1 draft pick is No. 1 in the NBA. Recall D-Rose's two-handed emphatic flush that left many Celtic defenders in the toilet early last season. Those two points were as passionate as any Kevin Garnett jersey tug or chest thump, with all its elastic-breaking heart.

When Rose brings the ball up court, he's got more then his own shot to rely on, however. This is why the multi-talented, versatile Chicago Bulls are leading the charge in an Eastern Conference full of promise.

If you want to talk about heart, then leading the stampede is Joakim Noah, the team's most vital vocal leader. This guy has more heart then anybody, and as Jesus is my witness—believe me—he's got game like Ray Allen.

A mental and physical presence, Joakim gifts the Bulls with size, hustle and hard work. Noah's arc of talent also extends to the range on his shot. Still, it's his energy plays, born from his impenetrable passion, that give his team the heart that can only be matched by Boston and Garnett.

Chicago's other two co-captains anchor this ship, too. Luol Deng, the former franchise man and top jersey-seller, is still on top of his game. Deng is a pure scorer and prototypical basketball player. The kind of guy that would have complemented Mike and Scottie like free peanuts.

Deng is good enough that the Bulls run plays through him. The Chicago Bulls' version of Paul Pierce is the truth. Get your facts straight—there's no need for debate.

In the biggest, most ludicrous summer of free-agent signings last year, the Bulls' big acquisition of Carlos Boozer seemed like a minor statistic. In reality, the move was just as important as the Knicks' acquisition of Amar'e Stoudemire.

Sure, Boozer's contract may not have made news like that of fellow ex-Cavalier-turned-villain LeBron James. Still, it was still a chess move that gave the Bulls that extra space on the board, putting them ahead of their opponents.

Checkmate. Game, set and match,

Boozer is serving up the fundamentals. Now everyone outside the state of Illinois will have to deal with the hangover like Bradley Cooper. Booze's skill set is limitless and NBA-approved. You seeing clearly?

The rest of the Bulls flock are more then Michael Rapaport and Ashton Kutcher lookalikes. From the hard work and hustle of Brian Scalabrine to the three-balls of Kyle Korver, these Chicago Bulls are deep.

How deep?

Deep enough to send their opponents to the abyss. Bogans has the buckets, Thomas has the toughness (and that sweet, signature, like-clockwork baseline J) and Rasual Butler lines this team with his silver, shining multi-talents.

That's not to forget sophomore success story Taj Gibson, or Ronnie Brewer and the rest of this kettle of talent.

The next time this franchise unveils a statue, they may have to immortalise the whole team in bronze. Just ask iron Mike Jordan—he sees six more titles in the works for these new next-generation Bulls. Just imagine if the Dwight Howard, O.J. Mayo or Rip Hamilton rumors come true—then you'd really have one hell of a star team ready to take it to the next level of the NBA heavens.

Sure, the Dallas Mavericks are the best team in the league right now, but the Eastern Conference is wide open like Central Park. No longer last, this beast of a conference has the green and the trees to best the West.

Still, amongst all the movers and shakers, the Chicago Bulls are still here once again, as unified as their typical trademark jerseys. Sure, New Jersey are only going to get better, Boston are right there and nothing looks as good as the Heat and the Knicks right now, but the Bulls have substance and that's always worth more then style, shine or gloss.

These Windy City stormtroopers have the ability to breeze past opponents, not just this year, but for seasons to come. No matter how many times the Orlando Magic learn new tricks. No matter how much fresher and more mature those raw, young Atlanta Hawks get. The Bulls will always be clawing away with their hooves firmly in the game.

It may be time to play Alan Parsons' "Sirius" again during player introductions, as this "Coach Of The Year"-certified Tom Thibodeau project (great work by the way, T.T.) sounds like championship contenders more and more each day.

Look for the Heat and Knicks rivalries to reboil—and more—as this team look to make their opponents see green when they play them—and I'm not just talking on St. Patrick's Day. This team could assimilate the Boston Irish—just ask Scalabrine.

This hot team is seeing red, ready to put Miami away. Having smelt the blood of their rivals, they are ready to destroy the competition.

Which matador dares to take this herd by the horns?

You have been warned. This bulls-eye is targeting a championship.

As this contender takes aim and charges, you better run for cover.