Pippen Ain't Easy
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Championship Window Still Open For Chicago Bulls

By Kenyatta Wright

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After losing possibly the three most important pieces to their ball club, the Chicago Bulls have a huge task ahead of them, and that is remaining consistent without some of their best players. As the team battles through injuries, the Bulls are fighting to remain relevant in the Eastern Conference, and although many are predicting that the Bulls’ championship window may be closed, the position that they are in could be the best thing that could happen for them, because the opportunity opens up for players that haven’t been in the rotation to contribute. When the news was reported that Derrick Rose would undergo a second surgery on the meniscus in his right knee, many writers, analysts, and sports fans changed their predictions on the Bulls representing the East in the NBA Finals.

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Let’s take a look at the specifics, Rose was initially listed out for 4-6 weeks with a surgically repaired meniscus, Taj Gibson has been listed with a sprained ankle, suffered in last Friday’s contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves, but recent reports from CBS sports.com, stated that Gibson is no longer using his walking boot, and although there has been no specific timetable on Gibson’s return, he shouldn’t miss any more significant time. Jimmy Butler has also been sidelined with a sprained ligament in his left elbow, and was initially ruled to miss 3-6 weeks. Things may appear to be very severe for the Bulls at this time, but the positive to take from this, is that these three players aren’t out for the entire season, and if the Chicago Bulls should make it to the playoffs, which is very likely to happen, they will have their entire roster, and will be ready for a playoff push at full strength.

In the non-competitive East, and with the Chicago Bulls having the experience in the past of enduring an entire season without their full roster, it is safe to say that the Bulls could maintain their winning ways until Gibson, Butler, and Rose rejoin the team. The possibility of the Bulls playing their first series without home court is very possible, but this is a Chicago Bulls team that has demonstrated their ability to travel on the road, and win tough ball games against high quality opponents this season. But the main objective for them at this point should be to make it to the postseason at full strength. If the Bulls are able to do that, then there are just a few other minor adjustments that should be made.

One of those few adjustments is that when Derrick returns, his minutes should be regulated, and held to no more than 20 minutes a game, until he is able to play without signs of rust. Another adjustment that would help, is when the Bulls get healthy, Coach Thibs will have to manage the minutes much better than he has in the past, creating a more balanced attack, and instead of shortening his rotation, implementing more players. In the last 10 games, Nikola Mirotic and Tony Snell are averaging 22 points off the bench between them, and it also would help if Doug McDermott could be added to the rotation. McDermott would give the Bulls another shooter that could spread the floor on offense. If the Bulls are fully healthy when April arrives, then Chicago would have an equal opportunity to contend in the East. In the last few years, the only obstacle that has constantly stood in this teams way, is health, and with their three key players returning this season, being fully healthy for the Playoffs gives this team a legitimate shot at playing in June.

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