May 6, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat small forward LeBron James (6) is pressured by Chicago Bulls small forward Jimmy Butler (21) during the second half in game one of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. The Bulls won 93-86. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bulls headed into world championship territory Monday night with all odds against them — Derrick Rose, Luol Deng, and Kirk Hinrich all missed game o of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. However the Bulls did what they do best — they defended like there’s no tomorrow and grinded it out the entire regulation to secure the 93-86 win over the Miami Heat.

Nate Robinson scored 27 points, despite suffering an upper lip laceration that required a total of 10 stitches after he and Lebron James raced to chase a possession heading out-of-bounds. Elsewhere, Jimmy Butler played literally every second of the game scoring 21 and grabbing up 14 rebounds. Joakim Noah contributed 13 points, Taj Gibson added 12, and Marco Belinelli had 10 of his own for Chicago.

Lebron James Scored 24 points, Dwayne Wade added 14 for Miami, but the Bulls put Miami’s  27 game winning streak to rest back in March and it was no different in game one as the Bulls handed the heat their first loss in 13 games.

Despite all the hardships the Bulls have been faced with this entire season, let alone the playoffs, they managed to give the champs a run for their money.

A pair of three-point plays courtesy of James gave the Bulls their largest deficit of the night 76-69. However the Bulls kept grinding it out; Ray Allen sunk a three giving Miami an 80-78 lead, Butler then fired right back with a 3 ball of his own. With 2:22 left, Belinelli connected from outside the arc; on a second chance possession, and tied up the ball game.

Then it got better, as Nate Robinson connected on a long 2 with:18 left, The Bulls had the lead and all of the momentum moving forward. Wade missed a three-point attempt, Robinson grabbed the rebound and went coast to coast with 45.5 seconds left in the game. Somehow the Bulls found themselves on top at 90-86; silencing the American Airlines Arena and sending the fans to the exits earlier than anticipated.

James drove to the lane against Butler; attempted a 12 foot jumper that failed to connect. Chicago got the rebound, Robinson knocked a free throw securing the Bulls with a 5 point lead. The Bulls went on to shock the world and steal game 1 in Miami.

Lebron received his 4th MVP at the start of the game, however the Bulls crashed the celebration and rightfully stole the headlines. Game two will be on Wednesday in Miami.

Mar 18, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) reacts after being fouled against the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

In light of a lackluster 2012-2013 Chicago Bulls season; Center Joakim Noah is in serious consideration to win the coveted defensive player of the year award. Noah has played 5.5 seasons in a Bulls uniform, and my what a glorious year this has been for him. Jo is averaging a career high of 12.0 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 2.3 BLKPG, and 1.3 steals.

Noah ranks second in defensive win shares with 4.1 and he has the leagues fifth best defensive rating of 97. (A defensive rating is an estimate of points allowed per 100 possessions.) Jo is just the second center to record a triple double with blocks and a triple double with assists in one season. The first center to ever do so was the Legendary Hakeem Olajuwon back in 1989.

Ever since Coach Tom Thibodeau’s arrival back in 2010, the Bulls have been one of, if not the best defensive team in the association. This year Thibs’ Bulls rank third in defensive points per game and they have place fourth overall in defensive rating.

We have entered a new generation of centers. Rather than focusing on just strength and power to maintain such a restricted area; it’s all about using your body. It’s length, speed and agility, and quickness to spread the floor and cover the front court; making sure the ball stays out of the paint and going back to basics; always defend the rim. And to think the league wants to eliminate the center position off the All-Star ballot?

Noah is competing against a list of superb defenders for this award. Such as: Tim Duncan; 9.6 RPG, 94 defensive rating, 2.7 BLKPG, 0.8 STLPG. Marc Gasol; 7.8 RPG, 98 defensive rating, 1.7  BLKPG, 1 STLPG. Roy Hibbert; 8.1 RPG, 95 defensive rating, 2.6 BLKPG 0.5 STLPG.

Other players in consideration are; Larry Sanders of the Milwaukee Bucks, OKC’s Serge Ibaka, Atlanta Hawks’ Josh Smith, and of course the Lakers’ Dwight Howard who has won it three of the last four years. Unfortunately the reigning DPOY champ Tyson Chandler is not as threatening  as he was last year. Sadly injuries are plaguing the New-York Knicks this season.

Clearly Noah’s numbers prove that he is very deserving of this award. In fact if it wasn’t for the first time All-Star’s mega year, Chicago would be considered a lottery team and not a 6th-7th seed playoff team.

No Bull has won the DPOY award since Michael Jordan in 1988, that’s a 25 year long drought that someone in the Thiboudeau Era should end. All eyes are on you Noah.