If things play out in reality as they do on paper, the Eastern Conference will be a two horse race between the Cleveland Cavaliers and YOUR Chicago Bulls.
This was a truly eventful summer that was filled with fantasies of a Chicago starting five that would have been the best since the Michael Jordan Era. However, when the Bulls were forced to go with Plan B, they went with Plan BIG, as in bringing in two-time NBA Champion Pau Gasol and former Spanish League MVP Nikola Mirotic, as well as, NCAA Scoring Champ and the Consensus College Player of the Year Doug McDermott. If it is possible, the Chicago Bulls may find that in June, they were better off missing on Carmelo Anthony than if they had gotten him.
As for right now, there is great hope and optimism that these Chicago Bulls are something special.
#CHIvsCLE The Sixth Man
After deciding to return to Cleveland and the Cavaliers, Lebron James began reaching out to vets around the league interest in chasing NBA Championship rings along with the "King".Well, Shawn "The Matrix" Marion answered the call.
After being a pivotal member of the 2011 NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks team that denied Lebron's Miami Heat in the Miami Big Three's first championship run, Marion has decided to join Lebron, adding veteran depth and presence to a young and inexperienced roster.
A 17-year NBA veteran, Marion averaged over 30 minutes per night while starting 76 games for the surprising Dallas Mavericks last season. His average of 10.4 PPG was the lowest since his rookie season, and he shot 48 percent from the field.
On the Cavaliers, Marion will see reduced minutes coming off the bench for the first time in his career. He will be looked to as a defensive stopper in a role subbing in for Lebron and Kevin Love.
Meanwhile, Taj Gibson is coming off of his best season as a pro to date.
After a summer of working out and training to play a substantial role on a team anticipating an NBA Finals run prior to the second knee injury to Derrick Rose, Taj came in with the mindset of a Champion.
And despite coming off the bench, Taj Gibson was one of Chicago's most consistent players last season, playing in all 82 games and putting up 13.0 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.4 BPG in 28.7 MPG. He eventually earned the explicit trust of Tom Thibodeau, who awarded Gibson almost all of the 4th quarter minutes at power forward.
Gibson accepted the role and flourished. And he only got better when the Chicago Bulls' fought their way to the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.
In the playoffs, he elevated his game to average 18.2 PPG, 6.2 RPG, and 2.4 BPG, and for his efforts, Taj was only a mere handful of votes shy of winning the Sixth Man of the Year.
Looking to build on last season's strong performance, Gibson was slated to be a starter with the amnestying of Carlos Boozer. But with Pau Gasol on board, Gibson may have to reprise his role as dominant big man off the bench.
So, BullsNation, who wins this match-up? Tell us who you are voting for in the comments below! And stay tuned to our Facebook Page for results and our next vote!
