Chicago Bulls vs. Atlanta Hawks Series Preview: No Other Player In The Series Is In The Same Class As Derrick Rose

CHICAGO, IL. Like it was for Jameer Nelson, this second round match-up between the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks came as a little bit of a surprise.

They could have been teammates after last summer, but now, DRose and Joe Johnson look to close each other out of this year's playoffs.

Following Derrick Rose's brilliant 39 point performance in Orlando on April 10th where Rose prevented Jameer Nelson from getting his potentially game-tying three point shot off in time, Nelson told Rose during Rose's post game interview, "See you in the Second Round."

Nelson unfortunately forgot to RSVP in time, so it will be the Atlanta Hawks, who the Orlando Magic overlooked, that will be dancing with the Bulls in Round 2.

The Bulls should not make the mistake of overlooking the Hawks, as well.

The knock against the Hawks in the past has been their focus, their commitment, and their lack of discipline. However, they are a talented team that has played together for several playoff campaigns, and they are clearly playing hard for their first year coach, Larry Drew.

Drew has already won his first playoff series as an NBA rookie head coach, a huge upset of the Orlando Magic in the first round. It is clear that there is a culture shift in the Atlanta Hawks locker room, and following the emotional series win, expect the Hawks to be a confident bunch.

The Hawks have a lot of talent on their roster, but no one in the same class as Derrick Rose, the NBA MVP leader.

Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls played tight in their opening round series against the Indiana Pacers. Several close games ensued against a physical Pacers team, including a loss in a game that NBA MVP leader Derrick Rose sprained his ankle and was mostly limited in his effectiveness.

Chicago broke out in Game 5 at home with a blowout victory to finally oust the Pacers. The Bulls finally played loose and free, and it may be something that the team can carry over to the next round.

After eliminating Indiana nearly a week ago, the Chicago Bulls are well rested. The effects of Derrick Rose's Game 4 ankle sprain were already minimal by Game 5, so no lingering effects are expected.

When he is healthy, Derrick Rose has been unstoppable. There is no other player in this series that can match him. Johnson has proven to be a good closer for Atlanta, but he is not in the same class as Rose and what he has done this season. If you saw what Derrick Rose did in the 3rd quarter of Game 5 against Indiana, you know everything you need to know about Derrick Rose. He is in a class by himself.

Here is how we break down the match-ups in the 2011 NBA PLAYOFFS, SECOND ROUND SERIES between THE CHICAGO BULLS vs. THE ATLANTA HAWKS

CHICAGO BULLS (62-20)	ATLANTA HAWKS (44-38)
STARTERS (Playoff Stats)	STARTERS (Playoff Stats)
PG     ROSE PPG:   27.6 RPG:   4.6 APG:   6.2 Derrick Rose has not been informed that he will be named the NBA's Most Valuable Player, however no one familiar with the NBA needs an award to know that Rose has been the best player in the world this season. Indiana did not have any player on his level, and neither does Atlanta. Advantage: Chicago	PG     HINRICH PPG:   10.2 RPG:   2.3 APG:   2.7 How much will Hinrich's "significant" right hamstring strain affect his play and availability for Atlanta? Will it even matter? Hinrich may be Atlanta's best chance of containing Rose, but no on has been able to stop Rose all year, and a less than 100% Hinrich won't stand a chance.
SG     BOGANS PPG:   5.4 RPG:   1.8 APG:   0.6 The Bulls' defensive specialist has been asked to guard some of the most talented players in the league. With Atlanta's Joe Johnson this round and the Celtics or the Heat to come in the next round, Bogans will certainly earn his paycheck if the Bulls make a deep playoff run.	SG     J. JOHNSON PPG:   18.0 RPG:   6.5 APG:   3.5 In another universe, Johnson would be DRose's running buddy and the Chicago Bulls' starting Shooting Guard, but the mammoth contract Atlanta gave to Johnson convinced him to stay in the ATL. He will duel DRose in the 4th quarter if Atlanta can keep the games close. Advantage: Atlanta
SF     DENG PPG:   18.6 RPG:   6.2 APG:   3.6 Deng has had the confidence of Coach Tom Thibodeau all season, and he was solid and steady in every big game so far. Deng will be outmatched athletically by J. Smoove, but he seems to always be able to get the job done. TIE	SF     J. SMITH PPG:   14.3 RPG:   8.2 APG:   2.3 Josh Smith is an athletic freak, a stat machine, and an amazing shot blocker. He does it all, but what has always been questioned about him and the Hawks as a team is their discipline and their heart. TIE
PF     BOOZER PPG:   10.0 RPG:   10.2 APG:   1.6 Boozer struggled to look comfortable in the Bulls first round series against the Pacers, and although the Bulls advanced easily, the Bulls need Boozer to be productive to be considered truely champion-pedigree.	PF     HORFORD PPG:   12.0 RPG:   10.2 APG:   3.7 Atlanta's only victory over the Bulls during the regular season was catalyzed by Horford's 31 points, 16 rebound performance on March 2nd. He is an explosive young player that the Bulls must game plan for. Advantage: Atlanta
C     NOAH PPG:   12.0 RPG:   10.6 APG:   1.8 Game 5 of the the Pacers series was Noah's playoff coming out party. Bulls fans saw him playing with passion, and whatever his role was in the ejection of Josh McRoberts of Indiana was masterful. Chicago will easily advance to the Eastern Conference Finals if Noah returns to his top form. Advantage: Chicago	C     COLLINS PPG:   1.3 RPG:   1.8 APG:   0.2 His ability to play Dwight Howard straight up in the first round was the key to the Hawks beating Orlando, but can Collins contain the Turkish Hammer, Omer Asik? All kidding aside, the Bulls don't have a dominating frontcourt force like Howard, yet.
BENCH The Bulls bench is one of the deepest and longest in the NBA. Gibson, Asik, Watson, and Brewer have all been extremely productive for Chicago. Kurt Thomas may be asked to start for an ailing Boozer. But the main guy off the bench in the playoffs has been Korver. He has been on automatic, shooting 58.8% from 3-point range; the Bulls will continue to feed him for clutch threes as defenses key on trying to stop Rose. Advantage: Chicago	BENCH Former Chicago Bull, Jamal Crawford, is a former 6th Man of the Year, and he was one of the most consistent players for Atlanta in their first round dispatching of Orlando. With what seems to be a rather serious injury to Kirk Hinrich, Crawford may be inserted into the starting lineup. However, the rest of the Hawks bench is inconsistant and unlikely to be a factor.
OVERALL Advantage: Chicago	OVERALL
CHICAGO BULLS Team Stats:	ATLANTA HAWKS Team Stats:
Points Per Game:     98.6 (20th in NBA)	Points Per Game:     95.0 (26th in NBA)
Rebounds Per Game:     44.2 (2nd in NBA)	Rebounds Per Game:     39.3 (28th in NBA)
Assists Per Game:     22.3 (9th in NBA)	Assists Per Game:     22.0 (12th in NBA)
Points Allowed Per Game:     91.3 (2nd in NBA)	Points Allowed Per Game:     95.8 (9th in NBA)

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