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| Down 3-1 to the Washington Wizards, the Chicago Bulls may be at their most dangerous. |
After the loss of Derrick Rose only a few games into the season, the collective wind was let out of Chicago's sails, and the team was looking as if it were lottery-bound.
And what seemed to signal that the organization would fold and put their chips in for next season, the trade of Luol Deng to the Cleveland Cavaliers, turned into the spark that sent Chicago and Bulls fans on an extraordinary adventure this season.
The team galvanized against the idea of "tanking", led by Joakim Noah, who called out Bulls' fans that would cheer for the team to lose, and Head Coach Tom Thibodeau, who has never used injuries or lack of talent as an excuse for losing, and, ultimately, fought and clawed their way to one of the best records after the All-Star break among all NBA teams.
In the absence of Luol Deng, Taj Gibson and free agent pick-up D.J. Augustin carried the offensive load, and the Chicago Bulls defense clamped down even harder on opponents, reclaiming its place as the best defense in the NBA.
Now, after accomplishing the unthinkable, the Bulls are once again with their backs against the wall.
Down 3-1 to the Washington Wizards in their opening round series, Chicago faces elimination.
That is a situation that this team is used to. If there is any team in the NBA that can muster up the will to fight back from the brink of elimination, it is these Chicago Bulls.
I don't know if they will win this series, but I know that Tom Thibodeau, Joakim Noah and company will make it extremely interesting.
So, don't count them out just yet.
