I hate to be the "I told you so" guy, I really do. But in the case of the Bulls' recent winning ways, I think it is only necessary. Remember when I told you that the Bulls should try and deal Joakim Noah when his stock was sitting on top of Dante's Peak? Well, I told you so. And remember when I told you that rebounding was the most disposable stat in the NBA? I hate to sound like a repetitive Carrie Underwood, but I told you so. The Bulls have won 4 in a row and 13 out of their last 15 without their "monkey in the middle". In Noah's absence, Boozer has proved why he is one of the best 2nd round steals in the last decade. He has surprised us all with his ability to consistently finish around the rim and his all-around craftiness makes him a top candidate for a job at the local West Side Hobby Lobby as soon as the off-season hits. Take away his terribly tatted arms and bad facial hair and there really isn't much to dislike about the Boozehound.
Since he has returned from his household hand injury, Carlos has amassed numbers that solidify him as one of the better low-post presences in the East: 20.6 PPG, 9.8 RBG, 54% FG. He can clean the glass just like Joak, but he gives the Bulls a ton more on offense. Hell, Kurt Thomas gives you more on the offensive side of the ball and he's literally a rolled ankle away from a hospital bed at Northwest Memorial Hospital. I know you may like Joakim and think he's a 'great piece' for the Bulls, but it's easy to see how much better the Bulls offense flows without him dressed. Rose can run a pick and roll and actually use the screener as a viable second scoring option now. And seriously, if you're going to bring up rebounding, just ex out your browser and go watch MTV Jams for a few hours until you feel sorry for yourself. Anyone can rebound in the NBA. Look at a few of the league's top 10 rebounders: Anderson Varejao (just straight-up sucks, he might as well be Justin Guarini), Emeka Okafor (fell off the face of the Earth after UCONN) and Zach Randolph (I literally thought he was still incarcerated). There you have it. If you're going to eat 32-35 minutes for a contender, you have to do something else besides rebound. I'm sorry, this isn't the Mid Suburban League.
With the Raptors, Nets and Sixers next on the schedule, the Bullies should be able to extend this winning streak to 7 without really having to break much of a lather. The last time the Bulls played Toronto, the game was over before much of the crowd realized that the Raps traded Vince Carter, T-Mac and Chris Bosh all over the past decade only to draft Andrea Bargnani with the #1 overall pick. The only way the Raptors can make people notice them in this league is if they came out in denim uniforms for the rest of 2011. It's not a bad thought. After all, it is Canada. As for the Sixers, they only lost by a cool 45 last time they squared off against Chicago, so they should come out with a point to prove. Trust me, they won't. And lastly for New Jersey, the Bulls beat them by 9 on New Year's Eve while only shooting 39% from the field. Plus, they have Brook Lopez and Sasha Vujacic playing on the same team. If that doesn't spell defeat, I should go back and get lessons from Andrew Lay.
As for Pick of the Day, the Pulse Man has decided to throw two bets on the table tonight with his Sugar Bowl pick already in play. For tonight, the Pulse Man likes UCONN covering the 5.5 points they are getting in South Bend from ND. Kemba Walker is just straight stupid with the basketball, and I mean that in the most gratifying way possible.
Pick of the Day: UCONN (+5.5) @ Notre Dame- UCONN
Record:(42-30-0)
Now I'm done. Rack Me
Frost
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