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Chicago Bulls: Eastern Conference Favorites?

By Gerald Bourguet

Jan 20, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Pau Gasol (16) dribbles the ball against Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Pau Gasol (16) dribbles the ball against Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Chicago Bulls
May 6, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Chicago Bulls small forward Jimmy Butler (far left) greets teammate center Joakim Noah (center) as power forward Taj Gibson (far right) after defeating the Miami Heat 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 /

5. The Bulls’ Current Core

We’ll get to the offseason additions in a minute, but we shouldn’t overlook the fact that even without Derrick Rose, the Chicago Bulls play enough defense to compete with anyone on any given night. Injuries have decimated this team for the last three years, but head coach Tom Thibodeau isn’t one for making excuses and his hard-nosed, gritty defense keeps the Bulls competitive no matter who’s on the floor.

Joakim Noah won the Defensive Player of the Year Award and is one of the league’s best passing centers. Taj Gibson should’ve won the Sixth Man of the Year Award and appears to be ready to replace Carlos Boozer in the starting lineup. Chicago re-signed Kirk Hinrich and Jimmy Butler will only continue to improve as long as he can stay healthy. Boozer’s all but on the move, either via the amnesty clause or a sign-and-trade, but the Bulls already have a solid core.

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