2014 NBA Playoffs: Eastern Conference First Round Breakdowns
By Shane Young
(4) Chicago Bulls vs. (5) Washington Wizards
Chicago: 48-34 overall, 27-14 at home, 21-20 away
Washington: 44-38 overall, 22-19 at home, 22-19 away
Season series: Wizards won 2-1, Bulls +0.3 in scoring margin
First of all, Chicago can’t be too excited they fell to the four seed ….. or could they? The level of hatred for the Miami Heat runs through Joakim Noah‘s veins and, despite what we believe, he and Tom Thibodeau would swear up and down they could handle LeBron James in six or seven games. That’s not happening now, as they’ll avoid Miami in the first two rounds. Instead, they match up with the Wizard of Wall, with a chance to take on Central Division rival Indiana in the second round.
Before you anticipate this series, I want you to sit back and consider one “what-if” scenario.
If Derrick Rose was willing and able to return to action, tell me just how incredible of a series this would be from a point guard standpoint. John Wall has legitimately thrown back all the negatives attached to his game, and has filled the “franchise player” void Gilbert Arenas left in Washington. His embodiment of a playmaker that can set up the shooters of Bradley Beal and Martell Webster (both over 39 percent 3-point shooters) will always be there. What puts him over the top this season, and what’s helped Washington reach the five seed, is his determination to improve the shooting touch. He’s not shying away from outside looks the defense decides to give him, as he’s attempted 2.9 more triples this season compared to 2012-13, which resulted in a 8.4 percent increase in efficiency.
Washington’s factor for success in this series rests on 10-year veteran Trevor Ariza, as he’s shown the poise to be able to put the ball on the floor and make plays when nothing seems like it’s there for the offense. That’s especially crucial against the Bulls, as Chicago’s stiff defense (1st in points allowed at 91.8 per game) can only seem to crack when you have the perfect combination of inside-out basketball. Washington possesses that style, considering Marcin Gortat will likely be in one or two near-fist fights with Noah in the first couple games.
General Manager Ernie Grunfeld successfully completed the task set for the Wizards: surround this team’s youth with veteran voices and brains. Oh boy, did they. Experienced bigs of Nene, Drew Gooden, and Al Harrington provide a dangerous front line that is more than enough to take care of business in Washington. It’s battling against the crazed fans in the United Center (which has home court advantage) that serves as the challenge. Andre Miller adds to the list of reasons we shouldn’t count out Washington, since he could make D.J. Augustin and Kirk Hinrich look like middle schoolers with his versatility as a guard; post-up ability, decision-making, or dribble penetration even at age 38.
Chicago is just too disciplined, too feisty, and their core group has been here before. Many times before.
Noah deserves to be discussed for a full six or seven hours after his play this season, destined for a spot in the All-NBA First Team. However, the playoffs require even more promising attack from the second unit. Starters are asked to play an absurd amount of minutes in tightly contested games, therefore it’s always a bit of a security blanket to receive contributions off the bench. Taj Gibson is that guy for the Bulls ….. accompanied by Augustin on offense. Gibson has to rise back to his February level of play, in which he gave Chicago 16.9 points per game on 46.7 percent efficiency.
Even when you have no idea at all how Chicago is going to receive their offense, there’s one thing you always remember. It’s impossible for a team to feel comfortable against the Bulls’ defense, even if you have Kevin Durant or LeBron James on your roster. It’s not a pleasant experience fighting against the plan Thibodeau sets with his defenses. Washington has a future as bright as anyone in the East thanks to their guard play, but that doesn’t help the fact they’re running into a defensive bar that sometimes bends, but never breaks.