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Playoff Picture: Chicago Bulls

By Luke Duffy

Feb 20, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 8, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) reacts to the referee issuing him a technical foul for slapping the backboard during the second half against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. The Magic won 105-103. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) reacts to the referee issuing him a technical foul for slapping the backboard during the second half against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. The Magic won 105-103. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Why They’ll Win It All

With Gasol doing his thing on both ends, Butler has brought that same sort of mentality. A restricted free agent this summer, he’s in line for a big payday. He’s the kind of player every contending team would love to have, that wing player who guards opponent’s best players and can reliably shoot the three ball as well.

While he’s shooting 36 percent from downtown this year, a number that could certainly improve, it’s a huge jump on the ghastly 28 percent he jacked up last season. The guy is trending upwards, and was an All-Star this season for a reason.

Season G GS MP FG% 3P% 2P% FT% TRB AST STL BLK TOV PTS
2013-14 67 67 38.7 .397 .283 .457 .769 4.9 2.6 1.9 0.5 1.5 13.1
2014-15 ★ 62 62 38.8 .462 .366 .488 .843 5.8 3.3 1.8 0.5 1.5 20.1
Career 253 149 29.6 .440 .328 .477 .807 4.2 2.0 1.3 0.4 1.1 11.6

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table

Anything this team can get from Rose will be a bonus, although he had begun to show flashes before his most recent setback. Flashes would be all this team needs, that moment of magic in a close playoff game. Rose is no longer the focal point of opponent’s defensive plans either, allowing him more freedom to operate than he would have had in years.

All of this, and we haven’t even mentioned Noah, who has had a season hampered by injuries. Nikola Mirotic has a strong case to be named Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year he’s been that good for this team. Aaron Brooks has had a bounce back year as well, a bit of a theme for backup point guards under Thibodeau. There’s a lot to like here.

Next: Bench Woes A Real Concern

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