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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 1, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic (44) and Milwaukee Bucks guard Michael Carter-Williams (5) battle for control of the ball during the fourth quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Milwaukee won 95-91. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic (44) and Milwaukee Bucks guard Michael Carter-Williams (5) battle for control of the ball during the fourth quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Milwaukee won 95-91. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Potential X-Factor

Nikola Mirotic

Could you put Jimmy Butler in here? Absolutely, and in fact I had initially planned on doing so. What he does on the court is in trend at the moment, and he will be paid appropriately for what he does this summer. Mirotic though, he changes the dynamic of what this team can do. It took him a few games to find his feet, but what a player he looks like he could turn out to be.

His entire game is not overly comparable to that of Channing Frye, but he is a stretch forward who can do a lot of the things the Orlando Magic man can do. Look, shooting 30 percent from three-point range is not good enough, but he’s become more comfortable using it and is also smarter about taking the shot as well. That number will increase.

He’s a matchup nightmare for opponents as well. His handles, feet and awareness of spacing are great, and each of those elements mean opponents aren’t sure what way exactly to play him. He could do with putting the ball on the floor a little bit more, but again, this is his first season playing NBA basketball.

If Rose is out, Noah is struggling, Butler is doing his best while Gasol is on the bench, having another guy who can contribute and hurt opponents in many ways is vital to a deep playoff run. Chicago have a guy who ticks all those boxes, and he’s rapidly improving before our eyes as well.

Next: Same Old Story For This Franchise?

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