The Bulls Are Not Tanking

Get the idea out of your head: The Bulls are not tanking.

Sure, as a gut reaction to Derrick Rose's injury, I assumed it was the right idea to blowup the team and tank. I even came up with a comprehensive plan that would allow it. However, I let my emotions subside, and I realized that my initial reaction was too extreme.

Regardless of whether or not you want the Bulls to tank, it ain't happening.

Admittedly, the Bulls look very crappy at the beginning of the year with Rose on the court. The Bulls offense was static, and often times, the effort was not there defensively. Flash forward to mid-season, and the Bulls of 2013-14 look an awful lot like the Bulls of 2012-13--minus a crazy, streaky scorer. The team stifles opposing offenses and grinds out every single possession. While the Bulls now go into overtime basically every night, OT wins count the same as a regulation win. I'm as baffled as anyone else that the team has played better since losing the heart and soul of the locker room.

The Bulls currently sit as the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference, and the team is 8-2 in its last ten games. The more players the Bulls lose, the more games the Bulls win. Taj Gibson compared it to the team in Major League where the players are stacked up against management. Joakim Noah called out the "true fans" who want the team to lose every game.

I have to agree with Jo. The Bulls have proven that it will require the firing of Thibodeau, the departure of Taj Gibson, Joakim Noah, and Jimmy Butler, as well as the release of Cartier Martin to throw this team out of contention. They play too damn hard every night to look back. As fans, we should appreciate this mentality and hope it carries on next year.

The Bulls "surefire" lottery dreams are over, complicating the situation heading into next year. There's no savior coming.

This makes the offseason look drastically different. For one, the Bulls might not amnesty Carlos Boozer. I known this sounds insane, but let's remember that the Bulls ownership group has articulated the importance of the business of basketball. Management would much rather pay Boozer $16.8 million than pay him $11-13 million not to play. Then, of course, the Bulls will not add a free agent.

Ultimately, the roster may look a lot more like it does this year than we all anticipated. With the growth of Tony Snell and DJ Augustin, the Bulls may be a fairly competitive next year. Heck, if Jimmy Butler can turn around his progress, then the Bulls will be a borderline title contender without factoring Mirotic and other potential free agents.

Enjoy the effort and support your Chicago Bulls. They've earned it.

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