Can Brooklyn Nets run with the Chicago Bulls

Brooklyn Nets (27-18) vs. Chicago Bulls (27-17) – Friday February 1, 2013

Before you go purchase tickets for this Friday’s Brooklyn Nets vs Chicago Bulls game, you might ask yourself why would I pay to see the “Rose-less” Chicago Bulls?

For starters, both Chicago and Brooklyn are two of the hottest teams in the league. They are both fighting for third place; and only 1 and 1.5 games behind the New York Knicks for second in the East. Both teams have won 7 of their last 10 games. While Brooklyn is hoping to catch the Knicks for control of the Atlantic Division, the Bulls currently have a small lead at the top of the Central division.

Yes, the Chicago Bulls are still playing without their “MVP” superstar, Derrick Rose, who had surgery on May 12 to repair a torn ACL, but they have surprised the league with their current performance (including beating the New York Knicks three times and Miami Heat once so far this season).

The Bulls were expected to be a middle of the pack team fighting for a playoff spot until Rose returns. Some people thought that depending on how the Bulls record is that the Bulls’ organization might refrain from bringing their superstar back at all this season instead of rushing him back to help the team make the playoffs. Now the organization is being patient (since they are playing so well) and even though Rose is practicing with the team, doctors refuse to give an expected date of when he’ll return

The Bulls are not the prettiest team to watch and that’s not because Joakim Noah is on the court. It is because they grind it out for 48 minutes once the ball is thrown up to start the game. They collectively guard and rebound better than any other team in the league. They are motivated by their fierce coach, Tom Thibodeau, who should be nominated again for “Coach of the Year.” They are a true blue-collar team.

The Bulls are currently led by two All-stars in Luol Deng and Joakim Noah. Deng is recognized as one of the best defenders in the league. He defends the best player on the other team every night and still averages 17.3 points per game (6th among small forwards) and 6.3 rebounds per game (10th among small forwards), while leading the league in MPG (39.6 minutes). Joakim Noah has added some offensive moves to his relentless defense and rebounding. He is averaging 12.1 ppg (11th among centers), 11.3 rpg (2nd among centers), and leading all centers with 4.2 apg and 3.9 offensive rpg. As well, Carlos Boozer is having a throwback year to his Utah and Cleveland days. He is averaging 15.8 ppg (7th among power forwards) and 9.7 rpg (4th among power forwards). In January, Boozer is playing at an All-Star level averaging 27.3 ppg and 11.3 rpg.

The Nets are likely to play with an edge on Friday after the Bulls were selected to send two All-Stars to Houston on February 17th, while Brooklyn was snubbed with no players selected. The case could be made that Brooklyn (one of the best teams in the East) should have sent at least one of Brook Lopez or Deron Williams, and Joe Johnson. Lopez is leading all centers in scoring at 18.6 ppg and also averaging 7.3 rpg. Williams is averaging 17.1 ppg and nearly 8 apg.

All basketball fans get excited for Friday’s battle among two of the top teams in the East, while two of the top centers face-off: Noah and Lopez. Do the Nets have something to prove?