I feel MIA is our best matchup for more reasons than one.
MIA doesn't have the overall team chemistry that a BOS or even CHI has.
Deciding who takes the final shot during the closing seconds of a game is still a work in progress for MIA.
They lack a true Center who can not only dominate but also take over games.
MIA has one of, if not the weakest bench around. No productive depth what so ever. Thank god Beasley is no longer in south beach.
A head coach who lacks playoff experience trying to coach & control 3 superstars. The pressure of Riley hawking over your shoulders is enough to break any young man.
Question marks & concerns surrounding their PG position with Chalmers & now Bibby.
A team thats on the verge of playing under serious playoff pressure thanks to their 'BIG 3'. It's either championship or bust in the eyes of the media, fans, that franchise & the NBA in general.
How many future championships did LeBron predict during the summer?
Can Bosh deal with all that 'soon to be' playoff pressure?
I'd also take the Bulls over the Celtics any day of the week & twice during the playoffs. For many of reasons too.
I'm not trying to say that the Bulls are overrated because they do have a potential MVP in Rose as well as a solid team; but their record of being 35 games above .500 is a product of the Bulls playing in the weakest division in all of basketball.
The Atlantic has two teams over .500 (BOS & 76ers). The Knicks have the potential to become the 3rd team over .500 before it's over & done with.
The Central is the only division, other than the Western Pacific who doesn't have a second teams thats over .500. The Pacers are in 2nd place 7 games back of .500. The 3rd place Bucks are 15 games below .500. Detroit has the 3rd worst Eastern conf record & 5th worst overall. The Cavs are the worst NBA team in the entire league with only 15 W's.
The Central is the NFC West of the NBA. Until proven otherwise; I can't consider this Chicago Bulls team as being battle tested when looking @ the big picture.
CHI has a very good team. Strong on the boards, top ranked D; but they struggle scoring.
Rose is their entire attack. Leads em in both pts & assist's with 25 & 7.9 per. He's responsible for @ least 41 pts per. If CB can slow him down as a true playoff warrior & TD23 can contribute against Rose; I like our chances even with a weaker D.
Boozer & Deng can both score (When Rose is on). They both average 17 per. I can picture Boozer putting up 28-30 on us, but I cant picture Deng having much success with Melo playing tough D; which could off-set Boozer's success.
Rose, Boozer & Deng are their only 3 scoring options.
Noah only averages 12.1. CHI has a huge hole @ 2G. Korver (8.3) & Brewer (6.2) only combine for 14.5 pts per. Fields wins that battle hands down.
CHI has no scoring options off the bench. None. Gibson only averages 6.9 pts & 5.6 boards per.
Noah is their only shot blocking threat.
Great rebounders though. Booz & Noah combine for 20.4 per. If Amare shows up ON THE GLASS we win this series.
