Fansided

Hardwood Paroxysm Presents: The NBA Playoff Super-Overreactionizer

By HP Basketball Network

Apr 18, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) lies on the court after a fall against the Washington Wizards in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Washington defeated Toronto 93-86. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 18, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) lies on the court after a fall against the Washington Wizards in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Washington defeated Toronto 93-86. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 23, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) is greeted by Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) after scoring during the second overtime period against the Milwaukee Bucks in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) is greeted by Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) after scoring during the second overtime period against the Milwaukee Bucks in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Unleash the Bulls as NBA Champions

by Drew Corrigan (@Dcorrigan50) — Hardwood Paroxysm

Derrick Rose’s knee’s acted up long enough for Jimmy Butler to blossom into a superstar and Nikola Mirotic to fly his way over from Montenegro. Add in a future HoFer in Pau Gasol and the Bulls look like… well, who they were supposed to be three years ago. Quite the conspiracy theory.

On paper, this team is NBA Finals material and they’ve been playing like it so far in the playoffs. The vaunted Bulls defense has returned with an 89.7 DRtg, reminding us that Thibs is a playoff genius. Screw the sample size haters, this is the damn playoffs.

The Bulls are actually capable of scoring the basketball in the playoffs, thanks for Jimmy Buckets dropping 25 and 31 in the first two games respectively. Also, the comeback kid, Derrick Rose, has a boulder on his shoulder and he’s ready to shake off the haters (s/o T-Swift). Butler stepping up has eased the pressure off Rose, allowing him to regain some of that MVP mojo.

A first-round sweep is on the horizon and the Bulls will be looking forward to playing the Cleveland Cavaliers in the semifinal’s. Ah, the matchup the world has been waiting three years for. LeBron James vs. Derrick Rose.

When healthy, the Bulls have the best shot to take down the Cavaliers. Call me crazy, but the Bulls would benefit from seeing Cleveland in the semi’s, rather than the Eastern Conference Finals. The Cavs haven’t looked like a team primed for the NBA Finals against the Celtics, which only plays in the Bulls favor. Butler will put the clamps down on LeBron, Kevin Love will cowher in a corner somewhere launching three’s (and missing), while Kyrie will have nightmares about Derrick Rose blowing by him.

If (when) Chicago takes care of the Cavaliers in the semi’s, you mine as well fast forward them to the NBA Finals (sorry Atlanta). It’s happening. Bookmark the Chicago Bulls as 2015 NBA Champions and for Jimmy Butler to become Finals MVP and the next Kawhi Leonard.

Next: Raptors Need to Trade Kyle Lowry

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