I started this thread because I'm really baffled how the media almost unanimously believes that the Bulls could beat the Cavaliers. I smell some anti-Cleveland sentiment creeping in. We have the best player in the world. We just acquired another top 5-7 player in the league.
Let's be real:
-Their best player Rose hasn't played in two full NBA seasons. One would think that's something noteworthy.
-Rose has never been able to beat LeBron in a series.
-LeBron can lock down Derrick Rose.
-Who on the Bulls can lock down LeBron? Snell? Butler?
-Pau Gasol is going to be wildly uncomfortable when he's got to cover Kevin Love at the 3 pt line. It's a lateral move from Carlos Boozer. Gasol is mildly more skilled, but he's softer than Charmin. They insert Gibson, we insert Andy.
-After Taj Gibson, the Bulls go to Mirotic. He might be a player to watch out for, but Tristan is a pest, and he requires constant monitoring, he's a headache to deal with. Advantage to Nikola, but is that a big enough advantage to win you the series? No.
-Joakim Noah is the Bulls biggest asset, but he's frequently going to be on an island.
With Love spacing the floor, there's a lot of room open for us to drive and kick. Could Noah easily get into foul trouble being on an island, defending Irving, Waiters, LeBron James, Andy and Tristan?
-Spacing might be the Cavaliers ultimate weapon in this series, this advantage is very real, and it is something that's completely unreported on.
This Bulls team could have beaten the old Cavaliers, but this new team is going to be something to deal with. Joakim Noah can't stop a barrage of 3pt bombs, the Bulls can't stop LeBron James, let alone LeBron playing next to Love, Irving, Waiters, Miller, Jones...