With the Bulls heading to their first NBA Finals appearance since the days of Michael Jordan, let's take a look at the team that got them there.
James Harden
He's been with the Bulls since the start of the season after being traded twice just before the start of the season. He is on the last year of his rookie contract from OKC, but has a max extension kicking in after this season, having been signed to the extension in the sign and trade that sent him to Houston prior to his arrival in Chicago. Harden has been the constant all season for the Bulls with Derrick Rose out for over half the season and the midseason trade that swapped Rudy Gay for Carmelo Anthony. He, Taj Gibson, and Joakim Noah started every game for the Bulls in the regular season, but Harden has been by far the greatest contributor. While he has taken a backseat in scoring to Rose and Anthony, he did average 22 points per game during the regular season and has been the shooting guard Chicago has been pining for since the days of Ben Gordon. He has been able to help the team offensively while also being able to contribute defensively. While not a great defender, he has had success this season under the tutelage of Tom Thibodeau. Against his former team, he will match up against Kevin Martin, whom he was traded for. His defensive abilities were simply overmatched against Dwyane Wade, but against Martin, primarily a jumpshooter in OKC's offense, he should find much more success.
Joakim Noah
A fan favorite in Chicago for his heart and passion for the game, Joakim Noah has provided Chicago with the same production he's had in the past. His rebounds have dipped with the increased offensive success of the team since offensive rebounds are not as frequent, but if anything, that's a good thing for this Bulls team. He continues to show excellent passing from the center position and continues to shock defenses with occasional post moves, jumpers, and a knack for grabbing some of the few offensive rebounds that do come around. As the defensive anchor of the team, he has done well, providing shot blocking and lockdown defense against the team's best opposing big men. Having Taj Gibson alongside him instead of Carlos Boozer, a well noted poor defender, has eased his efforts in locking down the paint. There are times where he and Gibson are bested, but those times are few and far between. Against OKC, he will most likely take on Kendrick Perkins, with Gibson taking on Serge Ibaka, but both have the ability to guard either player. The key for Noah's success will be his ability to grab offensive rebounds against a bulkier frontcourt than the Heat, Bucks, and Hawks. He held his own against Al Horford on the boards, and should be expected to do so against OKC as well.
Taj Gibson
In his first season as a full time starter, Gibson has had his ups and downs. Ultimately, he gave the team what was expected of him during the regular season, finishing with averages of 10 points and 7 rebounds in about 28 minutes per game. His shotblocking and defensive abilities have given the Bulls a huge boost compared to last season, though that season contained a lot of Carlos Boozer. His jumper is still a work in progress, but he has shown the same offensive rebounding ability that he has always had and is always able to find his share of offensive putbacks, even with Noah in the game. Gibson will look to contain Serge Ibaka against OKC, a player very much comparable to himself.
Derrick Rose
The former MVP didn't quite look like himself when he initially came back from ACL surgery after the All Star Break, but soon rounded into form by the end of the regular season. His assist and points per game averages were his lowest since his rookie season, but he has found himself rolling in the playoffs. Though his assist totals during the regular season hovered 5 or 6, in the playoffs he has been able to boost that number between 8 and 10, allowing his teammates to achieve much greater success. Defensively, however, he has struggled. He has been unable to keep many guards he once dominated in front of him. Perhaps this is remaining rust falling off, but anytime Mario Chalmers can score 20 points, there is a problem. Those problems will not get any easier against perhaps the only point guard who can compare to him athletically in Russell Westbrook. If Rose can hold Westbrook in check, the Bulls will have a much easier time getting the win. Having offensive talent like Harden and Anthony has obviously made Rose's life a lot easier, but this is still his team and any kind of Bulls success or failure will be tied directly to his play.
Jimmy Butler
Butler's progression as a player this season has been incredible. Despite not playing much his rookie year, he has come on strong for Tom Thibodeau and the Bulls in his second season, primarily serving as the backup small forward. He has displayed increasing confidence with his shooting, especially from three point range, and has proven himself to be a lockdown defender in his own right. Thibodeau has come to trust him so much that he started him for two games against the Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals to match up against Lebron James. His increased offensive prowess has allowed Thibodeau to be more creative with his lineups, including having a very formidable defensive lineup that is still able to score. He has also shown a knack for coming up with offensive rebounds making any combination with Gibson and Noah a freakishly good offensive rebounding lineup. He has also shown the ability to get to the foul line and hit at a high percentage, furthering his value to the team. Going forward, if he continues to improve like he has, the Bulls will have one heck of a player on their hands.
Michael Redd
Signed before the season started, Redd was expected to play the role of a spot up shooter off the bench, very similar to what Kyle Korver played for the Bulls last year. Once a great rival of the Bulls in the mid-2000s with the Bucks, injuries plagued him of much of his athleticism, causing him to be reduced to a shooter. However, he has shown far more than spot up shooting for the Bulls bench. Still showing the skill and guile of his glory days, he has emerged as the go to scorer off the bench for the Bulls, scoring in far more ways than would have been expected. He has also shown surprising defensive ability despite his reduced athleticism, occasionally coming up with blocks and steals in the paint. The Bulls could not have been happier with his production during the regular season, where he shot an astounding 48% from three and 47% overall. His production in the playoffs, however, have been disappointing. His percentages have plummeted, but he has still been able to come up with some key baskets for the Bulls. If the Bulls are to win it all, Redd will have to be on his game.
Kirk Hinrich
Captain Kirk made his return to the team that drafted him as the starting point guard once again, in the absence of Derrick Rose. While Rose was out, Hinrich filled in admirably, averaging 12 points and 7 assists while Rose was out. Now coming off the bench, Hinrich still leads the team with poise while also playing fantastic defense as he has his whole career. However, like his backcourt mate Michael Redd, Hinrich has struggled to score in the postseason, shooting just 34% from the field. However, against the Miami Heat, he stepped up his game and shot over 44% for the series, giving the Bulls' bench effort a very much needed kick. Hinrich should be able to have his way against the Thunder bench, even despite shooting struggles. And he may have to in order to keep the Bulls starters rested enough to contain OKC's explosive offense. If he can repeat his play against Miami, the Bulls are in good shape.
Kenyon Martin
The Bulls' primary reserve big man, Kenyon Martin has shown he can still play despite age and injuries. A far cry from his former days as the #1 overall pick, Martin has given the Bulls toughness and rebounding off the bench. His abilities as a defender still remain, which helps the Bulls retain a presence in the paint. His help side defense was on full display against Miami, forcing several key misses against even the likes of Lebron James. His offense has been primarily regulated to offensive putbacks, but his defense and rebounding are what get him minutes under Thibodeau. It will be his job to keep the Thunder big men off the boards while Gibson and Noah rest.
Troy Murphy
On his 3rd team in as many years, the sweet shooting lefty has carved for himself a small role in Chicago's rotation. Often playing spot backup minutes at center for Joakim Noah, Murphy has been able to provide the Bulls with a pretty good pick and pop option in his limited minutes. Chicago is not shy about letting Murphy take shots, often running several plays for him at a time during his quick stints. His rebounding remains solid, though not quite what he was in his days with Golden State and Indiana. His ability to make shots could prove to be an important x-factor against the Thunder with his ability to bring opposing big men out to the perimeter. He and Martin have complimented each other well when given minutes together and should continue to do so against the Thunder.
Nazr Mohammed
Another former Thunder player, Mohammed brings a more traditional backup center role for Chicago's bench. He, like Murphy, does not get many minutes, but those few minutes are just what is needed for the Bulls. He has shown he still has a few tricks up his sleeve on offense and has kept up the Chicago theme of defense and rebounding, proving he does still have a little bit left in the tank. More than likely retiring at season's end, this is perhaps his final shot at a ring.
Marquis Teague
Though now getting DNP-CDs in the playoffs, Teague was the backup point guard while Rose was recovering. In that time, Chicago got to see what they had in Teague. Though he struggled mightily early on, he gained confidence as the season grew on, showing flashes of brilliance at times on the offensive end. His ability to push the ball in transition was second only to Rose himself, but his passing and shooting skills still need much work. He did work on his jumper during the season, however, and it showed in increased success from midrange and the three point line. While he may not play much of a factor right now, he may be as good a backup PG as the Bulls have ever had in the future if he can keep improving his skills.
Vladimir Radmanovich
Lovingly deemed "Vlad Rad" by the fan base, Radmanovich has spent a lot of time in a suit for the Bulls, only appearing when there was an injury to Kenyon Martin near the end of the season. He still possesses some ability to hit the 3, so teams do have to respect that, but more than likely, he will be in a suit, providing moral support for his team.
