In game four against the Atlanta Hawks, a game that the Chicago Bulls lost 100-88, Derrick Rose scored 34 points on 32 shots. Yes Rose is the league’s MVP and the best point guard in the world, but he needs help on the offensive end. That help should come from two sources, Carlos Boozer and Luol Deng.
The Bulls signed Carlos Boozer to a 5-year deal for 75 million dollars last off-season to be the 2nd scorer and post player they needed to take the next step and be a legit title contender. Boozer missed 23 games this season due to a hand injury that happened when he fell at home. He put up 17.5 ppg and 9.6 rpg, which are right at his career averages. But in the 2011 playoffs, his production has dropped off as he’s putting up 10.7 ppg and 9.1 rpg. He says he injured his right big toe in game 5 of the first round series against the Pacers, but he was playing horribly even before the injury. Boozer never was a defensive player to say the least and he needs to produce, bottom line.
In game 1 of the series against the Hawks, Luol Deng had a good game scoring 21 points and grabbing 6 rebounds. In the three games since, he’s scored 14, 7, and 13 points respectively, putting Derrick Rose in the spot where he’s taking more shots than he should. While Deng is not a superstar nor a star player, he is a legit 2nd or 3rd scoring option on a good team. Deng can score in a bunch of different ways and the Bulls need him to provide scoring in the 16 to 18 point range nightly, along with the great defense he plays, if the Bulls are to have a legit chance to make it out of the East.
If Boozer and Deng can get it together and play up to their ability along with Derrick Rose leading the way, the Bulls can win this series against the Hawks and find themselves one step away from the NBA Finals.
