Crown Le-Wade with Championship; Story Already Written?

As the Bulls and Heat prepare to tipoff the Eastern Conference Finals, some in Chicago think about what could have been. An article on ESPN Chicago talks about how Dwayne Wade and LeBron James both thought they'd be Bulls at one point during free agency (story). Apparently they didn't think about it too long, because they chose to team-up with Chris "Don't Call me Soft" Bosh, in a threesome that isn't nearly as world-beating as would have been the case with Wade, James and Derrick Rose.

But ... everything happens for a reason, right?

I believe that if James and Wade had taken "their services" to the Windy City, Rose wouldn't be the MVP, wouldn't have showed his unstoppable thirst for greatness - which won't be quenched until he receives a different trophy from Commissioner David Stern - the Championship Trophy.

The addition of Carlos Boozer instead of "Le-Wade" has created more of a team mentality, an "us against the world" approach that the Heat like to talk about. But the Bulls have it. They are the underdogs. The Bulls have the working-man's MVP. Despite wearing the Red, White and Black, the Bulls are a Blue Collar team. Rose has been the perfect role model - hard working, devoted, loyal and always positive about his teammates, yet demanding of himself. A world of difference from "The Decision" and the rally the Heat had before any of the Three Stooges had stepped on a court together wearing Miami jerseys.

Say what you want. History may show that the Heat win more championships with James, Wade and Bosh, but I'll take Derrick Rose and the elevation we've witnessed this season. We'll see if all of that work - both mentally and physically - will result in a 7th World Championship for the Bulls.

Jock Strap? Check. Other Support? Missing.

Could someone please put out an APB on Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer and Kyle Korver … quickly! Derrick Rose and the Bulls were spanked on Sunday night in Atlanta, as the Hawks evened their best-of-seven series at 2-games apiece. Rose, whose only support came from his athletic gear, was forced – and I don't use that word lightly – forced to take 30+ shots on a night when he didn't have his jumper.

Rose may be the meat in the Bulls sandwich (forgive the analogy, but it's lunchtime and I'm hungry!), but Luol Deng and Joakim Noah are the bread that keeps this team going – the intensity, the energy the Bulls so desperately need if they're going to revive their playoff lives and make it to the Eastern Conference Finals. Deng and Noah have to provide the spark - Deng by slashing to the bucket and creating space, and Noah by banging the boards and being a general nuisance.

And don't get me started on Korver! If you're a "shooter" - but you're missing your shots – and you don't play much defense – what's the point? Exactly! It's the lack of points that’s killing this team.

Atlanta has new confidence after a beat-down on Friday night. Josh Smith has discovered that if you don't heave-up bad shot after bad shot, and instead attack the rim, you will have success – and he did against the Bulls on Sunday. The Bulls are a couple of Jamal Crawford hot-streaks from going home and wondering how the hell they blew a shot at the Conference Finals to the Atlanta Hawks!

Who will rise to the occasion and wear the green shorts and pantyhose?

To reach and win the NBA Finals, a team can't just have one guy. Michael Jordan was title-less until Scottie Pippen arrived. Is it plausible to think the Bulls can win a championship with Derrick Rose as Superman? I don't see it happening unless one of these guys comes up HUGE!

Who do you think is most critical to the Bulls' success? Luol Deng? Carlos Boozer? Kyle Korver? Keith Bogans?

Mark Schanowski on Comcast just said Bogans is the X-factor. When he scores 6 or more points, the Bulls have almost a perfect record. Interesting.

Or does it matter one way or the other? Do the Bulls not have what it takes - or does Derrick drive the bus and the Bulls win it all?