Don't look now, but...

[The-Insider]

Chicago is only half a game back from a playoff berth.

1st - Celtics - 33-7 -
2nd - Pistons - 30-13 4 1/2 GB
3rd - Magic - 27-17 8 GB
4rth - Cavs - 23-18 10 1/2 GB
5th - Wiz - 22-18 11 GB
6th - Raptors - 23-19 11 GB
7th - Hawks - 17-21 15 GB
8th - Indiana - 19-25 16 GB
- - - -
9th - Nets - 18 - 23 16 GB
10th - Bulls - 17-24 16 1/2 GB

Although the Bulls are 7 games below .500, out of the Hawks, Nets, and Pacers, they're likely going to be the biggest challenge for the Celts. By all means I am not implying that the Bulls can beat the Celtics, but they can potentially give them a series. It could be the fact that the Nets have lost 7 straight, and the Pacers, and Hawks have only won 3 out of their last 10 games, but either way, the Bulls have been gradually working their way back into the playoff picture. It would be shame that after finishing top of your conference that the Pistons or Celtics could score a team like the Bulls in the first round. Still a lot of ball to play, but the second half should be rather interesting.

[Alfred]

Yep. They have their problems, but they are starting to put it together. Their offense is a work in progress, but at least you are starting to see their defense pull wins out against some of the weaker teams. Noah apparently is the flavour of the month for them, but the question is whether he is just the latest fad for them, or the real deal.

[Mr. Perfect]

I want to see the Bulls get the 7th seed and face the Pistons in the 1st round. They're 3-0 against Detroit this year and they seem to have a knack for revenge. (See Miami series last year)

I do expect the Bulls to finish either 6th or 7th by the time the seaons done.

[Spicy P]

What a pathetic conference. Indiana is 6 games below 500 and are in the playoffs

[DIEHARD_005]

The only reason why the Bulls are even in playoff contention at this point is because of the patheticness (if that's even a word) of the 7th and 8th seeds and not because the Bulls are actually a good team. They've had an easier sched in Jan combined with how bad Indy is, I would be surprised if they weren't challenging for the 8th or 7th spot right now.

[Korr]

HAY LET'S COMPARE TO THE WEST

1. New Orleans 29-12
2. Phoenix 30-13
3. Dallas 28-13
4. Denver 25-16
5. San Antonio 28-13
6. L.A. Lakers 27-13
7. Portland 25-17
8. Golden State 26-18

....

we are not worthy

[dinosaur_dan]

leastern conference ftl.

[foetopsy]

I want to see Bulls and Pistons in a first round matchup , haha

[MjM2xTreMe]

the nets are 18-24 right now. If bulls win tonight then they'd both be tied up.

EDIT: I didnt realize Nets had a game tonight too.

[Magic All The Way]

HAY LET'S COMPARE TO THE WEST

1. New Orleans 29-12
2. Phoenix 30-13
3. Dallas 28-13
4. Denver 25-16
5. San Antonio 28-13
6. L.A. Lakers 27-13
7. Portland 25-17
8. Golden State 26-18

....

we are not worthy

We wouldn't be in the playoffs if we were in the west. However the West's top 10 is really tight. 8th seed is only 4.5 games back from 1st seed.
In the East, the 2nd seed is 4.5 games back from the 1st seed.

[Mak]

Yep. They have their problems, but they are starting to put it together. Their offense is a work in progress, but at least you are starting to see their defense pull wins out against some of the weaker teams. Noah apparently is the flavour of the month for them, but the question is whether he is just the latest fad for them, or the real deal.

they are not putting together....they went 5-5 in their last 10. It's just that Nets lost 7 in a row and Pacers are 3-7 in their last 10. Pretty sad. With Oneal out, Pacers are not finishing in top 8.

There is only 6 good teams in the East, the rest are garbage.

[Consequence]

HAY LET'S COMPARE TO THE WEST

No flippin' way is the reincarnation of Harry Carrey posting on this board.

[Kosta]

Who cares, they still suck. It's a shame we only face them one more time this season.

[inrapscity]

wow. i haven't even paid any attention to the lower playoff spots. can't believe pacers and bulls are still in it or in the hunt.

[Pchu]

This shows what we already know, the East is pathetic.

New Jersey lost 7 straight and yet they are only percentage point behind the 8th spot Indiana?

The Bulls are horrendous all year, and got blown out so many times that they are somehow half a game behind?

Milwaukee is still in the race as well. Even the Knicks aren't really that far back and can make a run at it.

Yes, it's a horrible conference.

[viceroy]

you must be kidding me. you think chicago is going to challenege boston in a playoff series????? ok i had to get that out .. wait theres more whew. lol now that i got that out of me...... zomg the celts would own the chicago in 3 games. the 4th game would be forfeited by chicacgo just so they wont have to go through another humiliation.

[mintsa]

^^^^

Whoever gets that 8th spot against Boston is going down 4 straight.

Bulls, Pacers, Nets, Bucks, Pacers.....dosen't matter.

[theonlyeastcoastrapsfan]

^ isn;t Deng going to be shut down for a while. I can't see that helping. I hope the do make it, and flame out early and don't end up with a lottery pick With all the Kobe to Chicago rumours I was worried about another Boston in our conference. Let's just say if Kobe's happy in La, I'm happy.

[LittleOzzy]

This thread just shows how weak the East really is. No one thought the Bulls had a chance after the first two weeks but other teams in the East have given them the chance to crawl back up into the standings.

In the West they would already be thinking draft night.

[evilRyu]

I think the Bulls can give the Celtics a good series. I think Celtics would win, but wouldn't come as easy as some of you are saying. Ben Wallace can turn it on in the playoffs, and that Bulls unit has more playoff experience together than the Celts have.