3 In The Key

1. A mirror reflection

I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on this Chicago Bulls team since their loss to the Miami Heat last Sunday. It’s time worth spending because this Bulls team feels different from all the convoluted plans in the league for super stars to come together on a single team. They’re a cohesive unit built around an all world point guard that brings to life the cliche of the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

In the post-Jordan era, the Bulls have always been either terrible, or on the cusp of mediocrity. But when you have the reigning Most Valuable Player and a trip to the Conference Finals under your belt, you elevate yourself into the championship discussion.

In a league that’s only rewarded the title to a handful of teams over the last few decades, its an esteemed honor to be in this circle of few.

But is this Bulls team as currently constructed good enough to win it all? Or are they facing an uphill climb that seems like it will inevitably end in disappointment come playoff time?

It was not long ago that Lebron James ambushed the league with his talents, ending all doubts many had before his rookie season on whether he was just another manufactured phenom with little substance. He carried an inferior cast to the NBA Finals, creating championship expectations for his final years in Cleveland, his out of this world talent helping to mask all their flaws, which came to the forefront in repeated postseason shortcomings.

Mo Williams never proved worthy of being a second option, not when it mattered in the Conference Finals against the Magic. Antawn Jamison was the stretch four who was the final piece to the puzzle, but he disappeared in Lebron’s final games in a Cleveland uniform against the Celtics in the playoffs.

The similarities are hard to ignore.

The Bulls were hoping that the signing of Rip Hamilton would fill the void of a second scorer. So far, he’s been injured more than he’s played. And on nights when Rose struggles with his shooting, players like Kyle Korver, C.J. Watson and Ronnie Brewer are expected to be primary scoring options. Luol Deng is one of most underrated players in the league, but injuries has slowed him down as well. It doesn’t help that Carlos Boozer is earning a max-level contract but never relevant when the games matter most.

Look closely and you come to the realization that the Bulls are a team of limitations, driven by their defense that keeps them in games even on nights when the offense sputters.

If Chicago wants to compete in the post-season, they’re going to need help. Whether it’s O.J. Mayo or J.R. Smith, there are still pieces that are missing to complete the team.

For a championship to return to Chicago, Rose is going to need the same help that Lebron never received during his time in Cleveland.

2. Believing in the Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets are 25-1 to win the championship at the moment.

That’s got to be the best value on the board right now.

Since the Carmelo Anthony trade in mid-season last year, the team’s been on a joy ride. First to the playoffs last season, where a quiet first round exit couldn’t even damper excitement for this year’s squad.

With the emergence of Ty Lawson, paired with Andre Miller, the Nuggets have the best point guard combo in the league. Al Harrington has emerged as a surprise contender for sixth man of the year, and retaining Nene from free agency and the acquisition of Rudy Fernandez via trade gives the Nuggets a ten-deep rotation that’s matched by few.

In a condensed schedule, that gives him an advantage for the regular season that could result in a top four seed.

Look around the landscape of the West, where first place and tenth place are separately by a few games, the conference winner will be the one that gets the right matchups in the playoffs.

I look at the Nuggets and see a team that can matchup with all the contenders in the West.

The problem of a go-to scorer in crunchtime lingers, and is something that the Nuggets need to resolve before the post-season.

They’re as entertaining as the Nash-Nowitzki-Finley Mavericks, with as much potential as the Chris Webber era Sacramento Kings.

It seems that everything the Nuggets have been doing post-Carmelo Anthony has surprised. They’re overachievers by nature of our expectations, but if there’s a team that can come out of nowhere and make a run to the Finals in this year’s sprint, I like the Nuggets’ chances better than any other team you can name.

3. Linsanity

Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin scored 25 points with 5 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals as he did against the Nets on Saturday, a proud moment for all Asian basketball fans like myself. 

The online community reacted accordingly. First with resident Knicks diehard Spike Lee going off with a series of nicknames for Lin on Twitter, including Enter The Dragon, 10 Fingers of Death and Grasshopper.

And yes, I’ve watched this Jeremy Lin Show compilation six times since Sunday morning.

Of course, when asked after the game whether Lin is now the starter, coach Mike D’Antoni replied, “Let me watch the Super Bowl and then we’ll figure it out”.

You’d think he’d be a little more appreciative, considering Lin’s performance probably saved his job.

On Monday, Jeremy Lin made his first career start against the Utah Jazz. And performed beyond anyone’s expectations. His final line: 28 points, 8 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, 8 turnovers. 10 for 17 from the field. 7 for 9 at the free throw line. And several MVP chants in the second half.

This might be real. This might last.

The fact that the possibility even exists makes Jeremy Lin my favorite story of the season so far.

This won’t be the last I write about him.