The Fight For The 8th Spot

As of today the Bulls are tied with Philadelphia for the 8th and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Our airwaves and plasma screens are currently bombarded with the hype, and hope, of a second year of playoff basketball. Our "experts" talk about the fight for that coveted final spot and dangle that carrot, the one filled with thoughts of our Jordan era teams, in front of Bulls fan's eager faces. I've seen eyes light up in conversations, smiles spread over the idea of the playoffs, even momentary lapses in depression at the mere chance that the Bulls might win their 7th championship. I too dream of the days when the championship trophy is once more hoisted in a triumphant Grant Park ceremony, but the fact is, even if we do make the playoffs, this season will be a failure.

There are 2 reasons for this line of thought. The first being that even if the Bulls do make it to the playoffs, they will be destroyed by the Detroit Pistons. Anyone who thinks that our Chicago team has a chance at defeating the top team in the East, the one that has made it to the finals two years in a row, the team that dominates opponents with their stifling defense and amazingly efficient offense, is painfully kidding themselves. It's a waste of time to dream of something that you know can never happen, think of Guns n' Roses' Chinese Democracy album, for inevitably, and irrevocably, those dreams will be shattered.

The second reason applies to next year's draft. The Bulls have New York's pick this year, and thanks to Isiah Thomas that will be a damn good draft slot, plus our own. Making the playoffs drops our draft position down between one and two places. In an NBA draft that last two rounds and, even then, ends up being more watered down than a Miller Lite, those two positions are big. The difference between the 10th pick in the draft and the 12th pick in the draft could mean the difference between a powerhouse big guy, to complement the front court player we're sure to take with the Knick's pick, and a role player who will probably be traded in two years.

So I say, flush this season down the toilet and look to the future. I mean, is a losing record really considered a positive just because we made the over-stocked NBA playoffs? Our back court is loaded. Heinrich, Gordon, Duhon - they're the reasons we're even in this hunt. The Bulls' big guys, oh Sweetney you big oaf, have offered nothing to help out the stellar play of our guards. If we had one dominant player inside, and I love Chandler but he's far from dominant, we wouldn't even be having these discussions about the 8th spot, we'd be talking about playoff tickets for game one of the first round. And that's exactly what we'll be doing next year, after a monster draft that should propel us into the elite of the East. Then, and only then, will our desire at another championship be a realistic possiblity. Otherwise, get used to talking about that 8th spot.