So where are they now?

Well, if you're like me and you LOVE the Bulls, you're probably feeling pretty good right about now. Of course, that can all change after this ruthless 7-game circus trip that includes 3 back-to-backs and a stretch of 4 games in 5 days all in different cities.

As my son just pointed out, our Bulls are leading the league in blocks, #4 in rebounds without Boozer (actually that Wizards game was the first time they were out-rebounded), #2 in rebound %, #6 in ppg, #4 in field goal %, and #8 in opponent turnovers. Other than that lousy game with the Knicks, they've played pretty well as they're only other losses came on the road against a pretty good OKC team and in OT in Boston. And they were totally in both of those games to the very end and actually could have won that Boston game had the refs blown the whistle on Rondo's reach-in to finish the 4th.

Rose vs. Wall - part 1b...I say 1b because they did face off once in the pre-season too. Well, call it 2-0 in favor of our Derrick Rose. While Wall showed off his athleticism, he just isn't quite the basketball player that Derrick is yet. He's flashy and gets on SportsCenter, but doesn't seem to have the hoops IQ Rose has right now. He seems to have a nice head on his shoulders like Derrick (other than dance thing Wall did on opening night in Washington).

Anyway, we've got Boozer coming back in a few weeks (hopefully) and then about 6 weeks for the team to get acclimated with each other before taking on The Three Am-EGOS. That's the Bulls biggest free agent signing since...ummm...EVER! And he hasn't played yet and the Bulls are 5-3 atop the Central Division. If they can just survive this circus trip with a 3-4 record, they'd still be above .500 when they come back. And if they can just remain at or near .500 until Boozer gets back, that would be KEY.

Don't get me wrong...Taj has been FANTASTIC in Boozer's place, but think about how much stronger the bench will be when Taj is added. If we don't see Kurt Thomas ever again, I'll be happy with that. Actually, maybe he can be out there in Orlando to help protect Rose from Dwight Howard who inflicted some damage on our PG not once, but twice last season. I'd prefer that didn't happen next time around with Orlando. With the surprising emergence of Omer Asik, Thibs will have LOTS of options on that front line depending on match-ups with Noah, Asik, Boozer, Deng, and Taj. Both Taj & Boozer can play some C for a more athletic front court; Deng can move to the 4 when Thibs wants to keep some extra scoring while running a 3 guard lineup. And we've already seen a bit of Noah and Asik on the floor at the same time with a twin towers setup.

As I told my son, I'm remaining "cautiously optimistic"...that's all I can do right at the moment as I've had my heart torn out of my chest by Chicago teams my whole life.

GO BULLS!