Chicago Bulls Might Be Getting Healthy At Just The Right Time

With the returns of Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson, the Chicago Bulls might be getting healthy at just the right time

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Early this season, many of the Chicago Bulls’ end of the year expectations were directly connected to the phrase “if they’re healthy.”

Nearly five months later, not much has changed for the Bulls.

For a team that is still missing its most important player (Derrick Rose) and still running into minor setbacks in the way of “general soreness” on a night-to-night basis, not all optimism is gone for the Bulls. In fact, Chicago may in fact be feeling the best its felt, organizationally, in terms of healthy all season long.

Both Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson, who had missed a combined 21 games during the month of March, both made their return to the Bulls lineup in the past week. The franchise’s once prized possession might not be far behind.

Rose, who from all indications is ahead of rehab schedule, might return to contact practice next week, according to some reports.

With three and a half weeks left in the regular season, that has to be music to the ears of Chicago Bulls fans. Especially after the avalanche of injuries they’ve had to overcome in March.

"[via CSN Chicago]“Yup. Everything’s going as (planned),” said Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau when asked about Rose’s recovery in general. “He still has a ways to go, but he’s doing well overall.”When Thibodeau was asked if Rose would in fact return to contact practice, he wouldn’t hedge but didn’t rule it out, either.“I don’t know. That’s the next step,” Thibodeau said. “It appears he’s pretty close to that.”"

When healthy, I’m not sure if there’s anyone in their right mind that would say the Bulls wouldn’t be a tough out in a seven game playoff series.

Does anyone want to play a team with Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler, Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson and Pau Gasol in the playoffs? Probably not.

Although, the caveat remains to be health with this team.

If the Chicago Bulls are healthy, they can matchup with anyone in the Eastern Conference, even the Cleveland Cavaliers or Atlanta Hawks.

As crazy as it may sound, the Bulls might be in a great position to may a deep playoff push. A month ago, we were writing the Bulls’ eulogy. Now they might have a legitimate argument for being the third best team in the conference, if they can get a few things to go their way.

Sitting in 4th in the Eastern Conference, the Bulls could easily pave a playoff road that would see them face off against a struggling Washington Wizards team in the first round, the unproven Atlanta Hawks in the second round and meet up with the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals.

If given the option, I’m not sure if the Chicago Bulls would decide to have it any other way. That’s not an impossible scenario to navigate through.

If healthy, the Bulls could find themselves in an excellent position. Although, I feel like we’ve been saying this same exact thing for the last few years with this team.

Next: Is Kevin Love beginning to pave his way out of Cleveland?

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