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Chicago Bulls: Joakim Noah Wants The Cavs, But Can They Beat Them?

By Michael Saenz

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Joakim Noah wants the Cleveland Cavaliers in the playoffs, but could the Chicago Bulls actually beat LeBron James and the Cavs?

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Joakim Noah isn’t afraid to share an opinion, especially if it’s one he wholeheartedly agrees with. So when Noah told reporters that he wants LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the playoffs, it should come as a surprise to no one.

There’s no love lost between these two, and nothing has changed since LeBron has returned to Cleveland.

"[via CSN Chicago]“We’re confident. We’re a confident group,” Joakim Noah said. “Cleveland’s a very good team but we believe in ourselves.“I think we’re a confident group. It’ll be great to play them in the playoffs. Very exciting. It’s something I hope happens.”…"

"“Where do we have an advantage? I’m not sure,” said Noah after being asked where the Bulls have an edge. “But you don’t want to skip steps. These next five, six games are very important for us. If the opportunity presents itself for us to play Cleveland again, I would be very happy. We would be very happy as a team to do that.”"

If the top of the Eastern Conference playoff picture remains somewhat in tact, the Chicago Bulls will probably would meet the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round, after a first round series against the Milwaukee Bucks.

A second round matchup between the Bulls and Cavs is the likely scenario, don’t worry Noah. You’re probably going to get your wish.

With that said, can the Chicago Bulls really upset the Cavs in the playoffs?

Historically, there are few things that have bothered LeBron James-led teams in the playoffs. The two biggest of said things: size and great all-around team basketball.

Here is a list of teams that have beaten LeBron James in the playoffs:

  • Detroit Pistons, 06 (team-oriented basketball)
  • San Antonio Spurs, 07 (team-oriented basketball)
  • Boston Celtics, 08 (team-oriented basketball)
  • Orlando Magic, 09 (Size, team-oriented basketball)
  • Boston Celtics, 10 (team-oriented basketball)
  • Dallas Mavericks, 11 (team-oriented basketball)
  • San Antonio Spurs, 14 (team-oriented basketball)

Another trend in all the teams that have knocked LeBron James out of the playoffs? They were all really good, all of which, except the Pistons in 2006, at least made the NBA Finals. Four won the title.

Do the Bulls possess any characteristics as the teams on that list, though? On the surface, it’s easy to say no. But this Bulls team does have the potential to fall into that list, if healthy.

If Derrick Rose can return to a somewhat healthy phase in the latter part of the season, which is realistic after the type of surgery he decided to undergo, this Bulls team is probably the team — apart from the Atlanta Hawks — that has the best chance to upend the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference.

The Bulls have a top-10 offense and the 12th ranked defense in the NBA, they certainly have the look of a potential Eastern Conference sleeper. They have size and toughness to bother LeBron James, in Joakim Noah, Pau Gasol and Taj Gibson, and the wing to guard LeBron on the perimeter in Jimmy Butler.

Even without Derrick Rose last night, the Bulls played the Cavs tough.

Rose could very well be the deciding factor in a potential playoff series between these two teams. This isn’t the old Chicago Bulls team that was Derrick Rose and not much else, LeBron.

This is one dangerous team-oriented ball club that could be one healthy body away from pushing your team to the brink. If Noah and the Bulls want LeBron and the Cavs, it certainly looks like they’re going to be given the chance.

We’ll see if Noah’s result is any different this time around against LeBron.

Next: Derrick Rose will likely return this week

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