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Chicago Bulls: Could they actually make a playoff push?

By Michael RENE KANOY

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 26: Fred Hoiberg Head Coach of the Chicago Bulls looks on during the third quarter of Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on April 26, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 26: Fred Hoiberg Head Coach of the Chicago Bulls looks on during the third quarter of Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on April 26, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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After winning six straight games, we explore the idea of the Chicago Bulls making the playoffs

The Chicago Bulls have won six straight games, including impressive victories over the likes of the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers.

Chicago now sit at 9-20 and 14th in the Eastern Conference. Although, they’re “only” six games back in the loss column of the 8th seeded New York Knicks. Question is, could they legitimately make a run for the playoffs?

And, if so, is making a run at the playoffs better than essentially tanking for lottery gold?

If Fred Hoiberg can win now, don’t the young guns deserve a chance to prove to both fans and management that a playoff run this year might serve them better for next season than holding out for that next piece of the puzzle, who may take a whole year to fit in?

And keeping Nikola Mirotic and Bobby Portis over the course of the season may actually bring more trade value to both players if management does decide to shop them in the summer.

On the other hand, if the Bulls decide to save the season and make a full-out effort for the playoffs, they’d likely lose any hope they had in the Luka Doncic or Michael Porter Jr. sweepstakes.

If the Bulls miss out on one of the top 7-8 “can’t-miss” prospects in the 2018 draft, because of making a run for the playoffs, they could always try to hit a home run in free agency again. And not necessarily focusing on the big names.

The Bulls could target the younger free agents, such as a Julius Randle (if the Lakers elect to move on) or Nerlens Noel. After all, the NBA Draft is always a crapshoot. You never really know what you’re going to get, even if you have a top 3 pick.

Moving forward, the three news guys (Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and Lauri Markannen) actually give the Bulls a solid ground zero for their rebuild. The decision to make a run for the playoffs or “tanking” for lottery gold is a bonus.

Must Read: NBA: Which teams have had the best benches thus far in 2017-18?

It honestly comes down to one big concern, however. Do the Bulls really think that they have a franchise player currently on the roster? If so, perhaps making a push for the playoffs wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.

Tanking has been the norm or popular route for most “bad” teams in the NBA that the Chicago Bulls making a push for relevancy this early after essentially blowing it all up would be a breathe of fresh air.

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