Bulls and Thunder

So many similarities do the Thunder and Bulls have...first off, let's say this is a necessary step in the development of their teams, to lose, to have adversaries, to find limitation. Both are newly minted teams. New additions to a core of star, but developing players. Youth who don't believe they have any limitations yet.

And many differences.

The Thunder need to establish their pecking order, the flow of ball control. With Westbrook clearly desiring stardom, akin to Dwayne Wade, a dominant 6'3" shooting guard who handles and dishes, the hierarchy isn't yet clear. And clearly Brooks, their coach, wants those guys to work it out amongst themselves, knowing that the true chemistry that brings championships is born through mutual understanding fraught from both winning and discord.

The Bulls however, have a clear pecking order. A dominant Point Guard, Derek Rose, who has jets, then a cast of guys who can play D and occasionally score. Luol Deng has become the second option that Carlos Boozer was supposed to be. Deng unfortunately, should be a third option on a championship team, and with Thibedeau's emphasis on defense, and the less flexible nature of the team's lineup, this is never going to be a team that will blow another team off the court. Ultimately, they don't have that finisher, who can grind it out in a half court setting.

Not many teams do- and some teams that thought they had one, don't. The playoffs showed Kobe isn't enough anymore. Neither was Zach Randolph. And sadly, and surprisingly, neither was Kevin Durant.

But it isn't because KD can't be that kind of player, he just isn't yet. Having his shot blocked by Shawn Marion was a classic juxtaposition of veteran versus young talent. Unsure of exactly what to do, Durant's lack of experience, and lack of creativity was easy for Marion to take advantage of, knowing which options could be defended in that situation.

This brings us back to some of the Thunder's issues. Neither Durant or Westbrook should be player pulling the trigger. Both are potential superstars, but neither is capable, as LeBron is, or Kobe was, of creating enough consistency in crunch time themselves. If Va Gundy didn't make it abundantly clear, the Thunder have the trigger man they need in James Harden. A High IQ guy, with no real flaws in his game. His ballhandling made him look every bit a big, bullish point guard in the Chauncey Billups model. Hits 3's can drive, makes good decisions, can be deadly. He rarely shoots a shot he shouldn't and almost all of his shots look like they will fall. And the kid knows where his team mates are. Once the pieces fit, with Harden leading the attack, Westbrook on the left wing, Durant on the right, the Thunder will create good shots for their stars almost every time down court. They should be, when all is said and done one of the most consistent teams on both ends of the court in the next five years.

Chemistry is the only question. And once that's answered, the path to the Western Finals is open, with the Lakers and Mavs both going into decline over the next two years. Only Memphis seems like a potential challenger, with the Blazers sadly sinking out of contention with the tragic diminishment of Brandon Roy.

The Bulls however, will always have the Heat to contend with. Imagine how things would be if the Bulls just signed Bosh instead of Boozer. Another legit scoring presence who can hold his own on the D side of the ball- rather than Carlos, who is undersized, a bit sluggish, not as powerful as one would think, and has a softer inside game than a guy with his heft and strength should have. And let's not discuss his D, which, in my opinion, makes him a potential bench sitter in crucial 4th quarter situations.

Unless Rose transforms into a consistent, deadly outside shooter, he will never truly be able to carry his team to Game 7 wins.

But, the paths are clear. Both teams are going to be contenders for years to come. Champions? The Thunder have all the pieces and coaching in place, and it's a matter of chemistry, which can only happen with losses like these. Chicago? Still a piece away. Maybe if they can trade Boozer, and Noah can become a 14 ppg player, and a scoring perimeter player, someone like Kevin Martin can take over the role of 2nd scorer, the Bulls can climb past the Heat. But right now, they look like a distant second, particularly if Miami tinkers with its roster, and finds a real big man to clog the middle.

Who knows- maybe Dexter Pittman!