Lets talk about the Bulls.

[Birdbrain]

They might end up top 4 because they will win their division but, I would rank the East as such:

Boston
Orlando
Miami
Atlanta
Chicago
NY
Pacers
Bucks or Charlotte

Rose is both a poor defender and distributor (way over-hyped unless you are fan of up and under moves by your PG) and they lack the size to play with Boston,Orlando, and Atlanta.  Miami will be better at the end of the year and will challenge Orlando for the right to play Boston in the ECF.

[celticinorlando]

they need a ray allen type to play the 2

[snively]

Bulls:
PG Rose-----Rose: Much better now;yr. 3 v. Rookie= major jump
SG Gordon---Bogans: Bogans better on D; Gordon better O. I think Gordon is still a major net positive over Bogans, but Celticsblog loves to rag on Gordon and loves D, so who knows?
SF Salmons--Deng: Major upgrade
PF Thomas---Boozer: Major upgrade. Finally legit post presence.
C Noah------Noah: Significant upgrade. Yr. 2 to yr. 4.

PG2 Hunter----Watson: Downgrade (hunter had a proven playoff skill)
SG2 Hinrich---Korver:
SF2 ----------Brewer: I'd say overall upgrade at the bench 2/3; Better size for a true sf backup and Brewer/Korver provide specialized versatility
PF2-----------Taj Gibson:
C2 Miller-----Kurt Thomas: and including James Johnson, I'd say overall upgrade at the 4/5. Boozer and Noah can handle the 5 so it doesn't matter much what Thomas gives; Gibson is a very very good bench guy.

Celtics:
PG Rondo-----Rondo: Better now, but not as much better than Rose is compared to Rose as rookie
SG Ray---Ray: About the same, not much drop so far
SF Pierce--Pierce: About the same; drawing fewer fouls but shooting better (because of redistribution of roles to Rondo)
PF Davis---KG: Despite some green-glasses wearers, this is a major major upgrade
C Perk------Shaq: small but noticeable upgrade, but contingent upon Shaq looking like he does now in the playoffs

PG2 Marbury----Robinson: Significant upgrade, if he's used
SG2 House---Delonte: Should be an upgrade, if healthy
SF2 ----------Daniels: Should be an upgrade, if healthy
PF2 Scal------Davis:Major upgrade
C2 Moore-----Perk/JO: Major Upgrade


So both teams are drastically different, Chicago moreso.

In conclusion, I would be worried. The way the two teams are playing now, the C's look to be obvious favorites. A lot depends on Boozer's integration. Looking at the starter matchups, which, of course, is more relevant in the playoffs, I'd have to say Chicago has maybe improved more that the Celtics at the major key positions.

Scary team, we'll see.

Like the Jazz of the past few years, the Bulls are too weak on the wing to get over the top.  They have chosen a defensive orientation that might serve them better in the playoffs, but, on the flipside, their offense is a bit weaker than the Jazz at their peak.

[greenpride32]

All the preseason hype for the Bulls was because of the additon of Boozer, and he's just played 2 games.  So it's too early to tell how they will be when he's in full swing.  Working a new guy in against the likes of ORL and then BOS is not exactly the best circumstances.

CHI originally said Deng would come off the bench once Boozer returns but they both started last night; not enough ball for all their scorers.  Deng can be a lethal offensive player off the bench, like a Jamal Crawford type.

But having said all that, I don't see them beating out BOS or ORL for the top 2 seeds.  Most likely it will be a battle between ATL MIA CHI and maybe even IND for 3-6.