NBA Playoffs Adopt-A-Team: Chicago Bulls, Because They’re Not The Cavaliers

I won't lie. If this was a pitch for you NBA orphans to follow the Bulls during the regular season, I'd have quite the tough task. The team is, by its very definition, average: 41-41 in each of the past two seasons. There's a roster they want to turn over, a coach they don't want (and occasionally shove) and a GM who's a puppet of a VP that wanted to quit. Finally, there's the specter of ownership looming over all of us with the fear that keeping themselves entertaining, yet average, is the true mark of profitability (of which the Chicago Bulls are a dynasty).

But you wouldn't have to worry about that: this is but one series (until we shock the world), and against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Known to some as the best team in the league featuring its best player, but to most as an insufferable group that embodies preening entitlement. Should you go into this series hating the Cavs more than liking the Bulls? Not exactly, but that works too.

And it's not like the Bulls don't have aspects of their team to root for on their own merit. Derrick Rose is one of the more electrifying players in the league, and there is intrigue in every game he plays to see what he's yet to unleash on the NBA. An athletic freak at the position which dominates the ball the most, Rose will be a part of nearly everything good that happens with the Bulls.

There's also the inherent awesome that occurs every time Joakim Noah suits up. You know the phrase describing the type of player that "you hate when he's on the other team, but you love on your team"? That's Joakim Noah! And you can now have him on your team if you become a Bulls fan. Though I like him so much that I can't even see how one would hate him on another team. He may be odd-looking, and display some histrionics when on the court, but it's not the type of shenanigans that are cries for attention (like that of a certain Cavalier), but the emotions of someone who loves to win and gives his all to do so. And it's your chance to learn that it's not just effort and energy with Noah: he has skills (superlative skills for a center) and has made himself one of the more valuable young players in the league.

There are other fun little things about being a Bulls fan in this series, like Brad Miller's old-man game, Taj Gibson's old-man game (though he's a rookie), watching Vinny coach, ripping on Kirk 'Kurt' Hinrich in BlogaBull game threads ... but it is basically Rose and Noah.

And hatred of the Cavs.