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Opponent File
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls play in the United Center in Chicago, IL. Their 2006 - 2007 record was 49 - 33 (third in the Central). Here is the Chicago Bulls Roster.

Local Papers:
Chicago Sun-Times | Bulls
Chicago Tribune | Bulls
Team Pages:
CNNSI.com | Bulls
ESPN.com | Bulls
FoxSports | Bulls
NBA.com | Bulls
Sportsline.com | Bulls

Head Coach: Jim Boylan (interim)
2007 Draft: F/C Joakim Noah (#9), Florida; C Aaron Gray (#49), Pittsburgh; G James OnCurry (#51), Oklahoma State.
New Players: - F Joe Smith (Free Agent).
Season Goal: Win the Eastern Conference and go to the NBA Finals. With their talent, anything less (excepting a trade for Kobe) is unacceptable.
Record vs. Nets: 0 - 1
G1: Nets 112, Bulls 103 OT

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Chicago Bulls (21 - 31) - Wednesday, February 20, 2008, 7:30PM EST - Izod Center
No Bull, It's A Whole New Deal
The future starts tonight at the Izod, where the Chicago Bulls will take on the new-look Nets. New Jersey will need a heart transplant now that Jason Kidd has left the building - Kidd was the heart, soul and lungs of a franchise that was steeped in mediocrity until he arrived. And now, it's Devin Harris' team. Harris may not even play as he recovers from an ankle injury, but look for Desgana Diop to make at least a cameo. Who knows what the plans are for Trenton Hassell, Mo Ager, and good ol' Keith Van Horn, whom we last crossed paths with back in 2002. As for the Bulls, well, same story as the Nets - underachievement - but they haven't been able to make any moves as of yet, and their two youngsters, Ben Gordon and Luol Deng, turned down new contract offers at the beginning of the season, so things will get interesting in Chicago shortly. The coach was clipped back around Christmas, the team is at the moment behind the Nets in the playoff race, and things are not getting better in the Windy City either. But hey, trades, injuries or chaos non-withstanding, there's a game to be played.

Why Should You Watch? Things will be so different without Kidd, it qualifies as watching a new team at the Izod. Devin Harris is listed as out for the Nets, so we'll probably not get a look at him. But Marcus Williams needs the playing time, and the confidence, so hopefully both come in large doses. Get your first glimpse at Carter, Jefferson and Diop - doesn't that have a ring to it. With Kidd gone, who takes over the leadership role for the Nets? What kind of team personality do they acquire? Laid back, like Carter? Intense, like Sean Williams and Darrell Armstrong? This is one interesting experiment that Lawrence Frank finds himself with, starting tonight.
- Joe

Chicago Bulls Cheat Sheet
The Story From Chicago: Are the Bulls looking to deal? From the Chicago Tribune: " It's no secret Paxson is offering Ben Wallace and the remaining two seasons on his hefty deal around the league. But (Ben) Gordon's name is being mentioned in some circles as well.

Paxson isn't responding to rumors between now and the deadline, and he certainly won't give Gordon away. But because he knows Gordon will seek more than $10 million per season, and with (Thabo) Sefolosha starting to settle into his starting role, he could be a safer long-term alternative.

With Gordon stating he plans to return from his sprained right wrist for Wednesday's game in New Jersey, Sefolosha is merely happy to be receiving consistent minutes.

"It's helped me play more freely," Sefolosha said. "That's why I've been able to try to be more aggressive. Offensively, I've been trying to get to the basket more. And defensively, I can get into a rhythm.

"But I can do a lot more. I'm still learning and trying to improve. I have too many turnovers right now. I can make more open shots. I judge myself the hardest, so I'm always going to say I can play better."

Pain Game: F Luol Deng (Achilles) is out, but practiced with the team on Tuesday and may play. G Ben Gordon (wrist) is questionable, but he practiced as well. G Chirs Duhon (back) and G Kirk Hinrich (ribs) are day to day. G Devin Harris (ankle) is listed as out, but we're not sure what the deal is.

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