Despite having starting center Ben Wallace out with a sinus infection, the Bulls continued to perform well. They are the up-and-coming team in the NBA Central, vying against another team that had made big gains over the past two years—the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Guard Ben Gordon, in his third NBA season, has continued to mature, expanding his numbers each season. With 21.2 PPG, 3.6 APG and 3.1 RPG, Gordon has become a major force on the court, averaging 32.6 MPG. Point guard Ken Hinrich, in his fourth year, throws in 16.7 PPG whole dishing off 6.2 APG. His assists have been consistent throughout his short career but his points per game have grown each year as he has grown more comfortable in his leadership role. Swingman Luol Deng, like Gordon, is in season number three. Under the boards, he’s become commanding grabbing 7.0 RPG and from the field he’s a sure-handed field goal shooter, hitting 51.90% of is tries for an average of 19.0 PPG. Argentine forward Andres Nocioni, part of the trifecta of Bull third-year guys, ably abs 5.9 RPG and puts in 14.8 PPG.

Ben Wallace is the veteran who holds all of these talented, inexperienced, young men together. The glue of the club is averaging 2.1 BPG while pumping in 6.4 PPG and controlling 10.8 RPG. Wallace, who came over from Detroit this year, brought the kind of stability, experience and leadership to the court that only a 10-year veteran winner can.

Chicago (45- 31) is presently battling LeBron James (27.5 PPG, 6.4 APG, 6.7 RPG) and the second-seed Cavs (45- 31). The Bulls could be the surprise team of the 2007 post-season.

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