There is no doubt in my mind that the vast majority of NBA pundits picking the Heat over the Bulls are over simplifying their analysis of the Bulls Heat match-up. Most are breaking it down by saying it's two superstars over one. Chris Mullin, a typically shrewd NBA mind, says this series boils down to two perimeter teams and the Heat have more perimeter firepower with their two superstars so they will win. However, I say they are way undervaluing a few very important factors in this match-up: the last minute re-emergence of Carlos Boozer and his typically-stellar playoff presence and the enormous advantage the Bulls bench has over the Heat bench. The Heat bench is a haphazard mix of aging and/or one-dimensional talent, which collectively is not greater than the sum of its parts, which is what you have with the Bulls bench.
Last but not least, when Tom Thibodeau tells his team to jump, they ask how high. Whereas King James (LeBrick) is the dominant personality on the Heat. Spoelstra is smart but he is not a big time presence, certainly not enough to over ride LeBron when needed, in contrast to how Phil Jackson got MJ and Kobe to bend to his will when their teams needed to go that direction.
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