NP: Bulls vs. Spurs

They're finally starting to think maybe this resurgence is for real. Tonight was the first I heard of the Bulls' "Playoff Payoff" campaign. Obviously, they're still hedging their bets on the chance this year is a fluke, by giving you first dibs on playoff tickets this year, should they become available, if you put down a deposit for season tickets for next year.

I remember when the Bulls season ticket waiting list was longer than Martha Stewart's "To Do" list upon getting out of the clink earlier today. And I can't believe I just made a reference to that.

Anyway, the Bulls are surprising me so far tonight. After Tuesday's blowout, I would have written the Spurs game off and focused on sweeping the back to back with Milwaukee. But there they are, hanging in there through three quarters so far, despite the injury to Luol Deng. If Gordon can come through in the clutch -- for the eight gazillionth time this year -- they could steal this one in San Antonio.

Will they make the playoffs? The conventional wisdom has Boston and Philadelphia reloading to make their own runs at the trade deadline, so the path isn't quite as clear in the East as it was earlier this year. And I'm still mixed on starting center Eddy Curry. In the win over Miami, he should have had a career high once Shaq left with an injury. In the loss to Houston, the Bulls managed to get both Yao Ming and Dikembe Mutombo in foul trouble in the first half, but couldn't capitalize. I've definitely seen improvement, but not enough for him to really be a dominant NBA big man. Not yet, anyway.

If Curry can start rebounding and stop losing the ball as he brings it down before attacking the basket, yes, this is a playoff team. If not, I'm starting to wonder if the kids can rise above their mistakes and get the job done in the long run. Much like they weren't playing bad ball when they were losing in the early part of the season, they're not necessarily playing good ball when they're winning, and that will only get them so far.