By Chris Helgeson

If preseason predictions were any indication, the Chicago Bulls were the team most likely to "take the leap" into the realm of the NBA's elite.

They had the experience after beating the Miami Heat in the playoffs, they had two emerging stars in Luol Deng and Ben Gordon and they'd addressed their need for low post help by drafting Joakim Noah out of the University of Florida.

If preseason predictions meant anything, it would probably be the Houston Rockets and the Chicago Bulls playing for this year's NBA championship.

But as the University of Miami's John Palermo used to say, "That's why they play the game."

Heading into Thursday's contest, it was the Trail Blazers who appeared ready to climb into the upper echelons of the NBA hierarchy. Not only was Portland rated number five in NBA.com's "Power Rankings," but they were also coming off a streak in which they had won 14 of their last 15 games.

While others had expected the emergence of Luol Deng and Ben Gordon, it has been the somewhat less likely emergence of Travis Outlaw and the constant improvement of former Rookie of the Year Brandon Roy that has national sportswriters clamoring for an explanation.

How can the third youngest team in NBA history have more wins than one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference?

As statisticians will tell you, there doesn't seem to be any mathematical explanation. Any Portland fan can tell you, it's because of coaching, drafting and 12 players (15 if you count the guys on injured reserve) playing as one team.

While the Trail Blazers have blossomed under the tutelage of Coach of the Month Nate McMillan, the Bulls have been plagued by inter-office turmoil. Coach Scott Skiles was released after the team's rough start and since his Christmas Eve dismissal, the team has posted a record of 2-1 under Jim Boylan.

Chicago has also watched as forward Tyrus Thomas has seemingly regressed as a basketball player. Despite showing an incredible amount of promise as a rookie, Thomas has suffered through what many consider a "sophomore slump." He's played in just 11 of Chicago's 29 games and only averaged 6.1 points and 4.7 rebounds in the games he does play.

What's worse about Thomas' slump, is that because of their draft day trade, Thomas will forever be linked to Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge. While Thomas has showed flashes of brilliance, it has been LaMarcus Aldridge who has provided the steady inside offensive presence for the Trail Blazers that is noticeably absent from the Chicago roster.

It's almost been a year and a half since the Draft Day trade between the Bulls and the Trail Blazers. Portland sits atop the Northwest Division in a tie with the Denver Nuggets (Denver has one less win and one less loss than the Trail Blazers) while Chicago has stumbled into the 11th spot in the Eastern Conference, LaMarcus Aldridge has become one of the most lethal young power forwards in the NBA, and the Trail Blazers are looking more and more like the surprising young playoff contender that the Chicago Bulls once were.

THE BREAKDOWN
Despite featuring some of the league's best shooters, the Bulls average only 92.8 points per game for 29th best in the league compared to 96.0 points per game for the Trail Blazers... Chicago is the league's best offensive rebounding team while Portland is 25th in the league... The two teams are essentially identical in assists per game with Portland averaging 21.8 and the Bulls averaging 21.6... Portland needs to find ways to create turnovers while limiting their own. The Bulls are 4th best in the NBA at protecting the ball... The Trail Blazers have a substantial edge in 3-point field goal percentage with a season average of 38.1% from behind the arc. Chicago only shoots 33.3% and should be troubled by Coach McMillan's 2-3 zone...

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