The Chicago Bulls' best player hasn't played all year, they acquired no one of significance in the offseason and they're 23-16. The Lakers, meanwhile, acquired every Hall of Famer available in the market and are somehow putrefaction made flesh on the basketball court. These two teams, to my great misery, are playing tonight in Chicago.

The Bulls have won 8 of their last 12 to push themselves, somewhat quietly, toward the upper reaches of the Eastern Conference. They're just a game-and-a-half back (and tied in the loss column) with the Central Division-leading Indiana Pacers and two-and-a-half back of the infinitely more hyped New York Knicks. No one on their roster is racking up gaudy stats, but as usual for a Tom Thibodeau-coached squad they've excelled at the defensive end. Luol Deng, who has a strained right hamstring, might not play tonight. That would be a great help to a Kobe Bryant trying to rediscover his scoring touch on weary legs.

Happy MLK Day to one and all.