Who are these Chicago Bulls?

Some days they make you want to watch C-Span.

Or read a Rod Blagojevich memoir.

The Chicago Bulls have looked like a different team these days. The past five or so games, the Bulls have rebounded well, ran the open court, played a hint of defense, and Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah were more than useful.

The Bulls trampled the New Orleans Hornets 107-93 on Wednesday. Chris Paul and Tyson Chandler weren't there and the Bulls did what they were supposed to do.

Road wins don't come easy for this team. Even when they win, they'll jump in front early and relent to make the games more interesting than they need to be. In many instances, like when they recently played the New York Knicks, they've outplayed the opponent for 40 minutes and still gave it away at the end.

No, the Bulls have flashed what looks like a respectable Eastern team that can take some opponents by surprise. Sounds like the core of three years ago--eh?

Never mind. The bigs are actually diving toward the hoop when Derrick Rose gets trapped, opening up the floor, and even notching a few easy baskets. This is basketball, remember?

It's befuddling why Thomas and Noah have not had more dunks via an assist from Rose at this point. In one sequence while in Houston, Thomas set up the pick for Rose and dove to hammer home an alley-oop Paul-Chandler style.

Cue the hamster on the wheel inside Thomas' head.

Where has that been all season?

Why doesn't Thomas do this more often? Does he watch tape? Does he?

The Bulls are jumping passing lanes, using their athleticism (and lack of size) as an asset, rather than a weakness. Charlotte looked over-matched 30 seconds into the game. Think about it for a moment:Thomas was the game-changer.

• (Prediction: Two games from now, Thomas will get into early foul trouble and net about three rebounds and seven points in both showings and I'll be calling him "useless.")

Of course, it also helped that the Bulls shot a season-high 56.2 percent from the field. They opened up to an astonishing 80 percent. Rose again had the hot hand, ending up with 21 points. One thing, I don't understand is DelNegro's substitutions. He might be too quick to pull players when their shot is falling.

Rose sat early on and sank three shots from the elbow in the first quarter as Antonio Daniels was going under the screen to guard Rose. It's a glimpse of the near future, and a sign that Rose is progressing.

He understands the game, understands what he needs to do to become more effective and has impeccable instincts. It was tempting to see him matched up against Paul Wednesday, but a win is more important for this team right now because the lottery seems like a long-shot.

By the way, fans should take note of how poor the Hornets were without a potential MVP in Paul. Good point guards can make a team that much better; David West, who was chosen over a better Al Jefferson, should only be so thankful.

And we know what kind of player Tyson Chanlder is without Paul.

The All-Star game is nearing and the Bulls don't have a representative to send to the big game.

Maybe not a big deal, since they already have a star.

But that's the starting point. The trade deadline is near and the Bulls have little that teams want. Role-players are not stars. I have a hunch that Kirk Hinrich will be moved since he has a declining contract and is still a better-than average point guard and defender. Teams like Portland, Orlando without Jameer Nelson for possibly the season, Los Angeles without Andrew Bynum and may need a defensive push and Golden State would be so lucky to have him.

Andres Nocioni and Drew Gooden could be gone. Larry Hughes may stay. Will anyone take Vinny DelNegro?

Sorry. The Bulls may still need some shooters.