In a recent post at Bulls Confidential, Doug Thonus asks (and answers) an important question - Is Rip Hamilton the new Keith Bogans?

Thonus cites Thibs' willingness to insert Deng and Rose back into regular rotation minutes (almost) immediately on return from their respective injuries, compared to using much greater restraint with Hamilton's playing time. Is this due to Hamilton's unique set of injuries? Perhaps, though Thonus argues the contrary and assigns Rip the title of Keith Bogans version 2.0.

The reason this is a critical question, and a pretty timely post by Thonus, is it addresses the front office's logic behind making Hamilton the key signing of the Bulls' 2011-2012 season. The expectation, it seems, was that Rip Hamilton would provide the necessary improvement to propel the Bulls past the Heat, and presumably to the NBA Finals.

Here's my question for BaB - can the Bulls win a title this year without Hamilton contributing "more"?