It's Taj Gibson's Time To Shine

It seemed like every trade rumor this offseason, from Rudy Fernandez to Carmelo Anthony, included Bulls backup power forward Taj Gibson's name. His inclusion in trade rumors was more of a compliment than anything else.
Perhaps the most surprising impact rookie of the 2009 NBA season, Gibson averaged nine points and 7.5 rebounds a game for the 41 win Bulls.
Gibson replaced Tyrus Thomas in last year's starting lineup periodically for the first two months of the season and became the permanent starter by January. He was praised for his high basketball IQ and ability to rebound and play solid defense.
With Carlos Boozer out for eight weeks after tripping over a bag and breaking the fifth metacarpal bone in his hand (code for punching a hard object), Gibson will regain his starting power forward spot by default.
A freak injury was bound to happen this year, they almost always do, and it couldn't have happened at a better time or position. Boozer will miss the entire preseason and roughly the first ten games of the regular season. The Bulls play six of their first eight games at home, before heading out to the West Coast on a seven game road trip. Assuming his recovery goes smoothly, Boozer will rejoin the team sometime during the West Coast trip.
Thankfully for the Bulls, Gibson started 70 games last year and already has plenty of experience working with Joakim Noah down low. Noah will be expected to carry more of the scoring burden in the paint during Boozer's absence, while Gibson will have to pick up some of the slack on the boards.
Gibson has said he's worked extensively this offseason on his midrange jumper, and even some from behind the three point line. He will probably get a chance to showcase that jumper if teams direct most of their attention towards Noah down low.
The Bulls were unwilling to part with Gibson this offseason for a reason. As a rookie, Gibson played like a veteran last year. His success was largely attributed to his college basketball experience (three years at USC), and maturity (he turned 25 in June).
Boozer has missed 145 games in his eight year career, and his latest injury was not basketball related, so it's a legitimate concern that he could be injured again sometime this year.
If that's the case, the Bulls couldn't ask for a better back up option than Taj Gibson.