Chicago Bulls Thread

[Jackal]

You mean like how Wallace "contained" Shaq last year? With Rasheed alongside him? If I recall correctly, he even had a 28 point game against Ben.

[cheater1034]

nobody can contain shaq, the dude's a monster plus they give him the calls on everything even if you brush some sweat off him.

The heat are an old team that do get fatigued quick. Dwade had a good season until his injury, i dont think he'll be back to the swing of things for awhile.

I think though this is the best 1st round series of all, and better than a lot of semifinal and conference final matchups can be.

This will definitely be a great series despite the fatique, if dwade can play close to 80%, and shaq plays good (he will), and they get a third guy/some bench production they should take out chicago (especially if they shoot those ugly jumpshots :X)

[Andrew]

Well, it wasn't the finish they needed or the momentum they'd like heading into the postseason but now's not the time to get discouraged. This is the hand they've been dealt so they'll just have to make the best of it. I don't know if the age of the Heat will really be a huge advantage and Wade is still dangerous despite the banged up shoulder. Having homecourt advantage is probably one of their greatest strengths heading into the series. If they can take the first two games I like their chances.

[Dan's Brain]

The Bulls have outplayed the Heat pretty well this season, and at full-strength are a tough matchup for any team in the league, let alone a squad of aging superstars and a superstar who is only at 80%.

I think the Bulls can play this better than people are anticipating and make a solid push for the conference finals. The 2 seed would have been ideal, but if you're going to win titles, you've gotta beat the better teams anyway.

[Matt]

You mean like how Wallace "contained" Shaq last year? With Rasheed alongside him? If I recall correctly, he even had a 28 point game against Ben.

Straight up man-to-man Wallace contained Shaq. Shaq averaged 21.7ppg. at least 4 ppg can be attributed to Wallace having to leave Shaq and cover a drving Wade or Williams who had no problem throwing an alleyoop. Then theres Shaq's 4.3topg which was mostly caused by Wallace's steals, taps and offensive fouls. Keep the perimeter locked and you can handle Shaq.

[shadowgrin]

Thabo on Wade.

[Cornerthree]

Man, so many bizzare fouls, if not the f*****' refs, Heat would've won it..

[beau_boy04]

Thank you Bulls! for providing me and my family such a great and happy saturday

[TSquared]

LOL...Bulls will go further than they did last year..but they won't get a finals appearance though..they're not that mature enough..

[shadowgrin]

^ Ditto. They allowed a Shaq-Wade-less Heat to catch-up on the score.

Man, so many bizzare fouls, if not the f*****' refs, Heat would've won it..

In case you haven't seen, Kirk Hinrich was also in foul trouble.

[jots]

Man, so many bizzare fouls, if not the f*****' refs, Heat would've won it..

In case you haven't seen, Kirk Hinrich was also in foul trouble.

Yeah but Weinrich actually commited those fouls. Some of the calls against Miami were absolutely ridicolous...

[Andrew]

Great start to the series with an awesome performance by Deng and Gordon. It's nothing to get too excited about just yet as imagine the Heat won't be phased by the loss but after the disappointing finish to the regular season with the loss to the Nets and dropping to fifth, it's great to see them come out and take the first game...if you're a Bulls fan, anyway.

[---]

Yeah, that game was very entertaining. Thabo defence on Wade was very impressive with his length causing problems. That pass from Ben Wallace in I think the second quarter was a bit of a shock, that was like an elite PG type move

[maes]

sweeeep.

[---]

Hell yeah, thats smething I would definately like to see.

Luol was amazing tonight. After looking hopeless at the start he has been near unstoppable. Ben was great too. Kirks foul trouble in back to back games worries me, even though Chicago has done just fine without him I still think they will need him to win this series. I wouldn't say the Heat have woken just yet.

EDIT: Posey strikes back

Steve Kerr on the "Posey Sucks!" chants: They were saying something to the effect of "We Don't Like James!"

[Andrew]

14 fourth quarter points from Deng, 6/7 from the field with a pair of free throws. I thought Gordon was going to be pushing 40 by the end of the night when he finished the third with 27 but still a fine performance with the 7 rebounds and 5 assists and the three threes in the third. Great to see them rally when the lead started to dwindle early in the fourth as well since that's been a weakness for them this year.

The next two games are going to be tough to say the least. A split is all they need though to put them in a good position to close out the series at home in five. Even with the homecourt in game seven if necessary, they can't afford to leave the door open against a team like Miami.

[Dan's Brain]

Kirks foul trouble in back to back games worries me, even though Chicago has done just fine without him I still think they will need him to win this series.

Wait for games 3 and 4. Kirk's been the Bulls' only constant on the road this year. And they still managed to keep Wade to only 6 free throw attempts.

At this stage, im standing by my Bulls in 5 prediction, which i dont think i made public. But yeah.

[Matt]

So far, Chicago held serve. Remember they did the same vs Washington, and in games 3, 4 last season. Miami will probably adjust by starting Posey and the refereeing will probably will be such that it allows Shaq to stay on the floor.

[Andrew]

I'd say the Bulls are very mindful of that. I would suggest they're in a better position this time around given the young players have more experience and they aren't missing two starters as they were in the Washington series.

[Andrew]

3-0 after today's win. Another strong showing by Gordon, Deng and Hinrich in particular; Gordon's averaging 26, 6 and 6 for the series so far, Deng around 28 and 8.

[The X]

looks like the non-trade of Deng & Gordon could've been the best GM work this season if the two of these guys continue their current form....

good to see the steel balls guys like Hinrich & Nocioni stepping up

[Andrew]

looks like the non-trade of Deng & Gordon could've been the best GM work this season if the two of these guys continue their current form....

I wonder if Bill Simmons will be inclined to change his trade deadline grade.

[---]

I slept through the game.

Any way, I watched highlights and was shocked to see Luol Deng go down hard against Miami again.

If Miami pulls this next game out at home they are gonna be hearing alot of boo's once again in Chicago. What the hell is wrong with them anyway? Everytime they play, one of their players commits a flagrant type move. James Posey is mostly to blame, but this is now getting rediculous. I'm sick of seeing the usual "knock-Luol-to-the-ground-as-hard-as-possible" foul. I remember Miami was going on about Kirk Hinrich spraining Wade's wrist, then Nocioni pushing Dwyane into the crowd a couple years back but they have gone way over the top with getting back at the Bulls.

Can't wait for another two and a half hours of "Posey Sucks!" chants.

EDIT: Actually I would rather a sweep.

[Dan's Brain]

Kirks foul trouble in back to back games worries me, even though Chicago has done just fine without him I still think they will need him to win this series.

Wait for games 3 and 4. Kirk's been the Bulls' only constant on the road this year.

As i was saying...


Terrific showing from the Bulls, although Miami did seem to shoot themselves in the foot from the free-throw line.

The Heat wont let this one slip away, though. They will need to come out very, very strong to have any hope of breaking the Bulls' momentum, but they must have won a championship somehow.

[Dan's Brain]

Kirks foul trouble in back to back games worries me, even though Chicago has done just fine without him I still think they will need him to win this series.

Wait for games 3 and 4. Kirk's been the Bulls' only constant on the road this year.

As i was saying...


Terrific showing from the Bulls, although Miami did seem to shoot themselves in the foot from the free-throw line.

The Heat wont let this one slip away, though. They will need to come out very, very strong to have any hope of breaking the Bulls' momentum, but they must have won a championship somehow.