NETS(4) vs BULLS(5): 2013 First Round

[NovU]

Shows Brooklyn Lopez is great but not uncontainable like myPlayer in 2K13.

[graybakflip]

as expected coach thibs made the proper adjustment, obviously PJ didn't as expected, great team effort on stopping dwill and JJ, tho brook did his part. major flaw on nets offense is crash and evans, they shouldn't be playing together for long periods, either insert blatche or CJ for floor spacing, also can't understand that at some point there are no starter on the floor for the nets and brook subbed-in about 6mins to go in the fourth? terrible. if the nets wants to proceed on the second round dwill/jj should improve that 7-27 FG% and expect that hostile environment on the next game at chicago..

[SoF'nAwesome]

Yes, even if the Bulls make it through I don't see them toppling the Heat, with or without Rose.

Trying to use those jinxing skills, mate?

[_Steve_]

[...] since it means more time for him to rest up and be fully healed/confident on his surgically repaired knee.

I found this article interesting as far as the comparisons to other players with similar injuries go. Seems like Rose will soon not be asked when he'll return from injury, but why didn't he return sooner when his team could used some help...

[shadowgrin]

Rose hasn't been any help, looking fit in full scrimmages of late and suggesting the only part of his body still to be convinced of a return was between his ears.

"(at)drose needs to give his leg to Kobe if he's not gonna use it"

I wonder if and when Rose's teammates lose faith and trust in him. He's out on the sidelines still dealing with the mental aspect of his recovery while Noah is on the floor playing injured and not giving a fuck just so his team could win a playoff series.

[Andrew]

Solid bounce-back win to take Game 2 and even the series, which I suppose I should've expected given the way they've been able to follow up terrible losses with respectable victories in a Jekyll and Hyde-like fashion, not to mention the fact the game wasn't televised here while Game 1 was. Naturally, I got to witness the beatdown.

Yes, even if the Bulls make it through I don't see them toppling the Heat, with or without Rose.

Trying to use those jinxing skills, mate?

I don't think it's possible to jinx that.

[...] since it means more time for him to rest up and be fully healed/confident on his surgically repaired knee.

I found this article interesting as far as the comparisons to other players with similar injuries go. Seems like Rose will soon not be asked when he'll return from injury, but why didn't he return sooner when his team could used some help...

It's puzzling, troubling and unfortunate all around. Still, it's all speculation and pretending to have insight into Rose's thoughts, feelings and motives, while comparing apples and oranges as far as different players and their injuries are concerned.

For his part, Luol Deng offered his thoughts on the matter:

“I had a broken leg,” recalled Luol Deng of the stress fracture that many questioned at the time and which kept him out of the thrilling 2009 playoff series with the Boston Celtics. “That’s the bottom line. I had a broken leg. But no one, excuse my language, gave (a darn). To me, there was nothing like that (I ever experienced). I don’t think I can go through anything for the rest of my career that’s going to affect me as much as that did.”

“It’s been bothering me all year,” Deng said about many questioning Rose. “It’s, ‘We love him, we love him. MVP.’ Then it’s why isn’t he coming back? It’s how it is. You don’t think you are being selfish. But somehow you are in wanting him to come back. It’s his decision.”

It’s not like Deng doesn’t understand the fans desire what’s best for the team, as he does. He loves the support he and the Bulls have received. But Deng also understands it’s your life and your livelihood, and how difficult it is to insist you care when everyone believes you don’t.

“If you’re living your life and not on TV and everyone doesn’t know your life, you don’t want someone to come in you don’t know and tell you what to do,” says Deng. “And when you are a competitor the last thing you want to hear (is you don’t want to play).”

[werewolf914]

Here's the fact: people don't want Rose back, they want the MVP D-Rose back. People want him to lead the team, playing awesome, make a cool run in playoff like conf-final,... Their expectation for him is very high. Maybe he know he can't deliver that much right now with his condition and the team crew, so instead of go out and can't get to people expectation and huge drop in his value (imagine, financial,...), he just stay sideline and put up with small loss (people angry a bit, teammate sad a bit,...) then next season he'll be back and still be the-one-guy of the team.

[shadowgrin]

Correct me if I'm wrong but afaik Deng wasn't cleared by doctors to play when the 2009 Playoffs arrived.
Obviously the player should not play when the doctors haven't cleared him yet even if the player feels he can still play hurt.

Noah playing thru injury obviously has a go signal from the team doctor and trainer (maybe with some insistence from Noah himself) and they are doing temporary solutions to alleviate his injury. (painkillers, bandages, pics of KG, etc)

As for players that have been cleared by doctors and was recommended to play some minutes during the regular season to see thru the next step of the rehabilitation or going for a dunk or taking shots during pregame shootarounds, well...

[Andrew]

True. Nevertheless, Deng was speaking out in support of Rose. Perhaps not everyone on the team feels that way, but I'm not sure that his teammates are turning on him as some fans appear to be. I daresay they all know a bit more about the situation than the rest of us and are probably more sympathetic towards Rose and his situation, even if they'd like to have him back out there on the court with him.

[NovU]

phpBB [video]

[Andrew]

While I still think it's presumptuous to assume that Rose is slacking or whatever, Noah's efforts out there on his injured foot are certainly inspiring.

[RedPhazon8]

Some Bulls highlights for those who missed them:

phpBB [video]

phpBB [video]

[_Steve_]

That was a pretty ugly finish on the offensive end. Still Bulls managed to win. They could really use a primary scoring option...

[shadowgrin]

"You've just been friend requested"

Was about to change the channel after seeing it the Bulls were down 5-17, then they started that run. Still changed the channel after the 1st quarter knowing the Bulls will win it if they wanted and there's nothing the Nets can do about it.

[NovU]

The Bulls are a physical team that can play some great defense. That's how they beat the crap out of the Heat's winning streak. Now, that is without their best player Rose, and with their second best player limping, Noah at half health. Just magical...

[Andrew]

It's impressive and I love to see it, but I can't enjoy it too much because at some point, heart isn't going to be enough and talent will overcome. Still, it's nice to see them up 2-1, hopefully they can keep the momentum going.

Gibson's facial reminds me of a couple of his dunks against the Heat in the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals; seems like he saves something special for the Playoffs. There are still question marks when it comes to Gibson and the big extension he received, but I like some of the things he brings to the table, not just an impressive dunk every now and again. Hopefully, he pans out in the long run.

Sweet move by Deng, too.

[bowdown]

What has happened to Gerald Wallace is really sad.

[volsey]

Holy crap. Was about to leave the house with about 2 minutes left in the game while the Nets were just dominating. Then Watson misses an open dunk so I stuck around for an extra possession and am I glad I did. Nate Robinson just dominating, and surprisingly not just scoring, but making the right play, whether thats an inside pass or w/e.

Aaaaaaaaaaannd Joe just stroked a shot with 2 seconds left to force 2OT. Good god this is why I love basketballl. Easily best game I can remember in recent memory.

[Patr1ck]

They just played the song Tool - "Sober" over the PA at the United Center. I might become a Bulls fan.

Crazy good game. Clips/Griz will be at halftime by the time this game ends.

[volsey]

Really Lopez, couldn't just hit that 2nd freethrow?

Well 3OT, nearly every Bull in foul trouble, Nate fouled out, fatigue obviously affecting everyone's shot at this point, nobody can hit a jumper. Nets offense is terrible, iso for Johnson is all they're doing.

[_Steve_]

Man, this is hard to watch. Nets had some really good chances to win it within regular time. But now 3OT.

[bowdown]

The Nets did this to themselves. Them boys are never gonna amount to nothing.

[Jackal]

Show the Nets some RESPECT.

[Andrew]

Wow.

I didn't think this Bulls team was capable of putting 142 points up on the board, even in triple overtime. Great win.

[_Steve_]

Nate had a huge game. 23 of his 34 points coming in the 4th quarter. Those 34 point were the most scored ever by a Bulls reserve in the postseason.
But as bowdown hinted: Bulls didn' t win that game, Nets lost it...