Andrew's 06 Bulls, Part 2 :: 07/08 (October 2007)

[kibaxx7]

So it's 47 straight wins, am I right? Plus BG with 52 and 18 dimes? Incredible

[rise]

The Lakers are 26-49! Now's your time to drop 82 with Gordon! On Kobe!!! GOOOOO!!!

[Andrew]

So it's 47 straight wins, am I right? Plus BG with 52 and 18 dimes? Incredible

That's what I wrote.

:shock: The Lakers are 26-49! Now's your time to drop 82 with Gordon! On Kobe!!! GOOOOO!!!

Perhaps. Another big game does seem to be in order.

[rise]

I'm ready!

[Fresh8]

Again, I am subconsciously controlling BG7 so that he can't get close to 81.

[Andrew]

Then I'm afraid you're in for a big disappointment, Sit.

April 17th, 2007
Los Angeles (75) at Chicago (127)
Gordon has game for the ages in Bulls' rout of Lakers
[ Boxscore ]


Gordon soars past Kobe Bryant for the slam

The season isn't quite over yet, but Ben Gordon may have just put the exclamation point on his incredible year.

The Bulls' 127-75 blowout of the Los Angeles Lakers took a backseat to a historic night for Gordon, who poured in an amazing 92 points, making 41 of 59 field goal attempts and connecting on all nine of his free throws. He also tallied his third quadruple double of the season and his career with 12 rebounds, 10 steals and 10 assists.

Though Gordon scored early and often, racking up 24 points in the first quarter, the Lakers kept pace with the Bulls through the first eight minutes of the quarter despite All-Star guard Kobe Bryant taking an early seat due to foul trouble. Chicago pulled away and Los Angeles wouldn't come close the rest of the way, as Bryant played just 12 minutes in a five point, foul plagued night.

It was undoubtedly Gordon's night in the battle of star shooting guards however, as the reigning Finals MVP scored 67 points before Kobe made his first field goal with 3:23 remaining in the third quarter. Gordon, who scored 43 first half points, had 33 in the third quarter to tie George Gervin's record for points in a single quarter.

Gordon completed his quadruple double with 2:23 remaining in the game and scored his 92nd point with just under 18 seconds remaining in the game. Carlos Boozer was the only other Bull to score in double digits, contributing 12 points along with 10 rebounds. Lamar Odom led the way for the Lakers with 24 points to go along with seven rebounds and Smush Parker scored 10 points while handing out eight assists.

Notes: Gordon's 41 made field goals is a new NBA record. The previous high was 36, set by Wilt Chamberlain in his historic 100 point game on March 2nd, 1962...Gordon now has three career quadruple doubles, more than any other player in league history...the Bulls edged the Lakers 43-37 on the boards, though Los Angeles had 22 offensive rebounds compared to 12 by Chicago...the Bulls made all 12 of their free throw attempts. The Lakers were just 5/10 from the foul line.

Current Record: 71-5
Next Game: vs Orlando Magic; 42-34 (April 19th)

[Fresh8]

Well, you can redeem yourself by writing a good article about how this was better than Wilt's 100.

Also, I obviously did not learn well enough from the Zen Master. I thought I could master the mind control he does with Ron Artest. (Don't shoot, don't shoot, BAM, Three!)

[Andrew]

I might just do that at some point. In the meantime, I grabbed this screenshot for posterity:



If only I'd been able to get a few more threes to go down...

[kibaxx7]

92 points in a quadruple-double? Sorry Wilt. You have the best performance ever right here.

[Axel The Great]

If more of those threes had dropped, that would've indeed passed Wilt's 100. Definitely the best individual performance in league history.

[rise]

Wow. Did Ben Gordon assist every shot he didn't take or something like that???

Looks like I've got to get 93 with Jared Dudley...

[Houndy]

Holy crap, I think Ben Gordon is MVP. How much did it raise his PPG?

[Andrew]

92 points in a quadruple-double? Sorry Wilt. You have the best performance ever right here.

One could certainly make that argument!

If more of those threes had dropped, that would've indeed passed Wilt's 100. Definitely the best individual performance in league history.

Indeed, just three more would've done it. Some wide open shots with what seemed like a well-timed released clanged off the rim though; that's the dice roll shooting logic for you.

Wow. Did Ben Gordon assist every shot he didn't take or something like that???

Looks like I've got to get 93 with Jared Dudley...

Close to it. Good luck on getting 93, I had to spam the Outside Scorer FSS a fair bit to get to 92.

:shifty: Holy crap, I think Ben Gordon is MVP. How much did it raise his PPG?

About a full point.

[Andrew]

April 19th, 2007
Orlando (99) at Chicago (123)
Bulls tie all-time wins record, blow out Magic
[ Boxscore ]


Kyle Korver was a perfect 4 of 4 from downtown

A slow start was quickly forgotten as the Chicago Bulls seized control of tonight's game against the Orlando Magic with a 40-21 second quarter and never looked back. Ben Gordon, coming off a historic game against the Los Angeles Lakers, scored 30 points, dished out 12 assists and rested the entire fourth quarter as the Bulls defeated the Magic 123-99 for their 72nd win of the season, tying the all-time record set by the team in 1996.

Despite trailing by as many as thirteen in the first quarter, Chicago finished the quarter strong to cut the deficit to seven and then took the lead early in the second quarter after receiving an unexpected lift from backup shooting guard Monta Ellis. Ellis scored 16 of his 26 points during a seven minute span in the second quarter, helping Chicago outduel the Magic and begin a run that saw them take a 61-49 lead into halftime.

Gordon scored 16 in the third quarter as the Bulls continued to run away with the game, also finding his teammates for six of his 12 assists in the period. Carlos Boozer scored 23 points on the night while adding seven rebounds and Tyson Chandler had a team high 11 boards, but both struggled to contain up and coming big man Dwight Howard down low. Howard, the first overall pick in 2004, finished with 18 points and 13 rebounds. Kelvin Cato also had a big night scoring 18 of his own and snaring a game high 16 rebounds.

Chicago rested their starters the entire fourth quarter but the Magic were unable to chip away at the lead, being held scoreless for the first three minutes of the final period. Rookie Isidore Snow led the team with 22 points on 9 for 19 shooting but also committed 10 turnovers. Kyle Korver scored 14 points off the bench for the Bulls, making all four of his three point attempts.

Notes: The Bulls shot above 50% from the field (53/93, 57%), three point range (6/11, 54.5%) and the free throw line (11/12, 91.7%). The Magic were 41/83 from the field (49.4%), 5/17 from long range (29.4%) and 12/14 at the charity stripe (85.7%)...Orlando won the battle of the boards 41-33, also outrebounding Chicago at the offensive end 18-12...all twelve Bulls players saw at least eight minutes of court time and scored at least two points...Grant Hill left the game with an arm injury with 4:34 left in the second quarter and did not return.

Current Record: 72-5
Next Game: vs Charlotte Bobcats; 26-52 (April 21st)

[Fresh8]

Rest your starters for next game You don't need them!

[Andrew]

Actually, I did need them in the next game. As I said before, I'd rather compete in every game and just limit minutes as much as I can, as well as lock up the MVP award and another Player of the Month award for Ben Gordon.


April 21st, 2007
Charlotte (84) at Chicago (103)
Chicago finishes strong, set new NBA record
[ Boxscore ]


Gordon was once again spectacular in the fourth quarter

The Charlotte Bobcats were able to hang with the Chicago Bulls for three and a half quarters but poor shooting in the final minutes combined with stellar defense by the reigning champions led to a 19-4 run to end the game and a 103-84 victory for Chicago, their 50th win in a row and 73rd on the season, a new NBA record.

Chicago's late push was led by Ben Gordon, who is putting the finishing touches on an MVP season. Gordon scored 16 of his 35 points in the final quarter and finished the game with 12 assists, seven rebounds and eight steals. Carlos Boozer had 18 points and seven rebounds, Tyson Chandler contributed 16 points and eight rebounds and Kirk Hinrich had ten assists and six steals. Kyle Korver also scored 15 points off the bench for the Bulls.

Charlotte scored the first two points of the game but then found themselves trailing early as the Bulls built a ten point lead by the end of the first quarter. A 7-0 run to begin the second quarter propelled the Bobcats right back into the game however and the Bulls found themselves battling to stay ahead, clinging to a tenuous 49-43 lead at halftime.

The Bobcats managed to tie the game at 59 during the third quarter but faltered late, allowing the Bulls to extend the lead back to ten heading into the fourth. A final push cut the deficit to 85-82 before the Bulls went on a 12-0 run to take control of the game and cruise to victory.

Emeka Okafor scored 14 points and grabbed five rebounds in a losing effort for Charlotte. Standout rookie Ayeshi Tam led the team with 18 points shooting 6 for 10 from the field including 2 for 5 from downtown, but played sparingly in the fourth quarter after picking up his fifth foul. Kareem Rush also scored 14 points off the bench for Charlotte.

The Bulls will host the Phoenix Suns (42-37) tomorrow night in their final home game of the regular season. The teams last met on January 21st, with the Bulls winning 138-86.

Notes: Shawn Kemp left the game after appearing to injure his knee early in the fourth quarter and did not return. He is currently listed as day-to-day...Charlotte edged Chicago 40-39 on the boards, though Chicago outrebounded them 17-15 at the offensive end...the Bulls were whistled for just 7 fouls compared to 22 for the Bobcats, though they only attempted four more free throws (14 to 10).

Current Record: 73-5
Next Game: vs Phoenix Suns; 42-37 (April 22nd)

[George7]

Congratulations on setting NBA history!!
Can you finish 77-5 and go unbeatable till the finals?That will make your current record 55 straight on regular season or 71 straight if we count the playoffs!It is going to be huge!

[Andrew]

I'll try. And then tweak the sliders for next season to make things a little more challenging, since I'm already playing on Superstar.

[Martti.]

Would like to hear Stacey King's commentary during that Gordon's game.

[Andrew]

Pretty enthusiastic and excitable, I'd imagine.

I'll be finishing up the season soon and getting started on the Playoffs.

[Phil89]

Playoffs

Do you have any idea of who you'll be playing in the first round yet?

[kibaxx7]

Superb job Andrew A lot of Bulls providing scoring.

[Andrew]

Do you have any idea of who you'll be playing in the first round yet?

I'll have to double check next time I play, but from memory I believe I'm currently looking at a matchup with the Heat or Pacers.

[Andrew]

April 22nd, 2007
Indiana (61) at Chicago (108)
Bulls thump Suns again in regular season home finale
[ Boxscore ]


Chicago were dominant defensively and on the boards against the Suns

The Chicago Bulls won't play another game in the United Center until the 2007 Playoffs begin, but their fans were given a treat in the team's home finale as they routed the Phoenix Suns 108-61, holding them to just five points in the second quarter. Ben Gordon scored 34 points to go along with five rebounds, ten assists and six steals as both he and his Bulls wind down what has been a historic season.

Despite being without Steve Nash, currently sidelined with a hyper-extended knee, Phoenix kept pace with Chicago early before falling behind by nine late in the first quarter. After the Bulls gave their starters an early rest however, the Suns came storming back to finish the quarter on an 8-0 run to cut the deficit to 25-24 heading into the second quarter.

Clearly embarrassed by squandering the lead, the Bulls turned up the defensive pressure and relentlessly crashed the boards in the second quarter, keeping the Suns scoreless for most of the period until Raja Bell finally made a three pointer with just under four minutes remaining. Dijon Thompson made a long two in the final minute of the quarter as the Suns shot just 2/17 in the second.

Chicago continued to rack up points in the third quarter while bringing the Suns' offense to a grinding halt. Phoenix managed just 11 points in the third quarter while the Bulls scored 32, including 15 by Ben Gordon. The Suns began the fourth quarter on an 8-2 run but it was far too little, way too late as the defending champions cruised to win number 74 on the season and their 51st in a row.

Four Bulls registered double doubles led by Gordon's 34 points and 10 assists. Kirk Hinrich added 11 points and 10 assists, Carlos Boozer had 15 points along with 10 rebounds and Luol Deng contributed 13 points and 10 rebounds. Tyson Chandler also had 15 boards to go along with five points and two blocks. Nick Collison also had 10 points and six rebounds off the bench.

Boris Diaw led the way for the Suns with 11 points, the only Phoenix player to score in double digits. Amare Stoudemire was held scoreless on 0/4 shooting but had 12 rebounds and two blocks on the night. Raja Bell and Leandro Barbosa eached scored nine points, with Barbosa also committing nine turnovers.

Notes: The Bulls outrebounded the Suns 49-36, with an 18-9 advantage at the offensive end...the Suns committed 34 turnovers compared to just 23 by the Bulls...Shawn Kemp and Steve Nash both sat out with knee injuries. Kemp is listed as day-to-day while the Suns are hoping Nash will be able to return in time for the first round of the Playoffs.

Current Record: 74-5
Next Game: @ Golden State Warriors; 33-44 (April 25th)

[Andrew]

2007 NBA Playoff Picture

If the Playoffs started today, these would be the matchups:

EAST

Chicago Bulls (1) vs Miami Heat (8)
Detroit Pistons (4) vs Boston Celtics (5)
Orlando Magic (3) vs Cleveland Cavaliers (6)
Philadelphia 76ers (2) vs Indiana Pacers (7)

The Pacers and Heat are currently tied at 41-37, neither have yet clinched a playoff berth. New Jersey is also 41-37 and currently in ninth place on a tiebreaker. All other Eastern teams have been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.

WEST

Memphis Grizzlies (1) vs Sacramento Kings (8)
San Antonio Spurs (4) vs Dallas Mavericks (5)
Utah Jazz (3) vs Houston Rockets (6)
Phoenix Suns (2) vs Los Angeles Clippers (7)

Like the East, the final two seeds in the West are still up for grabs. The Minnesota Timberwolves are currently just a half game back of the Kings for the eighth seed while the Golden State Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder are still in contention but close to being officially eliminated.

Note: Because the current rule regarding Division winners came into effect as of the 2008 postseason, NBA Live 06 reflects the old rules. As such, some Division leaders are seeded higher despite having worse records.