Quick Thoughts: Game 2 - 76ers Run Over the Bulls (Shouldn't that be the other way around)

"We got our asses kicked today" - Joakim Noah after the Bulls 109-92 to the 76ers at the United Center in Game 2.

          It's the playoffs, there are going to be tough games. With a coach like Doug Collins on the other side, he'll find ways and motivate his players to beat even the toughest opponent. After Game 1 Coach Collins pleaded his team to get defensive rebounds - WHY? Fast Breaks! Sixers are one of the best teams in transition and they showed it by out-rebounding the Bulls 38-32, which lead to 25 fast break points (11pts in the 3rd). This looked similar to the game earlier this year in Philly when Bulls got their ass handed to them. Chicago rarely get outworked - but they did - and with their lack of interior defense and inability to close out shots; a recipe for a tough loss. Sixers shot an astounding 59% from the field, and when a team is shooting that well... forget about it.
          Alright, so they lost...but the discussions aren't going to be how they lost, they'll be about the 'what ifs' concerning who they lost. Would it have been different if Derrick Rose was in the game? We'll never know for sure-- but I don't think so. Rose might have kept the game as close as it could have been, but to overcome the 3rd qtr in which the Bulls were outscored 36-14 would have been too much. Rose's greatest power is that he is a run stopper. When another team start a 4-0 or 6-0 run, Rose knows that it is his time to make a basket and stop the run - and that at least keeps the Bulls in the game for a while longer. The problem with the Rose-less Bulls is that no one (besides JL3 haha) is aggressive enough offensively to play that role. To me, the defense was more of a disappointment, but it gets hard to play defense when other players don't step up. Defense in basketball is as much a team game as it is a 1-on-1 match-up game.

          After the injury to Rose, EVERYONE on the team needed to step up. Instead, at their lowest point in the post-season, no one was able to find ways to stand-up (see what I did there...). Carlos Boozer and Luol Deng are the ones that need to step up the most in the absence of Rose. Both will need to play at an all-star level if the Bulls want any shot. They certainly didn't come though in game 2. In all the minutes that Boozer played in the 3rd (6 I think) he scored 0 points. Deng played all of the 3rd qtr scoring just 2 pts. Both Deng and Boozer didn't even make it into double digit scoring for the whole game (8 and 9 pts respectively). Instead it was Joakim Noah as the lone scorer who stepped up for the Bulls. I know its damn-right unbelievable. Noah was 10-11 and had 21pts and 8reb.
          No one saw that coming- you know why? Because Doug Collins is a good coach. Sixers from the get-go looked to shut down Deng, Boozer and Watson, and they let Noah do what he could. It was a great effort by him, but I'm sorry. Noah being your top scorer isn't going to win you a playoff series against the Bobcats. While the series now moves to Philly, there's a little bit of hope. The Bulls were one of the leagues best road teams. Good teams, championship teams, find ways to get back up. Play defense, get high percentage shots, and win! I still see the Bulls pulling out this series in 5/6 games. Thibs is too good of a coach and this team is still too talented.

Do you still BULLieve?

See you in the city of Brotherly Love on Friday. 

Scottie Pippen's open letter to Chicago Bulls and their Fans

It seems like the nation has ruled out the Bulls from any shot at the NBA title. Couple days after the injury to Derrick Rose, Kyle Korver sent out a message on Facebook to Bulls Fans. Today, a Hall of Famer and 6-time NBA Champ and current Bulls ambassador sent out an open letter to the Chicago Bulls and their fans. Here is the beginning of the letter you can read the full letter here.

LETTER FROM PIPPEN:
" With what happened to Derrick in Game 1, it would be easy to hang your heads right now. You could lose sight of the ultimate goal and give up before the rest of the games have even been played. But I know that’s not even a consideration for this group. And that’s exactly why you’ll make me, Derrick, the organization, and the city of Chicago so proud.

To a man, it’s time for each of you to take a look in the mirror. Decide who you really are and what you represent as a basketball player. Reflect on what you have brought to the table for your team all season long and why you’re a valuable member of the Bulls. Because all of you have contributed to this team’s incredible success. Ask yourself what you can do for the team moving forward. Whether it’s through your verbal leadership or diving on the floor after a loose ball, it’s going to be all about grinding it out moving forward. If there is one piece of advice I can offer you, it’s to put every last ounce of effort you have out there to make everyone proud—Derrick, the fans, and first and foremost, yourself.

Your team has come a long way in terms of what it has been able to achieve this season. And that was done collectively, as a group. It has never been about any one individual. Yes, Derrick was the reigning NBA MVP, but he epitomizes the team concept and you all followed his lead. So it’s been the effort of the group, as well as a tremendous job by the coaching staff, which has gotten us to this point. And it’s exactly why I feel good about this team right now. You’re a group that remains together. You’ve repeatedly lifted each other up when a teammate has fallen. Now, it comes down to continuing to give your best effort every time you step on to the basketball court. It’s easy to say you’re doing that, but are you really dedicating yourself to another two months of basketball? As a player, that’s what I always wanted out of my teammates. Just make sure you arrive on gameday focused and full of energy. If guys want to just show up and take on the 76ers or whoever, well, that might not be enough to get the job done. It takes locking in on the task at hand and honing in on what you need to do in order to be successful in the NBA postseason. "

You can read the full/rest of the letter here.

BULLieve!

Kyle Korver's Message on Facebook: BULLieve

Kyle Korver's message on Facebook after Rose's injury:

"Right about now, the disbelief has faded, anger has subsided and were all wondering... why? Why. Why. Why Derrick, again? Derrick is more than an MVP to our team. He's our friend, our brother he inspires us to be the very best we can be, just by who he is and how hard he plays. That he has spent so much time this year hurt, was frustrating. Now that he is out for the rest of the season, well its... just plain sad. No one is to blame; what happened, did. We send him our prayers, our love, our good wishes that he heals and comes back stronger, better, healthier than ever before. Bulls fans. Now is not the time to ask why or to get bitter. Now is the time to refocus and ask "How are we going to win this Championship?" We have the best Team in the league. This season has proven, we are a TEAM and it has taken us ALL to have the best record. Lets focus on whats ahead. This is an incredible opportunity for All of Us to step up and make it happen. We're all gonna have to work harder and smarter. We are all gonna have to believe in ourselves. That we are more than the sum of our parts. We need YOU to believe with Us. We need You to believe for Us. We are going to keep going strong. One quarter, one game, one round at a time. Until its over. That's how we're gonna do it."

 I STILL BULLIEVE and if you're a TRUE BULLS FAN you do to!

Bulls Win Game 1, But Lose Rose for Rest of the Season: Can't Blame Thibs

          As we all know by now, Derrick Rose has a torn ACL that will sideline him for the rest of the post-season, the Olympics, and perhaps even the beginning of next season. The injury occurred when the star planted a jump-step that strained his left knee. That question that Chicago (and the nation for that matter) is now asking the reigning Coach of the Year -- Why was Derrick Rose still in a game that was pretty much over?

This is what he said when asked that question in the post-game press conference... (0-19secs)

"I don't work backwards like you guys, the score was going the other way"

          At the time the 76ers has closed in on a 20 point lead and cut it down to 12. Rose does, well.. did need to reacquire how to close properly with the unit because he hadn't played in more than 3 straight games since March 12th.

          Some people are saying that he was in their to get his triple double (23 pts, 9asts, 9reb), but lets be honest- he wasn't in it for the triple double. Thibs would not keep a player in for stats, there must have been another purpose. You could see that Rose, himself, was not concerned with getting a triple-double as he took the ball inside, he was actually looking to shoot it--until of course, he tore his ACL. What I still find amazing about that play is that Rose, even after he plants the jump-step(where he get injured) and goes back up again, he double clutches and is able to make a pass to Boozer (who gets it to Korver for a missed 3 pointer) to still keep the play alive while he is ignited by the pain in his left leg.
         As he lays down on the court, alone, the UC crowd begins to chant what now seems to be a wailing M-V-P chant.


12 point lead -- 82 seconds left in the game-- That's when it happens...

          Thibs has been questioned by the reporters, taken apart by sports radio hosts, and confused the heck out of some fans on the issue of keeping in star players at the end of a game several times before, this time the fear became reality. 

          So, was it wrong for him to keep in Rose -- from my perspective it wasn't. I understand that the fan base is split on this issue right now but Thibs did exactly what an NBA coach in the playoffs should do -- SHUT DOWN that other team to the point where they feel like they have absolutely no shot in the series.

          The Sixers sure as hell were not going to win that game, and many would say why not have the Bench Mob out there and protect the lead-- a win by 6 pts or by 20, a win is a win, right? True..in the regular season when all that matters is winning that ONE particular game. In the playoffs though, momentum travels from one game to another. You must do everything you can in order to completely shut down the other team to where they feel like they have absolutely no chance. I picked this YouTube clip because even Reggie Miller (TNT analyst) talks about the same thing. Listen to what he says as Rose brings up the ball, "The Bulls are trying to send a message and a Knock-Out punch." 

          Every playoff victory has a meaning, from the how you open it, how you execute it, to how you close it. You cannot close a game out in a weak fashion, and give the slightest hope to your opponent to even think, that maybe not this game, but in the next game they might be able to make a come-back.

Rose (in the hoody) walking into his Trump Tower Loft wearing a full-length walking brace on his left leg (Video From: Fox32 News Chicago)

**Ironic how the angle the video was shot from at the end there you see a caution sign labeled: PLEASE WATCH YOUR STEP (its a little hard to see but its there)**

          Would I rather has lost game 1 and still have a healthy Derrick Rose- without a doubt. But what's done is done. Derrick Rose is a causal user of the jump-step and lands with an immense amount of force all the time. The injury occurred on no physical contact between him and a player. Maybe all the injuries that he has been through this season might have been an aid in this injury, but to me it looks like this one might have been inevitable. I understand that it would have been easily prevented had he just been sitting on the bench, but until when? Maybe the next game, on the next jump-step, he would have injured it, maybe not. The only thing that I'm sure about is that injuries are a part of the game and they could happen at any point in any game.

          Rose will be back next season for sure. Will he ever re-gain the same amount of explosiveness what we saw in his MVP season? Maybe not right away, but when he has physically healed back to 100%, the question then is will he heal mentally back to 100% where he is comfortable to making such acrobatic and gravity defying plays again. Chicago should remember that we have a star, we are fortunate that he is still young and can/and will come back just as fierce as before and that the M-V-P will once again be the MVP one day. We all also fortunate to have a young core team, with the best bench in the league that will be around for years to come...but I'm not thinking about the future just yet.

I STILL BULLIEVE. (AND IF YOU DONT-- well...I won't be rash online)

                                       

         GO BULLS!

Quick Thoughts- Rose: All Star Again

"It means a lot. I remember not being in the All-Star game. Wanting to be in the game is something you should take to heart. I want to accomplish something in this league. One of those is being on the All-Star team. It’s an honor. It means a lot for my fans to vote for me. I didn’t realize I had all those votes. I’m appreciative. I don’t take any one of my fans that went online and voted for me for granted. I appreciate them all. I hope they continue to watch me." - Derrick Rose to his Fans/ on him being an All-Star.

Rose will be going to his 3rd straight All-Star game appearance, and the 2nd straight that he will start. Rose is one of 4 Bulls to be in back to back to back All-Star games. Lets all remember that after the Jordan era, the Bulls did not have ONE all-star player until #1. Rose received 1,514,723 total votes, 3rd overall in votes.

Quotes are credited to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune and his questions asked to D. Rose earlier this morning. Congrats Derrick Rose!
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Quick Thoughts: Congratulations to Derrick Rose on this 3rd straight All-Star game. It brings joy to see that such a humble person like Rose has finally gotten the well deserved national attention. Rose is unlike any other NBA player today; One that can roar his team up without saying a word.

Tonight, Derrick Rose will walk out onto Madison Square Garden wearing the Adidas 2.5 shoe that has been named "Brenda", dedicated to his mother. Sam Smith, a blogger and writer for ChicagoBulls.com, frequently writes and tracks reasons why D.Rose is unlike any other player in the league. Yesterday, Sam Smith documented reason #676.

In the pregame before the Bulls-76ers game, Derrick Rose was approached by legendary Sixers statistician Harvey Pollack. Pollack gave Rose one of his annual stat reviews, and chatted joyfully with the now 3-time all-star. When Derrick Rose found out that Pollack had been in the NBA since 1946, and a true legend of the game, he asked Pollack to sign the review. That's right, Derrick Rose asked Harvey Pollack for his autograph.

As Chicago Bulls fans we have the great honor of watching one of the best in the game grow game by game. Rose said that he isn't taking one fan for granted, and let it be known that we as the fans, are not taking Rose for granted either.

Credits to Sam Smith of ChicagoBulls.com as well.

They're Philly Good

PHILADELPHIA--- Andre Iguodala and Thaddeus Young score 19 points each, as the Philadelphia 76ers (16-6) beat the Chicago Bulls (18-6) with the final score of 98 - 82 at the Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia.

The Sixers are the top defensive team in the league, and they showed that Wednesday night by forcing 17 Chicago Bulls turnovers that led to 29 points. They also outscored the Bulls in the paint 46-28, an area of offense that the Bulls have been lacking in.

Sixers, much like the Miami Heat, are a team that loves the open court and fast breaks. They scored 21 fast break points as opposed to the Bulls four.

After the game, Derrick Rose said that the Bulls starters came out "sluggish," but reassured that the season-high 9 straight games on the road was not taking a toll on the team. Rose also stated that they wouldn't make excuses for losses regarding to the injuries of their starters Luol Deng and Rip Hamilton.

Even with such a lazy start, the Bulls were lucky to be only down by 7 at the half. Coming into the game Chicago was 1-4 when trailing at halftime, now 1-5.

The energy-lacking Bulls played one of their worst quarters of basketball this season in the 3rd, as they did not manage to a bucket until 6 and a half minutes into the quarter. It was the most decisive quarter of the game where Sixers pulled away by putting up 26 in that frame.

The Bulls were out-scored, out-rebounded, and out-hustled throughout the game. Entering the game,  Chicago had 5 straight games with double-figure offensive rebounds, a streak that ended tonight as they were only able to collect 8 offensive boards.

The Sixers complimented their great defense with terrific fast-paced offense, as 5 players were in double-digit points in the game. The leading scorer in the game for the Bulls was C.J. Watson with 20. The only other Bulls player with double-digit points was Derrick Rose with 18, which snaps his 3-game streak of scoring at least 34 points and nearly 5 points lower than his season average of 23.8.

Joakim Noah also snaps his streak of 5 straight games with a double double, bringing in only 2 points and 7 rebounds. In fact, no one on the team had a double-digit rebound total.

Following the game, coach Tom Thibodeau admitted that he would have kept the bench in all through the 4th, even if they had gotten back into the game. 

"Our defense wasn't good. I thought our reaction to the ball wasn't very good and they beat us to loose-balls..and then in the 4th quarter we tried to scrambe and try to get back in, but the hole was too big," coach Tom Thibodeau said about how the Sixers were able to beat the Bulls.

He also stated, "They're well-balanced, and there's not one aspect of the game that they don't have covered. They can break you down off the dribble, they're great in transition, they're great defensively. They're right there with everyone else," when talking about how good Sixers fair with the elite teams in the league.

The Sixers are now just one game behind the top seeded Bulls in a very competitive Eastern Conference.

The Bulls will take the short drive over to New York tonight and get ready for the sub-par Knicks tomorrow night at Madison Square Garden. Luol Deng could be making his come-back tomorrow, but Rip Hamilton is expected to stay out for a couple more games until he is fully healthy. Until then, Kyle Korver, who played for more than 36 minutes for the first them in back-to-back games since 2006, will be getting heavy playing time.

Give credit to the Sixers who have the toughest part of their schedule coming in the next couple weeks, where they will try to prove to everyone that they're a real contender in the East. Philadelphia beat Orlando on Monday, Chicago tonight, and will go for the week and home-stand sweep versus who many consider is the team to win it all this year, the Miami Heat. 

The Bulls have to move on and think past this game as one that got away; the goals of this season are more than just the best regular-season record-- Championship.

Frustration of Bears Lose, As Tebow Mania Takes Over

Tebow Mania/Media

          So many things I can decipher about this horrendous Bears lose, but let it be known my frustration is of the lose itself. Yes...let's face it we got what the media and the public want to call, "Tebowed", but if anyone actually decides to take a critical look at the game, late 4th quarter mishaps helped Broncos with the win, more than Tebow himself. Like I said, my frustration is about the lose, but I will avoid TV/Radio and media outlets because they will build up the Tebow brand like no other.
         Going out of bounds and fumbling late in the game, mixed with bad corner and safety play are football mistakes, but they will be among the characteristics used as foundation components to grow the Tebow complex. Let it be known he wasn't the one kicking the FGs, but in sports, an entertainment business, whatever's HOT, is the dictating power of what many analysts and fans support. For example, this Bears lose is not just our 3rd straight lose or the fact that it greatly reduces our playoff hopes, but it will be counted more as a tebow blow than a bears collapse.
          The Bears are now 0-3 after losing Cutler, allowing JUST 1 TD each game. Over the last 3 games, the Bears defense hasn't allowed more than 17 points a game. The Bears were 7-1 in OT games during the Lovie Smith ara prior to today. The worst of news is that both ATL and DET won today. If the Bears still want to make it into the playoffs, they need to win ATLEAST 2 of their next 3; or all 3 to have the best chance, AND hope DET and ATL lose. Oh and how about the Bears actually investing in a starting QB? Hanie is not starting QB material, and he has shown that over the last 3 weeks. They have already said they are not looking to acquire any more quarterbacks...I guess that is why most analysts have already taken them out of their playoff picture. Looks like the Bears have given up on themselves.

BEAR-IT BEARS FANs...

Thank *Insert your faith here* that the NBA Lockout is Over!! DaBulls!!