Swat team son!
Asik and destroy baby!
Click Here to Read More..
Asik and destroy baby!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
DERRICK ROSE/MJ MONTAGE
ESPN made this Rose/ Jordan montage. Definitely a little early, but it's still pretty cool to watch:
H/T ESPN CHICAGO
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
SUPPORT THE TSUNAMI VICTIMS IN JAPAN
Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by the tragedy in Japan. Please support them in anyway you can. The Red Cross has made it pretty easy for you to donate. You can text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10.
Kobe and the rest of the NBA urge you to donate as well, check out this video...
Also big ups to our main man DROSE for donating as well... Click Here to Read More..
BULLS GAME 70 RECAP - by Kent McDill
Bulls whip Hawks
By Kent McDill
I just wonder. I wonder how many teams in NBA history have won back-to-back games by 33 or more points and traveled in between games. That's what the Bulls accomplished Tuesday when they smacked the Atlanta Hawks 114-81 after whipping the Sacramento Kings 132-92 the night before.
This one felt so much different than the Kings' game. The Hawks are a playoff team, and one the Bulls could meet in the second round of the playoffs, depending on a few things. The Bulls also had lost six straight in Atlanta, including the last visit when they had a 17-point lead at halftime and let it slip away. This time, the Bulls never let up until the fourth quarter, when the second unit sort of fooled around and let a 40-point lead slip away. Still, it was a marvelous performance and a demonstration of just how strong the Bulls are when they want to be.
The last time the Bulls won consecutive games by 25 or more points was 1997, and we know what happened that year. The Bulls have never won back-to-back games by a combined total of 73 points. Never.
Derrick Rose had 30 points, including a career-high six 3-pointers, and added 10 assists. Moreover, he played just 28 minutes, a key stat in the minds of people worrying about superstar burnout.
The Bulls scored 41 points in the second quarter and had 72 points at halftime. That's just nuts for a team that is not built on scoring.
Here is another great stat: Luol Deng had 27 points and was the only other Bull in double figures. That's right, the Bulls scored 114 points and had only two players in double figures.
Ronnie Brewer was the only regular among the first 10 who did not score. Everyone else contributed, and Taj Gibson had the best combined line of eight rebounds and nine points among the others on the team.
For the second game in a row, the Bulls shot better from 3-point range than they did overall. They had 30 assists on 43 baskets. They played like a team on a mission.
HERO: Derrick Rose is not normal. When he gets his mind set on a task, he is undeniable. He is a superstar, and is a near-lock for the MVP.
Click Here to Read More..
By Kent McDill
I just wonder. I wonder how many teams in NBA history have won back-to-back games by 33 or more points and traveled in between games. That's what the Bulls accomplished Tuesday when they smacked the Atlanta Hawks 114-81 after whipping the Sacramento Kings 132-92 the night before.
This one felt so much different than the Kings' game. The Hawks are a playoff team, and one the Bulls could meet in the second round of the playoffs, depending on a few things. The Bulls also had lost six straight in Atlanta, including the last visit when they had a 17-point lead at halftime and let it slip away. This time, the Bulls never let up until the fourth quarter, when the second unit sort of fooled around and let a 40-point lead slip away. Still, it was a marvelous performance and a demonstration of just how strong the Bulls are when they want to be.
The last time the Bulls won consecutive games by 25 or more points was 1997, and we know what happened that year. The Bulls have never won back-to-back games by a combined total of 73 points. Never.
Derrick Rose had 30 points, including a career-high six 3-pointers, and added 10 assists. Moreover, he played just 28 minutes, a key stat in the minds of people worrying about superstar burnout.
The Bulls scored 41 points in the second quarter and had 72 points at halftime. That's just nuts for a team that is not built on scoring.
Here is another great stat: Luol Deng had 27 points and was the only other Bull in double figures. That's right, the Bulls scored 114 points and had only two players in double figures.
Ronnie Brewer was the only regular among the first 10 who did not score. Everyone else contributed, and Taj Gibson had the best combined line of eight rebounds and nine points among the others on the team.
For the second game in a row, the Bulls shot better from 3-point range than they did overall. They had 30 assists on 43 baskets. They played like a team on a mission.
HERO: Derrick Rose is not normal. When he gets his mind set on a task, he is undeniable. He is a superstar, and is a near-lock for the MVP.
BULLS GAME 69 RECAP - by Kent McDill
Bulls beat Kings
By Kent McDill
I grew up in Indiana a fan of college basketball, and I hated professional basketball. The biggest difference between the two, according to legend, was that college basketball was a team sport, and pro basketball was all about the individual. Since the game is played with five guys at a time, I figured it was a team sport, and college basketball was superior.
What I know now is that it is not a question of better or worse. College basketball and pro basketball are two different animals. But I still get a thrill out of seeing the team game played at the pro level, and that's what happened Monday night when the Bulls beat the Sacramento Kings.
The Bulls won the game 132-92 and did so with eight players reaching double figures and on one getting more than 18 points. I enjoyed seeing Keith Bogans get his 15, and I loved Kyle Korver coming in and giving 18. I loved Bogans' first quarter steals (two of them), I loved Ronnie Brewer's contributions, I loved Joakim Noah's enthusiasm for the game. I loved the fact that coach Tom Thibodeau didn't put Derrick Rose back in the game until there were four minutes left in the second quarter after Rose got his usual first-half shutdown. When the game is going good, Rose does not need to play 35 minutes.
The Bulls shot 61 percent from the field and 70 percent from 3-point range. They got 16 steals and were overplaying the ball like crazy. Against a good team you can't do that, but when the opportunity presents itself, I am a big fan of going for the steal. Why let them shoot and hope for a miss when you can take the ball away and not let them shoot at all?
And did you see Omer Asik? I know there is an Asik bandwagon now, but I was driving it early on, and the guy was terrific Monday. He had six baskets, all jams, and I don't want him doing anything other than that when he is that close to the hoop. IF he develops a short jumper someday, he will be ridiculously dangerous.
This was an insanely great game, and I hope it caries over to Tuesday night's game at Atlanta, where the Bulls have a hard time winning. The Celtics, who are tied with the Bulls for the best record in the East, next play at home against Memphis and you have to figure that for a win, so the Bulls need to keep pace.
HERO: In a game like this, there was not one hero, but 10 of them. The Bulls are the most complete team in the league, and I hope it pays off for them.
Click Here to Read More..
By Kent McDill
I grew up in Indiana a fan of college basketball, and I hated professional basketball. The biggest difference between the two, according to legend, was that college basketball was a team sport, and pro basketball was all about the individual. Since the game is played with five guys at a time, I figured it was a team sport, and college basketball was superior.
What I know now is that it is not a question of better or worse. College basketball and pro basketball are two different animals. But I still get a thrill out of seeing the team game played at the pro level, and that's what happened Monday night when the Bulls beat the Sacramento Kings.
The Bulls won the game 132-92 and did so with eight players reaching double figures and on one getting more than 18 points. I enjoyed seeing Keith Bogans get his 15, and I loved Kyle Korver coming in and giving 18. I loved Bogans' first quarter steals (two of them), I loved Ronnie Brewer's contributions, I loved Joakim Noah's enthusiasm for the game. I loved the fact that coach Tom Thibodeau didn't put Derrick Rose back in the game until there were four minutes left in the second quarter after Rose got his usual first-half shutdown. When the game is going good, Rose does not need to play 35 minutes.
The Bulls shot 61 percent from the field and 70 percent from 3-point range. They got 16 steals and were overplaying the ball like crazy. Against a good team you can't do that, but when the opportunity presents itself, I am a big fan of going for the steal. Why let them shoot and hope for a miss when you can take the ball away and not let them shoot at all?
And did you see Omer Asik? I know there is an Asik bandwagon now, but I was driving it early on, and the guy was terrific Monday. He had six baskets, all jams, and I don't want him doing anything other than that when he is that close to the hoop. IF he develops a short jumper someday, he will be ridiculously dangerous.
This was an insanely great game, and I hope it caries over to Tuesday night's game at Atlanta, where the Bulls have a hard time winning. The Celtics, who are tied with the Bulls for the best record in the East, next play at home against Memphis and you have to figure that for a win, so the Bulls need to keep pace.
HERO: In a game like this, there was not one hero, but 10 of them. The Bulls are the most complete team in the league, and I hope it pays off for them.
Monday, March 21, 2011
DERRICK ROSE DUNKS ALL OVER THE KINGS
Two handed, double pump reverse:
Nasty Alley-oop
Thanks for the videos Iverson...
Friday, March 18, 2011
DERRICK ROSE TALKS ABOUT HIS BEST BASKETBALL MOMENT AND WHY HE LOVES BASKETBALL
Check out DRose talking about his highest moment ever on the court, and about why he loves basketball...
Click Here to Read More..
DERRICK ROSE'S MONSTER JAM ON THE NETS
Check out DROSE dunking like he is trying to hurt the rim...
MONSTER!
DROSE FOO!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
BULLS GAME 66 RECAP - by Kent McDill
Bulls move into first place
By Kent McDill
You tell them they are lying. When Bulls fans come out of the woodwork, claiming they knew all along the Bulls would eventually get the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference this season, you tell them they are lying, because nobody saw this coming.
The Bulls beat the Washington Wizards 98-79 Tuesday to raise their record to 48-18 which is one-half game better than the Celtics' record, moving them into the top spot in the Eastern Conference with 16 games remaining.
The No. 1 seed means a first-round playoff series with the No. 8 seed, and hopefully a second round series with the No. 4 or No. 5 seeds. It means no games against No. 2 and No. 3, which would be Boston and Miami, until the conference finals. And it means home court advantage when that series comes around, assuming the Bulls can win their first two rounds.
The Bulls do not have the No. 1 seed nailed down just yet. But it is better to be there and try to keep it than not be there and try to attain it. (Voltaire said that).
The game was meaningless, for the most part. The Bulls built a 17-point lead early in the second quarter, let it slip away to one point, then put the hurt back on in the second half. The Bulls attempted 32 3-pointers for the second game in a row, and you wonder if the players have fallen in love with the bomb, and whether that is a good thing. Keith Bogans had his best game as a Bull, hitting five 3-pointers for his season high 17 points.
The Bulls played without forward Carlos Boozer (ankle) and center Joakim Noah (flu). Kurt Thomas played again in place of Boozer and had 15 rebounds and eight points. Taj Gibson started in place of Noah and had 13 rebounds and nine points. Derrick Rose had 23 points and seven assists, Luol Deng had 20 points and seven rebounds in 43 minutes, and Ronnie Brewer were four-for-five from the field for nine points.
If they don't let down, the Bulls should not be challenged until they play at Atlanta next Wednesday. They have seven games out of their last 16 against winning teams, and that includes the April 7 home meeting against Boston.
Anyone who wants to say now that they think the Bulls will get the NO. 1 seed in the East, go ahead. But don't tell me you said it six months ago, because you didn't.
HERO: Hey, look who scored 17 points!! It was Keith Bogans, who made five of 10 3-pointers. He also contributed five rebounds in 28 minutes of play. If he could do that on a semi-regular basis, he might get everybody off his back.
Click Here to Read More..
By Kent McDill
You tell them they are lying. When Bulls fans come out of the woodwork, claiming they knew all along the Bulls would eventually get the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference this season, you tell them they are lying, because nobody saw this coming.
The Bulls beat the Washington Wizards 98-79 Tuesday to raise their record to 48-18 which is one-half game better than the Celtics' record, moving them into the top spot in the Eastern Conference with 16 games remaining.
The No. 1 seed means a first-round playoff series with the No. 8 seed, and hopefully a second round series with the No. 4 or No. 5 seeds. It means no games against No. 2 and No. 3, which would be Boston and Miami, until the conference finals. And it means home court advantage when that series comes around, assuming the Bulls can win their first two rounds.
The Bulls do not have the No. 1 seed nailed down just yet. But it is better to be there and try to keep it than not be there and try to attain it. (Voltaire said that).
The game was meaningless, for the most part. The Bulls built a 17-point lead early in the second quarter, let it slip away to one point, then put the hurt back on in the second half. The Bulls attempted 32 3-pointers for the second game in a row, and you wonder if the players have fallen in love with the bomb, and whether that is a good thing. Keith Bogans had his best game as a Bull, hitting five 3-pointers for his season high 17 points.
The Bulls played without forward Carlos Boozer (ankle) and center Joakim Noah (flu). Kurt Thomas played again in place of Boozer and had 15 rebounds and eight points. Taj Gibson started in place of Noah and had 13 rebounds and nine points. Derrick Rose had 23 points and seven assists, Luol Deng had 20 points and seven rebounds in 43 minutes, and Ronnie Brewer were four-for-five from the field for nine points.
If they don't let down, the Bulls should not be challenged until they play at Atlanta next Wednesday. They have seven games out of their last 16 against winning teams, and that includes the April 7 home meeting against Boston.
Anyone who wants to say now that they think the Bulls will get the NO. 1 seed in the East, go ahead. But don't tell me you said it six months ago, because you didn't.
HERO: Hey, look who scored 17 points!! It was Keith Bogans, who made five of 10 3-pointers. He also contributed five rebounds in 28 minutes of play. If he could do that on a semi-regular basis, he might get everybody off his back.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
NEW ADIDAS ALL IN COMMERCIAL FT DERRICK ROSE, BECKHAM, MESSI, KATY PERRY, AND B.O.B.
Check out this hot new Adidas commercial, featuring some of the worlds biggest athletes and artists. This commercial is part of their new global advertising campaign...
DROSE IS WORLDWIDE NOW BABY!
Thanks for the video Iverson...
Click Here to Read More..
DROSE IS WORLDWIDE NOW BABY!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
BULLS GAME 65 RECAP - by Kent McDill
Bulls win on special night
By Kent McDill
Against the Utah Jazz Saturday night, the Bulls put on quite a performance. Derrick Rose scored 17 first-quarter points, making five of six 3-pointers, and the Bulls scored the game's first 11 points on the way to a 118-100 victory over the Jazz. The win put the Bulls into a theoretical tie with the Boston Celtics for first place in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls are 47-18 and the Celtics are 46-17, but in the standings, it looks like a tie.
With the game seemingly decided very, very early, the rest of the night was waiting for halftime, when the Bulls hosted a celebration for the 1990-91 Bulls team that won the first championship in franchise history. Ten of 12 players were on hand, including four of the five starters (Bill Cartwright was working as an assistant coach with the Phoenix Suns).
Phil Jackson was also not in attendance, but that hardly mattered. The celebration allowed each player to get announced and enjoy once again the love of the fans who lived and died with them 20 years ago. It was dramatic and enjoyable for anybody who had a connection to that team.
For me, it was a time travel to the hectic life I led back then. I covered the team for the Daily Herald and traveled with them every day for 11 years, including all six titles. The night the Bulls won the title in Los Angeles, I was in the post-game locker room and talked to every player. When I got to Bill Cartwright, who did not really have any friends on the team, he hugged me and seemingly did not want to let me go.
Back to the game. For some reason, the Bulls were shooting 3s Saturday like there was a fire sale. Rose, for example, did not take a 2-point shot until late in the second quarter and did not make a 2-pointer until the final 27 seconds of the first half. In the end, the Bulls were 18 for 32 from 3-point range, setting a team record for 3-pointers made. They made 13 in the first half, which tied an NBA record.
Kyle Korver was seven for 10 for the second time in the last three games, and finished with 17 points. Luol Deng was three for six from distance, and C.J. Watson was four for five and finished with 16 points. It was weird, and coach Tom Thibodeau noticed.
"I was concerned at halftime,'' Thibodeau said. "We were taking a lot of 3s."
The guy is a quote machine.
So now we are in a pennant race. Every game the Bulls and Celtics play will have significance. It's almost too good to be true.
HERO: During his halftime speech, Michael Jordan suggested the new Bulls could win six titles before they are done. That was uncharacteristically charitable from Jordan, and he gets points for it.
Click Here to Read More..
By Kent McDill
Against the Utah Jazz Saturday night, the Bulls put on quite a performance. Derrick Rose scored 17 first-quarter points, making five of six 3-pointers, and the Bulls scored the game's first 11 points on the way to a 118-100 victory over the Jazz. The win put the Bulls into a theoretical tie with the Boston Celtics for first place in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls are 47-18 and the Celtics are 46-17, but in the standings, it looks like a tie.
With the game seemingly decided very, very early, the rest of the night was waiting for halftime, when the Bulls hosted a celebration for the 1990-91 Bulls team that won the first championship in franchise history. Ten of 12 players were on hand, including four of the five starters (Bill Cartwright was working as an assistant coach with the Phoenix Suns).
Phil Jackson was also not in attendance, but that hardly mattered. The celebration allowed each player to get announced and enjoy once again the love of the fans who lived and died with them 20 years ago. It was dramatic and enjoyable for anybody who had a connection to that team.
For me, it was a time travel to the hectic life I led back then. I covered the team for the Daily Herald and traveled with them every day for 11 years, including all six titles. The night the Bulls won the title in Los Angeles, I was in the post-game locker room and talked to every player. When I got to Bill Cartwright, who did not really have any friends on the team, he hugged me and seemingly did not want to let me go.
Back to the game. For some reason, the Bulls were shooting 3s Saturday like there was a fire sale. Rose, for example, did not take a 2-point shot until late in the second quarter and did not make a 2-pointer until the final 27 seconds of the first half. In the end, the Bulls were 18 for 32 from 3-point range, setting a team record for 3-pointers made. They made 13 in the first half, which tied an NBA record.
Kyle Korver was seven for 10 for the second time in the last three games, and finished with 17 points. Luol Deng was three for six from distance, and C.J. Watson was four for five and finished with 16 points. It was weird, and coach Tom Thibodeau noticed.
"I was concerned at halftime,'' Thibodeau said. "We were taking a lot of 3s."
The guy is a quote machine.
So now we are in a pennant race. Every game the Bulls and Celtics play will have significance. It's almost too good to be true.
HERO: During his halftime speech, Michael Jordan suggested the new Bulls could win six titles before they are done. That was uncharacteristically charitable from Jordan, and he gets points for it.
Friday, March 11, 2011
DECERTIFICATION OF THE NFL UNION - by Abrar A.
***Since this just happened, I thought it would be a good idea to repost this from my post in December***
When is a union not a union? The answer is when it is not certified. One of the more publicized but least understood options that the NFL Union has is decertification. In the last few months, the NFLPA leadership has visited a number of teams in order to present and vote on whether the players union should decertify. Essentially, if decertification happens then the Union wouldn’t be a union anymore and instead would be considered a trade group. So why does it matter? Let’s start from the beginning.
The United States has a number of federal laws that apply to various organizational entities. Unions, like the NFL players association, are governed by U.S. labor laws. However, organizations like the NFL and its teams are governed by both Labor and Antitrust laws. Part of the equation in determining whether the NFL’s practices are lawful is dependent upon whether it is dealing with the players as a union or with the players as individuals. If it is dealing with players as a union, then the NFL is more likely to be judged according to labor laws; whereas if it is dealing with the players as individuals, then it is more likely to be subjected to antitrust law.
U.S. antitrust laws were put in place to prohibit anti-competitive behavior and to promote competition among businesses. Professional sports leagues are natural suspects for antitrust regulation. In each sport, you have essentially one professional league that controls the product e.g. the NFL for football, MLB for baseball, PGA for golf and etc. Major League Baseball is the only sport that has a full exemption from antitrust laws. The NFL has only a partial exemption but it is one that allows it to sell broadcast rights in packages, issue blackouts of non-local games when local teams are being broadcast and blackout local teams when there hasn’t been a sellout.
There isn’t a business in the United States that wants to come under antitrust scrutiny. In antitrust law there is an element of unpredictability but primarily no business wants to come under antitrust scrutiny because antitrust laws give the government far reaching and broad powers to regulate a business. When it comes to the NFL, the teams can generally avoid antitrust scrutiny because there is bona fide arm’s length collective bargaining between labor and owners. So in 1990 when the NFLPA sued the NFL for antitrust violations, the Courts ruled that because there was a collective bargaining agreement between the players and owners which entered into through a bona fide arms length bargaining, the NFLPA could not ask for the application of antitrust laws.
Just this past spring, the U.S. Supreme Court dealt the NFL a setback when it ruled that when it comes to the licensing of intellectual property, the NFL and its teams are to be considered as 32 separate entities. What this means is that if you follow that line of reasoning, when it comes to labor relations, the 32 football teams are to be considered 32 separate entities. Put another way, think of it as Nike, Reebok, Adidas, Puma and 28 other shoe companies creating an entity (the NFL) to sell their products together. If you’re asking what the big deal is, then imagine if you could only buy sneakers at Foot Locker and nowhere else. There is no competition so naturally they end up raising prices on the product. The analogy isn’t exact but it provides an example as to why antitrust laws are important.
What this all means is that if the NFLPA decertifies, then individual players will sue the NFL and bring its practices under antitrust regulation. Once the NFL is brought under antitrust regulation, the Courts can control how the league is run. Contrary to popular opinion, Courts loathe entering into and managing businesses and would encourage both sides to not involve them unless they reach an absolute impasse.
Moreover, even though the NFLPA is holding this over the head of the NFL, I would bet that even they would not want the Courts involved. As any lawyer or businessman will tell you, they’d much rather negotiate than litigate because in negotiation you still control the outcome. Once it is in the hands of a Judge, no one can truly predict the outcome.
When it comes down to it, decertification is the “nuclear” option. The one option that the NFLPA leadership has if the owners are not flexible in their demands and the individual players start complaining because they do not have a source of income. Ultimately I do not believe the players union will decertify. But I do think if it happens, it is a clear sign that neither side is willing to negotiate and will result in the loss of the 2011-2012 season.
On another note, I understand that decertification isn’t an exciting topic in the realm of collective bargaining. So if any readers have questions or would like for me to address certain topics, let me know and I will make it part of future columns.
Abrar A. is a litigation and labor attorney from Chicago, Illinois. He hates the Cover-2 defense and is waiting for the day the Bears get a new coach. Abrar also has a man-crush on D.Wade that is only rivaled by Docksquad's own man-crush on DRose. Abrar A. will be freelancing for DSS.
BULLS GAME 64 RECAP - by Kent McDill
Bulls beat Hawks
By Kent McDill
When the Bulls planned their 20th anniversary celebration of the first NBA title team for Saturday, they certainly didn't know what else was going to be going on at the same time. With their 94-76 victory over Atlanta Friday, and Boston's surprise loss at Philadelphia, the Derrick Rose-led Bulls pulled to within one-half game of the Celtics for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Nobody, and I do mean nobody, saw this coming.
With 18 games left, including an April 7 home date with the Celtics, the Bulls are shocking the NBA with their dominant play.
"We know right now there is a lot of buzz about us, but it doesn't help us win basketball games,'' Bulls center Joakim Noah said.
The NBA has historically been about offensive basketball, but the Bulls won Friday with defense. After trailing 50-48 at halftime, the Bulls held the Hawks to 10 points in the third quarter and allowed them only one shot inside 15 feet, a bank shot that was missed. At the same time, Derrick Rose had 18 of his 34 points in the third quarter (that means he outscored the Hawks 18-10 by himself).
So let's go over just how good the Bulls were Friday:
Carlos Boozer did not play because of the sprained ankle he suffered in Charlotte on Wednesday. Kurt Thomas, who had not played in eight games since Noah has returned to the starting lineup, scored only four points but had a game-high 13 rebounds and also offered a pair of blocks.
Luol Deng did not decide until minutes before the game that he was going to play because of his sore thigh bruise. All he did was score 18 points with nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals in just under 40 minutes. No matter what you thought of Deng before this year, he has really manned up in 2010-11.
The Bulls bench, which outscored the starters 51-50 at Charlotte Wednesday, had 38 points, exactly one half of what the entire Atlanta team scored. Ronnie Brewer, Taj Gibson and C.J. Watson each had eight points and shot a combined 12 for 18. The bench made 18 of 29 shots.
As a team, the Bulls outrébounded the Hawks 50-28. Al Horford, who had 31 points and 16 rebounds in a win against the Bulls on March 2, was held to six points and seven rebounds Friday.
There is nothing not to like about this Bulls team. The fact they are actually putting pressure on the Celtics for the No. 1 seed is beyond understanding.
HERO: I tried to find out what coach Tom Thibodeau does at halftime to get the Bulls so enthused for second half defense, but no one would tell me. He is as much of a find as Rose was a bit of luck.
Click Here to Read More..
By Kent McDill
When the Bulls planned their 20th anniversary celebration of the first NBA title team for Saturday, they certainly didn't know what else was going to be going on at the same time. With their 94-76 victory over Atlanta Friday, and Boston's surprise loss at Philadelphia, the Derrick Rose-led Bulls pulled to within one-half game of the Celtics for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Nobody, and I do mean nobody, saw this coming.
With 18 games left, including an April 7 home date with the Celtics, the Bulls are shocking the NBA with their dominant play.
"We know right now there is a lot of buzz about us, but it doesn't help us win basketball games,'' Bulls center Joakim Noah said.
The NBA has historically been about offensive basketball, but the Bulls won Friday with defense. After trailing 50-48 at halftime, the Bulls held the Hawks to 10 points in the third quarter and allowed them only one shot inside 15 feet, a bank shot that was missed. At the same time, Derrick Rose had 18 of his 34 points in the third quarter (that means he outscored the Hawks 18-10 by himself).
So let's go over just how good the Bulls were Friday:
Carlos Boozer did not play because of the sprained ankle he suffered in Charlotte on Wednesday. Kurt Thomas, who had not played in eight games since Noah has returned to the starting lineup, scored only four points but had a game-high 13 rebounds and also offered a pair of blocks.
Luol Deng did not decide until minutes before the game that he was going to play because of his sore thigh bruise. All he did was score 18 points with nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals in just under 40 minutes. No matter what you thought of Deng before this year, he has really manned up in 2010-11.
The Bulls bench, which outscored the starters 51-50 at Charlotte Wednesday, had 38 points, exactly one half of what the entire Atlanta team scored. Ronnie Brewer, Taj Gibson and C.J. Watson each had eight points and shot a combined 12 for 18. The bench made 18 of 29 shots.
As a team, the Bulls outrébounded the Hawks 50-28. Al Horford, who had 31 points and 16 rebounds in a win against the Bulls on March 2, was held to six points and seven rebounds Friday.
There is nothing not to like about this Bulls team. The fact they are actually putting pressure on the Celtics for the No. 1 seed is beyond understanding.
HERO: I tried to find out what coach Tom Thibodeau does at halftime to get the Bulls so enthused for second half defense, but no one would tell me. He is as much of a find as Rose was a bit of luck.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
BULLS GAME 63 RECAP - by Kent McDill
Bulls beat Bobcats, Boozer bumped
By Kent McDill
Being the "glass half full" kind of guy I am, I am not going to worry about Carlos Boozer's ankle injury tonight. Boozer limped off the floor in Charlotte Wednesday after a hard flagrant foul by Kwame Brown in the fourth quarter of the Bulls' 101-84 victory over the Bobcats. Knowing Boozer's history with injuries, there is something to worry about. But tonight is about what the Bulls did in the game.
The Bulls needed three quarters to get their act together, but they ran away with the win thanks to 20 points from Kyle Korver. In fact, the Bulls bench outscored the starters 51-50, and that is something the Miami Heat bench will never be able to do.
The other bench players did this: Taj Gibson had 14 points and six rebounds, Ronnie Brewer had 10 points, three rebounds and three assists, C.J. Watson had six points and six assists, Omer Asik had six rebounds and Korver had his big night from outside. Derrick Rose had 20 points to match Korver while Joakim Noah had 12 points and 13 rebounds.
The Bulls officially clinched a playoff spot with the win, and put 2 1/2 games between them and the Heat in the race for the second playoff spot in the East. They also moved to within a game and a half of Boston for the top spot thanks to former Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro and his Los Angeles Clippers, who beat the Celtics in Boston. Woo-hoo!!!
Now here is the interesting news on the other end: the Philadelphia 76ers are within half a game of New York for the No. 6 seed. If the Bulls finish No. 2, they will play No. 7, and that could be the Knicks or the 76ers. You can decide for yourself with match up you like better.
The Bulls play Friday at home against Atlanta with payback in mind for their unfortunate loss in Georgia last week. Then on Saturday they face the Utah Jazz, the former home of Boozer, Korver and Brewer, while celebrating the 20th anniversary of the first NBA title back in 1991. Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and most of the team will be in attendance for that celebration.
There seems to be a lot to celebrate these days as far as the Bulls are concerned.
HERO: How many times has the game hero been from the bench this season? Once again, let's give Korver the nod for hitting all those fourth-quarter 3s to give the Bulls the breathing room they needed.
Click Here to Read More..
By Kent McDill
Being the "glass half full" kind of guy I am, I am not going to worry about Carlos Boozer's ankle injury tonight. Boozer limped off the floor in Charlotte Wednesday after a hard flagrant foul by Kwame Brown in the fourth quarter of the Bulls' 101-84 victory over the Bobcats. Knowing Boozer's history with injuries, there is something to worry about. But tonight is about what the Bulls did in the game.
The Bulls needed three quarters to get their act together, but they ran away with the win thanks to 20 points from Kyle Korver. In fact, the Bulls bench outscored the starters 51-50, and that is something the Miami Heat bench will never be able to do.
The other bench players did this: Taj Gibson had 14 points and six rebounds, Ronnie Brewer had 10 points, three rebounds and three assists, C.J. Watson had six points and six assists, Omer Asik had six rebounds and Korver had his big night from outside. Derrick Rose had 20 points to match Korver while Joakim Noah had 12 points and 13 rebounds.
The Bulls officially clinched a playoff spot with the win, and put 2 1/2 games between them and the Heat in the race for the second playoff spot in the East. They also moved to within a game and a half of Boston for the top spot thanks to former Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro and his Los Angeles Clippers, who beat the Celtics in Boston. Woo-hoo!!!
Now here is the interesting news on the other end: the Philadelphia 76ers are within half a game of New York for the No. 6 seed. If the Bulls finish No. 2, they will play No. 7, and that could be the Knicks or the 76ers. You can decide for yourself with match up you like better.
The Bulls play Friday at home against Atlanta with payback in mind for their unfortunate loss in Georgia last week. Then on Saturday they face the Utah Jazz, the former home of Boozer, Korver and Brewer, while celebrating the 20th anniversary of the first NBA title back in 1991. Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and most of the team will be in attendance for that celebration.
There seems to be a lot to celebrate these days as far as the Bulls are concerned.
HERO: How many times has the game hero been from the bench this season? Once again, let's give Korver the nod for hitting all those fourth-quarter 3s to give the Bulls the breathing room they needed.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
LEBRON JAMES - THE MISTAKE
A tale of two cities!
Sorry Lebron, we got the guys we need to win on this TEAM! Oh ya, and we got DROSE FOO!
Big ups to LCMJ23 on Youtube for putting this video together.
And a big thanks to my buddy Cbrider22 on twitter for sending me this video... Click Here to Read More..
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
BULLS GAME 62 RECAP - by Kent McDill
Bulls outlast Hornets
By Kent McDill
Personally, I don't believe in trap games. Actually, I believe trap games exist, but I don't understand why. I think players who make millions of dollars should be able to get up for games on back-to-back nights. I may be correct about that, but it doesn't happen.
Following the Bulls' big win in Miami Sunday, it was anticipated that the Bulls would have trouble getting up to play against New Orleans at home Monday. Add to that the fact that Hornets point guard Chris Paul was not playing because of a concussion, and you had all the settings of a trap game, one the Bulls would struggle to win. And that is exactly what happened.
The Bulls let the Hornets stay with them through most of the game, let a fourth-quarter 10-point lead dissipate, then held the Hornets scoreless for the last three minutes to record an 85-77 victory. The win lifted the Bulls to a 27-4 record at home, the second-best mark in the league behind San Antonio's 29-3. Maybe I expect too much. I should just be pleased the Bulls pulled out a victory.
Derrick Rose had yet another bad shooting night, going 8-for-21 on the way to a game-high 24 points. He did make a couple of 3-pointers, ending his 0 for 16 streak from long distance with his third try in the third quarter Monday. Carlos Boozer had 19 points and nine rebounds, Joakim Noah had 13 rebounds to go with six points, and Omer Asik had eight rebounds, giving him 45 boards in his last six games.
On a night when Bulls fans were ready to celebrate him, Luol Deng had an off night, going two for 12 to finish with 10 points.
Thanks to coach Tom Thibodeau, the Bulls make great halftime adjustments. After playing to a 43-43 tie, the Bulls held New Orleans to four for 18 shooting in the third quarter and 11 for 37 in the second half. That's just below 30 percent, and any team that holds an opponent to that kind of shooting had better win.
You can bemoan the fact the Bulls aren't playing well offensively, but teams do not win playoff series with offense. They do it with defense, and the Bulls are incredible at that end of the floor.
The Bulls play at Charlotte Wednesday and amazingly that is a must win, because the Bobcats own a couple of wins against the Bulls and the two teams could meet in the first round of the playoffs.
HERO: Boozer was the best all-around player, and he has not had that distinction often this season, so let's make him the hero of the game.
Click Here to Read More..
By Kent McDill
Personally, I don't believe in trap games. Actually, I believe trap games exist, but I don't understand why. I think players who make millions of dollars should be able to get up for games on back-to-back nights. I may be correct about that, but it doesn't happen.
Following the Bulls' big win in Miami Sunday, it was anticipated that the Bulls would have trouble getting up to play against New Orleans at home Monday. Add to that the fact that Hornets point guard Chris Paul was not playing because of a concussion, and you had all the settings of a trap game, one the Bulls would struggle to win. And that is exactly what happened.
The Bulls let the Hornets stay with them through most of the game, let a fourth-quarter 10-point lead dissipate, then held the Hornets scoreless for the last three minutes to record an 85-77 victory. The win lifted the Bulls to a 27-4 record at home, the second-best mark in the league behind San Antonio's 29-3. Maybe I expect too much. I should just be pleased the Bulls pulled out a victory.
Derrick Rose had yet another bad shooting night, going 8-for-21 on the way to a game-high 24 points. He did make a couple of 3-pointers, ending his 0 for 16 streak from long distance with his third try in the third quarter Monday. Carlos Boozer had 19 points and nine rebounds, Joakim Noah had 13 rebounds to go with six points, and Omer Asik had eight rebounds, giving him 45 boards in his last six games.
On a night when Bulls fans were ready to celebrate him, Luol Deng had an off night, going two for 12 to finish with 10 points.
Thanks to coach Tom Thibodeau, the Bulls make great halftime adjustments. After playing to a 43-43 tie, the Bulls held New Orleans to four for 18 shooting in the third quarter and 11 for 37 in the second half. That's just below 30 percent, and any team that holds an opponent to that kind of shooting had better win.
You can bemoan the fact the Bulls aren't playing well offensively, but teams do not win playoff series with offense. They do it with defense, and the Bulls are incredible at that end of the floor.
The Bulls play at Charlotte Wednesday and amazingly that is a must win, because the Bobcats own a couple of wins against the Bulls and the two teams could meet in the first round of the playoffs.
HERO: Boozer was the best all-around player, and he has not had that distinction often this season, so let's make him the hero of the game.
COMING ATTRACTIONS: DERRICK ROSE
Sick....DROSE finally getting his own NBA commercial and national recognition! DROSE! FOO!
H/T Blog-a-bull Click Here to Read More..
Monday, March 7, 2011
BULLS GAME 61 RECAP - by Kent McDill
Bulls beat Heat
By Kent McDill
I don't know what is left to say about the 2010-11 Chicago Bulls. What they did Sunday is beyond full comprehension. On the surface, they beat the Miami Heat 87-86, coming from a nine-point halftime deficit to win the game on three Luol Deng free throws in the final seconds. But what they did below the surface is state very clearly that they are the second-best team in the Eastern Conference.
Combined with the win at Orlando Friday night, the Bulls let everyone in the National Basketball Association know that the title should be decided between them and the Boston Celtics come late May or early June. That fact is beyond full comprehension.
While the Miami Heat put together a team of superstars with two All-Stars joining Dwyane Wade on South Beach, the Bulls grabbed a bunch of Utah Jazz castoffs, combined them with Derrick Rose, Deng and Joakim Noah, and created a super team.
Here is exactly what happened Sunday, from my point of view:
The Miami Heat entered the game having lost four of their previous five games, two of them in demonstrable fashion. They lost to Orlando after having a 24-point second half lead, and they lost to San Antonio, going down 24 points in the first quarter.
The assumption is that pride would carry the day on Sunday. The Heat would put together their best effort and take care of the Bulls. They would make a statement. Unfortunately, they couldn't pull it off, not for four quarters.
After dominating the first half, when the Bulls appeared to be hanging on for dear life, the Heat could not come back from their halftime celebration. The Bulls, who make a habit of making the best halftime adjustments in the league, got right back into the game, knowing the Heat do not have the wherewithal to keep their act together under pressure.
The fourth quarter was a joy to watch. The Bulls pulled out by as much as six, the Heat came back and should have had the game won when they took a last-minute lead. But the Bulls are relentless, and really have a never-say-never attitude. They won the game because they have something the Heat do not have: heart.
In fact, if you look at the box score, you will see that the Heat match the Bulls in all significant categories. The only one the Bulls have an edge in is rebounding, and the numbers are only slightly different, 36-30.
The Bulls are a better "team'' than the Heat. That is exactly what is going to carry them to the Eastern Conference finals.
HERO: Tom Thibodeau is Coach of the Year. He is the reason the Bulls behave as they do. He is the teacher of the defense. He understands the mental makeup of the NBA. He is the leader this team needs. For this season, his act is working.
Click Here to Read More..
By Kent McDill
I don't know what is left to say about the 2010-11 Chicago Bulls. What they did Sunday is beyond full comprehension. On the surface, they beat the Miami Heat 87-86, coming from a nine-point halftime deficit to win the game on three Luol Deng free throws in the final seconds. But what they did below the surface is state very clearly that they are the second-best team in the Eastern Conference.
Combined with the win at Orlando Friday night, the Bulls let everyone in the National Basketball Association know that the title should be decided between them and the Boston Celtics come late May or early June. That fact is beyond full comprehension.
While the Miami Heat put together a team of superstars with two All-Stars joining Dwyane Wade on South Beach, the Bulls grabbed a bunch of Utah Jazz castoffs, combined them with Derrick Rose, Deng and Joakim Noah, and created a super team.
Here is exactly what happened Sunday, from my point of view:
The Miami Heat entered the game having lost four of their previous five games, two of them in demonstrable fashion. They lost to Orlando after having a 24-point second half lead, and they lost to San Antonio, going down 24 points in the first quarter.
The assumption is that pride would carry the day on Sunday. The Heat would put together their best effort and take care of the Bulls. They would make a statement. Unfortunately, they couldn't pull it off, not for four quarters.
After dominating the first half, when the Bulls appeared to be hanging on for dear life, the Heat could not come back from their halftime celebration. The Bulls, who make a habit of making the best halftime adjustments in the league, got right back into the game, knowing the Heat do not have the wherewithal to keep their act together under pressure.
The fourth quarter was a joy to watch. The Bulls pulled out by as much as six, the Heat came back and should have had the game won when they took a last-minute lead. But the Bulls are relentless, and really have a never-say-never attitude. They won the game because they have something the Heat do not have: heart.
In fact, if you look at the box score, you will see that the Heat match the Bulls in all significant categories. The only one the Bulls have an edge in is rebounding, and the numbers are only slightly different, 36-30.
The Bulls are a better "team'' than the Heat. That is exactly what is going to carry them to the Eastern Conference finals.
HERO: Tom Thibodeau is Coach of the Year. He is the reason the Bulls behave as they do. He is the teacher of the defense. He understands the mental makeup of the NBA. He is the leader this team needs. For this season, his act is working.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
BULLS GAME 60 RECAP - by Kent McDill
Bulls beat Magic
By Kent McDill
I have a question: Is there a better bench in the National Basketball Association than the one the Chicago Bulls have? I really want to know. Talk to me.
The Bulls beat the Magic Friday night, 89-81, a win I predicted would allow us to forget about the loss to Atlanta on Wednesday night. Actually, the loss that allowed us to forget about Wednesday night's loss was the one the Miami Heat suffered at the hands of the Orlando Magic Thursday night, when they let a 24-point lead escape. (As I am writing this, the Heat are down by 24 points after one quarter to the San Antonio Spurs. Don't you just love it?)
So the Bulls have beaten Orlando at home and on the road. The Magic were trying to sneak up on the Bulls in the standings, and still may keep that chase alive, but the Bulls are so much better as a team than the two-man show the Magic present.
So let's get back to my question about the Bulls bench. Is there any team in the NBA that has five guys ready to step in for the man they are playing behind the way the Bulls do?
Against the Magic, Kyle Korver provided one of his best games with 10 points, making three 3-pointers. Omer Asik had a career-high 13 rebounds in 31 minutes, spelling starter Joakim Noah because of foul trouble. C.J. Watson had eight points, Taj Gibson and Asik each contributed five points, and Ronnie Brewer had four points and another steal. These guys are really good, and they make the Bulls look more like a team than any other team in the league with the possible exception of the Spurs.
With the Bulls win and the Miami Heat's loss, the Bulls moved into second place in the Eastern Conference, percentage points ahead of the Heat. The Bulls are 42-18, and the Heat are 43-19. The Heat also play their next eight games against teams with winning records, starting with the Bulls on Sunday. A Chicago victory moves them a full game ahead of the Heat gives them a 3-0 record against them this season. That stuff matters when the playoffs come around.
As bad as the loss to Atlanta was, this win is that good. The Bulls, when properly motivated, are as good as any team in the NBA, and who would have said that when this season started? The Bulls have become appointment television, and the anticipation of the next Bulls game is as great as it was during the dynasty years. This is a remarkable turnaround for a team that offered hope at the beginning of the season but has delivered answers.
HERO: Omer Asik may have had three turnovers because he has the hands of a big man, but his 13 rebounds against the Magic prove that he is coming into his own in the game.
Click Here to Read More..
By Kent McDill
I have a question: Is there a better bench in the National Basketball Association than the one the Chicago Bulls have? I really want to know. Talk to me.
The Bulls beat the Magic Friday night, 89-81, a win I predicted would allow us to forget about the loss to Atlanta on Wednesday night. Actually, the loss that allowed us to forget about Wednesday night's loss was the one the Miami Heat suffered at the hands of the Orlando Magic Thursday night, when they let a 24-point lead escape. (As I am writing this, the Heat are down by 24 points after one quarter to the San Antonio Spurs. Don't you just love it?)
So the Bulls have beaten Orlando at home and on the road. The Magic were trying to sneak up on the Bulls in the standings, and still may keep that chase alive, but the Bulls are so much better as a team than the two-man show the Magic present.
So let's get back to my question about the Bulls bench. Is there any team in the NBA that has five guys ready to step in for the man they are playing behind the way the Bulls do?
Against the Magic, Kyle Korver provided one of his best games with 10 points, making three 3-pointers. Omer Asik had a career-high 13 rebounds in 31 minutes, spelling starter Joakim Noah because of foul trouble. C.J. Watson had eight points, Taj Gibson and Asik each contributed five points, and Ronnie Brewer had four points and another steal. These guys are really good, and they make the Bulls look more like a team than any other team in the league with the possible exception of the Spurs.
With the Bulls win and the Miami Heat's loss, the Bulls moved into second place in the Eastern Conference, percentage points ahead of the Heat. The Bulls are 42-18, and the Heat are 43-19. The Heat also play their next eight games against teams with winning records, starting with the Bulls on Sunday. A Chicago victory moves them a full game ahead of the Heat gives them a 3-0 record against them this season. That stuff matters when the playoffs come around.
As bad as the loss to Atlanta was, this win is that good. The Bulls, when properly motivated, are as good as any team in the NBA, and who would have said that when this season started? The Bulls have become appointment television, and the anticipation of the next Bulls game is as great as it was during the dynasty years. This is a remarkable turnaround for a team that offered hope at the beginning of the season but has delivered answers.
HERO: Omer Asik may have had three turnovers because he has the hands of a big man, but his 13 rebounds against the Magic prove that he is coming into his own in the game.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
AMAZING NEW MICHAEL JORDAN HIGHLIGHT VIDEO - G.O.A.T.
Man, sometimes people just forget how ridiculously sick MJ was. Hopefully this video will help refresh their memory...Amazing...
G.O.A.T.
H/T Artistry of MJ - Goodmen Project
Click Here to Read More..
G.O.A.T.
H/T Artistry of MJ - Goodmen Project
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
JERRY'S WORLD - by Abrar A.
The day before the Super Bowl the owners and the players engaged in a negotiating session that proved to ultimately be unsuccessful. However, the failure of the meeting was not the main story. The real story became Jerry Richardson.
Jerry Richardson is the owner of the Carolina Panthers. Richardson actually was a former football player who quit playing for the Baltimore Colts because they would not pay him an extra $250 a year in 1961. He took the income he earned from football and opened up a Hardee’s fast food restaurant in North Carolina. From that one restaurant’s success, Richardson was able to build a publicly traded food corporation known as Spartan Foods. Spartan eventually turned into the Flagstar Corporation. By the time he retired, Flagstar controlled over 2500 restaurants and 100,000 employees.
Part of his success is attributed to his no-nonsense approach. According to one article, employees are scared of Mr. Richardson when he evaluates their work. It follows as such that it seems as if Richardson’s no-nonsense approach spills over into condescension when he deals with the NFL Players Association. As owner of the Carolina Panthers, Commissioner Roger Gooddell appointed Richardson as co-chair of the owners’ negotiating committee. The owners were sending a message to the players because Richardson’s hawkish approach to the negotiations is well known i.e. he wants to establish a hard line towards the players until the union breaks and gives into the owners’ demands.
As such, it should not have been a surprise when Richardson was quoted disparaging and acting condescendingly towards Peyton Manning and Drew Brees. In fact, it was reported that Manning was breathing heavily and the other players were ready to jump across the table. When one players tried to bring the issue of player safety to the forefront of the meeting, Richardson reportedly replied “You guys made so much [expletive] money – if you played three years in the NFL, you should own your own [expletive] team.”
With Richardson’s hardline approach and destructive personality, it is no wonder then why players and owners cannot meet let alone come to an agreement. Sometimes, it is not the substance that prevents an agreement from occurring but rather the personalities of the individuals. Here, it seems as if Richardson’s personality is, at the very least, preventing the two sides from talking constructively.
The players and the owners have entered into non-binding mediation. Mediation is a dispute resolution tool wherein a neutral third party attempts to bridge the gaps between the parties. The mediator will use different methods including having each party separated into different rooms and going back and forth. Even if mediation is unsuccessful, as it probably will be here, it allows for each party to understand the other’s position.
It is telling Jerry Richardson is not a part of the mediation. Jerry Richardson fails to recognize that his achievements in the business world were extraordinary not the norm. So when Richardson lives in Jerry’s World in which every player playing for more than 3 seasons can own an NFL Franchise, it is no wonder that talks broke down repeatedly.
Yet I don’t think it is just Jerry Richardson who is the only problem, he is just one of many. Reportedly, there isn’t one single owner who is taking part in the mediation; and the mediator reported that even though some progress has been made, both sides are still far apart. The collective bargaining agreement expires in March but until the Owners’ lockout begins to threaten training camp and the regular season, neither side will feel the pressure to amend their position.
Abrar A. is a litigation and labor attorney from Chicago, Illinois. He hates the Cover-2 defense and is waiting for the day the Bears get a new coach. Abrar also has a man-crush on D.Wade that is only rivaled by Docksquad's own man-crush on DRose. Abrar A. will be freelancing for DSS.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
BULLS GAME 58 RECAP - by Kent McDill
Bulls easy win over Wizards
By Kent McDill
When I was a kid, I loved looking at sports standings in the newspaper. I grew up in Indiana, and the Big 10 basketball standings could fascinate me for hours. The same went for Major League standings, and I go back far enough to remember when each league had 10 teams and they all played for one pennant, so that the list was 10 teams long. I would look at the day's schedule to see how the standings might change. I would look a week ahead to imagine how one team might jump over another.
I tell you this because this morning I found myself doing the same thing with the NBA standings and schedule of games. With the Bulls' easy 105-77 victory over the Washington Wizards Monday, combined with Boston's win at Utah, the Bulls remain two games behind Boston in the overall Eastern Conference standings in the NBA. The Miami Heat are between those teams, half a game behind the Celtics and 1 1/2 games ahead of the Bulls. The final two months of the season are going to be ridiculously fun as we watch those three teams jockey for a key position, and that key position is NOT to finish third in the conference.
Third in the conference probably means a first-round matchup with Amar'e Stoudamire, Carmelo Anthony and the new-look New York Knicks, who don't yet know their limitations. I don't think much of the combination myself, but the Knicks think they are good and the league is very pumped about the prospects of a key playoff series in New York, which smells trouble for the team that is not from New York.
The Knicks have beaten the Bulls twice already this season, and that was without Anthony in the lineup. They play again in the final week of the season, at New York. The Bulls are a better team than the Knicks, much deeper and much, much better defensively. But I have seen how Bulls-New York series go. Remember the 1994 series when Scottie Pippen was in charge after Michael Jordan retired, and how the Bulls got ripped off?
Actually, because the NBA cares so much about appearances and high-profile matchups, I predict they will find a way to have the Heat end up third so they can have a Miami-New York first round series. That's the Big Three in Miami against the Big Two in New York, and they think that works for a national audience.
The Bulls have to help this program along by passing the Heat in the standings, which they can do as long as they win the games they are supposed to win, and win enough of the tossup games to make headway against the Heat, which is adding players right and left this week and still won't have a real team to play with.
By beating the Wizards by almost 30 points, the Bulls finally won a game the way they were supposed to against a weak opponent. Now they have to prepare for their first meeting of the season against Atlanta Wednesday before a weekend of games in Orlando and Miami.
This could be a fun week.
Click Here to Read More..
By Kent McDill
When I was a kid, I loved looking at sports standings in the newspaper. I grew up in Indiana, and the Big 10 basketball standings could fascinate me for hours. The same went for Major League standings, and I go back far enough to remember when each league had 10 teams and they all played for one pennant, so that the list was 10 teams long. I would look at the day's schedule to see how the standings might change. I would look a week ahead to imagine how one team might jump over another.
I tell you this because this morning I found myself doing the same thing with the NBA standings and schedule of games. With the Bulls' easy 105-77 victory over the Washington Wizards Monday, combined with Boston's win at Utah, the Bulls remain two games behind Boston in the overall Eastern Conference standings in the NBA. The Miami Heat are between those teams, half a game behind the Celtics and 1 1/2 games ahead of the Bulls. The final two months of the season are going to be ridiculously fun as we watch those three teams jockey for a key position, and that key position is NOT to finish third in the conference.
Third in the conference probably means a first-round matchup with Amar'e Stoudamire, Carmelo Anthony and the new-look New York Knicks, who don't yet know their limitations. I don't think much of the combination myself, but the Knicks think they are good and the league is very pumped about the prospects of a key playoff series in New York, which smells trouble for the team that is not from New York.
The Knicks have beaten the Bulls twice already this season, and that was without Anthony in the lineup. They play again in the final week of the season, at New York. The Bulls are a better team than the Knicks, much deeper and much, much better defensively. But I have seen how Bulls-New York series go. Remember the 1994 series when Scottie Pippen was in charge after Michael Jordan retired, and how the Bulls got ripped off?
Actually, because the NBA cares so much about appearances and high-profile matchups, I predict they will find a way to have the Heat end up third so they can have a Miami-New York first round series. That's the Big Three in Miami against the Big Two in New York, and they think that works for a national audience.
The Bulls have to help this program along by passing the Heat in the standings, which they can do as long as they win the games they are supposed to win, and win enough of the tossup games to make headway against the Heat, which is adding players right and left this week and still won't have a real team to play with.
By beating the Wizards by almost 30 points, the Bulls finally won a game the way they were supposed to against a weak opponent. Now they have to prepare for their first meeting of the season against Atlanta Wednesday before a weekend of games in Orlando and Miami.
This could be a fun week.
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