Sure, Hinrich stunk it up Saturday, and the timing enhanced his poor performance because of those comments. But Hinrich's troubles led to playoff playing time for Thabo, and he was incredible to watch.
Thabo's length gave Wade problems all game, but don't expect a carbon copy tomorrow. Great players adjust, and referees adjust to great players. That means Wade will find a way to make a bigger impact and Shaq isn't going to foul out again.
Game 2 should be fun, as long as the Bull-imp doesn't kill anyone. That was one of the funniest things I've seen at a Bulls game
Bulls will have the services of Kirk Hinrich next game, and he will be the answer for Flash. Both he and Griffith. Shaq is going to have a monster game, but I expect that to be countered by a balanced attack from the Bull's - Deng, Gordon, Nocioni, Hinrich combination. The GLASS is what the Bulls must continue to concentrate on.
Coaching - Look for the Bulls to play Thomas on Walker, and for Miami to try and slow down Deng with Hasslem and Posey. Malik Allen and Tyrus Thomas will be major factors if Deng gets in trouble. Bulls are in control and should impose their will on Miami. HOMECOURT is huge.
Now I've seen it all. Who kidnapped the original Keith??? I was waiting for a blow out to happen on Saturday but they made it close. I will be waiting for the blow out to happen tomorrow because we own the Heat. Shaq needs to stop crying because he gets calls that other players just dream about. GO BULLS
The Bulls thoroughly outplayed the Heat for about 99.9 percent of the game. I thought Pat Riley made some weak in game adjustments (isolation for Antoine Walker was the best he could come up with during the third quarter!). Right now the Heat are soley relying on star power to win the series, while the Bulls actually are trying to play team basketball. Sefolosha is on track to become the best guard that the Bulls have. Just waite till he refines his jumpshot, he will be deadly!
Pat Riley has enough slick in his hair to polish the lackluster play of his team. Also new referee's means that there will be make up calls for a couple of ticky-tacky fouls in the first game. Lol Dang, Luol Deng showed Bulls management what Gasol would never be able to do in a game. I have a feeling Captain Kirk will get beemed back to his regular self for tomorrows game. They will need Tyrus Thomas to show he can defend better than he can dunk. Tomorrow's game should be a good one.
Pat Riley has enough slick in his hair to polish the lackluster play of his team. Also new referee's means that there will be make up calls for a couple of ticky-tacky fouls in the first game. Lol Dang, Luol Deng showed Bulls management what Gasol would never be able to do in a game. I have a feeling Captain Kirk will get beemed back to his regular self for tomorrows game. They will need Tyrus Thomas to show he can defend better than he can dunk. Tomorrow's game should be a good one.
Will the really Keith please stand up! please stand up!
Tomorrow's game will be huge (not like they all aren't now).... If they can keep home court advantage, they have a good chance. I think the refs will be more lenient in game 2, which means stars like wade and shaq will get calls and they won't get in foul trouble, thats just how it works in the NBA.
I think they have found a nice defensive stopper in thabo though, his length gives wade problems, and more importantly gives Kirk a breather. I think kirk will have a better game, can't get any worse, right? As long as the limit the turnovers and play solid D, they are in good shape. I think they should penetrate more on the heat, they really don't have a intimidating shot blocker, except shaq, and you can get him in foul trouble if you attack the basket.
Big D don't forget Mourning is also a good shot blocker although seldom on the floor at the same time as Shaq.
loved the comment on Riley's hair, maybe he'll try to use a little of that grease on the ref's?
was glad to see Ben Gordon pass the ball in game 1, if he began getting a few more assists he becomes that much more dangerous.
it's going to be interesting to see what adjustments Riley makes in tonight's game. it's obvious Wade can't defend Deng but being less than 100% Gordon should blow right past him and if they put Posey on Deng what do they do about Noce? fact is the only match-up problem the Bulls have is the same one every team has with Miami...Shaq. the one game the Bulls lost to Miami in the regular season was shortly after Miami aquired Eddie Jones and I don't think they were sure just what to expect and Jones burned them. Riley has an extensive bag of tricks and nothing he does will surprise me but the truth is if the Bulls remain focused and don't let down they are the faster and better team. if the Bulls win tonight I look for them to split in Miami and close the series in game 5 in Chicago.
Is there anyone else that has ever thought "Tyrus Thomas is just a rookie but he is already this good, he's actually going to be better than this most of his career"?
Fellas I am here, and I am hoping beyond hope that I was wrong about the Bull's deficiencies. I am hoping that this dog has a more fight in it than the bigger and stronger dogs it will be facing. I still believe the Bulls are "short" in all those areas I stated in previous posts. I KNOW that was the reason they lost to New Jersey. You guys say you want the truth, but - YOU CANT HANDLE THE TRUTH! YOU WEEP FOR SANTIAGO! (LOL)!
Its game time and all of my heart is with the Bulls! Bulls are like George Mason in these playoffs to me. Time to root and cheer and enjoy the ride. They should win tonight and I will be right there enjoying it all. But I won't be truly impressed until they win in Miami. Chauncy Billups made that wise point. Playoffs don't really start until you win on the road. Go Bulls!
As much as this might anger the moderator because I know how much he dislikes Hinrich, but Hinrich will come back and play well tonight. However, from what I saw in game 1 the Bulls might be in trouble. That game went down to the final seconds with O'Neal and Wade in foul trouble. I hope the Bulls do it, but a lack of an inside game(Gasol, where are you?) combined with the fact Miami has an inside game says Heat in 6.
Roman responds: First of all, the moderator does not dislike Hinrich. That's asinine. The moderator covered the Bulls during Kirk's first season and found him to be very likeable and the team's best player. The moderator does not think he's the team's best player currently, and the moderator would consider trading him if Thabo continues to develop into a defensive stopper of big two-guards. The moderator considers Ben Gordon more untouchable than Kirk.
Secondly, the moderator will ban forever the next poster who mentions Pau Gasol being on the Bulls. Not sure if you noticed, but the guy the Grizzlies wanted for the Euro-softie scored 33 points Saturday.
Loookk all you Bulls fan out there,, its great to have all these excitement because Bulls won game 1.. Looks bulls will not escape against Miami Heat.. Miami Heat just have too much weapons for Bulls to Handle.. Remember Heat have 2 superstars.. Bulls dont have a superstar.. Bulls just have bunch of good players.. Good players can only get you random victories but in order to win a series you need superstars.. its a proven fact.. As we all know Wade and Shaq were in foul trouble.. that is the only reason why bulls beat the heat... If you are a bulls fan.. you should be really scared.. I believe bulls had a 9 point lead with under 3 minutes to go.. and Miami cut that lead down to 2.. that jsut shows you what the bulls are... If the bulls ever want to win a championship they need to go get a superstar liek Kevin Garnett..
Now Here is mine and Charles Barkely's prediction on tonights game... Heat 92 Bulls 84... There is no way in Hell Miami going down 0-2..
Loookk all you Bulls fan out there,, its great to have all these excitement because Bulls won game 1.. Looks bulls will not escape against Miami Heat.. Miami Heat just have too much weapons for Bulls to Handle.. Remember Heat have 2 superstars.. Bulls dont have a superstar.. Bulls just have bunch of good players.. Good players can only get you random victories but in order to win a series you need superstars.. its a proven fact.. As we all know Wade and Shaq were in foul trouble.. that is the only reason why bulls beat the heat... If you are a bulls fan.. you should be really scared.. I believe bulls had a 9 point lead with under 3 minutes to go.. and Miami cut that lead down to 2.. that jsut shows you what the bulls are... If the bulls ever want to win a championship they need to go get a superstar liek Kevin Garnett..
Now Here is mine and Charles Barkely's prediction on tonights game... Heat 92 Bulls 84... There is no way in Hell Miami going down 0-2..
Moderator is right! Even though I would have pulled that trigger! I don't fault Pax for his decision which was sound, I fault his - not taking a chance. Deng is great - but where was he when Miki Moore and Etan Thomas were looking like Jokim Noah? For me its about the bigger picture.
Moderator is also right about Pax and Gordon.
Thabo definitely was a bright spot, no bout adout it. Now we just need for Skiles to see what everyone else saw and find this kid some strategic minutes. Please Mr. Scott don't wait til' Wade hits the bench to rest Capt. Kirk! Let us once again see the 'Running of the Bulls. I think I'll take a PASS again on Lil' Ben. And for you Big Ben; when push comes to fall, I think this round you should 'push'. Luol, um', you just be Luol. And the "Heavy Hitter" for last; give Sweetney a few minutes to lean on the Big Guy late third/early fourth. Go Bulls!
I just say give the Bulls 3 more made three pointers and and let everything else be the same, Bulls score over 100. Miami, even if the 2 stars are on the court will NOT have the same amount of energy for the last quarter. That is the trade off, rested stars or more minutes for them. Shaq has always been tired at the end of the game if he plays lots of minutes and expect the same for Wade. Walker will not do as great in the next game. Also, the rest of that team, other than Wade and Shaq, probably wouldn't even make the Bulls roster. Bulls 104 Miami 90. Bulls win in 5!
well first let me say thank you to Roman for threatining to ban the next person that laments Paxson not pulling the trigger on the Gasol trade. secondly Tony K. the Bulls built that 9 point lead with Miami's superstars on the floor. as much as I like Barkley sometimes he gives the big names too much credit. the Bulls are capable of running Shaq's legs off and Wade is not invincable in his present condition. Walker had a good game Saturday but I look for him to be a non-factor tonight he tends to disappear after a good game. he's been streaky his entire career.
Roman I agree Gordon is more untouchable than Kirk but I would deal Duhon before Kirk simply from a defensive point. If Thabo developes into a legitimate point gaurd I would imagine Kirk would either fill Duhon's role or be traded.
Keith slow down on the Big Mac's (unless you have a ticket to tonight's game because the fans will get a free one) they're starting to clog your arteries and slow the flow of oxygen to your brain. We know the truth, the Bulls are a young energetic team without a recognized superstar but they are capable of beating anyone on any given night and they are getting hungry and dangerous.
Would like to make an additional comment. I agree with Roman that Kirk is probably expendable. Thabo, Gordon, Duhon are three quality guards who can bring the ball up and each has a special skill. Thabo is long, Gordon the deadly shooter, and Duhon a good scorer in his own right, very quick, and excellent decision maker. If we really want a quality, tall, power guy it will cost and I don't see us giving up our forwards(Luol, Thomas, or Noce). I also think in the right situation, Luol can play the two guard.
Well as long as we are discussing the future. The Bulls are winning with class and effort. They have to outwork and outhustle teams to win. Its cute but not wise. Its also unfair to the team to go to battle undermanned. I would like to see the Bulls match up well against the entire league (size and athletes). I know having a WHOLE team is a bit of a crazy idea, but on most nights it actually works to have an equal sized guy to guard the other team's big guys. (see Thabo n Tyrus for reference)
It also gives Mr. Skiles an excuse (bunch of O.S.C.A.R - M.E.Y.E.R.). Which brings me to my next point. I tunned into Comcast the other day and Dan Jiggets had Mike North on the panel. Mr. North had the audacity to claim Mr. Skiles as the best coach the Bulls ever had because of the lack of talent he has to work with. Of course Mr. Jiggets and Tex Winter both laughed him to scorn. But many believe that Mr. Skiles is just struggling with garbage players and getting the most out of them. I believe the current roster has a ton of talent that would be 5-10 points better on any other NBA team. Current castaways have proven my point already. With a change and addition of length/athleticism, I see a Championship team instead of another Doug Collins run. Ladies/Gentlemen try and see the big picture.
Roman responds: Keith, Keith, Keith. Who are these castaways doing so well with other teams? Eddy Curry and Jamal Crawford haven't been in the playoffs since they left. They've led AWFUL Knicks teams. Even Tim Thomas didn't do squat this year. All those guys are home watching the playoffs while the coach you seem to have a problem with has a 2-love lead over the defending champs. It's not about increasing scoring, it's about winning. I don't know anyone who has said these are "garbage players," although it's interesting none of the players were picked for the All-Star team. Is Skiles the best coach ever? Who knows. But I don't think Phil would be doing much better with this squad.
Roman my friend, all I can say is any improvement is some. Mr. Skiles painted those players as if they were finished in the NBA, when the fact is, he was just a LAZY coach. Here it is, the likes of Isaiah and the very bad knicks are getting the SAME and even more out of Eddie Curry. You cannot have a roster of just players YOU like to coach. When you do, how much coaching are you really doing??? That is why I took offense to Mike North's statements.
Old Mike North was aluding to the fact that the Bulls have no talent, but you can hide (hold back) talent. Look at Chris Duhon and Tyrus Thomas (who should be rookie of the year). Sometimes thats developing a player, and sometimes that holding the player back. You can look up and down our bench and find players that would have better numbers on other squads AND SOME OF THEM WOULD BE ALL STARS.
Noone EVER thought that Phil would take Doug Collin's team and turn them into champions so quickly, but he did and that is overlooked. North tried to give ALL the credit to Jordan, but Mr. Jiggets asked the right question; why didn't the Bulls become Champs all of those years before Phil? The answer is TEAM trumps talent, but TEAM and Talent TRUMPS ALL. It takes a SPECIAL coach to get the best talent to perform. When the Bulls dumped Tim Thomas, I was the biggest supporter of that move - because like Chicago fans, I thought he was uncoachable. He was difficult to coach - not uncoachable. A good or special coach manages talent. That is a gift Phil has that separates him from the likes of Skiles and many others. We need a guy like that just to attract - instead of repel talent. We just cannot continue to dump players because they spoke up or frowned back at the coach. Mr. Jiggets also asked Mr. North "do you think Skiles could have coached Jordan's teams"? It got silent on the set. (I thought his mike popped off or something)
Roman responds: It's an interesting question, Skiles coaching Jordan's team. You know what, I'm not sure.