The Heat may have been defending champs, but the Pistons are the No. 1 seed in the East and have home-court advantage. It's a tall order for the Bulls, but not one they can't accomplish, especially if they continue to shoot like this.
Any early predictions?
Roman Modrowski is the online sports editor for the 
Just got home from the Sox game and all I can think is: thank God for Neil Funk and a good old-fashioned Walkman! The Bulls completely dominated the Heat in every aspect in this series - it wasn't even close. I say the Bulls take the next series in 6, although I should probably wait for the Sun-Times experts to come out with their predictions and take the opposite of the consensus. The Pistons are obviously a better team than the Heat, but the Bulls have Big Mo' on their side now. They really seem to be coming together as a team and they sure are fun to watch - or listen to, as the case may be. GO BULLS!!!!!
The bulls in six. Detroit is a very good team but if Deng and Gordan keep playing they way they are playing we should beat Detroit. It will be even easier if the overrated Kirk Hinrich can stay out of foul trouble.
I agree Roman, the Bulls can do it! Any NBA team is capable of greatness. Miami caught fire last year and beat some very good teams. Bulls remind me of the Knicks team that went to the finals that featured Larry Johnson, Latrell Spreewell, Marcus Camby and Allen Houston. They were also small, but packed a lot of fire and confidence. The stars lined up for them like they have for Chicago this year. So far the Bull's postgame has held up! Wallace and PJ have been sensational. Luol Deng has emerged as the Bull's best player, and Gordon, Kirk and Noch have been steady. This years team is much more improved that last years. It's great to get out of that first round into respectability. Bulls are riding high, no reason to pull the dice off the table now...let it ride fellas. Let it ride all the way to the finals.
The way I see it the Bulls just lost their second round. By beating the heat they are forced to play Detroit and that's a bad match up.
Ha ha just kidding Roman. I haven't followed the Bulls in a while but enjoyed that first round. Your blog from 4/18 had me worried.
I hope they continue the winning it's fun to watch a young team go nuts plus I am sick of watching the Lakers ;)
Its a tough series for thr baby Bulls which look all grown up now, but I got them in 7. They have too many options and good outside shoting with a more important strong defense. They are a far better shooting team than Detroit, but they will still have their hands full.............
the Bulls showed a new level of matrity in Miami winning 2 games on the road and coming from behind in the third quarter in both games. the Pistons are a more athletic team than the Heat but the Bulls did take 3 of 4 during the regular season. look for a split in the first 2 games then the Bulls winning at home in 6.
Roman in your response to Keith in the previous thread you have apparently already picked the Nets to eliminate the Cav's in the other bracket in the east. but having already savored revenge agianst the Heat wouldn't it also be sweet to avnenge that season finale loss with a match-up against the Nets and having home court in the Eastern Finals?
I wouldn't be surprised if either team won. It's tough to call. Sure Detroit is the #1 seed, but it's all about matchups, and the Bulls match up as well as anyone else in the East.
However, the Bulls' shot % will go down in one of their games... it's bound to happen.
Inasmuch as I picked the Bulls to sweep the Heat, because of Wade being less than 100%, it stands to reason that Detroit would give them a tougher series, because they are good, and healthy. That being said, I'll take the Bulls in five.
Tim you are right. Facing NJ would be the icing on the cake. My mind says that the el stops in Detroit, but my heart says they can win it all. That is why I was so hard on Pax and Skiles. That window is WIDE open now. The championship is there for the taking because Dallas is going down with the Heat, and Denver is giving San Antonio a good fight. And I think when west is settled, only Phoenix will be standing, whom the Bulls match up great against. Its there this year, but I believe that window closes next year. Bulls have proven they are a playoff team, now the next step is BULLY in the East and contender.
You guys might thimk I'm nuts, but I think losing the last game of the reg season against the Nets may have been the best thing to happen to the bulls....
For some reason they seemed to play the Heat and the Pistons well, think they just match up well against these teams. And it looks like the Cavs may come out of the other bracket, which the bulls also do well against.
They just seem to struggle against the magic, raptors, and nets, again due to matchups.
So as crazy as it may sound, facing the heat, then the pistons may be easier matchup wise for the bulls. Who knows the pistons better than big ben wallace? I say bulls in 6...
Hunger is one of the most underestimated factors in sports, at any level. It is the inner essence of a competitor that can make the difference in a long stretch of demanding and often stressful games at the end of a season. We were blessed with a gifted #23 who refused to lose at hopscotch to the girl down the block, and that hunger never left that man a day in his life. Right now as we read, our Bulls are FAMISHED with a wide eyed lust for only one thing - the big prize. You could just see it in their workman-like faces now, like a shark tasting blood for the first time. One thing is for sure; these Bulls are going to give every ounce of energy to fill their plates. This insatiable competitive appetite along with a renewed focus on free throw shooting and taking care of the ball makes for a very exciting outlook to these playoffs. Detroit has some old knees on the floor at all times. I know I wouldn't mind racing them to the lunchroom line. Bulls in 6.
The Bulls may win 2 (possibly 3) games- but they don't have a serious advantage at any position. Energy v. Experience is what this is about and Experience will take the Pistons back to the Finals. BADY BOYS REBORN!
Roman responds: Energy vs. Experience was what the Bulls-Heat series was about, too.
Anthony, I like the cut of your jib! I was excited reading your prediction! Bulls certainly have all of these old gheezers beat in that area. And Scott Skiles has them in condition to give these medicaide recipients some new bracelets! We have the youth factor, hunger, and we have their hustle guy on our team. I had never been so happy to see Wallace and PJ during that sweep!
The Bulls are back and they are capable of winning against any team in the playoffs as long as they are playing the way they are right now. The only teams that I see that's as hungry as the Bulls are the Nets and Warriors. The Bulls swept the Heat simply because we are better this year than we are last year. The Bulls have more chemistry as a team than any other teams right now. Now it's time for Detroit. The Bulls are on-fire and that's all you need in the playoffs. Momentum will help the Bulls beat the Detroit at home. Ben Gordon and Luol Deng have been proven to be scorers, Ben Wallace is doing what he's best at. Watch for Andres Nocioni catch on-fire & also watch Kirk Hinrich disturb Chauncey Billups or Richard Hamilton. The ex-factor in this series would be Tyrus Thomas. If everything comes out to be the way it should, I know the Bulls win 4-2 or 4-1. If or When the Bulls advance, then they'll face New Jersey. The Bulls will win that series 4-1 for the fact that N.J is the reason why the Bulls caught on-fire. After that, well, we'll see who the Bulls face in the FINALS!
Bulls showed they can put a team away & shut door! The Pistons certainly are a good club but Bulls should be able to take care of business if they don't beat themselves.The Heat certainly pretty much a old club,will be big test versus Pistons.
The bulls played great, but there's no greater joy to me, then to watch all the bandwagon jumpers pile on!! Bulls in five.
Whatever Keith-LS and Tim Little says is gospel. If they say it it must be true. Keep it up guys. Julie B. you've come out of nowhere and shown these guys that women can be just as good as guys at being true fans. If not better. Your assessments kick butt in all sports. Now please don't tell me that you're a guy.
CONGRAT'S ON BEATING A BUSTED D-WADE, A FAT SHAQ, AND THE WACKEST SUPPORTING CAST IN THE PLAYOFF. NOW LET'S SEE YOU PLAY AGAINST A REAL BASKEYBALL TEAM. lET'S SEE, FOUR POST UP PLAYERS, THE MOST PROFICIENT GUARD TANDEM IN THE NBA (REGULAR AND POST SEASON) THE LAST 4 YEARS, THE BEST SHOOTING BIGMEN IN THE LEAGUE, AND AN ACTUAL BENCH THIS TIME AROUND.
DRINK THAT BULLSH*T KOOLAID. PLEASE ACTUALLY BELIEVE YOU CAN BEAT A PISTON TEAM THAT'S BETTER THAN THE 64 WIN BUNCH FROM LAST YEAR. WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BEN (FEAR THE FREE THROW) WALLACE. bEN IS USELESS AGAINST BIG MEN WHO CAN PICK AND POP CAUSE IT TAKES HIM AWAY FROM AROUND THE RIM (THE ONLY PLACE HE'S EFFECTIVE). DON'T BELIEVE ME ASK THE CAVALIER FORWARDS WHO EXPOSED BEN DURING LAST YEAR'S SEMI'S. yALL AINT READY TO STOMP WITH THE BIG DOGS.
Roman responds: The most proficient guard tandem in the NBA the last four years? You are talking about Parker and Ginobili, right?
Welcome to the blog, and all I ask is one thing: Please don't use all caps next time. Thanks.
God is on the Bulls side! Bulls in 6!
-Sister Lucidia and the nuns at St. Stan's in E.C.
perhaps the real story got lost in all the hoopla surrounding the Bulls sweep of Miami. in games 3 & 4 Miami attempted to steal the game late in the 4th quarter by putting Big Ben on the line. in game 3 he made 2 of 4 and in game 4 he made 7 in a row. I've watched every gane this year and what I noticed when Ben was shooting those free throws was he had a totally different body language and focus then during the regular season. Ben did what Shaq couldn't when it really counted......made clutch free throws.
just one more sign that this Bulls team is hungry and for eal.
Im getting real tired of all these non believers. The ones who think
the only reason we won was because of a bad Heat team. That is absurd. Do any of these people stop to think that we made them look that bad? It must be because the Heat aged faster than any team in history. Does anyone remember the friggin regular season? The Heat were on of the hottest teams in the NBA in the 2nd half. I dont know the exact stats but the Heat were under .500 with a healthy Wade and in danger of not making the playoffs. I dont know the exact numbers but they were on fire after that. Shaq took over again and they were beating teams left and right. So dont tell me its because Shaq is fat and over the hill. He carried the darn team for how many games in the regular season. I guess it was because the other teams thought the Heat were so good they just laid down before the game started. I dont know if I got across my point like i wanted, I would like to have stats to back it up. I would like to know the Heats record over the last 40 or so. Then tell me how bad and over the hill they are. The Bulls are a good damn TEAM. Better than the Heat. Maybe as good, or better than the Pistons (Bulls in 7). Teams win in the playoffs, not individuals.
Give the Bulls the friggin credit and quit blaming it on the Heat being bad, that is so not the case.
I don't like to talk about the Bulls at this time by individual accomplishments, their TEAM play is such a major factor, but Keith-LS, you bring up two very important names; Ben Wallace and P.J. Brown. I read this morning that Paxson and Skiles have both noticed the importance of these two veterans on the floor, overlooked by others unless you watch film or are the referees (they absolutely see things from one of the best perspectives). Other than the key rebounds, tipped balls, and low turnover rates, I can only guess at the intangibles the Coaches must be referring to. I've always liked P.J. and it is a pleasant surprise to see Wallace is not just a robotic body out there but an excellent court savvy presence as well. They may be the DIFFERENCE when all is said and done. They won't hurt, that's for sure.
Thanks for the compliment, William R-D! You've put a smile on my face that will stay there the rest of the day - or at least until 1st pitch of the White Sox game. Now only a girl would say something like that! :)
Tim here's the stats to back you up....
at the all-satr break the Heat were 26-26 (35 games without Shaq)
they went 18-12 after the break to finish 44-38
the first 2 games after the break were losses including the second game when Wade dislocated his shoulder, Shaq's first game back
and they were 2-3 the last five regular season games with Wade back on the floor
Shag carried the heat to a 16-7 mark while Wade was out of action
also Mourning logged major minutes in Shaq's absence and was instrumental to the Heat winning 7 straight going into the break and getting to .500. add that to the record after the break and Miami was 25-12 over the last 37 games of the season. included in those 37 games were wins over Detroit, Cleveland, Chicago, San Antonio and the Wizards prior to Arenas's injury. some may say that making that push took it's toll on an aging team but the reality is the Bulls seem to be peaking at the right time.
I am so proud of the Bulls, Skiles and Paxson. They took a path that all teams can take, skilled players with huge upsides, added excellent coaching with a plan and mixed them together and got a team without a true star and made them more than competetive.
I pick the Bulls in 5. Every position the Bulls have strength versus Detroit with better shooters, better defense, and overall quickness. Deng will stop Prince(better defender and scorer), Wallace over Weber(great D and intangibles), PJ over Rasheed(solid and better defender), Kirt over Hamilton(facilitor and solid), Gordon over Billups(pure scorer), Bulls' bench over Detroits'(Tyrus, Thabo, Noce, energy and solid).
The Bulls were trying to find themselves all year. If they keep the turnovers low and just keep their focus, I don't think they will lose to anyone this year. Big ifs, but they did it against Miami.
Bad Boys Part II, welcome to the blog! This is a place where all can share their views. As you can see, there are no entries dogging the heat or pistons, only heartfelt assessments. As I read your "congrats" I could only laugh and chuckle (like Eddie Murphy in 48 hours). I love the current Pistons. Because they are far from the "bad boys", whom Michael and Scottie turned into the "sad boys", and retired them all except Budah, Spider and Worm who all did their final celebrating as BULLS.
The current pistons are former champs who won with skill, defense and heart. They are ballers who are still around to compete for another title. But concerning the CURRENT NBA CHAMPS - THE MIAMI HEAT (who the Bulls just swept), I leave you with the facts.
2006 East Conf Finals (4-2): Miami Heat over Detroit Pistons
Game 1 (2006-05-23 at DET) MIA 91, DET 86 MIA leads 1-0
Game 2 (2006-05-25 at DET) DET 92, MIA 88 Tied 1-1
Game 3 (2006-05-27 at MIA) MIA 98, DET 83 MIA leads 2-1
Game 4 (2006-05-29 at MIA) MIA 89, DET 78 MIA leads 3-1
Game 5 (2006-05-31 at DET) DET 91, MIA 78 MIA leads 3-2
Game 6 (2006-06-02 at MIA) MIA 95, DET 78 MIA wins 4-2
Jay Mariotti picks the Pistons in 7 because, "this town is filled with homers who pick with their hearts, not with their heads".
He stated some valid reasons for picking the Pistons over the Bulls in his prediction, but had to throw in a little insult to all of us Chicago fans for good measure.
He is probably right, if I had any brains I wouldn't be reading his nonsense every day.
My heart tells me the Bulls will win the series.
My head tells me it won't be as easy as beating the Heat and that Jay is a goof.
Mariotti's statement about homey's picking with their hearts could be said about the true fans of any team. and all of us "idiots" that continue to read his fodder do so because he is the one writer we love to hate, plain and simple.
now so many have made light of the Bulls 3-1 season record against the Pistons because come play-off time attitude is different, to a point I disagree because what that record does is give the Bulls a bit more confidence in knowing they can beat the Pistons if they just play their game. to that end I'm sticking with my original prediction.....Bulls in 6