Bulls up 1-love

ugly or not a win is a win. but most importantly with the Heat making a last minute run the Bulls stayed focused and pulled out the win. with Hinrich in foul trouble early and often Deng and Nocioni stepped up thier game and defensively Sefalosha and Thomas provided much needed energy. Ben Wallace did as good a job on Shaq as anyone could have hoped for. The Bulls out rebounded Miami 46-33 and 9-4 on the offensive boards. Sefalosha's length frustrated D. Wade and Thomas made 2 key blocks one he was rewarded for with a run out slam dunk. The series is far from over but continued effort like what was seen today could possibly make this a shorter series than anyone expected. the Bulls in 5? could be possible.

I've been saying for a long time that, in my opinion, Deng is the key to the Bulls success. He was awesome yesterday and it was also great to see Noch back. It was a little too close for comfort at the end, but the Bulls looked solid. I would take your bet - I say the Bulls will win Game 2. I'll bet you a Big Mac!

unfortunately I did not see any of the post game interviews after yesterday's game or I would have commented on Shaq's Whine selection in my first post (yea that post by anonymous was me, at 3 am just home from 5 hours of working as a karaoke DJ I forgot to include my name). I'm a bit surprised that Shaq resorted to criticism of the officials. did ben Wallace flop? well duh it's part of the game isn't it? was the semi-circle in the paint put there just yesterday? no it's been there for years. truth of the matter is Shaq has plowed through defenders his entire career with few charges being called on him and officials and announcers have claimed wwell it's difficult because of his size to determine a charging foul against him so he has gotten away with many charges that a player of lesser physical stature would not get away with. what's Shaq gonna complain about when Ben "pulls the chair from under him" and he's called for a travel? expect that to happen, Ben's done it before to him. I expected a little more class from Shaq than that. and I doubt he made any points with the league officials and it could cost him latter in the series.

To see the Bulls go up 9 with a minute and change on the clock I actually walked away from the T.V. feeling very confident. When I came back with my beverage I almost choked on it just like the Bulls. These Cardiac Kids should be counting their blessings. I am and will always be a Die-Hard Bulls fan, but I'm also a realist in the truest sense. Besides the fact Miami had their 2 best players on the bench with foul trouble as opposed to Kirk and P.J. (advantage Bulls), the Kids had ONLY 13 turnovers and shot 85% from the stripe (2 very important must improvements from the regular season). Combine that with a 13 rebound advantage to the HOME team and we were still one tipped hustle rebound away from POSSIBLY giving this one away. Pat Riley looked as much confident as he did frustrated after the game; for good reason. Granted Shaq and Wade were guilty of every foul called their way where Kirk was shafted big time on at least one that should have gone the other way (via Wade) and the refs may have been blinded by Mt. Shaq on a couple of P.J.s, the fact remains we need another sparkling charity line/low turnover game just to be competetive with these guys. I think I'd trade a little scoring and experience to have Sefalosha out there a bit longer. Nobody even came close to shutting down the BIG GUY but if we can close the other door some that limits Miami's chances and enhances ours. I hope the Bulls blow Miami away the next game. I'll be more than happy to be called a liar and maybe, just maybe I'll be able to finish my drink without choking.

Did Kirk's performance remind anyone of Rex?

I thought it was very Grossmanesque.

Hopefully the officals will continue to allow the Bulls to guard Shaq without blowing the whistle every time he touches the ball.Usually he does whatever he wants and the officals allow it.Hinrich really did'nt play. Him and the #1 for K.G who will be a free agent after next year?

The Bulls can play better and once again an opponent has a reason for there loss, other than there own capabilities. Ben W. will get calls also, so they need to realize what is happening. Shag was just worn out and if he had been in, we would have had different opportunities. Did you hear Riley say the rules around the basket should be different for Shaq because he has big feet!!!! I wish Shaq had smaller feet and 6 inches and 50 lbs less and he would be out of the game! LOL! Walker really kept them in the game with the threes and I don't expect him to do it again. And the Bulls will hit more threes as the series goes on.

Game 2 is really important as if the Bulls win that, Shaq and company will realize they would be in real trouble. We will win the series as we are due for a really good shooting game at their place.

Kirk Grossman -....ur Hinrick is a mess. I'll be glad when he is GONE from this team.

Relax people, Capatain Kirck is no Grossman. He had one bad game and 82 other great games. it's not like he has been choking for the past three weeks. He will be back and ready for more on Tuesday, which brings me to the game. The Bulls have to run the court to be effective against the heat. As we all know, they are old and slow but really, they are old and slow. When the bulls were pushing the tempo we were controlling the game and when we settled for the half court game, late in the fourth, they were able to catch up.
I woulds love to say I'm not worried but that would be a lie. They are still the world champs, they still run on Diesel, and they still have Wade. Sure he is not at 100 percent, but a Wade at 75 percent is still a threat.
That said, I hate the Heat and I hope the Bulls step on their throats. I hope Wade's shoulder falls off and the Diesel chokes on his own fat. Most of all, I hope Posey breaks all of his bones at the same time and can never walk again.
POSEY SUCKS!!! GO BULLS!!!

Stop jumping off the bandwagon, people. Dumping Hinrich would basically change the identity of the entire team and would NOT be an example of addition by subtraction. Him playing poorly (in one game mind you, and a game the team won) is not the problem.

This series is in the hands of the refs. One tip either way could determine this series. Bulls are a better team and should sweep these guys, but they have pride (are champs). The league also has a vested interest in stretching this series. The most exciting team in the East is playing and two of the most popular stars in Wade and Shaq. It was interesting to see the refs take out Kirk. I believe this was done so that D-Wade could shine. But ole Thabo took care of that, filling in quite effectively to say the least. Refs balanced things out by putting Shaq in foul trouble. If it wasn't for Walker, this would have been a blow out. There was a moment right before halftime where Deng blocked a shot and the Bulls went on a fastbreak the other way for a score that gave me goosebumps! As Gordon, Thabo, Wallace, Deng, and Thomas walked off the floor - I had a flashback to the days of lore! The U.C. was rocking as the Bulls walked off the floor with a menacing stare of confidence. It was then that I knew the Bulls would win that game.

Saturday wasn't the first time Hirich has found himself in early foul trouble and that is as much because he is aggressive on defense as anything. and I believe getting him in foul trouble was part of Riley's game plan because he has defended Wade well in the past especially in the United Center. But what Riley didn't count on was Sefalosha being able to all but shut Wade down and I won't be shocked if Thabo comes in instead of Duhon if Kirk gets in foul trouble again or in the normal rotation.

Not only did Walker's 3 point shooting keep Miami in the game but also his free throws. He is a career 63% free throw shooter that made 6 of 6 in game 1. that won't continue.

I agree with Julie B. in fact on an earlier thread I stated that Deng and Nocioni would be the key to the Bulls winning and that Sefalosha and Thomas would supply the needed energy off the bench. Sefalosha's defense on Wade clearly frustrated him and made Flash look a bit more like a Flicker and the only word that can descibe Thomas is Explosive. And by-the-way I think PJ was robbed, he made a clean block on O'neal's dunk attempt and what body contact there was had been initiated by O'neal, PJ knew it and could only shake his head and smile. but I guess considering Shaq's whinning after the game had the call gone the other way there would have been tears with that whine.

How dare you compare a true champion like Kirk to a flop like Wrecks!!! Please don't use the two names in the same sentence because Kirk wants to win at all costs unlike Wrecks who refuses to take blame for any of his mistakes. This Bulls team has so much heart and they work so hard that if they win it all I will be very happy but if they don't I will still be proud to be a Bulls fan. Roman, keep up that negativity because it's working for us. GO BULLS!!!

Roman responds: Wait a minute, I spent days defending the Bulls against Mr. Knick Keith, and now I'm negative? Some think I'm too pro-Bulls.

Mr Knick Keith was writing things on this board that even Jay Mariotti would of defended so I can't give you props for defending something that was so out there.. By the way are you and Jay buddies? just curious and not trying to be a smart ass.

Darn. I'm not getting your props? Ruins my whole day. And it should be: Mariotti would HAVE defended.