The Bulls' John Salmons, Joakim Noah and Tyrus Thomas watch glumly from the bench during the fourth quarter of Game 3. Tom Cruze/Sun-Times Photo
Disappointed? Sure. But no one really should have been taken aback by the Bulls' disappearing act in a thoroughly humbling 107-86 loss to the Celtics in Game 3 of their first-round NBA playoff series Thursday at the United Center.
This game was sooo Bulls. Much like the regular-season-ending stinker against Toronto that came on the heels of a stirring victory in Detroit, Game 3 was a predictable comedown from two heady performances in Boston. This is the essence of what the Bulls are: They went 41-41 and snuck into the playoffs, but they remain no better than a .500 team. Sometimes, when blossoming star Derrick Rose is playing beyond his years or when one-dimensional Ben Gordon is shooting lights out, the Bulls can play with anyone. Most of the time, they are a flawed assemblage that doesn't play a lick of defense and fails to function properly in its half-court sets.
Defense? Those fat guys who dance during timeouts weren't the only "matadors" out there Thursday. The Bulls were flat-footed all night but really became spectators in the second half, as the Celtics repeatedly blew by them and built their lead from 22 points at the break to an embarrassing 34 (96-62) with 8:30 remaining. Paul Pierce finally came to play, scoring 13 of Boston's first 23 points and demonstrating again that the NBA is and always has been a superstar-driven league.
While Rose struggled (4-of-14, nine points, seven turnovers), Rajon Rondo (20 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, five steals, +26 plus/minus rating) was a blur on both ends of the floor. A side note: Bulls fans were questioning the sanity of Sun-Times NBA writer John Jackson after Game 1 because, in his series-preview matchups box, he had given Rondo the point-guard edge over Rose, citing poor defense on the part of the rookie. Yes, Rose was sensational in Game 1, but just how is that matchup with the multi-talented Rondo looking now?
The rose petals that littered all areas of the UC were appropriate because, on this night, the bloom definitely was off the NBA's Rookie of the Year. Look for Rose, who accepted his award from commissioner David Stern in a pregame ceremony, to shrug off his poor performance the same way he downplayed his 36-point masterpiece in the series opener.
Red-clad Bulls fans (responding to the team's "See Red" promotion) gave way to a sea of empty red seats midway through the fourth quarter, as the Celtics on the night outshot the Bulls from the floor (48.1 percent to 37.5) and from three-point range (57.1 to 40.9). Turnovers also buried the Bulls (22, compared to only 14 assists).
The only blessing in the blowout was that, for the first time in the series, Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro didn't burn all his timeouts. Pity he can't carry them over to Game 4 on Sunday, when they might come in handy as his roller-coaster club faces a win-at-home-or-else situation. Which Bulls team do you think will show up?
Stu - good post. It reflects exactly how I feel. Bulls have been brought back down to earth and so have we all. They let that second game get away and gave the Celtics life. And they have been riding that high ever since. Rondo and Ray Allen's performance was inspiring for their TEAM who showed up last night. I was angry because I missed the game. I showed up at home in the 4th quarter only to find my team down 40. I also found out the Sox lost too. And it started to rain. I ate a late dinner and went to sleep at midnight when Stu was composing this post.
Well, at least we won't get swept. Look for the refs to help the Bulls out on Sunday to even the series back up and get the ratings back. Bulls played their hearts out in the first two games. I expect them to have another one in them. They are now playing for PRIDE. You can stick a fork in them - they're done. AND NOW we get to see who has pride and is a professional. This game was like that Toronto game and its a growing pain for the Bulls. And the only thing thats good about it is - we all get to reconcile with who and what the Bulls are. Paxson gets to see where his team truly measures up. We have several areas of improvement. And Stu, 500 is light years away from where we were LAST YEAR. We couldn't beat North Carolina last year. Almost every other game was like yesterday's.
That performance was X-rated. How could they show that stuff during prime time while kids are around? Shame on all responsible!
So how big was that lose in game 2 now?
What a waste of time this was last night.
Ok that was painful to watch even though you knew there was a game like that coming at some point during the series. Just didn't expect it to happen at home. On the brighter side, it's only one loss in a 7 game series.
My first suggestion would be that someone take Rondo down hard the way he did Noah early in the game. If it's called as a flagrant foul so be it but let him know he is not going to be allowed in the paint when ever he pleases without consequences. Secondly space the floor and move the ball around, and take care of the ball. Last night's loss can be derictly linked to turn-overs many of wich were not forced. Thirdly make free throws. 63% free throw shooting won't cut it, especially when you turb the ball over 22 times.
I've been very consistent in saying that this team is not ready to be a serious title contender right now and it definitely showed last night. By the way, I was at the UC last night and, while I realize that the Celts took the crowd out of the game very early and delivered their knockout punch in basically the 1st quarter, I still didn't sense a pregame buzz from the fans that I witnessed at the Blackhawks games at the UC last week.
That being said though, this is why I have tried to keep this all real with this Bulls team, especially when they lost that Toronto game in the last game of the regular season. Talk about a momentum killer. You can't just flip a switch one game and then come out relaxed the next game thinking you got the series in the bag the moment you win home field. Lessons learned for the baby Bulls? I guess so, but then again, you got guys like Ben Gordon, Kirk Hinrich and Brad Miller who should know better how playoff basketball works. Derrick Rose also... sorry rook, I'm not giving him a pass here either. He's been in big basketball games all his life since high school. He should also know that 1 great game doesn't decide an entire series. He's getting totally schooled by Rondo. Note to the NBA... next time, PLEASE hand out these INDIVIDUAL awards BEFORE the playoff games!
Painful game.
Starters shot a combined 18 for 51. There is no chance of winning when you shoot like that.
With Gordon and Rose struggling, the Bulls desperately needed some offensive help. Salmons was terrible. I don't know if it's still the groin, or maybe because we are starting to see exactly what the Kings saw in Salmons.
Bulls have enough problems with Rondo and Allen, but who are they supposed to matchup Pierce with? Salmons ? Hinrich? Let's face it, Bulls could have used Deng last night. He couldn't have done any worse then what he had going.
It's not over, and the Bulls are better then what they showed, but unless this team plays like a team, and starts hustling and using their younger legs, it will be over in 5.
Right now Rondo is a superior PG than Rose. His only flaw is he can't shoot a lick, however he is hitting some shots now. Rose needs to take notes from Rondo on how to D up and rebound. Rondo is two inches shorter than Rose but he knows where the ball is going to land. That's a rebounder's skill just like Rodman had. Not to gush over the enemy but damn dude is averaging a triple double. Rose is great but for now he is the second best PG in this series.
We actually could use Deng even if just to guard Pierce and for his rebounding. Yeh he's a softie but I feel he would have contributed more than Salmons, who is giving us next to nothing.
If Gordon/Rose don't combine for 50+, we have no chance. Our bigs have to step up. Miller, Tyrus and Noah.
Last night was a straight up embarassment.
Move over MJ, here comes Rajon! Wow, talk about a soft team, Deng at least was tough enough to try and come back early from a broken leg. Well, think having a guy like Deng who just routinely guards the other teams best wing player, like pierce, lebron, wade, think he could have helped that bulls team you saw last night? A solid all round player who isn't a head case or selfish malcontent? Nah, not in Chicago, he gets drilled because he is injured. Sometimes you get what you deserve, and what you saw last night is what you got.
To paraphrase an REO Speedwagon song...
"It's time for me to flyyyyyy...."
Thud!
Okay, the Bulls' short comings, player by player, are being exposed. But we anticipated that.
What I didn't anticipate were all the Cubs fans who showed up for the game and then booed. Although I realize they got their lungs warmed up earlier in the afternoon, that was crap.
Yes, the Bulls were horrible. How a team comes out flat at home during a playoff series, I'll never know. But this Bulls team continues to bounce between extremes. Still, no reason to boo them.
Edgar I totally agree on the individual award presentations. I had a feeling when all that was taking place that it might cause a focus problem much like the ring ceremonies have done so many times for defending champions to start the season. But having said that it's still no excuse for the poor showing last night. If the Bulls had made free throws in that first quarter like they did in the first 2 games it may have made a big difference in how the rest of the game played out.
Keith I'm not picking up a fork just quite yet, if they lose on Sunday then I'll agree it's over but not until then.
You have a young, 50-50 team. Things like this are going to happen. Let's just hope it's only one game. I'm curious to see what adjustments Vinny makes. I knew Rondo would be trouble, especially for a Bulls team that has problems with penetrators. He's been the one consistant throughout this series. We all knew coming in the kids would have to play solid ball in some key areas to offset their defensive deficiencies, but nothing went right. Brush it aside, come out strong, and play smart.
Again, Rose can be his own worst enemy, Ben has to let the game come to him and take those blinders off, Kirk, Salmons and Miller need to cut down on lackadaisical turnovers and Vinny needs to find a way to slow down the likes of Davis and Rondo.
Hey, we're still Young Guns; shift happens!
GOTTA HIT YOUR FREETHROWS....
WE LOOKED LIKE A PLAYGROUND TEAM TODAY...
BULLS NEED A BIG MAN...
Culzie I agree you gotta hit the free throws but more importantly you gotta stick with the long range shooters. Ray Allen and Pierce almost pulled it off but kudos to the young Bulls for hanging tough and hey Vinny had a time out left in his pocket too! Now how bout stealin another one in bean town?
I'm proud of the way they rebounded (no pun intended) after that nightmare game. Even losing the series would now be acceptable.
I understand Ben Gordon's negatives, but how can the Bulls think of letting him go? Where do you find that talent to score with ice in your veins? It's special.
I was at the game! All the way up in the 300 level! Still was one of the best games I ever was at. Was a ton of fun! Go Bulls! Gordon, Noah, Salmons - MEN today.
I've read several different articles this morning that referred to the falgrant foul by Brad Miller being down-graded to just a technical as a licky break. Well let's see, one ref immediatly Tee'd him up then another called it a flagrant 2 and ejected him then they reviewed it and saw that Miller did nothing more than turn into Davis, make a couple of comments containing some rather colorful lnaguage and give him a shove with a forearm while "Big Baby" Davis tossed his head back making it appear from one angle that he had been head-butted which is what prompted the flagrant foul call. The lucky part of all of this as far as I'm concerned is that the NBA has the option and the ref's had the inteligence to review the replay. Some thought (including one of the commentators) Davis's foul should have been a flagrant 1 foul. Miller obviuosly has been frustrated lately with the fact that the Boston bigs have gotten away with hammering the Bulls down low and Davis's foul was pretty much the final straw. Whether or not the down-grade from flagrant to a simple "T" was lucky or not Brad Miller finally sent a message....mess with a Bull and you get the horns, bring it on fella...
Keith...how did Seflosha finish up this year...i know you are still following his career very intently?
You wrong Culzie. But watch, he is going to find his way. He will never be a big star, but he will be a good solid veteran in this league like Radja Bell.
I saw in the news yesterday why Tyrus Thomas wasnt playing at a critical time in 4th quarter(game 7) when he was needed the most.. For a little background Brad Miller wasnt hitting anything and the game was close. Big baby whom Tyrus was actually limiting was scoring at will on layups againt Brad.. 2nd shots were automatic ..Even Noah was on the bench for quite some time while the Bulls used a 4 guard lineup.. How stupid is that .. Boston scored as they wanted under the basket.. No threat of being blocked by Miller..
So thats leads me to WHY wasnt Tyrus out there.. It turns out that when Vinny took out Tyrus in the third quarter, Tyrus slapped him on the butt as he went by.. Vinny didnt like that. and instead of him going and telling that to Tyrus , he sends Hunter down to tell him .. So instead of having the best lineup out there Vinny sits Tyrus.. He rather show hes the boss or something instead of eating that and trying to win the game... Im SORRY, so is VINNY .. SORRY VINNY DEL NEGRO... Please Bulls owners FIRE this guy .. He has no strategy and he personality stinks.. I cant stand watching him screw up .!!!!!