2011 Chicago Bulls Playoff Thread (5/26 7:30pm CST - TNT)

[SpongeWorthy]

And everyone knows the only reason Miami won is because the refs decided to get them back in the game at the end of the 3rd so Thibs couldn't give Rose a blow to start the 4th.

[DivineBovine]

Let's just assume there's basketball next year and Miami is able to improve incrementally. Does a conventional team beat them? We can afford to take some off the table on defense to get a real flow on offense going. And then I see a weirdly built team like Dallas that has some combination of Kidd/Terry/Barea on the floor a lot of the time (sometimes all 3 at once!). I dunno, I just like the look of it in my mind's eye.

 

 

I don't think its a given that Miami wins this year or next. Wade has a lot of miles in him already. Who knows what the CBA does. If they keep getting MLE's, its going to keep getting more difficult and costing tons of money because the big 3 salaries keep going up. And are FA's really going to be jumping all over themselves to play there after this year? Enough to leave millions on the table? So they get no credit when they win and all the blame when they lost? I think they improve marginally at best, and may even get worse.

 

The Bulls got beat by the better team, but at least 2 of the games could've gone the other way. I'll hold out hope that there is no Heat dynasty. It would make me sick.

[Flames24Rulz]

Rose had 117 points on 120 FG attempts this series. That's...horrible. I feel for him and I know he cares, but he was largely awful in this series. That's really all there is to it.

[Sammy Sofa]

And everyone knows the only reason Miami won is because the refs decided to get them back in the game at the end of the 3rd so Thibs couldn't give Rose a blow to start the 4th.

 

EROTIC.

[DivineBovine]

Rose had 117 points on 120 FG attempts this series. That's...horrible. I feel for him and I know he cares, but he was largely awful in this series. That's really all there is to it.

 

 

The Heat played some great D, but if DRose plays like he is capable of, then they could be up 3-2 now.

 

He was absolutely awful. The great ones learn from performances like this. Let's hope he does.

[hawkeyecub]

I'm not trying to hate. He had an amazing season. And great point guards that are so atheletic can peak very early. Ask Steve Francis and Stephon Marbury.

 

Why would I do that? They have nothing in common with Rose.

Eh maybe I'm crazy but Francis reminds me a lot of DRose.

 

Those are some horrid comparisons.

 

From Basketball Prospectus:

 

Most similar to Derrick Rose: Marbury (98.2), T. Parker (96.9), Iverson (96.1), Francis (95.3), Bryant (95.2), Westbrook (94.9).

[SpongeWorthy]

Rose's only hobby is basketball. There's your difference.

[SpongeWorthy]

And whoever made the comparison between the Bulls and the Bears was right on. They're easy to root for because they play their asses off but when everyone is trying hard the difference in talent becomes pretty stark. The Heat are basically the Packers.

[UMFan83]

Last time Rose missed a clutch FT like that he immediately improved like 15%. I'm not saying its for sure, but don't be surprised if Rose hits 105% on FT next season.

 

Point taken, but the last time Rose missed a clutch FT like that before tonight was in Game 4.

[hawkeyecub]

Rose's only hobby is basketball. There's your difference.

 

Ah okay then. That completely negates all of that statistical evidence and makes the comparisons horrid.

[SpongeWorthy]

Rose's only hobby is basketball. There's your difference.

 

Ah okay then. That completely negates all of that statistical evidence and makes the comparisons horrid.

 

What statistical evidence?

 

The statistical evidence that says Rose is comparable to 4 really good players--including two of the best of all time--as well as to two guys who were really talented but didn't have their heads on quite right? I mean I guess it's not a horrid comparison but I'm not sure I see the point.

[cubbyvirus00]

If anything, I feel for the kid right now, as he feels it's all on him. I just hope he can take it in stride and use it as motivation to get better and go farther next year.

 

Nah, his psyche is probably damaged. Let's check with cubbyvirus.

 

Nuts&Gum, you really don't have to be a hater because I happen to have a different opinion then you. DRose missing a crucial FT for the 2nd time in his young career when it mattered most might just not be a coincidence, who knows. The sad reality is the defense first philosophy is great in the regular season and against inferior teams. But you also have to have a fine balance with scoring and the Bulls do not have that. They must sacrifice some defense to get a strong 2 guard, or perhaps trade young talent and depth for Howard.

 

I'm tired of watching my teams I.E the Bears and now the Bulls have "great defense" only to fold and eek by important games. I want to see some offensive prowess and flare.

[Sammy Sofa]

Pour me a chalice full of Haterade, slave.

 

But seriously, point me a single superstar NBA player that didn't have moments/games/series like this. It's an inherent part of becoming a better player.

Edited May 27, 2011 by Sammy Sofa

[hawkeyecub]

Rose's only hobby is basketball. There's your difference.

 

Ah okay then. That completely negates all of that statistical evidence and makes the comparisons horrid.

 

What statistical evidence?

 

The statistical evidence that compares Rose to 4 really good players including two of the best of all time to two guys who were really talented but didn't have their heads on quite right? I mean I guess it's not a horrid comparison but I'm not sure I see the point.

 

illiniguy named two guys which were called horrid comparisons. Those 2 guys are #1 and #4 on his similarity score list. Therefore they're not horrid. I like Rose and he's obviously more mature, humble and level-headed than those two but he still has some of the same concerns on the court.

[SpongeWorthy]

Pour me a chalice full of Haterade, slave.

 

But seriously, point me a single superstar NBA player that didn't have moments/games/series like this. It's an inherent part of becoming a better player.

 

Magic and Kobe.

 

Well Kobe had a bunch of air balls against the Jazz one year but he was like 18 or 19 at the time. Basically Rose sucks because he didn't have a prime Kareem or Shaq on his team.

[Sammy Sofa]

Rose's only hobby is basketball. There's your difference.

 

Ah okay then. That completely negates all of that statistical evidence and makes the comparisons horrid.

 

What statistical evidence?

 

The statistical evidence that compares Rose to 4 really good players including two of the best of all time to two guys who were really talented but didn't have their heads on quite right? I mean I guess it's not a horrid comparison but I'm not sure I see the point.

 

illiniguy named two guys which were called horrid comparisons. Those 2 guys are #1 and #4 on his similarity score list. Therefore they're not horrid. I like Rose and he's obviously more mature, humble and level-headed than those two but he still has some of the same concerns on the court.

 

They're "horrid comparisons" because the same site is basically saying "he might be Marbury...he might be Kobe." There's a gigantic gulf between those players.

[Sammy Sofa]

Pour me a chalice full of Haterade, slave.

 

But seriously, point me a single superstar NBA player that didn't have moments/games/series like this. It's an inherent part of becoming a better player.

 

Magic and Kobe.

 

Well Kobe had a bunch of air balls against the Jazz one year but he was like 18 or 19 at the time. Basically Rose sucks because he didn't have a prime Kareem or Shaq on his team.

 

Shaq and Kobe never had bad playoff games before the finally won their first championships?

[cubbyvirus00]

Pour me a chalice full of Haterade, slave.

 

But seriously, point me a single superstar NBA player that didn't have moments/games/series like this.

 

I'm not going to sit here and compare Rose to other elite NBA superstars. He's a point guard and there really hasn't been a PG quite like him in recent history. So far he's proven that he has a below average jump shot and a very poor three shot and he wilted in this series. So yes I am a tad bit concerned and I'm especially interested to see if he can improve.

[Sammy Sofa]

Pour me a chalice full of Haterade, slave.

 

But seriously, point me a single superstar NBA player that didn't have moments/games/series like this.

 

I'm not going to sit here and compare Rose to other elite NBA superstars. He's a point guard and there really hasn't been a PG quite like him in recent history. So far he's proven that he has a below average jump shot and a very poor three shot and he wilted in this series. So yes I am a tad bit concerned and I'm especially interested to see if he can improve.

 

He "wilted?" He was stopped by a very good defense because he's the only play-maker on the team.

[SpongeWorthy]

Pour me a chalice full of Haterade, slave.

 

But seriously, point me a single superstar NBA player that didn't have moments/games/series like this. It's an inherent part of becoming a better player.

 

Magic and Kobe.

 

Well Kobe had a bunch of air balls against the Jazz one year but he was like 18 or 19 at the time. Basically Rose sucks because he didn't have a prime Kareem or Shaq on his team.

 

Shaq and Kobe never had bad playoff games before the finally won their first championships?

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ws2yhBzJjis

 

I think Kobe was like 18 years old in this game. Magic won a title his rookie year but again, he had Kareem (although he did put up something ridiculous like 42/15/7 in Game 6 of the Finals to clinch it when Kareem was hurt).

[Sammy Sofa]

I have no idea why I read "Magic" as "Shaq."

 

But yeah, Magic is the pretty obvious outlier.

[cubbyvirus00]

Pour me a chalice full of Haterade, slave.

 

But seriously, point me a single superstar NBA player that didn't have moments/games/series like this.

 

I'm not going to sit here and compare Rose to other elite NBA superstars. He's a point guard and there really hasn't been a PG quite like him in recent history. So far he's proven that he has a below average jump shot and a very poor three shot and he wilted in this series. So yes I am a tad bit concerned and I'm especially interested to see if he can improve.

 

He "wilted?" He was stopped by a very good defense because he's the only play-maker on the team.

 

Yes, he did go against great defense in some cases but he also missed many open shots and turned the ball over inexplicably in many other instances. All in all he didn't resemble the MVP he was in the regular season.

[javy knows my name]

Pour me a chalice full of Haterade, slave.

 

But seriously, point me a single superstar NBA player that didn't have moments/games/series like this.

 

I'm not going to sit here and compare Rose to other elite NBA superstars. He's a point guard and there really hasn't been a PG quite like him in recent history. So far he's proven that he has a below average jump shot and a very poor three shot and he wilted in this series. So yes I am a tad bit concerned and I'm especially interested to see if he can improve.

 

He "wilted?" He was stopped by a very good defense because he's the only play-maker on the team.

 

Yes, he did go against great defense in some cases but he also missed many open shots and turned the ball over inexplicably in many other instances. All in all he didn't resemble the MVP he was in the regular season.

 

You're right, he definitely did not play a finally-peaking Heat every game in the regular season

[Sammy Sofa]

Pour me a chalice full of Haterade, slave.

 

But seriously, point me a single superstar NBA player that didn't have moments/games/series like this.

 

I'm not going to sit here and compare Rose to other elite NBA superstars. He's a point guard and there really hasn't been a PG quite like him in recent history. So far he's proven that he has a below average jump shot and a very poor three shot and he wilted in this series. So yes I am a tad bit concerned and I'm especially interested to see if he can improve.

 

He "wilted?" He was stopped by a very good defense because he's the only play-maker on the team.

 

Yes, he did go against great defense in some cases but he also missed many open shots and turned the ball over inexplicably in many other instances. All in all he didn't resemble the MVP he was in the regular season.

 

"In some cases?" They played the same team for the entire series. And how does one turn the ball over "inexplicably?" Was he just handing it to them?

[cubbyvirus00]

Pour me a chalice full of Haterade, slave.

 

But seriously, point me a single superstar NBA player that didn't have moments/games/series like this.

 

I'm not going to sit here and compare Rose to other elite NBA superstars. He's a point guard and there really hasn't been a PG quite like him in recent history. So far he's proven that he has a below average jump shot and a very poor three shot and he wilted in this series. So yes I am a tad bit concerned and I'm especially interested to see if he can improve.

 

He "wilted?" He was stopped by a very good defense because he's the only play-maker on the team.

 

Yes, he did go against great defense in some cases but he also missed many open shots and turned the ball over inexplicably in many other instances. All in all he didn't resemble the MVP he was in the regular season.

 

"In some cases?" They played the same team for the entire series. And how does one turn the ball over "inexplicably?" Was he just handing it to them?

 

What I'm saying is at moments the defense was obviously a factor in causing him to shoot poorly and turn the ball over, but he also blew many open looks and turned the ball over at times where it was crucial and good decision making could have prevented it. Look I think he absolutely sucked the entire series and maybe couldn't have willed the offense to a series victory, but I think if he hits some of the open looks he had we could be looking at 3-2 series in Chicago's favor. I'm not absolving how horrible his teammates were offensively.

 

I cant help but wonder what OJ Mayo could have done for this team.