The 2005-2006 Chicago Bulls Thread

[snoodmonger]

If Thursday is really the last harrah for the 2005-2006 Bulls, its been a good one guys. I personally enjoyed last years bunch just a tad more, but that doesn't mean I don't love this years team and their scrappy play.

 

I still can't believe the Bulls lost to Washington last year. Blah.

 

It's interesting what a "let them all in" playoff philosophy will change how fans look at their teams. I don't see how any Bulls fan could be happy with this team finishing .500 and losing in the first round, and failing to take any sort of step forward after last season. In reality, making the playoffs isn't an accomplishment in either the NHL or NBA.

 

After the curry trade, I didn't expect a step forward. As a result, I am satisfied, to a degree, with the season. I still think they underacheived, but only slightly, and they seemed to figure something out at the end of the season.

 

As for last night's game, we had no business losing it, and that collapse by Kirk, Ben, and Deng will likely cost us a shot at advancing. Deng in particular has been the most disappointing. Talk about a total post-season disappearing act.

[Mark_R]

If Thursday is really the last harrah for the 2005-2006 Bulls, its been a good one guys. I personally enjoyed last years bunch just a tad more, but that doesn't mean I don't love this years team and their scrappy play.

 

I still can't believe the Bulls lost to Washington last year. Blah.

 

It's interesting what a "let them all in" playoff philosophy will change how fans look at their teams. I don't see how any Bulls fan could be happy with this team finishing .500 and losing in the first round, and failing to take any sort of step forward after last season. In reality, making the playoffs isn't an accomplishment in either the NHL or NBA.

 

What this season has established is who the real core of this team is. The Bulls have seen substantial improvements in many players' games. Have you looked at their interior? It is beyond awful. They need somebody in there who can score and play some decent defense on Shaq. The team is flawed, sure, but there is a lot of progress from this season that if you watched more often you'd see.

[1908]

It's interesting what a "let them all in" playoff philosophy will change how fans look at their teams. I don't see how any Bulls fan could be happy with this team finishing .500 and losing in the first round, and failing to take any sort of step forward after last season. In reality, making the playoffs isn't an accomplishment in either the NHL or NBA.

I can see how a casual observer could be disappointed with this team, but I'm more than satisfied with their progress. It's the youngest team in the postseason. Key members of the young core have improved this year, especially during the playoffs. Heading into the off season, the team has a guaranteed top 5 pick in this year's draft and significant cap space. The Bulls are in as strong a position as nearly any team in the league moving forward. There's room whenever you'd like to root for the most successful sports franchise in Chicago.

[1908]

I still can't believe the Bulls lost to Washington last year. Blah.

No Curry, no Deng. I kinda expected it honestly.

[goonys evil twin]

It's interesting what a "let them all in" playoff philosophy will change how fans look at their teams. I don't see how any Bulls fan could be happy with this team finishing .500 and losing in the first round, and failing to take any sort of step forward after last season. In reality, making the playoffs isn't an accomplishment in either the NHL or NBA.

I can see how a casual observer could be disappointed with this team, but I'm more than satisfied with their progress. It's the youngest team in the postseason. Key members of the young core have improved this year, especially during the playoffs. Heading into the off season, the team has a guaranteed top 5 pick in this year's draft and significant cap space. The Bulls are in as strong a position as nearly any team in the league moving forward. There's room whenever you'd like to root for the most successful sports franchise in Chicago.

 

I guess all that success in the past does make it easier to accept the rise to mediocrity as some sort of achievement. If the Cubs won 6 WS in the 90s maybe I wouldn't be so hung up on their stagnation now. But then again, if MLB had an NBA like playoff philosophy, the Cubs would have seen a heck of a lot more playoff appearances than they have in real life.

 

Unfortunately, I didn't take any joy in the Bulls success, it was great for the city to see a champion, but I still partially blame that success with blinding the fans to the disgrace that was taking place across the rest of the Chicagoland sports scene.

 

After the curry trade, I didn't expect a step forward. As a result, I am satisfied, to a degree, with the season.

 

My original point was just that the NBA and NHL's playoff formula allows for much great acceptence of mediocrity as some sort of achievement. Here we are 8 years post Jordan and the Bulls have 1 season of greater than .500 ball. The Cubs have been a much better team over that time frame, with 4 winning records, but I wouldn't say they're moving in the right direction.

 

It seems to me that after tasting such success, Bulls fans would be waiting for at least a division crown or trip to the conference championship before liking what they see.

[UMFan83]

If Thursday is really the last harrah for the 2005-2006 Bulls, its been a good one guys. I personally enjoyed last years bunch just a tad more, but that doesn't mean I don't love this years team and their scrappy play.

 

I still can't believe the Bulls lost to Washington last year. Blah.

 

It's interesting what a "let them all in" playoff philosophy will change how fans look at their teams. I don't see how any Bulls fan could be happy with this team finishing .500 and losing in the first round, and failing to take any sort of step forward after last season. In reality, making the playoffs isn't an accomplishment in either the NHL or NBA.

 

The Bulls proved that they could play with one of the two teams that are favorites for advancing to the Finals in the East. If the Cubs finished 81-81 and took the Cardinals to 6 games in the first round, I'd be happy too (relative to their records). However, yes you are right, we should be thinking championship caliber teams. The Bulls have a history of championships, and it would be nice to be known as a historically dominant team by winning a few more.

 

This should be the goal, but considering the way the team was built (with all eyes on THIS offseason), and the way that they played (I would say above expectations), I am happy with the way the team fared this season. I think everyone in the league knows that if they play the Bulls, they are in for a battle and have to bring their best game. You can certainly tip your caps to that.

 

Now I could be speaking very prematurely. We have probably a 70% chance of taking game 6, and in a game 7 who the heck knows.

[1908]

I guess all that success in the past does make it easier to accept the rise to mediocrity as some sort of achievement.

It's a rise to mediocity from six years of absolute failure. If they're still hovering around .500 two years from now, I'll be disappointed. But to expect an instant return to the glory days would be foolish.

[goonys evil twin]

I guess all that success in the past does make it easier to accept the rise to mediocrity as some sort of achievement.

It's a rise to mediocity from six years of absolute failure. If they're still hovering around .500 two years from now, I'll be disappointed. But to expect an instant return to the glory days would be foolish.

 

No doubt, but there's a wide margin between .500 and first round exit and the glory years. And 8 years is hardly instant.

[1908]

No doubt, but there's a wide margin between .500 and first round exit and the glory years.

Not as wide as you think. Look where the Heat were at three years ago.

 

And 8 years is hardly instant.

I was referring to the past two years. Already acknowledged the six pathetic years in between.

[Brian]

I like to look at the Bulls since Pax (Since post Jordan until Paxson took over was not a team run well at all), and everything has been going up since then, one could look at last season to this season going down... yes we have a worse record, but the team played better in the postseason this year, and the over all nucleus of the team was strenghtened.

[da bears]

I'm disappointed with the way the regular season went, but I don't think anybody really expected much from this team anyways. If next year, they're not a lot better, with all the cap space and a top draft pick, then I'll be really disappointed.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

 

http://espn-i.starwave.com/media/apphoto/VZN10705010249.jpg

[da bears]

LeBron=me speechless. By the way Transmogrified, how'd you become a Cavs fan?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

LeBron=me speechless. By the way Transmogrified, how'd you become a Cavs fan?

 

Lived in the Cleveland area for 13 years.

[da bears]

LeBron=me speechless. By the way Transmogrified, how'd you become a Cavs fan?

 

Lived in the Cleveland area for 13 years.

 

Makes sense.

[ChiCubsFan]

I'm pretty disappointed with the way the Bulls played in Game 5, but I guess their age, inconsistency, and lack of an inside presence really showed. They are the youngest team in the playoffs and when you rely very heavily on making your shots from the oustide, you're going to have games like that. I think they'll pull off game 6 and give the Heat another tough game in Game 7. I can't say that I think they'll win the series, but you never know. If Wade's "injury" (and I put that in quotes b/c I think his injury wasn't nearly as life-threatening as he pretended it to be) gets worse, we might be able to pull off a win in Game 7. First we have to take care of our business in Game 6 and hold home court.

 

Beat the Heat!

[da bears]

Hopefully the Bulls can get off to a good start shooting wise tonight.

[Wilson A2000]

I'm disappointed with the way the regular season went, but I don't think anybody really expected much from this team anyways. If next year, they're not a lot better, with all the cap space and a top draft pick, then I'll be really disappointed.

 

What do the Bulls do with Chandler? He is a great defender on average centers, but can't do squat against the good ones. Man I wish they hadn't signed him now. He can't score and he has a terribly contract.

[da bears]

I'm disappointed with the way the regular season went, but I don't think anybody really expected much from this team anyways. If next year, they're not a lot better, with all the cap space and a top draft pick, then I'll be really disappointed.

 

What do the Bulls do with Chandler? He is a great defender on average centers, but can't do squat against the good ones. Man I wish they hadn't signed him now. He can't score and he has a terribly contract.

 

I don't think it's too bad. I mean, sure I'd rather have that money to invest in Gordon, Hinrich, and Deng. As far as his defense goes, it's much improved when he's got a true center playing with him so he can be the power forward. If the Bulls can bring in a big man like Aldridge, I think it would elevate Chandlers game. He did great last year when he was playing along side Curry. I just wish Chandler's offensive game hasn't digressed as much as it has.

[Jon]

Well I couldn't have thought of a worse way for this game to start.

 

The shooting has picked up right where it left off.

[Jon]

And it just gets worse. Horrible quarter.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Sigh.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

And it just gets worse. Horrible quarter.

 

But a great finish by Duhon!

 

Bulls down 29-19 after 1.

[Mizzou]

Is this game on TV?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Is this game on TV?

 

TNT.