“We don’t know what’s going on. I think it’s defense. Defense usually gets us going, gets us fastbreak points, and it just hasn’t been there.” That’s what Derrick Rose said about the ongoing mystery of why the Bulls haven’t yet transformed the Pacers into a smoldering pile of playoff ashes. It’s not that I don’t […]
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Game 2 Plus-Minus Numbers
Bulls Starters: Luol Deng (+13) Carlos Boozer (+12) Joakim Noah (+12) Derrick Rose (+11) Keith Bogans (+8) Bulls bench: Kyle Korver (+5) C.J. Watson (-3) Omer Asik (-3) Taj Gibson (-4) Kurt Thomas (-7) Ronnie Brewer (-14) Pacers starters: Darren Collison (+6) Tyler Hansbrough (-6) Paul George (-11) Danny Granger (-12) Roy Hibbert (-16) Pacers […]
Game 2 Recap: Bulls 96, Pacers 90
What’s wrong with the Chicago Bulls? That became a popular question in the aftermath of their come-from-behind victory in Game 1 on Saturday. It’s going to be even more popular today, tomorrow, and in the hours leading up to Game 3 in Indianapolis on Thursday. Because there must be something wrong with a team that […]
Game 1 Recap: Bulls 104, Pacers 99
Whew. Yes, that’s right. Even though this recap was delayed a day, I’m still saying “whew.” That’s how I feel…and that’s just the kind of game it was. Here are my thoughts. First, a lot of the post-game talk was about how Chicago’s defense failed. As Rob Mahoney (writing for SI.com) put it: “Chicago may boast the […]
Game 1 recap coming soon…
My recap and thoughts about Game 1 will go up tonight. Sorry for the delay.
First Round Game 1: Pacers-Bulls Preview
Indiana Pacers Status Check: Record: 37-45 Division: 9-7 Conference: 28-24 Road Record: 13-28 Last 10 Games: 5-5 Streak: Lost 2 Last game: Lost 92-74 to Orlando PPG: 99.8 (13th) Opponents PPG: 100.9 (17th) Offensive Rating: 104.8 (23rd) Defensive Rating: 106.0 (12th) Pace: 94.7 (6th) Effective Field Goal Percentage: .486 (23rd) Turnover Percentage: .141 (24th) Defensive […]
Pacers-Bulls First Round Playoff Preview
For starters: Take a gander at ESPN’s Pacers-Bulls Series Page. Now… …I’d make a lousy coach. I’ve read other playoff previews. I’ve sorted through stats. I’ve made an honest effort. Still…I can’t find a single reason to fear the Indiana Pacers. Indiana has the worst record (37-45) of any of this year’s playoff teams. I keep hearing that the Pacers made […]
Danny Granger’s bulletin board material
Found this quote via K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune. Danny Granger: “Boston’s a different monster. They don’t have the best record in the East, but they won championships. They know how to do it. They have four, five guys you have to worry about, from (Paul) Pierce, (Rajon) Rondo, (Kevin) Garnett and (Ray) Allen. […]
Game 5: Cavaliers 96, Bulls 94
As far as last stands go, this was pretty impressive. The Bulls showed up in Cleveland for Game 5 of their first round playoff series against LeBron James and his Cavaliers as a Dead Team Walking led by a Dead Coach Walking. And after the way they got hammered at home in Game 4, I […]
Bulls limping toward the end
Amid speculation that coach Vinny Del Negro could be standing in an unemployment line as early as tomorrow — said Joakim Noah: “How about we just focus on the game tomorrow and see what happens. When the season’s over, you’ll figure it out.” — the Bulls are hobbling into what may be their final game […]