Sometimes, it seems like Rose always goes so deep into the paint that there is not a good path to pass from … I think it would be good if he practiced more medium penetration to leave his options a little more open, while also reducing the chance for injury (and error).

There was the flashpoint, early in the season, when he was not getting the calls he should and he stated openly that he was not going to shy from contact. I think he may have gone a little too deep into this philosophy.

He has such a lovely medium to medium-close range game with the floaters and short-jumpers. He needs that variety in these playoffs.

Short thought on Rose. I think his reliance on athleticism has been more noticeable the last two series. It still doesn’t hurt him that badly (he’s really, really athletic), but it cuts down on his efficiency and hurts his effectiveness as a passer. Notably – all the possessions where he jumps first and thinks second (happens at least 6 or 8 times a game); any basketball coach will tell you this is a bad idea. Rose often gets away with it, but not as easily during the playoffs.

Don’t forget, we came back and showed some life in this game in the 2nd/3rd. If JJ misses a few of those contested looks, this literally is a whole new ball game. Just have to tip your hat to them and work harder the next game. Now is not the time to panic.

This Hawks core has spent a good amount of time together and I think they understand how to flex and flow and how to keep feeding the hot hand.

They trust each other.

It may not mean as much in a regular season game, but when the focus is tightened, they are going to show it.

The Bulls are lacking in chemistry. Pure hustle can come across sloppy when it is not guided by chemistry and trust. Now that the stakes are playoff-raised, the trust has to be reintroduced on the fly and it hasn’t happened so naturally.

The Pacers displayed an amazing combination of hustle and chemistry in our series. We often tried to match it, but it mostly came across as sloppy.

I don’t think anyone should be mad at Matt for being totally honest about the Bulls chances. What have they shown us? We barely pulled out three games against a feisty and inferior opponent and we dropped a deuce on our home court against a quality, veteran team. Based on the results, we have reason to be worried.

This team cannot win pretending to be the best team in the league. It has to go back to the all-out team that is still trying to prove itself.

Also: where was the fluid offense we saw in Game 5 vs. Indiana last night? Our passing lanes weren’t there, nobody was moving without the ball, it was ugly basketball offensively.

The only problems I have are the Bulls didn’t make two adjustments: 1) try harder to deny the ball to JJ when he was consistently hitting shots, like the pacers started doing to Rose last series, and 2) adjust to the fact that the referees were letting them play tonight, as evidenced by the low foul calls on both teams.

they got some growing to do.