Bulls Are Boppin' posted by Richard Kagan

The Chicago Bulls are 12-3 in the young season, just started about 3 weeks ago.  It seems like they have a game every other night, the schedule is so packed.  9 game in 12 days.  A back to back ending tomorrow.  The Bulls were 8-1 in that 9 game stretch.  And climbed into the top echelon of the NBA. 

Chicago has great depth.  Some of the players on their bench could be starters.  Taj Gibson is emerging into one of the top bench players in the league.  It is possible he could take the 6th man award this season.  He scores, defends, rebounds, blocks out, and plays with all out hustle.  Omer Asik, another Chicago big does a great job in the low post, rebounding and defending.  He is good with his feet, and positions himself well down low.  But it comes down to a another 1-2 punch in Derrick Rose and Luol Deng.  Rose and Deng make a great pair.  Rose is so quick, he can score almost at will.  When he wants to, he can take over a game.  Not many players in the NBA can do what he does.  He is fun to watch because you never know what he will do, and what he does, he does it with style and panache.  Well, that's redundant, but watching Rose play isn't. 

Then there's Luol Deng. A guy who plays his heart out, playing almost every minute of every game.  How can he do it?  He scores from 3, scores inside, passes, defends the teams top forward, and really is great--he doesn't get enough credit.  He's shutdown the top scorer of the opposing team more than once in this season.  He's blocked some key shots and comes up with the ball when the Bulls need it.  It is almost like watching Scottie Pippen play.  I looked recently at the league's top scorers, rebounders, blockers, and assist men.  And, Deng surprisingly wasn't in the leaders.  On a given night he may score 21, grab 11 boards, and block 3 shots.  I'd say that's darn good.  That sounds like a Pippen score line.  Every one was blown away by MJ's spectacular game in scoring 38 points, with 8 assists and 9 rebounds.  Meanwhile, Pippen had 19 with 10 boards.  You score 18-20 points 4 in 6 games, you are one heck of a player.

2010-2011 Basketball Season Recap posted by Omari Prince

Congratulations to the Dallas Mavericks, Connecticut Huskies, for becoming newly minted champions. Enjoy the summer and good luck defending your titles next season. Now that college and pro basketball has concluded, AAU and shoe camps are heating up but let's review ten things what basketball has taught me these past few months.

1. Blake Griffin - Karl Malone is training has the makings of becoming the next great power forward of all time. Once The Blake Show realizes the game of basketball is more than just dunking over people and develops a mid-range shot and becomes a decent free-throw shooter, he'll surpass Tim Duncan as the greatest power forward of all time. His ball-handling ability is already above average. 
2. Derrick Rose - Youngest MVP in NBA History. Straight from Chicago I've always said this hometown point guard will not only be the best lead guard for years to come but he'll also become the face of the league with the likes of LeBron, DWade, Kobe, Durant. So far he's right on track. 
3. Chicago Bulls - Speaking of Derrick Rose and his team, not one critic, scout, fan (including me) thought the Bulls will finish with the best record in basketball this season. Next season teams will pay more attention to this defensive minded team lead by the reigning MVP Derrick Rose. 
4. Miami Heat - Cavs owner Dal Gilbert tweeted after the Mavs victory there are no shortcuts. Not shocked they did not defeat the Mavs as my notion about them being only a 3 player team got exposed. Pat Riley's crew need a completely roster to compliment Wade, Bosh, and James. 

Mavs Turn On the Heat posted by Richard Kagan

The Mavs and Heat are going at it in the NBA Finals.  In the last game, a do or die game for Dallas, they won, barely, as Miami went ice cold in the last 6 minutes of the game.  As the game wound down, both teams missed open looks, and the ball just didn't go in.  The Mavs made the plays, or rather, Dirk Nowitzski made the plays, and now it's 2-2 with Dallas hosting game 5.  This series is a close one as the Bulls-Heat was a close series, although Miami won in five games.

The Heat have the horses.  Wade was great in game 4.  LeBron scored 8 points and now people are writing, "What ever happened to Lebron?   Well, no one is a machine.  And, he had an off-night.  Watch him come back with a vengence.

If Jason Terry doesn't score points, get to line, make his shots, the game is over.  Dallas can't beat Miami with one great player, just as Chicago couldn't make it past Miami with Derrick Rose.  The Mavs need to find a way to score baskets, without Nowitzki taking every other shot. 

You know, a comment here.  Since Dallas is in the Finals, everyone talks about Nowitski.  Where was all the press on Dirk before? He was still the same great player before.  Every year.  He plays great.  But Dallas couldn't get past LA and now they did.  All the talk is on Dirk.  Glad people found out how good he is.

Lebron is Great posted by Richard Kagan

Let's get one thing straight:  Lebron James is a great basketball player.  He may be a despised player.  But what he did in the Conference clinching game which Miami won 83-80 in Chicago was masterful.  He tied the game with a trey and gave the team the lead with another one.  The shots weren't hurried or rushed.  He sank them calmly and went back down the court.  I'm not saying he's Michael Jordan.  He hasn't won any titles yet.  But, when the Heat wins one, there will be talk again of the greatest player ever.  What's wrong with being great?  He is a great player.  D Wade is a great player and Chris Bosh is a very good player who in some games, plays great.  That is a lot for any team to overomce and the Bulls couldn't do it in the series. 

In game one, we saw Chicago at it's best, and one would think the Bulls could do it again in game two, but Miami played a great game and that changed the complexion ol the Series.  It was a closely played Series that resembled a scrum, a physical and draining series.  The Bulls beat up many teams this season, but the Heat beat them up.  As good as the Bulls defense was, the Heat has an answer.  They got stops.  Because they have one of the top defenders in the game, in Lebron James.  He was awesome on defense. 

Lebron hasn't won a title yet...that day may be soon be approachilng.  But win or lose, he is one heck of a player.

Heat Stun Bulls 83-80 in Win Series posted by Richard Kagan

All you really need to say is Lebron James and DWayne Wade.  Because that's who played great down the ticking minutes and stole the game from the Chicago Bulls.  The Heat won 83-80, courtesy of a 4th quarter rally than left the team and fans of Chicago shocked. 

Chicago had appeared to wrap up this game with 2: 30 remaining and a 7 point lead.  But that lead evaporated under James' three point shots.  Derrick Rose played great for the Bulls tonight.  But in this game, Lebron James proved to be best player left standing.  And, thanks to DWade for coming alive late to make some big shots.

Chicago couldn't match the firepower of Miami.  Miami seemed to score when it really needed to, and the Bulls could not.

The Bulls had a 13 point lead late in the 4th quarter and looked like a sure winner in this hotly contested series.  They were knock'em sock'em games, not for the faint of heart.  To score a basket was painful to watch.

Then the beauty of James emerged in the part of the game when Champions are made.  James made his bones tonight.  Clutch shot after big shot. Lebron did it. Rose will have to wait another year. 

Heat Look To Take Charge of Series posted by Richard Kagan

Bulls are down 6 late in OT and Miami goes to the line.  It doesn't look good for Chicago.  The Heat are about to win the game and take a 3-1 series lead.  The Bulls have commited costly turnovers in OT.  At one point they had 4 points and 4 TO's in the OT frame. Not a good stat. 

The Heat have two of the best players in the league in Lebron and DWade.  Bosh also has been outstanding in scoring.

Chicago simply doesn't have the firepower to pull off this Series.  They have a great defense.  Can stop a bulldozer, but it's hard to stop Jame & Wade.  If a third players gets hot as Udonis Haslem has, it is awlfully tough.  The Heat are a great half-court team. They score off of set plays, on 2nd chance opportunities, and if needed, give the ball to Lebron. It's in the playoffs where great players make plays.  Derrick Rose looks like a one-man band out there.  He is doing everything.  Carlos Boozer and Luol Deng have played well.  Joakim Noah has been great in this game.

But it is hard to stop Miami once they put the ball in Lebron's hands.  He is a terrific player on offense and defense.  Chicago may be able to win game 5 at the United Center, but that may be delaying the inevitable.  Miami has played very well and if they win, deserve to be Conference Champions.  Chicago has played on guts and toughness.  But against Miami, they have a slim margin for error.  The Heat put you in a visor and one gets the sense, it feels painful.  The Bulls' wonderful season may be over soon.

Bulls Try To Even Series in Miami posted by Richard Kagan

This is going to be a test of wills, a battle of top defenses to see who will emerge victorious in this rugged Eastern Conference Finals.  Chicago won the first game with a smothering defense that shut down Lebron James and Dwayne Wade.

In Game 2 Udonis Haslem played critical minutes in ballhawking, rebounding, and scoring 11 points for the Heat as they shut down Derrick Rose and won 85-75.  Imagine, the winning team scoring 85 points.  This is as good as it gets for lovers of great team defense.  They say "Defense wins Championships" and this seems to be the case in who will represent the East for the NBA title.  I think Chicago will win in 6 games, and that means that these next two games in Miami are crucial.

Just as the Heat won a game on the road so the Bulls need to get a win in Miami.  They are good enough to do it.

The Bulls coaches are working overtime on this break between games.  Both teams will be prepared.  It is which team will execute the game plan that will win Game 3.  This game will be played at a ferocious pitch.  If you like intensity, then watch this game.  Sparks will be flyin'.  Any team that Pat Riley is involved with, you know will come out with 100% effort.

Can the Bulls match that and give more.  If they can, then it will be a closely contested game.  That's what you need on the road.

Bulls Beat The Heat, 103-82 posted by Richard Kagan

The Chicago Bulls played great team defense, throttling Lebron James and Dwayane Wade in the 2nd half and coasted to a 103-82 victory in game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals in Chicago. 

The Bulls held the Heat to 15 points in the 3rd quarter as they went on a decisive run to lead by 9 points starting the 4th quarter.  Chicago didn't let up as it played terrific defense, hit open 3-point shots, out-rebounded and out-assisted and plain outplayed Miami to pull away with a key win in the 1st game.  This may be a long series, but the Bulls won the first game and look to go up 2-0 on Wednesday.

It starts with the defense.  In a league where flashy scoring is revered, the Bulls thrive on not letting the other team score a bucket.  The team seems to enjoy hauling in a rebound, throwing an offense out of sync, making a steal or forcing a turnover and converting that to points. That wears on an opponent. The Bulls play stifling defense, and leave the other team, drawn and defeated.  Dwyane Wade walked off the court a tired, and beaten player. 

You have to be on guard all the time, or else you will fumble the ball into the defense. Much like the vaunted Bears defense of '85.  When they are on, like Sunday nite, the Bulls will grind you up.  A tie game suddenly becomes a 5 point Chicago lead, then goes to 8 points. In a blink, it's 11 on a 3 point shot by C.J. Watson, and the Bulls are off--they don't have the glitz of Miami.  They do have the grit of the old Chicago Stockyards.  The Bulls made the United Center roar in delight to it's elevated play.

Bulls vs. Heat in the East posted by Richard Kagan

The Bulls are Back.  Back in the Eastern Conference Finals.  A place they practically owned during the Jordan - Pippen years.  It's been a long time coming.  It took some luck, drafting Derrick Rose, and signing the free agents from Utah, plus the development of Luol Deng and Joakim Noah.  A few years ago, the Bulls gave the Celtics all they could handle in a first round series.  Now, it's a date with the vaunted Miami Heat with Lebron James, DWade, and Chris Bosh.

James and Wade are two of the top players in the NBA.  And, the free-agent signings of the trio last summer shook the NBA world and practically re-configured a team overnight.  No one thought the Chicago Bulls would be playing the Heat for the right to earn an NBA title.  But the Bulls had a great year and took home the individual post-season honors.  Rose got the MVP award, new coach Tom Thibadou worked wonders with this team and rightly won Coach of the year.  And, Gar Forman earned Executive of the Year tied with Pal Riley of the Heat.

It's a harmonic convergence and the Bulls hope the good vibes continue into the Third Round of the playoffs.  Chicago is the underdog in this Series.  Even though Chicago beat Miami the three times they met in the regular season.

For the Bulls to win this series, they will have to emhasize team play versus the talent of the Heat.  You can't stop James or Wade on most nights.  What you can do is make it hard for them to play off each other and to shut down lanes for others to join in.  The Bulls will have to play great team defense.  Their best of the season.  That could get them past Miami and into the Finals.

Bulls Soar Over Hawks, 93-73, Win Series posted by Richard Kagan

The Chicago Bulls advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals with a strong finish in Atlanta, winning game 6 by 20 points, 93-73.  It was the Carlos Boozer show as he scored a game high 23 points with 10 rebounds.  Derrick Rose scored 19 points and had a playoff high 12 assists.  Joakim Noah had 11 points and 11 assists.  And Luol Deng scored 13 points and added five assists.  The Bulls led by 10 points at half, and were never headed.  It was a strong effort by Chicago. 

The Bulls defense shut down the Hawks.  The vaunted Hawks attack never got untracked, as Chicago controlled the action by out-rebounding the Hawks.  The Bulls had 30+ assists and looked unselfish -- one of the strongest games the Bulls played thus far in the playoffs.

Forward Omer Asik had a great game in the low post making smart moves in the paint, grabbing rebounds and tipping balls. 

Chicago earned the right to move on to play Miami for the Eastern Conference Finals.  It will be a battle. 

Pacers deal Bulls first home loss (AP)

[read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Banged-up Bulls cruise past Nets 110-95 (AP)

[read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Short-handed Bulls improve to 15-3 (AP)

[read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Bulls improve to 15-3 without Rose, Noah (AP)

[read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Bulls throttle Cavs by 39 without Rose (AP)

[read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports