Chi-Ind: Game 1

Well, I may need to rethink my playoff standings.  That game was as good as it gets...at least the last 2 minutes plus.  Derrick Rose was incredible, as usual.  He was flawless at the end of the game when the Bulls couldn't afford one misstep.  He was effective even though he was 0-9 on 3-pt shooting.  Simply put, he has a will to win that so few athletes have, and coupled his supreme athleticism makes him the best in the game right now. 

Of course there were a few concerns, but none more glaring than Boozer's poor play.  It would be one thing if he predictably struggled on defense but provided some key offense and took some of the burden off Rose.  But he couldn't get anything going on either end of the floor.  The knock on Boozer has always been that he struggles with length.  Well, isn't that a problem when you're a power forward in the NBA?  He's not going to see very many undersized power forwards other than perhaps Big Baby down the road.  He's most effective when in pick 'n roll, but the Bulls don't run much of that, so I guess we'll see.  On defense however, we have a major problem.  Psycho T made Boozer appear to be stuck in cement.  I was really surprised that Thibs didn't pull Boozer for Taj in crunch time.  It's a tough situation.  As good as Rose is, can he really carry the Bulls through the playoffs without a solid second and third scoring option?  Boozer, step up!! 

Luol, is that you?!?  Wow!  I loved the emotion.  He's almost like a new player - more physical, more emotional, and....more made shots.  Deng, thank you!  Two clutch 3s kept the Bulls within striking distance and his 10 rebs made up partially for the Bulls' big men being out-played.

It's hard to tell what's going on with Noah.  He's showing spurts of what we've come to expect but they seem to be few and far between.  He was great in the last two minutes, but we need more consistency.  Is he hurt?

The crowd was great, the refs were as annoying as usual, and the hot sauce was appreciated. 

I couldn't possibly write an NBA post without bashing LeBron.  He's just such a d-bag I can't get over it.  At the end of the half in the Heat-Sixers game, Chalmers passed up a shot and hit Lebron in the corner who then had to hoist one up at the buzzer.  LeBron didn't like that because it made him look bad so he gave Chalmers a stare.  What a leader!  What a teammate!  Total a-hole.