Deng 6 points and just 5 boards. Hey gotta give him the night off. Boozer and Noah came to play in the second half. Glad to see that. Rose, he is the MVP, no doubt about it.
Boy, this is getting to be a grind to the end. Hope it doesn't take too much out of them for the playoffs.
This is where I came in to watch the end of the game. And as clutch / MVP'ish as Rose clearly was down the stretch - after Delfino hit those two free throws and Rose responded when Jennings hit him in the face ....in the ensuing 3 defensive sets when the Bucks were trying to make it happen ( Johnny Jabstep mainly ) Luol Deng was nothing short of spectacular on the defensive end -ably supported by Ronnie Brewer on that last defensive play that led to the steal and finish that well and truly iced it. We really...and I mean really know how to clamp the perimeter and Deng and Brewer have been two unsung heroes for us all season. CJ has been very good defensively as well. That's why we've taken care of business against the Heat and why I like a match up with them in the playoffs if/when we face off against them.
Nah.. this is what we want. Playoff basketball is grind em down hoops. We want/need to be challenged like this and then finding that gear when we need it. The gear is Rose but the engine is our defense
I just came in for the end too but will watch the rest later. How crazy was the crowd? It reminded of the old Chicago Stadium . . . and the game was in Milwaukee???!!!
yes I failed to mention the defense by deng the entire 4th quarter,but especially the last 2.5 minutes.
Noah has a big ice pack on his right thumb. Same one he hurt earlier in the year. http://twitter.com/#!/ESPNChiBulls/status/51842874236608513
3 years ago, when MIA had most lottery balls and eyes on Rose, Calipari told me DRose would be NBA's best PG in 3 years. Dead on. http://twitter.com/#!/WallaceHeatNBA/status/51841102835220480
MVP-caliber close by DRose @Mil (tho Bucks back-to-back from NY): 10 pts, 3 assts last 4 mins. Strong. http://twitter.com/#!/RealSkipBayless/status/51844578856288257 Hey Skip, reality check, we came from a back-to-back as well!
Thanks Dodger ! Y'know , our defense has been at a consistent high level most of the season and has been incrementally improving since the allstar break. We're well balanced in the first unit with Deng, Noah and Bogans and even Rose who has improved markedly this season. But to throw a 2nd unit in there that starts off with Brewer and Watson maintaning perimeter pressure , and then have guys backing them up like Gibson, Asik and Thomas is massive. Thomas has had a major positive impact on this team , Taj is solid defensively and Asik , IMO , intrigues the bejesus out of me given his combination of smarts/anticipation how he moves his feet and also because he's not afraid of the physical challenge. All of this add up to the reason we are where we are in defensive rankings and why we're going to be an awfully tough contest from anyone from any conference in the playoffs. This team can go a long way and it will be disappointing if they don't. But beyond this season ...we have to keep energy fresh and adding the right role players that fit the ethos of this team. Its why I have been favoring a draft of Nolan Smith if he's there and also finding a way to add Shane Battier in replacement of Keith Bogans. This and looking at rotating suitable vets in the AD/PJ/KT mould ....someone like Tony Battie if KT decides to sail off into the sunset in the summer.
Many times this season the second unit would not only maintain a lead, but actually increase a lead. Sometimes if we were behind, they caught us back up. Then bring in Korver and we get even more! Second unit has enough offense because we can score off of our defense! Thibs also keeps Deng in the game for 2 or three minutes so scoring is never a problem!
The last 3 minutes of that game is what an MVP does. Stone cold killer. There were 9 guys on the court and Derrick Rose. It was his game. Wow. Dear Lord. Thinking we get to watch this guy for the next decade as a Bull (hopefully!) is unbelievable. I'm not sure how the playoffs are going to play out, but I have 0 doubt that Rose is going to want it more than the silly Howard, the aging Celtics and the mentally weak Lebron.
WallaceHeatNBA Keep your PERs, APRs, RPIs and +/-. I watch games, results. No player's done better under heavier burden this year than Rose.
