<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Rookies are supposed to be scared, intimidated, a bit nauseous, perhaps, with a deer-in-headlights look. And for a team that relied on not one, but four rookies (Gordon, Chris Duhon, Luol Deng and Andres Nocioni), this was a legitimate cause for concern. ?I don?t think anything can prepare you for an NBA playoff atmosphere, but I do think I?m better prepared than most that haven?t been in those big-game situations,? Gordon told reporters last season. Like any major sporting event that is analyzed and overanalyzed before a single second ticks off the clock, the question mark regarding this rookie?s lack of experience prompted the usual debate. On one hand, Gordon and his fellow newcomers weren?t your ordinary rookies. Gordon, Duhon and Deng all had NCAA Final Four experience at the collegiate level, while Nocioni came to the Bulls directly after winning the gold medal in the Olympics. ?There?s really not a whole lot of difference between the two levels,? believes Bulls Executive Vice President and General Manager John Paxson, who is no stranger to big-time playoff experience. ?If you?re called upon in those situations to take a big shot and make a big play, the atmosphere and the importance are the same.? But, like a true sports commentator, Coach Scott Skiles opted for the flip side of the coin. ?You?d rather (the rookies) have that experience than nothing, but it?s not the same. The level of talent [in the NBA] and the play is much, much higher. You really have to raise your game.? So what does Gordon have to say about the matter? Well, that depends on when he?s asked. Before his first playoff game, Gordon confidentially stated that he?s no stranger to packed arenas and loud crowds and he didn?t expect any surprises. ?I don?t think anything can prepare you for an NBA playoff atmosphere, but I do think I?m better prepared than most that haven?t been in those big-game situations. You feed off the positive energy of the home crowd, and on the road you feed off the other team?s fans rooting against you. But what it really comes down to is blocking everyone out because you?ve got to focus on the task at hand, which is the game itself.? Speaking of which, how did Gordon do in his playoff debut? The laid-back rookie came off the bench and dropped 12 second-quarter points, making 5 of 7 shots. When the final buzzer sounded at the end of the night, Gordon ended up with 30 points in just 33 minutes of play as the Bulls throttled Washington, 103-94. </div> http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/gordon_feature_051006.html
It?s interesting that Ben Gordon this whole summer has praised his role of sixth man though his fans have said he deserves to start Ben Gordon has been preparing to play his role. I think it?s good that he is not talking as if he where a starter yet, he knows he will have to compete for that spot, keeping a level head like that will make him more determined to fight for that spot. It?s also interesting how he has become the face of the team despite not starting. With Curry gone he will continue to embrace the role as he gets more shot attempts. All our rookies from last season Ben Gordon, Luol Deng, and Chris Duhon, worked hard this summer in the weight room so their endurance and stamina will be up for this year. The lack of stamina we had was a problem last year. Though it was not fully exposed due to the talent we had in the second unit, it is always great when you can keep your starters (or best players) on the court for longer stretches of games.
Exactly the bulls 04 class has a bright future, and chances are Pax will keep most of them together. The Two im looking out for this year are Hirich and Deng. Expect them to have strong seasons after training all summer. Go Bulls!
Oh god i'm so excited about this season, i havent been this excited at teh start of a season ever i think.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting NaKz:</div><div class="quote_post">Oh god i'm so excited about this season, i havent been this excited at teh start of a season ever i think.</div> Me neither, or at least it's been awhile. I look forward to all our young guys to step up and take it to the next level. My only hope is that I'll be able to catch more Bulls games this year and not miss too many because of work.
