Coming off of a energy pumping win against Dallas, the Bulls showed that they do have the POTENTIAL to score the ball and play team basketball and not just "me" basketball. What seemed to be an iffy game with the Bulls being down by 24 to 5 against the Mavericks changed over the course of the game and went in our favor. SO, with that said, can the Bulls show that kind of heart and playing spirit that they showed against the Dallas Mavericks (minus the first quarter) consistently. Our main problem all year has been consistency. You know, sometimes we show that we belong in the NBA and are playoff contenders and then other times we play like absolute scrubs that need to relearn all the basics of basketball. Tonight we play against TJ Ford and the Pacers at home in the United Center and I think we can win the game. OF COURSE, we will need to play smart basketball as we did to rally against the Mavericks who happen to be a great team despite their record (they made the mistake of firing Avery Johnson). The Mavericks are a more threatening and challenging competitor than the Pacers so I believe if we can put a whooping on the Mavericks then we should be able to put a whopping and a half on the Pacers. HOWEVER..it seems like the games the Bulls SHOULD win they end up crappin' out and the games they shouldn't win they actually play like they have something to play for....Surprisingly record wise this is the best start that the Bulls have had (4 W - 5 L)...it usually takes us eight or nine losses to get win number four, so I am content with the start that we are having thus far. To even our our Win/Loss ratio to 5 even with a W against the Pacers. How to we beat the Pacers? By giving a shit and playing tight perimeter D and then trapping them in the post (it'll mess with their offensive flow). We SHOULD be able to win this one, but "should" is a stretch with Chicago...If they play with passion then it will be an easy W...if not...then the Pacers will beat us. Key Players: Derrick Rose (Defensively): His offense will come if he plays smart ball Ben Gordon (Defensively): Just like Rose his offense will come if he plays smart Luol Deng (Offensively): He should use his body to cut the pacers defenses. He should put effort on D but more on Offense Tyrus Thomas (Defensively): He has no offense besides dunking so he will need to be one of our main defensive hustle guys Drew Gooden (Offensively): His defense will come...he'll just need to splash that net for the most part. Lindsey Hunter (Coach Rose on Defensive lock down): Enough said Tune in at 8:30 on league pass audio or broadband or perhaps in this thread if a link is available. Chicago for the Win
Rose just had a really nice 3rd quarter. Two deep three's, some nice defense and a nice end of the quarter bucket. Is it 1984 all over again?
