Not sure why everybody is suddenly freaked out and turning on a team that just won a 5 game series and and only had to play well for about 15 minutes in the first 4 games. The officiating was lopsided for the last 3 games to the point where I don't actually blame Boozer for being afraid to contest anything (he actually made a couple of nice defensive plays down the stretch in game 4 btw). Yet the bulls overcame and walloped the pacers when it mattered. The bulls get 6 days off to rest and figure out how to exploit one of two teams they match up well with. And on the other side, I think Boston advances. The extra rest is exactly what they needed and Miami is showing all the flaws they had in the regular season. And the Boston sweep wasn't as impressive as it looks a few days later. They needed a trip by Garnett that didn't get called to win one game and poor NY execution down the stretch in another. The Knicks were completely overmatched and not playing even as well as the pacers, and still could have won each of the first 3 games. And that Boston team is impressive? Assuming a more balanced officiating effort, a return to average for Boozer, and no injuries to Rose, I could see the bulls winning against either 2nd round team in 5 or 6. I see Boston winning one of the first 2 and winning in 6. And I see the bulls beating Boston in 5 or 7. Thibs knows them better than anybody and the bulls really should have taken 3 against them in the regular season.
If were being completely honest, I was worried before the game last night because of Rose's ankle, and I don't think there was anything unreasonable about that. This team is not winning anything without at least an almost-healthy Derrick Rose. I'm not sure how to feel about Carlos Boozer. RealGM is cluttered with youngins battling about whether he is soft, a choker, etc. I'm kind of glad we've avoided that here. I've seen Denny say that he thought Boozer was an all-star who was being used wrong, and Transplant comment that he was almost in the doghouse. I don't know where I stand. The thing I keep coming to is that Boozer might actually be contributing to winning on the court but it's both hard to see it in his stats and with the eye test. I'm not sure that Boozer isn't already playing well, struggles with length included. Boozer is a very good rebounder but he isn't going to put up stellar rebounding numbers playing next to Noah, Deng and Rose and our three-headed monster at shooting guard, all of whom rebound well above average on the glass. That doesn't mean that Boozer's impact on the boards isn't felt; his 6-10 boards could actually be more valuable given the circumstances. I also keep going back to Boozer's ability to spread the floor. We see that Rose has tons of space in the lane to maneuver but it's hard to associate that with the fact that opposing power forwards have to guard Boozer out to twenty feet. We see that Boozer commit turnovers but take it for granted that he is part of the offense and continues to circulate the ball after it touches his hands. (This is actually huge. The Bulls have three bigs in Noah, Boozer and Thomas who all play within the flow of an offense, and one big in Gibson who's not far off. That isn't the norm. Most bigs catch the ball and you never see it again.) And as bad as Boozer's defense appears at times, guards are reticent to drive to the hoop against him because he has this effectively-wild characteristic where every once in a while he slams into guards for a hard foul while trying to get back into position.
Boozer played 30 MPG in the 5 games and averaged 10 PPG and 10.2 RPG. The 3.8 PF/game is what killed him. Noah played 31 MPG and averaged 12 PPG with 10.6 RPG. Taj played 18 MPG and averaged 4 PTS/4.6 RPG. Kurt Thomas isn't really in the discussion. Indy's bigs: Hibbert 10.4 PPG in 26 MPG and 6.8 RPG Hansbrough 11.2 PPG in 32 MPG and 5.4 RPG McRoberts 5 PPG in 15 MPG with 3.6 RPG Foster 3.4 PPG in 18 MPG with 4.8 RPG Who exactly was the best PF or C in the series?
Boozer is a bit streaky and definitely has match-up problems with some team. I don't think that is against the Heat which is a very good thing. I'm really only concerned with him against the Magic *in the East*. But no doubt, he was just awful against the Pacers. But I think he is going to get back in gear.
Boozer also shot .356 and only 3.4 FTAs. 10.2 rpg and 10 ppg isn't bad though no matter how you stack it. I mean, it's been an entire season, and I'm still not ready to make any firm evaluations.
One thing I like in general about this board is that we don't get caught up in vapid flame wars about "this guy sucks!/No, he doesn't!" That kills the signal/noise ratio IMO. That said, I'm undecided on Boozer. Maybe more than length, it looks to me like he can just be shut down by good defense. Which means he's capable of putting up good numbers, but he'll always be less effective against the best teams, which is problematic if he's one of your primary scoring options and you're on the verge of being over the hump. I don't see a team out there that's clearly better than us. We haven't razzled and dazzled, but every team out there looks to have its own problems. Especially when you expand your view to include how they were playing leading up to the playoffs.
About the 2nd round. The Bulls clearly benefit from the #1 seed. Instead of facing both Miami and Boston on the road to the Finals, they get to play Indy and the winner of Orlando-Atlanta series (Atlanta is up 3-2). Meanwhile, Boston and Miami are about to face off in the biggest series of the entire playoffs before the finals.
Due to the fact that the Bulls handily won game 5, essentially without Boozer, I know very few fans who are freaked out or turning on the Bulls. Most feel that a trip to the ECF finals is very likely. Naturally, fans being fans, if the Bulls were to lose one of the first 2 games in the next round, many would immediately dive into "freak and turn" mode. I'm with rosenthall. There isn't a team I've seen that doesn't have its own issues. The Bulls have as good a shot as anyone and better than most.
Shaq is the one wildcard yet to be played. If he comes back with any semblance of a game, he tips things solidly in favor of the C's against the bulls. But if he is slow and hurt, I don't think the bulls have to worry.
Shaq is 39 years old and hasn't played a game since January. Honestly, I think he's well past the point where he can just come back and "turn it on." He honestly doesn't worry me that much. I think the worse that will happen is he gives Noah a hard time for 10-15 minutes a game. At most I think he's a 10-5 player in the playoffs. I'm much more worried about Rondo's re-discovered game and Garnett eating Boozer alive on defense than a 400 lb. Shaq-o-potamus trying to play himself back into shape.
Totally. If Boston can win against Miami they win the East, because, I see Garnett annihilating Boozer and Jermaine/Shaq being able to body Jo. Then they have Baby and Nenads as well. Rondo has the quicks and length to bother Rose and West will provoke as well. Their one weakness defensively is that I don't think they have got anyone like Tony Allen who could body Rose which would allow Rondo to hawk the lanes with Garnett and co at the back knocking our bigs off course. If Miami can run them around and win out , I see Boozer dominating in a match up against Miami and ultimately if it's us and Miami in the Conference Final , I am going with the Bulls to win out. But if it's us and Boston in the Conference Final then I see Boston winning out ~ provided that Miami doesn't run them silly in a frantic 7 game series
So what do you guys see as other teams issues ? Fwiw I see the Lakers and Thunder as maybe the 2 most complete teams out there In fact I see the Thunder in the Finals against either the Bulls if it's us and Miami, or Boston if it's us and Boston Thunder over Lakers in the West
I would definitely rather see Boston than Miami. I think Rose has Rondo's number and their old bigs don't scare me at all. Too immobile. I would love to see our series go 4 or 5 (with Boozer playing well) and Boston / Miami go 7. With the extra time to heal and home court, I think we would be looking good even if it's Miami.
