In the end, Scottie Pippen said, the Chicago Bulls simply did not have the players necessary to beat the Miami Heat and compete for the NBA title. And specifically, the Bulls Hall of Famer said, the highest-priced Bulls players could not be counted on. "When you're playing at this stage of the playoffs, the best of the best are still there and you have to have guys stepping up," Pippen told ESPNChicago.com. "And I just felt like it finally caught up with the Bulls, who didn't have consistent play from guys who needed to play big down the stretch. When those pieces are not falling into place, you're going to fall out of it. "Miami was the better team, they have better finishers and more finishers." Specifically, the Bulls could not rely on Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah when they need them most in the Eastern Conference finals, Pippen said. "You can't have two of your top high-paid players sitting on the bench in the fourth quarter," Pippen said. "And that isn't just last night's game. We have seen this the whole season. So for us to think the Bulls are going to go farther when your high-priced players are not going to carry you and finish games for you ... you're not talking about a championship team. Read more: http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nba/news/story?id=6599784
I understand why Boozer was on the bench. Not so much with Noah. Still, I'm not going to rag on Thibs. Wade, and particularly James were superstars in those last 3 minutes. The Bulls didn't have an answer. So yeah, Pippen's right.
