NBA Finals - Game 5 Preview

With the series tied 2-2 and this now becoming a three game series. "It's Now or Never" is what LeBron James posted on his Twitter profile and after a nine point performance in game 4. Scottie Pippen is eating his words now because there is now way Michael Jordan would have scored only nine points in an NBA Finals game and loose.

If the Miami Heat want to win tonight LeBron James needs to play like the 2-time MVP that he was. The problem with LeBron is he becomes too passive in the fourth quarter and relies on Dwayne Wade to carry the team. There is no way Shawn Marion or any other Maverick can guard James 1-on-1. Moments like this is when superstars need to dominate and take over games. I know Wade will do this but also Bosh needs to become more assertive as well. Chris Bosh needs to return to the Toronto Raptor form because he's been inconsistent all year long. The Heat also need great point guard play from Mike Bibby & Mario Chalmers to set up the offensive. The last time I check James Jones was the reigning 3-point champion. I bring this up because Miami should use him the way the Chicago Bulls use to use Craig Hodges. Put James & Miller in the game strictly for 3-point shooting.

What about Dallas? The key for the Mavericks is something Miami has had trouble with all year which is strong point guard play. Future Hall-of-Famer Jason Kidd must continue to dictate the offense for Dallas and score when necessary. Jose Barea & Jason Terry must continue to knock down shots and push the tempo when Kidd is not in the game. Speaking of knocking down shot, Peja Stojakovic needs the confidence he had in Sacramento and when open, provide long range shooting. Since Caron Butler is not available this series, Shawn Marion must also continue to provide garbage buckets, rebound, and run the fast break. The Mavericks need another strong defensive game from Tyson Chandler who has been a monster on the boards. Last but not least all roads start and finish with Dirk Nowitzki. Dirk is the offensive that keeps this team alive and they need his scoring if they want to be champions or else, they'll suffer the same fate they did back in 2006. In order for the Mavs to win tonight, the veteran Mavs club must stay in the half court offense which Miami has trouble defending but if they try to make this a transition game, the Mavs are done.

It's a toss up tonight but I still see this series going seven games. 

Chicago Bulls 2010-2011 Season Recap

Now that the Chicago Bulls season has come to a close, I won't say that this team overachieved but lead my the youngest MVP in league history, The Chicago Bulls exceeded all expectations by finishing with the best record in the NBA going 62-20. Going into the season the Bulls were supposed contend with Orlando, Boston, and Miami but not surpass them. The object was to avoid Boston or Miami until the Eastern Conference Finals meaning land the one or two seed.

On that note mission accomplished but after last weeks heart breaking defeat by the Miami Heat at the United Center, the Bulls now must address the missing piece in their lineup which is a scoring shooting guard to compliment Derrick Rose. Towards the end of the season and all through the playoffs, Derrick Rose was our primary scorer and point guard. As a result, teams forced the MVP to take bad shots which resulted in rare losses for this ball club.

Jokim Noah must work on his offensive game this off-season. If Noah comes back an explosive offensive weapon, that means trouble for the Miami Heat. Taj Gibson must continue to be the spark off the bench providing occasional double-doubles. Carlos Boozer must learn to play above the rim and pretty much must learn how to move his feet and play defense overall. Boozer should not lay the ball up when he's underneath the basket he must learn to finish strong like Blake Griffin.

Along with the Executive of the Year, MVP, Coach Tom also collected hardware by winning the Coach of the Year. The defensive minded Thiboodeau made sure less isolation ball was played and more team defense was played. As a result other than the Miami Heat, the Bulls team was the best defensive team in the NBA which lead to a ton of transition points scored. Keith Bogans made all defensive second team but must drastically work on his offensive game this off-season. Once Kyle Korver learn how to create his own shot rather than going through screen, he'll become an unstoppable weapon on offense. At this point the only advice I have for Omar is to remain healthy but once healthy, he must improve his defense if he want to become a dominant force at the center position.

If this core group stays together, I see a minimum two championships out of this group but first they must acquire  a legit shooting guard.

Bulls-Heat Eastern Conference Finals

After witnessing the bench mob led by Taj Gibson and his two dynamic dunks after, the Chicago Bulls resume play tonight hoping to go up two games on the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals. The problem with the Heat is that their game is predictable....due to poor point guard play they're all about the transition baskets. They're probably one of the worst half court teams in the NBA because they rely so much on LeBron James or Dwayne Wade to go one-on-one.

Deng did a fantastic job neutralizing the two-time MVP LeBron James to only 15 points while Deng had 21. The Chicago Bulls defense also made sure after opening dunks by Wade & James, that would be the end of that. One only positive for Miami was Chris Bosh scoring 30 on Boozer (who's not know for his defense).

The Chicago Bulls must continue their strong defensive play by making sure they don't get into a track meet with Miami because they're one of the best transition teams in the League. Continue playing their half court game and making the extra pass for the high percentage shots. If Tom's crew is successful led by MVP Derrick Rose, Chicago will head down to South Beach up two games. 

Bulls/Hawks - Series

The Atlanta Hawks got the split at the United Center as the series now heads to Phillips Arena for Game 3 and 4 this weekend. Game 1 saw Joe Johnson have the game of his life as he and his Hawks shot over 50% from the field. As terrible as the Bulls played, they still almost pulled off the victory and last night's game, Atlanta shot less than 40% which is the Atlanta Hawks I know. A team full of me first players with a terrible shot selection and low basketball IQ. I expect the Bulls to sweep these two games in Atlanta then come home and finish the series in Game 5. 

Kirk Hindrich going down with an injury has led to the increased playing time and confidence booster for Jeff Teague. The Indianapolis native has been the most impressive Hawk and has done a pretty consistent guarding the MVP Derrick Rose (who did attempt one free-throw in game 1). 

Chicago Bulls in 5 

Chicago Bulls - Destination Grant Park

Not only did the Chicago Bulls finish with the best record in the Eastern Conference, but they finished with the best record in the NBA this season going 62-20. The last time a Chicago Bulls team won over 60 games, the end result was a city wide championship with a victory rally in Grant Park. Twenty years ago I attended the first celebration at Grant Park and I remember Michael Jordan saying he waited seven long years for this moment and between 1991-1998, going to Grant Park because as common as the Taste of Chicago.

This afternoon at the United Center, the Indiana Pacers did not go down quietly as they led most of the game until Kyle Korver's 3 with 49 seconds left secured the victory for the Bulls who now lead the series 1-0. When it comes to scoring, like the Jordan era Bulls, this current bunch became stagnant and relied on Derrick Rose to carry the scoring load. Not getting any points from our shooting guard (Keith Bogans) is equivalant to have four or five on the floor. I was not thrilled when management signed Bogans this past off-season because he was not contributed anything to this franchise this season. We're not asking for a huge scoring output but at least 10 points from our starting shooting guard is reasonable.

Game 2 is Monday night on TNT and I expect a more more determined Bulls teams that should dominate the Pacers the same way the Bulls dominated the rest of the Central Division.

March Madness - New York Guards STAND UP!!!!!!!!

With the Sweet 16 taking place this weekend three New York City Point Guards have truly played like stars and will complete in the Elite 8 tomorrow. Kemba Walker, Irving Walker, and Lamont Jones made Manhattan, Harlem, and Bronx proud as well as their universities.

Arizona will face Connecticut tomorrow as these former Rice HS guards will battle for the rights to play in the Final 4 in Houston.  Kemba Walker has been the best player in college basketball this season. Irving Walker has been the best lead guard in the SEC while Lamont Jones is the second best point guard in the Pac-10 (Thomas has the honor being the best).

Tomorrow I will look forward to watching these ankle breaking, dime passing, high basketball IQ, big shot making guards from the Big Apple. Let's hope no opposing center suffers the same fate as the center from Pittsburgh. 

Bulls Best in East????

With the loss to the New Jersey Nets tonight the Boston Celtics are now tied with the Chicago Bulls for the best record in the Eastern Conference. The Miami Heat and Orlando Magic will continue to beat each other up in the South Division, The Celtics have the experience but are beginning to show their age which is why the young Bulls lead by the leading MVP candidate Derrick Rose will play in the NBA Finals this year.

During the beginning of the season many projected the Celtics, Heat, or Magic to contend to Eastern Conference supremacy (including myself) but none of the "experts" projected the Bulls to be the Beast of the East. Will they reach the NBA Finals this year remains to be seen but I can tell you why they'll finish with the best record in the East.

Other than the Chicago Bulls, the NBA Central is full of teams that will participate in the NBA Lottery. Currently the Bulls are undefeated in their division and should remain that way the rest of the season. The point guard is the most dominant position in the NBA today but the Bulls have the best of the best lead guard in Derrick Rose who'll most likely win the MVP award this year. Rose's scoring, assist are up this year and has even become more of a vocal leader along with his improved jump shot.

Improved front court: If Derrick Rose is the MVP than Jokim Noah is the most improved. Noah's scoring and rebounding has increased every year and would have been an All-Star if not for his hand surgery. Carlos Boozer is the much need low post scoring we've been missing since Elton Brand. Taj Gibson has shown glimpse of stardom and occasionally gets double-doubles. Lou Deng is the "veteran" of this young core that provides the scoring Rose doesn't. Kyle Korver is the new John Paxton, Steve Kerr (you get the picture).

Their lack of a legit scoring guard will become a problem deep in the playoffs but should be enough to finish with the best record in the East....GO BULLS!!!!!!