The 100-99 loss in overtime to the New York Knicks on Sunday has left Chicago in shock. Bulls fans pretty much experienced every emotional state in this game, which ended with unfortunate results. It was discouraging to see the Bulls losing by 21 points in the first quarter (27-6), but hopes rose after they came back and led by 10 points with just under four minutes left in the fourth quarter. The Bulls have been known to be what I like to call a “fourth quarter team.” They have a tendency to have the best rhythm, greatest energy and finest playing in the fourth quarter against other NBA teams, but Sunday afternoon’s game against the Knicks wasn’t one of them. So the big question on everyone’s mind after this epic game is what went wrong?
I’ll discuss that shortly, but let’s talk facts first. Fact: The Bulls currently have the best record in the NBA. Fact: The Bulls are the best rebounding team in the league. Fact: The Bulls’ coach, Tom Thibodeau, is outstanding (NBA Coach of the Year 2011, Eastern Conference All-Star Coach 2012, fastest coach in NBA history to earn 100 victories - to name a few of his accomplishments). Fact: The Bulls are a versatile team. What do I mean by this? Despite all the injuries (and this season has been an injury-filled one for the Bulls), each player clearly has an assigned role which has resulted in a complete team. We have our all-around shooters: Rose, Deng, Watson and Brewer, our three-point shooters: Korver and Lucas, our big guy rebounders: Noah, Boozer, Gibson and Asik, and our rookie: Butler. And they all play defense too!
Now back to the question, what went wrong? There is no doubt that the Chicago Bulls are a phenomenal team and a real contender for the finals, but there are two weaknesses in the Bulls that need to be addressed in order to get a championship: free throws and turnovers. These two problems continue to show up in every game throughout the season, and they are the reasons the Bulls were unable to close the game against the Knicks. Both Rose and Deng missed their free throws towards the end of the fourth quarter and the Bulls turned over the ball 20 times throughout the game.
Everything is there: first-class coach, skilled players and a structured team that plays well together, but the continuous problem of missed free throws and multiple turnovers needs to be fixed in order for this great team to become a championship team. Do the Bulls have what it takes to win a championship? Absolutely. Like Coach Thibodeau said (and keeps saying), "You have to do the right things... Simple plays: Protect the ball, keep the ball moving, quick decisions, hit the first open man, sustain your spacing, protect the ball, tuck it on the catch... Simple. Turnovers, turnovers, missed free throws." If the Bulls implement Thibodeau's instructions, we'll be on our way to a seventh championship.
I also think there's disconnect with how the bulls play with rose and without rose since he's been injured for a lot of games this season. It is important that the rest of the Bulls player's continue to be active, and look for open shots and be aggressive on offense like they were when rose was out and not just stand around and wait for him create offense!
ReplyDelete