JEFF'S CHICAGO SPORTS BLOG - "Here's How I See It . . . "
A TRUE CHICAGO SPORTS BLOG, FROM A TRUE CHICAGO SPORTS FAN!
The Chicago Bulls have done a complete about-face from their dominating performance over the Miami Heat by losing the first three of a best-of-seven series to the Detroit Pistons. What a disappointment!!
What has gone wrong with a team that finished the regular season as one of the hottest teams in the NBA? In an all-important Game Three at the United Center, the Bulls managed to squander a 19 point lead and let the domination of the first half go by the wayside. Detroit went on a 30-12 run in the third quarter. The Bulls would lose Game Three by a score of 81-74, shooting just 33.7% from the floor and committing 14 turnovers on their own home court.
Some analysts are convinced that the Bulls need more size in the middle especially when their perimeter shooting is below average. Somehow the Bulls managed to avoid the "big man issue" when they swept Shaq and the Miami Heat. I believe that their legs are tired and although they finished the regular season as one of the hottest teams, and then convincingly swept Miami, the intensity/pressure has caught up with this relatively young Bulls playoff team. Furthermore, the Pistons have so much more playoff experience and exhibited terrific poise in executing an awesome comeback at the UC.
Well, the six-time champs have potentially one game left in this otherwise successful, exciting season. Unfortunately they may have a lot longer road ahead of them should they lose this series to the Pistons. The question of whether or not Ben Gordon, Kirk Heinrich and Luol Deng will be on this team next year will likely be answered. One thing is for sure, the Bulls have talent, intensity, a good coach and terrific front office. Let's hope they can win game four and make the Pistons earn their way to the conference finals, I just don't think a four game sweep of Detroit is in the cards - had the Bulls won tonight maybe it would be a different story.
Want to talk Chicago Sports? Drop me a line anytime! Whether it's the Bulls, the Bears, the Cubs, the Sox, the Blackhawks, or the Fire, I'd love to communicate, or commiserate, with you!
Jeff Ardito
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, The Dean's Team Chicago Sports Section
