You'd, of course, have said no chance coming into the 2012-13 NBA season, and anytime in the first month as the Bulls lurched along around .500.But as the snow begins to pile up in the Midwest, there's something flying under the radar. Santa's sleigh? No, it's the Bulls quietly third in fewest points allowed and second in both overall defensive shooting percentage and opponents' 3-point shooting. And as December is about to close, it's the Bulls (15-11 through Sunday) hanging in along with Indiana (16-12) at the top of the standings in the Central Division.It comes as the Bulls last week defeated the streaking New York Knicks for the second time this season, including in New York. The Bulls did it with active defense that thwarted the Knicks' open court shooting game, the strategy that enabled the Knicks to defeat Miami twice by 20-point margins.This season, though Bulls management would never publicly acknowledge, is supposed to be about maintaining until Rose can return, perhaps late in the season and playing briefly. The idea is for Rose to jump the mental hurdles of recovery and be at full speed next season.Last season, the Bulls were 18-9 in games Rose was out injured. But the conventional wisdom was that the team would take a step back with Rose out from the beginning. The Bulls parted most of the reserves from last season, the effective, so-called "Bench Mob." They also lost center Omer Asik in free agency to the Houston Rockets.But the new bench arrivals — like Marco Belinelli, Nate Robinson and with more playing time for Jimmy Butler — have begun to produce along with holdover Taj Gibson.In a technicality in the new collective bargaining agreement, the Bulls had to pass on the options for Kyle Korver, C.J. Watson, Ronnie Brewer and John Lucas in order to have an exception large enough to sign Kirk Hinrich because without Rose the addition of a point guard was most important.But now with the Bulls apparently able to compete with all the teams in the Eastern Conference, if Rose is able to return according to most estimates in late February or early March, that could be like adding an All-Star and perhaps make the Bulls a legitimate contender by then.Of course, there is a room filled with ifs in that scenario.No one truly can say when Rose will return, or if. The Bulls are playing it cautiously after what they believed was a difficult experience when Michael Jordan broke his foot at the beginning of his second season in 1985.Jordan demanded to return and went public, accusing the Bulls of trying to lose to get a better draft pick. Doctors had told the Bulls Jordan had a 10 percent chance of his career being over if he was hurt again coming back too soon.Jordan being the gambler that he is said that meant there was a 90 percent chance he would not be. He came back and was fine, eventually scoring a record 63 points against the Celtics in the playoffs.Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf said there'll be no such gambles this time.Rose is in the first season of his massive five-year contract extension.So the Bulls are being cautious. They are saying he must be cleared by multiple doctors first. Rose is accepting that plan.Without Rose, the Bulls have been a team limited in offense, 26th in the league in scoring. Luol Deng and Joakim Noah have taken expanded offensive roles and produced. But there is no Rose-like scorer, so the Bulls have relied on defense and a half-court game to even their playing field.Rose has a step up on Jordan in having won the league MVP in his third season while Jordan won in his fourth. But Jordan also was Defensive Player of the Year. They both are spectacular athletic talents, which remains the concern regarding Rose.Jordan only had a break, which would heal routinely.Rose's injury was much more serious, tearing the dreaded anterior cruciate ligament. If Rose had the same injury back when Jordan got hurt in 1985, there'd be a question of whether he could return and gain back his great athletic ability. A specter hangs over Chicagoans with an ACL tear. Gale Sayers of the Chicago Bears probably would have been the best runner in NFL history. But he had that injury and never was the same. But that was in the 1960s.Can Rose come back with the same, amazing explosiveness that few ever have seen before in pro basketball? Physicians say he should be able to, but until he does he hasn't.Which is the concern when Rose does return.Management's plan is to work him back slowly — after doctor approval — starting in late February or early March. He'll be on a minutes limit, like Minnesota's Ricky Rubio is now,.There's a chance doctors will say Rose is not ready. But the Bulls also want Rose to be able to play and put the mental uncertainties of making those basketball moves behind him before presumably returning to full strength next season.Without Rose, the Bulls have been mostly dismissed. After all, you don't lose the league MVP and remain a contender. But if you get back a 24-year-old former league MVP with teammates Deng and Noah playing like All Stars and a productive bench, well, maybe you have something that few considered possible, a contending Chicago Bulls team for 2013.Don't sleep on them yet.Sam Smith covered the Chicago Bulls for 25 years with the Chicago Tribune. He is the author of the best-selling book "The Jordan Rules."
Showing posts with label Bulls. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bulls. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Bulls keeping pace in East with Rose on mend
CHICAGO — If the Chicago Bulls are this good without point guard Derrick Rose —not great, but good — then could they really be serious title contenders even this season?You'd, of course, have said no chance coming into the 2012-13 NBA season, and anytime in the first month as the Bulls lurched along around .500.But as the snow begins to pile up in the Midwest, there's something flying under the radar. Santa's sleigh? No, it's the Bulls quietly third in fewest points allowed and second in both overall defensive shooting percentage and opponents' 3-point shooting. And as December is about to close, it's the Bulls (15-11 through Sunday) hanging in along with Indiana (16-12) at the top of the standings in the Central Division.It comes as the Bulls last week defeated the streaking New York Knicks for the second time this season, including in New York. The Bulls did it with active defense that thwarted the Knicks' open court shooting game, the strategy that enabled the Knicks to defeat Miami twice by 20-point margins.This season, though Bulls management would never publicly acknowledge, is supposed to be about maintaining until Rose can return, perhaps late in the season and playing briefly. The idea is for Rose to jump the mental hurdles of recovery and be at full speed next season.Last season, the Bulls were 18-9 in games Rose was out injured. But the conventional wisdom was that the team would take a step back with Rose out from the beginning. The Bulls parted most of the reserves from last season, the effective, so-called "Bench Mob." They also lost center Omer Asik in free agency to the Houston Rockets.But the new bench arrivals — like Marco Belinelli, Nate Robinson and with more playing time for Jimmy Butler — have begun to produce along with holdover Taj Gibson.In a technicality in the new collective bargaining agreement, the Bulls had to pass on the options for Kyle Korver, C.J. Watson, Ronnie Brewer and John Lucas in order to have an exception large enough to sign Kirk Hinrich because without Rose the addition of a point guard was most important.But now with the Bulls apparently able to compete with all the teams in the Eastern Conference, if Rose is able to return according to most estimates in late February or early March, that could be like adding an All-Star and perhaps make the Bulls a legitimate contender by then.Of course, there is a room filled with ifs in that scenario.No one truly can say when Rose will return, or if. The Bulls are playing it cautiously after what they believed was a difficult experience when Michael Jordan broke his foot at the beginning of his second season in 1985.Jordan demanded to return and went public, accusing the Bulls of trying to lose to get a better draft pick. Doctors had told the Bulls Jordan had a 10 percent chance of his career being over if he was hurt again coming back too soon.Jordan being the gambler that he is said that meant there was a 90 percent chance he would not be. He came back and was fine, eventually scoring a record 63 points against the Celtics in the playoffs.Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf said there'll be no such gambles this time.Rose is in the first season of his massive five-year contract extension.So the Bulls are being cautious. They are saying he must be cleared by multiple doctors first. Rose is accepting that plan.Without Rose, the Bulls have been a team limited in offense, 26th in the league in scoring. Luol Deng and Joakim Noah have taken expanded offensive roles and produced. But there is no Rose-like scorer, so the Bulls have relied on defense and a half-court game to even their playing field.Rose has a step up on Jordan in having won the league MVP in his third season while Jordan won in his fourth. But Jordan also was Defensive Player of the Year. They both are spectacular athletic talents, which remains the concern regarding Rose.Jordan only had a break, which would heal routinely.Rose's injury was much more serious, tearing the dreaded anterior cruciate ligament. If Rose had the same injury back when Jordan got hurt in 1985, there'd be a question of whether he could return and gain back his great athletic ability. A specter hangs over Chicagoans with an ACL tear. Gale Sayers of the Chicago Bears probably would have been the best runner in NFL history. But he had that injury and never was the same. But that was in the 1960s.Can Rose come back with the same, amazing explosiveness that few ever have seen before in pro basketball? Physicians say he should be able to, but until he does he hasn't.Which is the concern when Rose does return.Management's plan is to work him back slowly — after doctor approval — starting in late February or early March. He'll be on a minutes limit, like Minnesota's Ricky Rubio is now,.There's a chance doctors will say Rose is not ready. But the Bulls also want Rose to be able to play and put the mental uncertainties of making those basketball moves behind him before presumably returning to full strength next season.Without Rose, the Bulls have been mostly dismissed. After all, you don't lose the league MVP and remain a contender. But if you get back a 24-year-old former league MVP with teammates Deng and Noah playing like All Stars and a productive bench, well, maybe you have something that few considered possible, a contending Chicago Bulls team for 2013.Don't sleep on them yet.Sam Smith covered the Chicago Bulls for 25 years with the Chicago Tribune. He is the author of the best-selling book "The Jordan Rules."
You'd, of course, have said no chance coming into the 2012-13 NBA season, and anytime in the first month as the Bulls lurched along around .500.But as the snow begins to pile up in the Midwest, there's something flying under the radar. Santa's sleigh? No, it's the Bulls quietly third in fewest points allowed and second in both overall defensive shooting percentage and opponents' 3-point shooting. And as December is about to close, it's the Bulls (15-11 through Sunday) hanging in along with Indiana (16-12) at the top of the standings in the Central Division.It comes as the Bulls last week defeated the streaking New York Knicks for the second time this season, including in New York. The Bulls did it with active defense that thwarted the Knicks' open court shooting game, the strategy that enabled the Knicks to defeat Miami twice by 20-point margins.This season, though Bulls management would never publicly acknowledge, is supposed to be about maintaining until Rose can return, perhaps late in the season and playing briefly. The idea is for Rose to jump the mental hurdles of recovery and be at full speed next season.Last season, the Bulls were 18-9 in games Rose was out injured. But the conventional wisdom was that the team would take a step back with Rose out from the beginning. The Bulls parted most of the reserves from last season, the effective, so-called "Bench Mob." They also lost center Omer Asik in free agency to the Houston Rockets.But the new bench arrivals — like Marco Belinelli, Nate Robinson and with more playing time for Jimmy Butler — have begun to produce along with holdover Taj Gibson.In a technicality in the new collective bargaining agreement, the Bulls had to pass on the options for Kyle Korver, C.J. Watson, Ronnie Brewer and John Lucas in order to have an exception large enough to sign Kirk Hinrich because without Rose the addition of a point guard was most important.But now with the Bulls apparently able to compete with all the teams in the Eastern Conference, if Rose is able to return according to most estimates in late February or early March, that could be like adding an All-Star and perhaps make the Bulls a legitimate contender by then.Of course, there is a room filled with ifs in that scenario.No one truly can say when Rose will return, or if. The Bulls are playing it cautiously after what they believed was a difficult experience when Michael Jordan broke his foot at the beginning of his second season in 1985.Jordan demanded to return and went public, accusing the Bulls of trying to lose to get a better draft pick. Doctors had told the Bulls Jordan had a 10 percent chance of his career being over if he was hurt again coming back too soon.Jordan being the gambler that he is said that meant there was a 90 percent chance he would not be. He came back and was fine, eventually scoring a record 63 points against the Celtics in the playoffs.Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf said there'll be no such gambles this time.Rose is in the first season of his massive five-year contract extension.So the Bulls are being cautious. They are saying he must be cleared by multiple doctors first. Rose is accepting that plan.Without Rose, the Bulls have been a team limited in offense, 26th in the league in scoring. Luol Deng and Joakim Noah have taken expanded offensive roles and produced. But there is no Rose-like scorer, so the Bulls have relied on defense and a half-court game to even their playing field.Rose has a step up on Jordan in having won the league MVP in his third season while Jordan won in his fourth. But Jordan also was Defensive Player of the Year. They both are spectacular athletic talents, which remains the concern regarding Rose.Jordan only had a break, which would heal routinely.Rose's injury was much more serious, tearing the dreaded anterior cruciate ligament. If Rose had the same injury back when Jordan got hurt in 1985, there'd be a question of whether he could return and gain back his great athletic ability. A specter hangs over Chicagoans with an ACL tear. Gale Sayers of the Chicago Bears probably would have been the best runner in NFL history. But he had that injury and never was the same. But that was in the 1960s.Can Rose come back with the same, amazing explosiveness that few ever have seen before in pro basketball? Physicians say he should be able to, but until he does he hasn't.Which is the concern when Rose does return.Management's plan is to work him back slowly — after doctor approval — starting in late February or early March. He'll be on a minutes limit, like Minnesota's Ricky Rubio is now,.There's a chance doctors will say Rose is not ready. But the Bulls also want Rose to be able to play and put the mental uncertainties of making those basketball moves behind him before presumably returning to full strength next season.Without Rose, the Bulls have been mostly dismissed. After all, you don't lose the league MVP and remain a contender. But if you get back a 24-year-old former league MVP with teammates Deng and Noah playing like All Stars and a productive bench, well, maybe you have something that few considered possible, a contending Chicago Bulls team for 2013.Don't sleep on them yet.Sam Smith covered the Chicago Bulls for 25 years with the Chicago Tribune. He is the author of the best-selling book "The Jordan Rules."
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Sneed shines as Big Bulls run away from Broncos
TOKOROZAWA, Saitama Pref. — Center Dillion Sneed scored 20 of his game-high 24 points in the second half as the Iwate Big Bulls turned a close contest into a rout, beating the Saitama Broncos 111-94 on Saturday night at Tokorozawa Municipal Gymnasium.Iwate (12-5) snapped a three-game slide. Saitama (2-11) lost its fourth straight, and leading scorer John Humphrey remained on the bench with a back injury.Sneed's inside presence opened things up for Iwate on the perimeter as his teammates exploited gaps in the defense. Saitama had a poor second half on defensive rotations and reacting to what the visitors ran against them.The Broncos yielded 65 second-half points after trailing 46-43 at halftime.Saitama coach Tracy Williams said his team needs to be stronger mentally for the full 40 minutes."That's something we're still working on," Williams said.Lawrence Blackledge had 18 points, 16 rebounds and two steals, Kenichi Takahashi poured in 17 points, Reggie Okosa scored 14, Carlos Dixon added 11 with five assists for Iwate.Sneed was most impressive for Iwate, though, making 11 of 15 shots in 17-plus minutes."He was a Big Bull out there tonight," Williams said of Sneed.Yuki Kitamuki paced Saitama with 19 points and Nyika Williams had 16 points and 15 rebounds in his Broncos debut.Iwate was 37 of 63 from inside the arc and wore the Broncos down as the second half progressed, including a pivotal surge in the third to stretch the lead to 72-53.Elsewhere, the Ryukyu Golden Kings beat Rizing Fukuoka 97-79, the Chiba Jets edged the Gunma Crane Thunders 78-71, the Yokohama B-Corsairs downed the Akita Northern Happinets 87-74, the Shiga Lakestars ended the Kyoto Hannaryz's eight-game win streak, 69-67, and the Toyama Grouses handed the Shinshu Brave Warriors an 85-80 setback.Also Saturday, the Shimane Susanoo Magic beat the Osaka Evessa 86-78 and the Takamatsu Five Arrows won 81-65 over the Oita HeatDevils.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Matsuzaka shaky against Matsui's Bulls in rehab start
DURHAM, North Carolina — Daisuke Matsuzaka agrees with Boston manager Bobby Valentine. The Red Sox pitcher isn't quite ready to return to the big leagues — yet.
Funny to meet you here: Pawtucket starter Daisuke Matsuzaka pitches to Durham's Hideki Matsui on Thursday. KYODOMatsuzaka had his longest rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket on Thursday night, but allowed five runs — four earned — in 6? innings of a 5-0 loss to the Durham Bulls. He threw 64 of his 95 pitches for strikes while allowing seven hits.The Japanese star struck out three, hit one batter and gave up two home runs — including one to the first hitter he faced, and a three-run shot in the sixth."Of course, the three-run home run isn't something to be proud of, but being able to throw 95 pitches and throw as deep into the game as I did is something positive to take away from this game," Matsuzaka said through an interpreter.Matsuzaka has been on the disabled list for more than a year, is working his way back from Tommy John surgery last June and allowed five runs in 5? innings in his previous start.He made his fifth rehab start and third with Pawtucket, and hadn't gone more than 5?innings in his previous four. He's expected to start again Tuesday at Norfolk. Pitchers' rehab assignments may last no more than 30 days, and for Matsuzaka, that period ends next Wednesday.Valentine has said he doesn't believe Matsuzaka is close to pitching in the majors."I feel the same way as Bobby. I'm not ready to pitch in the majors yet, especially after an outing like my previous outing," Matsuzaka said. "But if I'm able to consistently pitch like I did today, then I don't think my return to the majors is that far away."Hideki Matsui, who played nine seasons with three big-league teams and was the MVP of the 2009 World Series with the Yankees, reached base twice against Matsuzaka and scored on Wrigley's homer.Matsui reached on a fielder's choice in the first inning — first baseman Lars Anderson pulled his foot off the bag while reaching for a throw to complete a double play — and popped out to left field in the third before reaching on catcher's interference in the sixth.Matsui signed a minor league contract with Tampa Bay on April 30 and was assigned to the Bulls earlier this week.Athletics beat RangersArlington Texas APKila Ka'aihue hit a tiebreaking single in the 10th inning and the Oakland Athletics bounced back from a disputed call on squeeze play that cost them the lead to beat the Texas Rangers 5-4 on Thursday.Red Sox 5, Rays 3In St. Petersburg, Florida, Cody Ross homered and drove in four runs for Boston.Blue Jays 4, Yankees 1In Toronto, Jose Bautista and J.P. Arencibia each hit a two-run homer.Twins 4, Tigers 3In Detroit, Justin Morneau hit a two-run homer in his second game back from a wrist injury, and Minnesota swept the two-game series.Orioles 5, Royals 3In Kansas City, Adam Jones hit a two-run homer, and J.J. Hardy drove in a pair of runs.Indians 6, Mariners 5 (11)In Cleveland, Carlos Santana hit a game-ending single with one out in the 11th.Ichiro Suzuki was 0-for-6 for Seattle.White Sox 6, Angels 1In Anaheim, Chris Sale pitched effectively into the sixth inning, giving Chicago's rotation a much-needed solid outing.NATIONAL LEAGUEMets 9, Reds 4In New York, David Wright lined his second double of the game, a tiebreaking drive in the eighth inning.Phillies 8, Cubs 7In Chicago, starter Roy Halladay threw eight innings for his first victory in a month.Braves 7, Marlins 0In Atlanta, Brandon Beachy pitched a five-hitter for his first career complete game.Pirates 5, Nationals 3In Washington, Andrew McCutchen homered twice and James McDonald struck out 11.Giants 7, Cardinals 5In San Francisco, Brandon Crawford hit a two-run single for his first RBIs since April.Diamondbacks 9, Rockies 7In Denver, Justin Upton hit a two-out, two-run homer off closer Rafael Betancourt.Astros 4, Brewers 0In Houston, Jed Lowrie hit a two-run homer and J.A. Happ pitched out of trouble for six innings before three relievers completed Houston's shutout.Norichika Aoki finished 3-for-4 for the Brewers.Dodgers 8, Padres 1In San Diego, Aaron Harang threw seven shutout innings and recorded a hit.
Funny to meet you here: Pawtucket starter Daisuke Matsuzaka pitches to Durham's Hideki Matsui on Thursday. KYODOMatsuzaka had his longest rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket on Thursday night, but allowed five runs — four earned — in 6? innings of a 5-0 loss to the Durham Bulls. He threw 64 of his 95 pitches for strikes while allowing seven hits.The Japanese star struck out three, hit one batter and gave up two home runs — including one to the first hitter he faced, and a three-run shot in the sixth."Of course, the three-run home run isn't something to be proud of, but being able to throw 95 pitches and throw as deep into the game as I did is something positive to take away from this game," Matsuzaka said through an interpreter.Matsuzaka has been on the disabled list for more than a year, is working his way back from Tommy John surgery last June and allowed five runs in 5? innings in his previous start.He made his fifth rehab start and third with Pawtucket, and hadn't gone more than 5?innings in his previous four. He's expected to start again Tuesday at Norfolk. Pitchers' rehab assignments may last no more than 30 days, and for Matsuzaka, that period ends next Wednesday.Valentine has said he doesn't believe Matsuzaka is close to pitching in the majors."I feel the same way as Bobby. I'm not ready to pitch in the majors yet, especially after an outing like my previous outing," Matsuzaka said. "But if I'm able to consistently pitch like I did today, then I don't think my return to the majors is that far away."Hideki Matsui, who played nine seasons with three big-league teams and was the MVP of the 2009 World Series with the Yankees, reached base twice against Matsuzaka and scored on Wrigley's homer.Matsui reached on a fielder's choice in the first inning — first baseman Lars Anderson pulled his foot off the bag while reaching for a throw to complete a double play — and popped out to left field in the third before reaching on catcher's interference in the sixth.Matsui signed a minor league contract with Tampa Bay on April 30 and was assigned to the Bulls earlier this week.Athletics beat RangersArlington Texas APKila Ka'aihue hit a tiebreaking single in the 10th inning and the Oakland Athletics bounced back from a disputed call on squeeze play that cost them the lead to beat the Texas Rangers 5-4 on Thursday.Red Sox 5, Rays 3In St. Petersburg, Florida, Cody Ross homered and drove in four runs for Boston.Blue Jays 4, Yankees 1In Toronto, Jose Bautista and J.P. Arencibia each hit a two-run homer.Twins 4, Tigers 3In Detroit, Justin Morneau hit a two-run homer in his second game back from a wrist injury, and Minnesota swept the two-game series.Orioles 5, Royals 3In Kansas City, Adam Jones hit a two-run homer, and J.J. Hardy drove in a pair of runs.Indians 6, Mariners 5 (11)In Cleveland, Carlos Santana hit a game-ending single with one out in the 11th.Ichiro Suzuki was 0-for-6 for Seattle.White Sox 6, Angels 1In Anaheim, Chris Sale pitched effectively into the sixth inning, giving Chicago's rotation a much-needed solid outing.NATIONAL LEAGUEMets 9, Reds 4In New York, David Wright lined his second double of the game, a tiebreaking drive in the eighth inning.Phillies 8, Cubs 7In Chicago, starter Roy Halladay threw eight innings for his first victory in a month.Braves 7, Marlins 0In Atlanta, Brandon Beachy pitched a five-hitter for his first career complete game.Pirates 5, Nationals 3In Washington, Andrew McCutchen homered twice and James McDonald struck out 11.Giants 7, Cardinals 5In San Francisco, Brandon Crawford hit a two-run single for his first RBIs since April.Diamondbacks 9, Rockies 7In Denver, Justin Upton hit a two-out, two-run homer off closer Rafael Betancourt.Astros 4, Brewers 0In Houston, Jed Lowrie hit a two-run homer and J.A. Happ pitched out of trouble for six innings before three relievers completed Houston's shutout.Norichika Aoki finished 3-for-4 for the Brewers.Dodgers 8, Padres 1In San Diego, Aaron Harang threw seven shutout innings and recorded a hit.Monday, April 30, 2012
Rose done for year as Bulls beat 76ers
CHICAGO — Derrick Rose crumbled to the floor, clutching his left knee. His season is over and the Bulls' title hopes just might be finished, too.
Down for the count: Bulls guard Derrick Rose loses control of the ball between a pair of Sixers defenders on Saturday in Chicago. The Bulls won Game 1 of their playoff series, but Rose will miss the remainder of the postseason after an ACL tear. APRose will miss the rest of the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee late in Chicago's 103-91 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in Saturday's playoff opener, casting a big cloud over a team eyeing a championship run.He scored 23 points and was playing more like the league's reigning MVP after missing 27 games because of injuries during the regular season, but his injury-plagued season came to an end as the Bulls were wrapping up an impressive victory.Rose crumbled to the ground after he drove the lane with about 1:20 left and the Bulls leading by 12. He was going for a layup when he came to a jump-stop and seemed to change his mind as the 76ers' Spencer Hawes and Lavoy Allen rotated over, passing off to a teammate before an awkward landing.Team medical personnel immediately rushed out and tended to Rose for several minutes as he was writhing in pain near the baseline before helping him to the locker room. Rose was taken to the hospital, and the results of the MRI were not good.Whether Rose should have been in the game at that point figures to be debated for a long time around Chicago. He checked back in with just under eight minutes left and the lead got as high as 20 shortly after that before the Sixers chipped away at it.With Philadelphia making a push, coach Tom Thibodeau decided to stay with Rose."I don't work backward like you guys do," Thibodeau said. "The score was going the other way."Veteran guard Richard Hamilton defended the decision, saying, "Philly was making a run. In playoff basketball, you never want to give a team confidence. . . . When you have a team down, you have to try to keep them down. They made a little run so we needed guys that could put the ball in the basket."Sixers coach Doug Collins also had Thibodeau's back."He knows what he's doing coaching his team," Collins said. "Thibs is my buddy. I have the ultimate respect for him. From his standpoint he wanted to finish that game for what he did. It's awful that Derrick got hurt."Thunder 99, Mavericks 98In Oklahoma City, Kevin Durant scored 25 points and hit the game-winning jumper from the foul line with 1.5 seconds left to lift the Thunder to a victory over Dallas in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.Durant maneuvered to the free throw line and got off a high-arcing shot over Shawn Marion that hit off the front of the rim and then off the backboard before falling through.The defending NBA champion Mavericks, who were out of timeouts, could not get a shot off before the buzzer.Dirk Nowitzki scored 11 of his 25 points in the final 5 minutes and hit two free throws with 9 seconds left to put Dallas ahead. Jason Terry added 20 points and Marion scored 17.Russell Westbrook led the Thunder with 28 points and Serge Ibaka chipped in 22 points and five blocks.James Harden scored 19 in his first game since suffering a concussion when the Los Angeles Lakers' Metta World Peace hit him with an elbow last Sunday and earned a seven-game suspension.The second-seeded Thunder played catchup most of the night and had to wipe away a 94-87 deficit in the final 2? minutes to come away with the win. Durant capped a string of seven straight Oklahoma City points on a right-handed slam with 1:27 remaining.Dallas went back ahead with an out-of-control possession, with Harden knocking the ball away from Jason Kidd and then Nowitzki losing it, too, before Vince Carter missed a desperation baseline jumper. Ian Mahinmi rebounded the miss and got fouled, stepping to the line to hit two free throws with 1:03 to play.Durant drove to set up Ibaka's three-point play at the other end, bumping the Thunder ahead 97-96. Nowitzki committed a turnover and Durant missed along the baseline before the two All-Stars came through in the clutch — with Durant getting the last chance.Heat 100, Knicks 67In Miami, LeBron James scored 32 points before getting the fourth quarter off, Dwyane Wade added 19 and the Heat rode the strength of a 32-2 run to easily beat the Knicks in Game 1 of the teams' Eastern Conference first-round series.Mario Chalmers added 11 points and nine assists for Miami, which turned 27 New York turnovers into a franchise playoff-record 38 points.J.R. Smith scored 17 for the Knicks, who lost Iman Shumpert to a torn knee ligament and have dropped 11 straight playoff games dating back to 2001. Carmelo Anthony missed 12 of 15 shots and finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds, and Baron Davis added 10 points for New York.Magic 81, Pacers 77In Indianapolis, Jason Richardson and Jameer Nelson scored 17 points apiece to help sixth-seeded Orlando, playing without Dwight Howard, surprise the third-seeded Pacers in Game 1 of the first-round Eastern Conference playoff series.Howard, the Magic's leading scorer and the league's top rebounder, will miss the rest of the season after having back surgery. The Magic played defense Howard would have been proud of down the stretch, overcoming a seven-point deficit by holding the Pacers scoreless for the final 4:05.David West scored 19 points, Danny Granger added 17 and Roy Hibbert had eight points, 13 rebounds and nine blocks for the Pacers. Granger traveled with 7.5 seconds left and the Pacers trailing by three.
Down for the count: Bulls guard Derrick Rose loses control of the ball between a pair of Sixers defenders on Saturday in Chicago. The Bulls won Game 1 of their playoff series, but Rose will miss the remainder of the postseason after an ACL tear. APRose will miss the rest of the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee late in Chicago's 103-91 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in Saturday's playoff opener, casting a big cloud over a team eyeing a championship run.He scored 23 points and was playing more like the league's reigning MVP after missing 27 games because of injuries during the regular season, but his injury-plagued season came to an end as the Bulls were wrapping up an impressive victory.Rose crumbled to the ground after he drove the lane with about 1:20 left and the Bulls leading by 12. He was going for a layup when he came to a jump-stop and seemed to change his mind as the 76ers' Spencer Hawes and Lavoy Allen rotated over, passing off to a teammate before an awkward landing.Team medical personnel immediately rushed out and tended to Rose for several minutes as he was writhing in pain near the baseline before helping him to the locker room. Rose was taken to the hospital, and the results of the MRI were not good.Whether Rose should have been in the game at that point figures to be debated for a long time around Chicago. He checked back in with just under eight minutes left and the lead got as high as 20 shortly after that before the Sixers chipped away at it.With Philadelphia making a push, coach Tom Thibodeau decided to stay with Rose."I don't work backward like you guys do," Thibodeau said. "The score was going the other way."Veteran guard Richard Hamilton defended the decision, saying, "Philly was making a run. In playoff basketball, you never want to give a team confidence. . . . When you have a team down, you have to try to keep them down. They made a little run so we needed guys that could put the ball in the basket."Sixers coach Doug Collins also had Thibodeau's back."He knows what he's doing coaching his team," Collins said. "Thibs is my buddy. I have the ultimate respect for him. From his standpoint he wanted to finish that game for what he did. It's awful that Derrick got hurt."Thunder 99, Mavericks 98In Oklahoma City, Kevin Durant scored 25 points and hit the game-winning jumper from the foul line with 1.5 seconds left to lift the Thunder to a victory over Dallas in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.Durant maneuvered to the free throw line and got off a high-arcing shot over Shawn Marion that hit off the front of the rim and then off the backboard before falling through.The defending NBA champion Mavericks, who were out of timeouts, could not get a shot off before the buzzer.Dirk Nowitzki scored 11 of his 25 points in the final 5 minutes and hit two free throws with 9 seconds left to put Dallas ahead. Jason Terry added 20 points and Marion scored 17.Russell Westbrook led the Thunder with 28 points and Serge Ibaka chipped in 22 points and five blocks.James Harden scored 19 in his first game since suffering a concussion when the Los Angeles Lakers' Metta World Peace hit him with an elbow last Sunday and earned a seven-game suspension.The second-seeded Thunder played catchup most of the night and had to wipe away a 94-87 deficit in the final 2? minutes to come away with the win. Durant capped a string of seven straight Oklahoma City points on a right-handed slam with 1:27 remaining.Dallas went back ahead with an out-of-control possession, with Harden knocking the ball away from Jason Kidd and then Nowitzki losing it, too, before Vince Carter missed a desperation baseline jumper. Ian Mahinmi rebounded the miss and got fouled, stepping to the line to hit two free throws with 1:03 to play.Durant drove to set up Ibaka's three-point play at the other end, bumping the Thunder ahead 97-96. Nowitzki committed a turnover and Durant missed along the baseline before the two All-Stars came through in the clutch — with Durant getting the last chance.Heat 100, Knicks 67In Miami, LeBron James scored 32 points before getting the fourth quarter off, Dwyane Wade added 19 and the Heat rode the strength of a 32-2 run to easily beat the Knicks in Game 1 of the teams' Eastern Conference first-round series.Mario Chalmers added 11 points and nine assists for Miami, which turned 27 New York turnovers into a franchise playoff-record 38 points.J.R. Smith scored 17 for the Knicks, who lost Iman Shumpert to a torn knee ligament and have dropped 11 straight playoff games dating back to 2001. Carmelo Anthony missed 12 of 15 shots and finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds, and Baron Davis added 10 points for New York.Magic 81, Pacers 77In Indianapolis, Jason Richardson and Jameer Nelson scored 17 points apiece to help sixth-seeded Orlando, playing without Dwight Howard, surprise the third-seeded Pacers in Game 1 of the first-round Eastern Conference playoff series.Howard, the Magic's leading scorer and the league's top rebounder, will miss the rest of the season after having back surgery. The Magic played defense Howard would have been proud of down the stretch, overcoming a seven-point deficit by holding the Pacers scoreless for the final 4:05.David West scored 19 points, Danny Granger added 17 and Roy Hibbert had eight points, 13 rebounds and nine blocks for the Pacers. Granger traveled with 7.5 seconds left and the Pacers trailing by three.Thursday, January 5, 2012
Bulls ground Hawks on Deng's late layup
CHICAGO — With Derrick Rose having a big fourth quarter for the Chicago Bulls, everyone expected the reigning NBA MVP to take the final shot with the score tied. Instead, it was Luol Deng who got the game-winner in the closing seconds.
Thunder cloud: Oklahoma City's James Harden shoots during the Trail Blazers' 103-93 win over the Thunder on Tuesday. APDeng's layup with 3.7 seconds left lifted the Bulls to a 76-74 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night.Rose scored 17 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter to rally the Bulls from a 19-point deficit. Coming out of a timeout, Deng cut along the baseline and took a feed from Joakim Noah to put Chicago ahead."At the end of practice, we always run (the play)," Deng said. "(Joakim) made a great pass. We had a feeling both of (the defenders) would go with Derrick."Turns out the play was designed for Rose after all."Obviously, we're trying to get it to Derrick," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. "They did a good job taking the first and second option away. Derrick set a great screen, (Noah) made a great pass and Luol made a great cut."The play caught the Hawks off guard as they were anticipating Rose to get the last shot."We all assumed that the ball was coming back to Rose," Atlanta's Al Horford said. "We were going to come and trap. That was a great play by their coach designed to take the pressure from Rose and hit Deng on the back. We didn't expect that at all."Joe Johnson shot an airball at the buzzer, giving the Bulls the win.Deng finished with 21 points for the Bulls and scored eight over the last four minutes after Atlanta re-established a lead."You can't say enough about Luol," Thibodeau said. "He does everything."Rose missed a runner with 21 seconds left, but Atlanta's Jeff Teague missed two free throws. Rose then drove past Teague and scored over the Hawks' Josh Smith with 9.9 seconds left to put the Bulls up 74-73.Horford, who led the Hawks with 16 points, was fouled when Deng ran into him near the top of the key. Horford split two free throws with 7.7 seconds remaining, tying the score and setting up Deng's heroics."We stopped defending with the intensity that we did in the first three quarters," Hawks coach Larry Drew said. "We didn't make our free throws going down the stretch. If you don't make your free throws on the road you can't expect to win."Marvin Williams added 14 points and Josh Smith had 13 for Atlanta, which shot just 35 percent from the floor but held Chicago to 34 percent.The Bulls have won four straight and their 5-1 start is their best since opening 12-0 in 1996-97.Jazz 85, Bucks 73In Salt Lake City, Al Jefferson scored a season-high 26 points to lead Utah past short-handed Milwaukee.Trail Blazers 103, Thunder 93In Oklahoma City, LaMarcus Aldridge had 30 points and eight rebounds to help Portland beat the Thunder.Grizzlies 113, Kings 96In Memphis, Rudy Gay scored 23 points, Sam Young added 20 and the Grizzlies beat Sacramento.Cavaliers 115, Bobcats 101In Cleveland, Kyrie Irving scored 20 points and fellow rookie Tristan Thompson added 16, leading the Cavaliers past Charlotte.Lakers 108, Rockets 99In Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant scored 37 points and Andrew Bynum had 21 points and 22 rebounds in the first 20-20 game of his young career.
Thunder cloud: Oklahoma City's James Harden shoots during the Trail Blazers' 103-93 win over the Thunder on Tuesday. APDeng's layup with 3.7 seconds left lifted the Bulls to a 76-74 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night.Rose scored 17 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter to rally the Bulls from a 19-point deficit. Coming out of a timeout, Deng cut along the baseline and took a feed from Joakim Noah to put Chicago ahead."At the end of practice, we always run (the play)," Deng said. "(Joakim) made a great pass. We had a feeling both of (the defenders) would go with Derrick."Turns out the play was designed for Rose after all."Obviously, we're trying to get it to Derrick," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. "They did a good job taking the first and second option away. Derrick set a great screen, (Noah) made a great pass and Luol made a great cut."The play caught the Hawks off guard as they were anticipating Rose to get the last shot."We all assumed that the ball was coming back to Rose," Atlanta's Al Horford said. "We were going to come and trap. That was a great play by their coach designed to take the pressure from Rose and hit Deng on the back. We didn't expect that at all."Joe Johnson shot an airball at the buzzer, giving the Bulls the win.Deng finished with 21 points for the Bulls and scored eight over the last four minutes after Atlanta re-established a lead."You can't say enough about Luol," Thibodeau said. "He does everything."Rose missed a runner with 21 seconds left, but Atlanta's Jeff Teague missed two free throws. Rose then drove past Teague and scored over the Hawks' Josh Smith with 9.9 seconds left to put the Bulls up 74-73.Horford, who led the Hawks with 16 points, was fouled when Deng ran into him near the top of the key. Horford split two free throws with 7.7 seconds remaining, tying the score and setting up Deng's heroics."We stopped defending with the intensity that we did in the first three quarters," Hawks coach Larry Drew said. "We didn't make our free throws going down the stretch. If you don't make your free throws on the road you can't expect to win."Marvin Williams added 14 points and Josh Smith had 13 for Atlanta, which shot just 35 percent from the floor but held Chicago to 34 percent.The Bulls have won four straight and their 5-1 start is their best since opening 12-0 in 1996-97.Jazz 85, Bucks 73In Salt Lake City, Al Jefferson scored a season-high 26 points to lead Utah past short-handed Milwaukee.Trail Blazers 103, Thunder 93In Oklahoma City, LaMarcus Aldridge had 30 points and eight rebounds to help Portland beat the Thunder.Grizzlies 113, Kings 96In Memphis, Rudy Gay scored 23 points, Sam Young added 20 and the Grizzlies beat Sacramento.Cavaliers 115, Bobcats 101In Cleveland, Kyrie Irving scored 20 points and fellow rookie Tristan Thompson added 16, leading the Cavaliers past Charlotte.Lakers 108, Rockets 99In Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant scored 37 points and Andrew Bynum had 21 points and 22 rebounds in the first 20-20 game of his young career.Friday, December 30, 2011
Humphrey, Broncos rout Big Bulls
The Saitama Broncos snapped a six-game losing streak on Thursday, trouncing the host Iwate Big Bulls 98-75 in the bj-league.John "Helicopter" Humphrey scored a game-high 37 points. It was Humphrey's highest-scoring game since a 52-point outburst on Dec. 10. He was 13-for-18 from the field and made three steals. Saitama improved to 7-15.Jayme Miller added 17 points and nine rebounds for the Broncos and Nashid Beard and Kenny Satterfield each scored nine points. Satterfield led the team with seven assists. Beard blocked three shots.For Iwate (7-17), Gordon Klaiber had 22 points and 12 rebounds and Thomas Kennedy added 19 points and eight boards. Yoshiaki Yamamoto and Shawn Malloy each had 10 points.Also Wednesday, Masashi Joho scored a game-high 21 points in the Toyama Grouses' 85-61 victory over the Yokohama B-Corsairs.Toyama (10-10) has won four of its last five games, including a series sweep at Yokohama International Swimming Pool.Joho had 18 points by halftime, and Toyama led 33-29.Haakim Johnson and Brian Harper each scored 12 points apiece and Takeshi Mito and Devin Searcy both had 10 as coach Kazuaki Shimoji's club solidified its fifth-place spot in the Eastern Conference standings.Justin Burrell paced the B-Corsairs (9-13) with 13 points and 13 rebounds, Marcus Simmons scored 10 points, Masayuki Kabaya had nine and Kenji Yamada had eight. Yokohama had 23 turnovers.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Scorching Bosh steps up game to carry Heat past Bulls
MIAMI — Chris Bosh missed his first three shots, and never worried.
The King and I: Bulls forward Luol Deng, left, attempts to guard the Heat's LeBron James in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals on Sunday in Miami. The Heat won 96-85 to take a 2-1 lead in the series. AP PHOTOHe was in rhythm. He was catching the ball where he wanted. And then midway through the first quarter, he finally saw the ball go through the hoop for the first time."That was good enough for me," Bosh said.And more than good enough for the Miami Heat — who are now two wins away from the NBA Finals.Bosh made 13 of his final 15 shots on the way to a 34-point night, LeBron James finished with 22 points and 10 assists, and the Heat remained unbeaten at home in the postseason by beating the Chicago Bulls 96-85 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals on Sunday.The Heat lead the series 2-1, and the blowout Game 1 defeat in Chicago a week ago seems far, far away for Miami."There is absolutely nothing easy in this series," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.Dwyane Wade added 17 points and nine rebounds for Miami, which is 7-0 at home in the playoffs and handed the team that finished with the NBA's best record its first losing streak since Feb. 5-7. Game 4 is Tuesday in Miami.Carlos Boozer finished with 26 points and 17 rebounds for Chicago, which had won the first four meetings of the season with Miami. Derrick Rose finished with 20 points, but struggled from the field again, making only 8 of his 19 shots.The Bulls held James and Wade to a combined 12-of-30 showing from the floor. Against Bosh, they had no answer."It's definitely frustrating," Rose said. "Our will wasn't there tonight. They still found a way to win."Against the NBA's top field-goal percentage defense this season, Miami shot 51 percent and scored 53 points after halftime. Plus, the Heat were 25 of 29 from the foul line, while Chicago was 16 for 21."Rebounding was good," Chicago coach Tom Thibodeau said. "Challenging their shots wasn't."That was especially true for one critical stretch of the fourth quarter, when Miami turned a four-point game into one where it had full control. A 9-0 spurt, capped by a three-point play from James with 5:07 left, was all it took to give the Heat an 87-74 edge, and the margin never was less than seven again.So, meet the leading scorer in the East finals.It's not Rose, Wade or James. It's Bosh — who took a bit of heat before the series began, when Boozer was quoted saying that Miami has only two great players, a clear nod toward the Heat having a so-called "Big Three.""I always have respect," Boozer said Sunday night, asked about Bosh's game. "I never didn't have it."It's mildly ironic that they're going head-to-head, given how last summer went.The Bulls and Boozer agreed on a five-year deal worth around $80 million, those talks wrapping up almost simultaneously with Bosh — who was a Chicago target last summer as well — deciding to join Miami.On Sunday, Bosh could have taken a victory lap after the two-great-players comment by Boozer. He declined."C-B had it going," James said. "When we have someone going on our team, we continue to go to him."
The King and I: Bulls forward Luol Deng, left, attempts to guard the Heat's LeBron James in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals on Sunday in Miami. The Heat won 96-85 to take a 2-1 lead in the series. AP PHOTOHe was in rhythm. He was catching the ball where he wanted. And then midway through the first quarter, he finally saw the ball go through the hoop for the first time."That was good enough for me," Bosh said.And more than good enough for the Miami Heat — who are now two wins away from the NBA Finals.Bosh made 13 of his final 15 shots on the way to a 34-point night, LeBron James finished with 22 points and 10 assists, and the Heat remained unbeaten at home in the postseason by beating the Chicago Bulls 96-85 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals on Sunday.The Heat lead the series 2-1, and the blowout Game 1 defeat in Chicago a week ago seems far, far away for Miami."There is absolutely nothing easy in this series," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.Dwyane Wade added 17 points and nine rebounds for Miami, which is 7-0 at home in the playoffs and handed the team that finished with the NBA's best record its first losing streak since Feb. 5-7. Game 4 is Tuesday in Miami.Carlos Boozer finished with 26 points and 17 rebounds for Chicago, which had won the first four meetings of the season with Miami. Derrick Rose finished with 20 points, but struggled from the field again, making only 8 of his 19 shots.The Bulls held James and Wade to a combined 12-of-30 showing from the floor. Against Bosh, they had no answer."It's definitely frustrating," Rose said. "Our will wasn't there tonight. They still found a way to win."Against the NBA's top field-goal percentage defense this season, Miami shot 51 percent and scored 53 points after halftime. Plus, the Heat were 25 of 29 from the foul line, while Chicago was 16 for 21."Rebounding was good," Chicago coach Tom Thibodeau said. "Challenging their shots wasn't."That was especially true for one critical stretch of the fourth quarter, when Miami turned a four-point game into one where it had full control. A 9-0 spurt, capped by a three-point play from James with 5:07 left, was all it took to give the Heat an 87-74 edge, and the margin never was less than seven again.So, meet the leading scorer in the East finals.It's not Rose, Wade or James. It's Bosh — who took a bit of heat before the series began, when Boozer was quoted saying that Miami has only two great players, a clear nod toward the Heat having a so-called "Big Three.""I always have respect," Boozer said Sunday night, asked about Bosh's game. "I never didn't have it."It's mildly ironic that they're going head-to-head, given how last summer went.The Bulls and Boozer agreed on a five-year deal worth around $80 million, those talks wrapping up almost simultaneously with Bosh — who was a Chicago target last summer as well — deciding to join Miami.On Sunday, Bosh could have taken a victory lap after the two-great-players comment by Boozer. He declined."C-B had it going," James said. "When we have someone going on our team, we continue to go to him."Saturday, May 21, 2011
LeBron's late surge powers Heat by Bulls
CHICAGO — Back to his usual havoc-wreaking ways, LeBron James took control when it counted and the Miami Heat sent out a loud message in the process.
Statement victory: Cleveland's LeBron James tries to maneuver around Chicago's Luol Deng in the second quarter of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Wednesday night. The Heat beat the Bulls 85-75. AP PHOTOThey're ready for a "street fight," if that's the route to the NBA Finals.James came up big down the stretch to finish with 29 points, Dwyane Wade scored 24 and Miami beat the Chicago Bulls 85-75 Wednesday night to tie the Eastern Conference finals at one game apiece.The Heat can breathe a little easier after escaping with a win and stealing home-court advantage. Coming off a lopsided loss in Game 1, they recovered down the stretch after blowing an 11-point lead to pull even in the series, with Game 3 in Miami on Sunday."The series has just started," James said. "It's 1-1. We're excited that we were able to come here and get a win. But it's just started."James shook off a brutal opener and scored nine points over the final 4:27, starting with a 3-pointer that put Miami ahead for good, 76-73. He also had 10 rebounds despite a head cold, and Miami outrebounded the Bulls 45-41 after getting pounded 45-33 on the glass in the opener."That fourth quarter is going to epitomize this entire series," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said after his team outscored Chicago 14-10 in the period. "It's an absolute street fight for both teams."For James, it was a big turnaround after he managed just 15 points on 5-for-15 shooting while being harassed by Luol Deng in Game 1.Wade also looked more like a superstar after scoring 18 on Sunday and chipped in with nine rebounds.Udonis Haslem, whom Spoelstra called "an absolute championship warrior," provided a spark off the bench with 13 points, and the Heat beat the Bulls for the first time this season even though Chris Bosh scored just 10 after pouring in 30 in the opener."We got that one that we needed," Wade said. "Now, we go home and we've got to take care of business. This team right here is like us. They can win at home and on the road."Derrick Rose led Chicago with 21 points but scored just two in the fourth quarter. Deng, the only other Bulls player in double figures, added 13 but had just four after the opening period.Joakim Noah had nine points but only eight rebounds. Taj Gibson provided a spark in the fourth quarter, scoring all of his eight points. Carlos Boozer, however, was a non-factor with seven points and eight rebounds and sat out the final 16:21.The Bulls missed countless layups and got outshot 47.1 percent to 34.1 percent. They were just 3 of 20 on 3-pointers and 16 of 26 at the foul line while getting beat on the glass.They had no answer for James down the stretch, either, and came up short when it looked like they might find a way to pull this one out."We played a low-energy offense, a low-energy defense and the result was not good," Chicago coach Tom Thibodeau said.
Statement victory: Cleveland's LeBron James tries to maneuver around Chicago's Luol Deng in the second quarter of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Wednesday night. The Heat beat the Bulls 85-75. AP PHOTOThey're ready for a "street fight," if that's the route to the NBA Finals.James came up big down the stretch to finish with 29 points, Dwyane Wade scored 24 and Miami beat the Chicago Bulls 85-75 Wednesday night to tie the Eastern Conference finals at one game apiece.The Heat can breathe a little easier after escaping with a win and stealing home-court advantage. Coming off a lopsided loss in Game 1, they recovered down the stretch after blowing an 11-point lead to pull even in the series, with Game 3 in Miami on Sunday."The series has just started," James said. "It's 1-1. We're excited that we were able to come here and get a win. But it's just started."James shook off a brutal opener and scored nine points over the final 4:27, starting with a 3-pointer that put Miami ahead for good, 76-73. He also had 10 rebounds despite a head cold, and Miami outrebounded the Bulls 45-41 after getting pounded 45-33 on the glass in the opener."That fourth quarter is going to epitomize this entire series," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said after his team outscored Chicago 14-10 in the period. "It's an absolute street fight for both teams."For James, it was a big turnaround after he managed just 15 points on 5-for-15 shooting while being harassed by Luol Deng in Game 1.Wade also looked more like a superstar after scoring 18 on Sunday and chipped in with nine rebounds.Udonis Haslem, whom Spoelstra called "an absolute championship warrior," provided a spark off the bench with 13 points, and the Heat beat the Bulls for the first time this season even though Chris Bosh scored just 10 after pouring in 30 in the opener."We got that one that we needed," Wade said. "Now, we go home and we've got to take care of business. This team right here is like us. They can win at home and on the road."Derrick Rose led Chicago with 21 points but scored just two in the fourth quarter. Deng, the only other Bulls player in double figures, added 13 but had just four after the opening period.Joakim Noah had nine points but only eight rebounds. Taj Gibson provided a spark in the fourth quarter, scoring all of his eight points. Carlos Boozer, however, was a non-factor with seven points and eight rebounds and sat out the final 16:21.The Bulls missed countless layups and got outshot 47.1 percent to 34.1 percent. They were just 3 of 20 on 3-pointers and 16 of 26 at the foul line while getting beat on the glass.They had no answer for James down the stretch, either, and came up short when it looked like they might find a way to pull this one out."We played a low-energy offense, a low-energy defense and the result was not good," Chicago coach Tom Thibodeau said.Saturday, May 14, 2011
Bulls blow away Hawks
ATLANTA — Turns out, the Chicago Bulls are more than just a one-man team.
Tight defense: Atlanta's Josh Smith drives on Chicago's Luol Deng in the first quarter of Game 6 on Thursday night. The Bulls beat the Hawks 93-73 to win the Eastern Conference semifinal series 4-2. AP PHOTODerrick Rose sure had plenty of help in this one.Next up: the Eastern Conference final, against Miami and the Big Three.Carlos Boozer scored 23 points, Rose doled out 12 assists in more of a supporting role and the Bulls cruised past the Atlanta Hawks 93-73 on Thursday night, wrapping up the East semifinal in six games."It's huge for us to get this far," Rose said. "We're happy to get the conference finals, but we're not planning to stop right there."The Bulls haven't been this far since 1998, when Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen were on their way to a second three-peat. Pippen sat near the Chicago bench, relishing a new generation that's carried his old team into contention for another championship."When we showed up for training camp, we knew we could be special," Rose said. "We were ready to put in the work and not be concerned with statistics. We just were concerned with winning each night."As if to prove his point, Rose took a playoff-low 14 shots and finished with 19 points, his second-lowest total of the postseason. This was a textbook performance by the guys around him, each of them comfortable in a supporting role, each of them willing to do the dirty work at the defensive end.The most impressive number: Chicago had assists on all but seven of its 41 baskets. Or, come to think of it, maybe it was this stat: The Hawks shot just 37 percent (27 of 74) and rarely got an open look."If anything, our defense won this game," said Rose, who had been averaging nearly 30 points a game in the playoffs.At the other end, Boozer kept winding up with the ball with no one around, and kept knocking down jump shots. He went 10-of-16 from the field, grabbed 10 rebounds and handed out five assists."D-Rose gets so much attention," said Boozer, who had been bothered by a toe injury and come under criticism at home for inconsistent play. "The 15-footer was open for me. I shot it."Luol Deng hit some big baskets early and finished with 13 points, plus five steals. Joakim Noah scored 11 and stifled the Hawks with three blocks.Joe Johnson led Atlanta with 19 points.Boston APThe Celtics are working on a deal with coach Doc Rivers that would bring him back for another run at an NBA title with Boston's aging Big Three — and then keep him on the bench to work with the rebuilt roster that is expected to follow.The two sides are nearing agreement on a deal for "more than two or three years," a person with knowledge of the negotiations said on Thursday, speaking on the condition of anonymity because the details were still being worked out.Celtics spokesman Jeff Twiss confirmed that a deal was being discussed, but said no announcement was imminent, and general manager Danny Ainge said on the radio that the sides were working on a long-term deal.Neither Rivers nor his agent, Lonnie Cooper, responded to messages seeking comment.But Rivers, whose contract expires at the end of this season, told players after being eliminated from the playoffs on Wednesday night that he would return."I'm going to put this on the record," point guard Rajon Rondo said after the 97-87 loss to Miami eliminated the Celtics from the postseason. "Doc already committed that he was coming back with me so he can't go back against his word."
Tight defense: Atlanta's Josh Smith drives on Chicago's Luol Deng in the first quarter of Game 6 on Thursday night. The Bulls beat the Hawks 93-73 to win the Eastern Conference semifinal series 4-2. AP PHOTODerrick Rose sure had plenty of help in this one.Next up: the Eastern Conference final, against Miami and the Big Three.Carlos Boozer scored 23 points, Rose doled out 12 assists in more of a supporting role and the Bulls cruised past the Atlanta Hawks 93-73 on Thursday night, wrapping up the East semifinal in six games."It's huge for us to get this far," Rose said. "We're happy to get the conference finals, but we're not planning to stop right there."The Bulls haven't been this far since 1998, when Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen were on their way to a second three-peat. Pippen sat near the Chicago bench, relishing a new generation that's carried his old team into contention for another championship."When we showed up for training camp, we knew we could be special," Rose said. "We were ready to put in the work and not be concerned with statistics. We just were concerned with winning each night."As if to prove his point, Rose took a playoff-low 14 shots and finished with 19 points, his second-lowest total of the postseason. This was a textbook performance by the guys around him, each of them comfortable in a supporting role, each of them willing to do the dirty work at the defensive end.The most impressive number: Chicago had assists on all but seven of its 41 baskets. Or, come to think of it, maybe it was this stat: The Hawks shot just 37 percent (27 of 74) and rarely got an open look."If anything, our defense won this game," said Rose, who had been averaging nearly 30 points a game in the playoffs.At the other end, Boozer kept winding up with the ball with no one around, and kept knocking down jump shots. He went 10-of-16 from the field, grabbed 10 rebounds and handed out five assists."D-Rose gets so much attention," said Boozer, who had been bothered by a toe injury and come under criticism at home for inconsistent play. "The 15-footer was open for me. I shot it."Luol Deng hit some big baskets early and finished with 13 points, plus five steals. Joakim Noah scored 11 and stifled the Hawks with three blocks.Joe Johnson led Atlanta with 19 points.Boston APThe Celtics are working on a deal with coach Doc Rivers that would bring him back for another run at an NBA title with Boston's aging Big Three — and then keep him on the bench to work with the rebuilt roster that is expected to follow.The two sides are nearing agreement on a deal for "more than two or three years," a person with knowledge of the negotiations said on Thursday, speaking on the condition of anonymity because the details were still being worked out.Celtics spokesman Jeff Twiss confirmed that a deal was being discussed, but said no announcement was imminent, and general manager Danny Ainge said on the radio that the sides were working on a long-term deal.Neither Rivers nor his agent, Lonnie Cooper, responded to messages seeking comment.But Rivers, whose contract expires at the end of this season, told players after being eliminated from the playoffs on Wednesday night that he would return."I'm going to put this on the record," point guard Rajon Rondo said after the 97-87 loss to Miami eliminated the Celtics from the postseason. "Doc already committed that he was coming back with me so he can't go back against his word."Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Bulls' Rose clear selection for MVP
NEW YORK — It's time to break up this space's monotony and cast votes instead of aspersions.MVP: For your information, there is no format to follow, no standards to stick to, no specific instructions given by the NBA when picking this award or any of them, for that matter.It's strictly personal preference based on individual interpretation. I pull the lever for the player who recurrently works wonders for teammates and his team — regardless of nightly companionship and competition — and makes unreasonable ticket prices reasonable.Derrick Rose has been the Bulls' guiding star for three seasons, leading them to the playoffs in each. Only this time, flaunting a keenly crafted exterior jumper, he transported them to the top of the Eastern Conference standings.Nobody has ever triggered more exclamations from me in a single game, not even Julius Erving when he rocked Rucker. Almost every ground incursion and air raid is a top 10 highlight.There's no wasted motion, no playing to the camera, no chest-beating and, for the most part, no change of expression, hit or miss, win or lose. At 22 and 191 days, he'll become the youngest MVP in league history to Wes Unseld (23-9) who was also top rookie in 1968-69.Not surprisingly, a lot of voters are proudly wearing "I like Dwight" pins. Yeah, I know all about his stupid fouls — both traditional and technical — but it's undeniable Howard is the lone perpetrator whose presence or lack thereof, acutely affects both sides. The fact he has kept Stan Van Gundy employable is something I choose to hold against him.Top Rookie: Deducting doofus points for vaulting over a vehicle and jeopardizing his career, Blake Griffin's accomplishments are astonishing. No need even to factor in his gaudy numbers, he gave fans a real reason to monitor my Paper Clips.In February, when I asked him about Charles Barkley's rant about Griffin not really being a rookie because he was injured all of last season with L.A., Blake declined to take the bait. For a split second."Then I guess," he began, "that means Brandon Jennings wasn't a rookie last year because he played a year in Italy. I don't recall Charles ever saying that. Or claiming foreigners who played pro ball overseas before joining the NBA should be disqualified from consideration."Coach of the Year: This rarely goes to a guy whose team is supposed to win big and it shouldn't go to a guy, it says here, whose elite leader listens in the huddle, buys into exacting a defensive concept and doesn't point crooked fingers, compelling everyone else to do the same.Still, Tom Thibodeau — on course to tie Paul Westphal's 62-20 record (1992-93) for a rookie drill sergeant — is exceedingly deserving. That would be 21 wins better than last season, though it's not as if management was trying to succeed, surrender talent to create $28 million of cap space for last summer.Consequently, the Bulls were in position to make a ceiling bid on Wade and ultimately sign Carlos Boozer ($75 million for five years), Kyle Korver ($15 million for three), C.J. Watson ($10.2 million for three) and Ronnie Brewer (nearly $14 million for three).On the flip side, it can't be easy coaching Boozer and having to adjust to life without him for 19 games at the start of the season because he alleges to have tripped over a gym bag in his home and breaking his wrist.But Doug Collins beats out Mr. Thibs on my ballot, barely. The 76ers, having added Spencer Hawes and peripherally productive Evan Turner to last year's ratty rotation, began the season 3-13 with a new head coach while drawing fans at gunpoint.I felt Collins' hiring was a monumental mistake and e-mailed that opinion to team president Ed Stefanski, later demoted to GM upon Rod Thorn's appointment. However, once Collins got a grip on his emotions and physically re-adapted to the travel and work load, he transformed the undisciplined team into a cohesive playoff unit that runs and defends and spreads the wealth; Andre Iguodala's metamorphosis from unrestrained mortar launcher to being fairly manageable may be Collins' major feat.Sixth Man: I try to pick someone who does more than just score or just rebound or just pass. Players productive in two categories usually get the nod. Lamar Odom wins going away, though, granted, he performed best as a starter earlier in the season when Andrew Bynum was out of service. So much so, he was a legitimate All-Star candidate in the brutal forward-heavy West.Defensive Player: Howard, for being the simple answer to the simple question, "How many outstanding big men are there in the rank and file right now?" The fact he's taken himself out of his game more than the opposition has taken him out of his game is a subject for another day.Most Improved: Can you be the MVP and most improved?This award is about who worked the hardest on their game in the summer and who has adapted their game best to fit into their team. Clearly, Rose, Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook, LaMarcus Aldridge, Aaron Afflalo, Dorell Wright, Nick Young, Matthews and DeMar DeRozan invested time and effort in raising their periscopes.Despite falling a little short of breaking Wilt's consecutive double-double mark of 221, Love gets my support. Aside from elevating from 15 points and 11.7 rebounds last season to 20.2 and 15.2, he also advanced his 3-point shot from .372 to .417.All-NBA First Team: Rose, Kobe Bryant, Howard, Dirk Nowitzki and LeBron James.Peter Vecsey covers the NBA for the New York Post.
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