Game Thread #74: Bulls vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

He needs to back off a little bit once he picks up a couple of fouls (which always seems to be within the first quarter). He can be too overagressive on defense but that probably has to do with the fact that he is short and isnt extremely fast and doesnt have long arms.

whew that flet good

Although I do thing bill walton has a thing for luol deng and malik allen.

I was forced to miss most of the game, but I luckily tuned in w/ 8 mins to go in the 4th.  My roommate (objective Pistons fan) had watched a bit and told me that BG had been lighting it up.  I did not see evidence of that from the point where I tuned in.  He looked very hesitant on drives and did a bunch of herky-jerky moves when his floater would have resulted in a good look.  Turnovers in the lane were killing me.  Cleveland defended him well, going with height and doubling like crazy.  As others have noted, they need someone else to score.  Again, we miss Chapu.  Particularly in this game because Cleveland's power forwards were able to set up in the lane defensively.  Normally, Ben could just kick out to Noce for a clean shot.  If he doesn't come back, we have to run the offense differently.

Also, two horrendous calls that may not have affected the game, but horrendous nonetheless.  The out-of-bounds timeout was blatant.  Furthermore, in OT, LeBron had a clear double-dribble that went uncalled.  They just chucked a shot up out of that, but they may have gotten the board?  Or was that when Wallace was fouled?  Objective roommate agreed both calls were awful, and voiced the same complaints about Walton's ridiculous reaction to the charges called (way before I arrived home).

It pained me greatly to see Malik Allen in the game in the 4th quarter.  I realize we went with a short bench today, but come on.  Was PJ hurt?  Malik gave up at least two offensive rebounds because he didn't box out.  In an OT game, you can point to anything, but that's the game right there, too.  Box the Fuck OUT!

I did like that on the last play of regulation, the Bulls didn't even let LeBron sniff the basketball.

Obviously needed more from Deng today, but checking LeBron ain't easy.  If he has to pick one end to spend his energy, defense would be the correct choice today.  But five turnovers?  Yikes!

Man, I thought Ben's three was good.  Two inches off...  Plus, James and Hughes are 69 and 66 percent free throw shooters, but today they combined for 19/23.  

2nd is still possible and the Bulls have a much better conference record which I believe is the 2nd tiebreaker, right?

OK, I'm done rambling.  Imagine if I watched the whole thing!  You guys are lucky...

Let me count the f*cking ways:

(1) Last play of regulation. The replay on the big screen CLEARLY showed that the Cavalier pussy did not have possession of the ball until he was OUT OF BOUNDS. You can't call a TO until you have possession. Hence, it should have been the Bulls ball with three seconds left in the game. They should have had another chance at a winning shot. Dogsh*t number one.

(2) There was no f*cking foul on the LeBron spin move when we were up by four. None. It was a piece of sh*t reflex call by the cowed and ignorant officials. Dogsh*t number two.

(3) On the possession after the spin move, Ben Gordon got into the lane and was hammered. No call. Did the ref think that the ball fell two feet short of the rim because Ben just missed? There was obviously no blocked shot. Did the walking douchebag not see the contact? Dogsh*t number three.

(4) At some point, Cleveland made the decision to absolutely manhande BG. They switched and jumped out on every screen, typically bumping BG off of his trajectory. They reached in and slapped his arms every time he went around a screen. They did everything but tackle him. The refs refused to do anything about it. It was ridiculous. Dogsh*t four through seventy six.

The worst thing was having to listen to nasally, fat, cheesy, low class, low rent twinks from Cleveland talk sh*t after the game on the concourses. I just kept telling them that, although they may have won the game, they were still from Cleveland, and nothing could erase that stain from their souls. Chicago should never lose anything to that urban blight.

The only positive coming out of this game was the continued improvement of Tyrus, who was a monster at both ends tonight.

It'll take me a few days to come down from the height of rage I currently occupy.

Wish I had seen Ty's gaudy performance though.

I have to say this. Even on the radio, Tyrus SOUNDS exciting.  He had a very mediocre game overall, but he contributed a very nice fourth quarter. He had a steal, a couple of dunks, a couple of nice blocks, and, most encouraging from my perspective, a few astute assists on nice passes. I wish I could have seen his block of Smith or his three point play. Neil Funk made them sound epic.

If he is, I sure hope we get Washington in the 1st round.

There is no doubt he is talented, but I hate that p*ssy.

In any case, I'm glad the Celtics won.