OT: Game 7 Thread
by Kansas25 on May 2, 2009 10:48 AM CDT
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PrintApologies to all who ignore the NBA, but this game merits its own thread. This has got to be one of the most thrilling first-round series in the history of the NBA…my favorite since the Suns were down 3-1 to the Lakers after Kobe’s buzzer beater in game 4. Raja Bell then decked Kobe in game 5, and the Suns eventually won in 7 after a strange game where Kobe quit on his team. Also earning mention is the Warriors stunning upset of the Mavericks two years ago. And finger-wagging Dikembe knocking out the Sonics in 1994.
Anyway, back to the game. Fighting and tension is the natural result when teams and players meet head-to-head so many times in a row, and that is certainly apparent in this series. Bulls fans are screaming for a Rondo suspension while Celtics fans are screaming at Noah because, well, he’s just incredibly obnoxious if he’s not on your team. Keep in mind that Rondo getting mixed up a few times has really hurt his mental game. Some players can’t set aside emotion, and to me, Rondo has gotten too caught up in these skirmishes and it led to his worst game of the series in game 6. Suspension or not, Rondo fighting actually helped the Celtics out.
I think Allen continues his hot streak, making one key to the game keeping Pierce out of his comfort zone. A rejuvenated John Salmons really was the difference in game 6 and the Bulls need his consistency, especially if Gordon doesn’t find his groove.
An even bigger key to the game? The Bulls bench. Let’s just say when Brian Scalabrine is logging major minutes in a playoff game for you…well, it’s not a good sign. If Miller and Hinrich contribute like they did in game 6, the Bulls should hold the advantage.
My pick? Look back to last year’s Celtics run. Their first 3 series went 7 games; they’re battle tested and I expect them to advance by 5-8 points. Nothing, however, surprises me about these Bulls. Win or lose, the future looks bright in Chicago. I'm cheering for the Bulls to pull it off, but either way I hope Game 7 lives up to the rest of the series.
If only they would have drafted Beasley like I thought they should…(sarcasm)
Interesting read on the series from BS here.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.
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Why did you post this so early
We still got a Cubs game!!! But BG will step up tonight, because it might be his last game in a Bulls uniform.
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on May 2, 2009 10:55 AM CDT reply actions
The Cubs game...
will have its own threads, but I couldn’t wait to get this one started. I’m not even a fan of either team, but I’m still absorbed in this series.
Free Ronny Cedeno
Ben Jordan is playing for a contract next season
the better he is tonight, the larger the bids become. I look for him to have an explosive evening
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
Well he didn't
play team basketball in the second half. He was very selfish and his defense sucked big time. He will never be Ben Jordan.
no I call him that
because, like Jordan, he never saw a shot he didnt like.
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
that's a great article by bill simmons
people are obviously getting goofy about this series, and hyperbole is the rule, but i find it all very entertaining. i’m having a great time.
Man, I am amped for this game...
This series has literally made me an NBA fan again. I’ve slowly taken more of an interest league wide this season, but the furthest extent of that was me actually paying attention to the NBA highlights on SportsCenter. This series has brought me back all the way though. For the first time since MJ left for the last time when I was a kid, I’m a fan again.
As an aside, I keep thinking of a Kings-Lakers series several years ago… I don’t know if it was this intense, but I seem to remember it going 7 games, and Mike Bibby just going nuts the whole series.
I think that Kings-Lakers...
series was even more intense. Shaq consistently called out the Kings the entire time, and the winner of that series was going to win the title. I forgot all about that series….that was incredible, although I wish the Kings would have pulled it out. I vividly remember the Kings missing free throw after free throw, Peja throwing up airballs, and the Kings pissing it away.
Think about this series in comparison to the other 7-game first round series. The Hawks and Heat haven’t played a game within 12 points (and four of the games, IIRC, were 20+) and yet they also will have a game 7.
Free Ronny Cedeno
i'm pretty sure that wasn't in the first round though
Which is why this is getting so much attention. Also, both teams were considered heavyweights for the championship. IIRC the Kings won 60+ games that year
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
Those who live in the
area, can be treated to Stacey King, on CSN, who is by far, the most entertaining and at the same time, knowledgeable announcer I can remember in a long time. Kudos to CSN’s President for bringing him on, and re-building the former stale, and dead (may Red rest in peace) team.
He has me in stitches with his calls of “FREE CHEESE”! for an easy or un-contested/mis-match opportunity. And, one that had me laughing I remember from the last game when Salmons had the ball on blowing past a defender, “I-Pass, Baby!!”
Its just a treat. Plus, he knows his shit.
Come to think of it
does CSN Chicago HAVE this game?
Hmmm...
I hadn’t heard that. Interesting, Sue. Most of the media in-town here have only said or written positive things about him. I guess people object to change in general. Look how many years we had the last President in the White House. lol
I post over
at Blog-A-Bull and most of the guys there don’t like him. Of course they hate when Stacey calls out one of their favorite players. To me it’s part of his job.
For me Stacey is a work in progress. He definitely is better than when he first started.
There is a lot of potential and I can see him just getting better.
Jay is our Quarterback. I REPEAT JAY IS OUR QUARTERBACK. Did I mention we have a Quarterback who happens to be named Jay?.
by puckishcubsfan on May 2, 2009 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions
they must hate Steve Stone then
no one wants to hear honest play calling…I for one was one who enjoyed hearing Stone call a game, and his honesty in the PBP booth. Took me a while to warm up to Len and Bob
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
My pet peeve with Stacy
is some of the dumb phrases he uses. When a Bulls player is hot and makes a ridiculous shot- normally Ben Gordon- Stacy likes to say, “Don’t do him like that (BG)!” It drives me crazy. I am biased- some of my best memories are of watching Red Kerr when I was a kid, so for me Stacy always has faced an uphill battle, but I think he can (needs to?) get much better.
I could still do with Funk tho
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
without*******
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
He’s a work in progress in my opinion. He needs to work on some things but there is solid potential.
Jay is our Quarterback. I REPEAT JAY IS OUR QUARTERBACK. Did I mention we have a Quarterback who happens to be named Jay?.
by puckishcubsfan on May 2, 2009 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions
I love King.
I mean, maybe it’s not nice, but how he called out KG for his bipolar histrionics was great to hear. I was tired of saying it out loud, alone, to myself. I am very excited for the game tonight.
Plus, Sue, you must’ve shared some Iowa native pride when Kirk struck back at Rondo. I know I did!
I used to be "Jones," but I got swooped on the redesign.
I do every time he
fights back. I loved it earlier in the season or preseason whe someone did something to Derrick and Kirk pushed them from behind.
I'm excited for
the game but I have no feelings one way or the other how it will go. Thurs. nights game I was so wound up afterward. Let’s hope I have those same feelings tonight.
Tonight
I am more excited about this game than anything involving the Bulls since the 90s.
Good idea for game thread though!
Jay is our Quarterback. I REPEAT JAY IS OUR QUARTERBACK. Did I mention we have a Quarterback who happens to be named Jay?.
I will be at a wedding reception tonight
It will be the saddest reception ever.
by Craig in South Bend on May 2, 2009 1:07 PM CDT reply actions
Can you record the game?
We have prom here tonight so I may miss the first part of the game but I’m recording it.
My wedding reception
My reception was during a regular season Cubs game albeit a good one. Even I was checking it out!
My cousin got married 2 years ago the weekend of the Bears playoff game against the Seahawks. We were on tenderhooks until it was scheduled for Sunday and the wedding was Saturday. The Seahawks were at the hotel the wedding party was at and I took the elevator with both Matt Hasselback and his brother and their wives.
Jay is our Quarterback. I REPEAT JAY IS OUR QUARTERBACK. Did I mention we have a Quarterback who happens to be named Jay?.
by puckishcubsfan on May 2, 2009 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions
FYI
My reception was 6/20/98 the game where Kerry and Sammy homored and Sammy took Kerry’s curtain call.
Jay is our Quarterback. I REPEAT JAY IS OUR QUARTERBACK. Did I mention we have a Quarterback who happens to be named Jay?.
by puckishcubsfan on May 2, 2009 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions
Interesting elevator ride!
Always interesting when the most famous person in the elevator is NOT the NFL QB, but his brother’s wife!
World Champs
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
I would so love to see the Bulls win this game.
Having said that, I voted Ray Allen as the MVP in tonight’s game in the poll. He’s just on a tear, the Celtics have lots of experience in these situations, the game is in Boston, let me count the ways the Gods are favoring the Celtics.
The Bulls have an advantage in youth (I can’t imagine that is a huge advantage, because these athletes are just too good and too well-conditioned to be tired at this point) and athleticism. But I’ve got to believe Boston grinds this one out.
Still, it would be so cool to see Rondo sitting on the bench dejectedly at the end of the game while Kirk celebrates.
IF IT TAKES FOREVER!!
I saw the header
and wondered if you were getting ahead of yourself re the 09 World Series.
"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux
I desperately want to see
Kevin Garnett watching in stunned disbelief as the Bulls pull it out, and then have Ben Gordon run over and start screaming in his face.
“How you like me now?!”
"I'll never forget how I felt last October." ~Kosuke Fukudome
your game 7 MVP isn't on the list: Capt Kirk.
Hinrich is tired of getting kicked around and will have a very clutch game.
I have no confidence in Gordon. His selfishness costs this team (and his inability to guard Ray Allen). Obviously, I want Ben to come through tonight, I just don’t see him being to fight through screens with his hamstring injury. He will want to save his energy for offense—and his 2010 contract.
Book it: Bulls win and Hinrich is the game changer. Our bench has been the key throughout this series.
"If it's obvious, it's obviously wrong." - a well known stock market guru
Capt. Kirk is ready for action!
"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.
Sir Charles picks the Celtics (no surprise)
he says the Celtics will possibly blow the Bulls out because the Bulls have no inside game and have to depend on jump shooters. Has he been watching the same series I have?
It seems like the Bulls have done a good job of working the ball inside. Neither team’s guards will drive the lane if the refs are not calling fouls.
I like the fact that all the pundits are picking Boston.
"If it's obvious, it's obviously wrong." - a well known stock market guru
Ben was awful in
the 4th quarter. His selfishness showed big time and his defense sucked. I know I’m in the minority but I hope he doesn’t come back.
ok...we
kinda get the point. you miss the boat on this one though…without Ben Gordon the Bulls aren’t in the playoffs. Maybe you should watch more games huh?
"Why do you always point to the sky when Zambrano starts?" My girlfriend.
"You just wouldn't get it...it's a Cubs thing..." Me.
by cubs2k8isnxtyear on May 3, 2009 12:17 AM CDT up reply actions
I agree with his game play
he passes about as much as Cotts throws strikes. But he might be the best shooter in the game.
Thing is, I do not see how the Bulls can resign him, unless they trade Deng
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
All you kirk lovers get to see what he truly is
a guy who ruins all ball movement with continues dribbling and terrible finishes around the rim.
http://irudey.mybrute.com/
Fun little Time waster!
no,
actually the refs killed the Bulls.
"Why do you always point to the sky when Zambrano starts?" My girlfriend.
"You just wouldn't get it...it's a Cubs thing..." Me.
by cubs2k8isnxtyear on May 3, 2009 12:17 AM CDT up reply actions
Well my heart has been torn again
whats going on this here Cubs site?
http://irudey.mybrute.com/
Fun little Time waster!
Bulls
You can’t overcome 8 people on the court for a 7 game series (5 players and 3 officials)
At least the Blackhawks are winning.
Jay is our Quarterback. I REPEAT JAY IS OUR QUARTERBACK. Did I mention we have a Quarterback who happens to be named Jay?.
was a great series, the Bulls have no reason to have their heads down
not the bidding war for Ben Gordon begins.
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
adios. I won't miss him.
we won’t win with his selfish style on the court. let the Knicks deal with him.
"If it's obvious, it's obviously wrong." - a well known stock market guru
I don't think he's selfish.
I think he’s just one-dimensional. He’s not much of an athlete. He’s small. He’s a poor defender. He can’t get to the rim. Not much court vision. But when he’s on, he’s on.
Free Ronny Cedeno
No, he's not selfish,
and he’s certainly one-dimensional. But he is a very good athlete; he is very strong and quick for his size. He is about average getting to the rim. You’re definitely right about his defense and vision, though.
As for being an athlete...
I meant that in regards to his defense. He may be strong and quick for his size, but he’s not much of a jumper.
Teams always need that instant offense option, and Gordon will find a spot in this league for quite awhile.
Free Ronny Cedeno
Ahh
Point taken. I wonder whether teams will really bid for his services, though. While Ben might be in the upper echelon of scorers in the league, I don’t think that volume shooters in general are valued very much; cheaper (albeit less effective) options are abundant (e.g. Von Wafer), unlike skilled post men.
If he were even an inch taller
I think he’d get huge money…. but he’s undersized for the 2 guard spot… and he’d have to guard guys like Wade, Kobe, Artest, Roy.
He doesn’t do enough other things besides score to be the man who does all that… IMHO anyway.
his biggest downer
is he is below average in defense
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
Exactly what I said
He doesn’t do enough things besides score.
If he were a pesty defender on the wing or something similar, he’d be “worth” the money.
But he’s not. I don’t see how, given the economy, he’s going to get the max deal the Bulls offered him last year.
Will Perdue
was on CTL a couple of weeks ago and he was talking about BG and his agent. He said BG wants Kobe type money and that’s why no deal was done before the season. I have no idea if that’s true but Will may.
Randy Brown + BG =
great two way player.
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
OT?
Hawks win 6-3, series tied 1-1 coming back to Madison Street
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
pistons probably will sign gordon
and regret it for the next five or six years.
but..............
the future is bright. derrick rose is a winner and a superstar. trust it. trust him. he WILL lead us to the promised land.
a more important win to me than the Bulls
i am a bigger Hawks fan than Bulls.
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
ditto
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
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