Ron

Great win by Orlando last night. Love how Dwight just manned up in OT and put the team on his shoulders. Alston definitely brought his A game, saved them early in that 3rd, got the momentum back for 'em. I hate to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but I wouldn't be surprised if Dwight' s tech issue "somehow" creates a window from Cleveland to make an "unlikely" comeback. Cleveland wins Game 5 at home in a squeaker with Dwight getting another phantom tech. Now he's out and Cleveland has a chance in Game 6, with a convenient Game 7 in Cleveland looming. Love how the announcers tried to big up Mo early, "Oh, he's getting into a rhythm with these free throws. He's being real aggressive." Dude was MIA when it mattered. A gutless wonder. Interesting how LeBron was like "If I was Rashard Lewis, we would've won the game." The NBA analysts (Webber & Barkley especially) ate Dirk Nowitzki alive for saying Denver's role players could guard him, talking about how a star should not compare themselves to or say they can be guarded by lesser players. Now I didn't get to watch all the postgame (rain took out my cable), but I'll bet no one keyed in on that quote from LBJ. Everyone on the Magic had the right attitude in the postgame. Finish it tomorrow. QUOTE (DBAHO @ May 27, 2009 -> 07:07 AM) There's actually a rumor going around that Nelson is going to play in the Finals if we make it there. And considering AJ's abysmal backup play so far (-9 today on court), I'd be for it, considering how clutch of a shooter Nelson is in the 4th, which is another weakness of ours.That "rumor" was started by Jameer Nelson himself. And deaded very quickly by Magic GM Otis Smith as soon as it left Jameer's lips. http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/...NGNEWS/90521045 Shaq to the Bulls as a 1 year stop gap wouldn't be a bad thing. Get us out from under Deng's crappy deal. Just leery about him in the locker room. Straight diva. So how many is the Mamba gonna have tonight? I think he's gonna bring his A game and really take it to Dahntay Jones especially.

Mo Williams had better have a big game in him tonight for all the talking out of his neck that he's doing. Guaranteeing you'll win the series when you're playing like garbage isn't confidence imho, it's stupidity. Just go out and play the game. Stan Van Gundy has been killing it with the quotes recently. "Every time he [LeBron] dribbles he gets a foul, so it's kinda hard to defend him," during the sideline interview in Game 3. The "write what you saw" quip in the postgame. Then yesterday: "Mo Williams and Ben Wallace are falling down more than a baby just learning to walk," and "This isn't the BCS where people get to vote who gets to play. This is real sports where it's decided on the court." Hilarious stuff. Denver better hope Melo can get right. If they want to win the series, he's going to have to lead the charge in a game at Staples. Denver can take it 7 without him, but they can't win without him. The supporting cast stepped up huge yesterday, and the Lakers once again showed their mercurial tendencies. The Lakers once again look beatable, but they're not gonna roll over completely.

Great way to eke out a win by the Magic. You can live with LeBron the Scorer, it's LeBron the Distributor you fear, and this game showed that yet again. Too many shots by LBJ, he's got to spread the wealth even more than an 8 assist effort like tonight for them to win. Z couldn't seem to guard anyone on the Magic's frontline. Dwight wrecking the shot clock was shades of Shaq, and pretty freaking awesome.

Damn. The Nuggets had that game right in their hands and it slipped away. I hope JR Smith isn't seriously hurt. As far as Beasley vs Griffin, I think the winner will be which ever one bothers to improve defensively. Both will score at will in the NBA, but unless they improve on the other end, they'll both be "good not great" players. I would think Griffin could pick it up quicker as he's a true 4, not a tweener like Beasley, who will be at the mercy of matchups more often.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ May 15, 2009 -> 11:05 AM) Laker fans and the players seem to be reaming Bynum. I think now is the time the Bulls try to swing a deal to get the Lakers big man. I like the way you're thinking. *Visions of a Rose/Bynum tandem dancing through my head* I know it's not likely, but words just can not describe how much I'd love to see the Rockets knock off the Lakers in game 7. Kenny Smith called LA "arrogant" the other day on PTI, and it's true. They all seemed so cocksure in the postgame they would beat Houston at Staples, especially Phil Jackson. I'd love to see the condescending smirks wiped off their faces. They really deserve to be embarrassed in front of their home crowd. Boston/Orlando game 7 should be very interesting. Boston's history of winning game 7's is well documented, but I actually feel like Orlando can take it. I think Dwight realized last night that it's the defensive end he's gotta be "dominant" and quit complaining about touches. Because let's be honest, his offensive game is limited, and Perkins especially has been doing a good job of moving him away from the basket when he goes for his favorite non-dunk move, the baby hook. RIP, Wayman Tisdale.

No Yao, but the are Rockets up 23 in the 3rd on the Lakers. Didn't see that coming. Words can't express how much I loved seeing the Nuggets beat the Mavs yesterday. Just a great end to that game.

QUOTE (Palehosefan @ May 6, 2009 -> 08:47 PM) I guess you missed the elbow to Artest's throat by Kobe, the subsequent foul call on Artest, and Kobe being a little b**** after. Saw it on the replay. That still doesn't justify him running up to Kobe talking wild in full sight of the refs and then when being pulled away, make that sweeping gesture near his throat, which of course the refs are gonna think is a "throat slash", which is what got him ejected. With his rep, on the road, he needed to keep his cool in that situation. The game is close, still winnable. He hurt no one but his team.

That was a cheap shot by D-Fish. Some real chippy play out there by the Lake Show. Wow, and the Ron Artest loses his damn mind in the 4th. So much for Ron-Ron cleaning up his rep.

I'm not feeling Demar DeRozan. He relies solely on his athleticism to get dunks and close jumpers. No range to speak of (64% from the free throw line, 19% from 3) Matador defense. He coasts at times, shows very little effort. He's more athlete than ballplayer at this point. I think there are some good players in this draft. Blake Griffin, Ricky Rubio, Jordan Hill, Jonny Flynn, Earl Clark, Terrence Williams, Jrue Holiday. I think they could all be very good pros. Tyreke Evans & Hasheem Thabeet both need to go into the right situation, but I believe both have real upside. Patrick Patterson, Stephen Curry, Wayne Ellington, Danny Green, DeJuan Blair, Chase Budinger will be role players. DeRozan, Austin Daye, BJ Mullens, Gani Lawal are works in progress.

QUOTE (wilmot825 @ May 4, 2009 -> 12:24 PM) Stacey King has the best nicknames for people.... I thought it was hilarious last season when he started calling the Wizards' Alexei Pecherov "Stewie" from Family Guy. He even superimposed Stewie's head over him when somebody (Nocioni?) posterized him on a fast break. Too funny. Edit: Yeah, it was Noce. I found the clip on YouTube:

QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ May 4, 2009 -> 10:12 AM) This is the worst draft I have ever seen, and I've been paying attention to the NBA Draft for quite a while now. I'd like to see Terrence Williams drafted though. He's a good fit in that he actually defends (the Bulls can use that) and he can legitimately play the 1 through 3 on both ends of the floor, which is a good fit since VDN loves to play those stupid ass small lineups so often. The 2000 NBA Draft was much worse, IMHO. Good to have someone else on the T-Will bandwagon.

Stacey King is okay. But Neil Funk is really lackluster to me. I liked Tom Dore and Wayne Larivee much more than him.

But Ray Allen is healthy. Ben's hammy ain't gonna get too much better in one day.

Pods actually talked about #22 on Waddle & Silvy. He said he is superstitious and wants his old # back, so he wants to talk with Josh about it. But he said he doesn't want to make a big deal of it if Josh doesn't want to give it up.

I'm really ready for Ben to go after last night. His shot selection was trash (even moreso than usual), and I'm still not sure why Vinny puts the ball in his hands and the end of regulation as much s he struggled. Give Derrick the rock and get something going to the basket.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Apr 27, 2009 -> 02:53 PM) Getting past the C's makes a solid argument that this team is closer to championship material than we thought. It's the matchup. No different than when we swept Miami when they were the defending champs. Just like in that series, we're younger & more athletic than their aging stars and we're exploiting that advantage.

QUOTE (SleepyWhiteSox @ Apr 24, 2009 -> 01:05 AM) To this day I do not understand the del negro signing...Agreed. I really wanted the Bulls to get Brian Shaw when it was clear they were going for a first-time head coach. 3 titles as a player, assistant coach with the Lakers since '04-'05. All his former teammates rave about his head for the game. I think he could've been a great mentor to Derrick.

The turnovers, the poor free-throw shooting, the individual play...this game has been absolute trash.

QUOTE (nitetrain8601 @ Apr 23, 2009 -> 07:08 PM) That would probably be a good comparison. He's from OSU though. Normally, I wouldn't correct anyone, but I know some guys here will get on your back. Duh! I had me a brain fart.

QUOTE (nitetrain8601 @ Apr 23, 2009 -> 01:11 AM) Also, if I were to look to replace either Gordon or Deng, Evan Turner would be the guy I draft if he decides to come out this year, which he probably won't. I like Turner. His game is very fluid, reminds me of Walt "The Wizard" Williams. But you're right, he is most likely returning to Ohio State for his junior season.

I agree, that was a great interview Scoop did with Derrick. Bill Simmons also did a good piece on the series thus far.

I don't think Green would begin as a starter with us. I honestly think he'll fall to the 2nd round and be one of this drafts' sleepers. So many GMs draft on athleticism and upside. Green is a solid, but not extraordinary athlete and I think he's seen as "a finished product". But you look over his time with UNC, he's improved every year. He's got a great work ethic. I think that will serve him well. A guy I really want the Bulls to take is Louisville's Terrence Williams. The guy is a true stat stuffer (12ppg, 8rpg, 5apg, 2spg, .8bpg). Played point forward for the Cardinals, directing the offense while guarding 1's, 2's, 3's & occasionally 4's. Great athlete. His versatility could be a huge asset. On topic, If Ben G will accept a reasonable offer, we should keep him. The main problem the Bulls are going to have is keeping Gordon and having the cap room to sign a Bosh or Stoudamire. It would most likely mean Hinrich or Deng is gonna be outta of here, and quick.

I like Tyreke Evans alot, but I agree that he's a poor fit as far as replacing Ben Gordon. At present, Evans doesn't play that well off the ball. As soon as Calipari moved him from the 2 guard to the point at Memphis, he and the team flourished. His shooting form needs a little work (inconsistent release, fades away on nearly every jumper) but he can get hot. He has good passing instincts and is an outstanding slasher. I think if the Bulls were to draft Tyreke, the best fit would be as a back-up point. Trade Hinrich to create some cap space for the '10 Gold Rush and bring Evans off the bench. I believe his jumper will come around. He's such a dynamic talent that if he's there at #16, I'd have no problems with them taking him. If the Bulls want Ellington, I think he'll be there with their second 1st rounder from the Thabo trade. I honestly think his Heel teammate Danny Green could be as good or better of a pro though. 6'6", plays great D, improved his stroke from 3 this season, a very solid guard.

As a Bulls' fan, tonight was really a missed opportunity. But as a fan of the game, it was a great show by both teams. This is one hell of a series. The Bulls now have to hold serve at home. We've got to go back to Boston up 3-1 to have the best chance of pulling this series out.

BA with a good hit! Well I'll be.