We May be Witnesses: Running Diary of the Bull vs. Lakers

The Chicago Bulls are taking on The Los Angeles Lakers tonight at the United Center, and something magical is happening. The Bulls are shooting lights out, and Kirk Hinrich is playing well off the bench for an injured Derrick Rose (strained right rib obtained early in the first quarter). Now I know that I'm usually stoked about the Bulls winning, and shooting well, but there is something more that is going on. Kobe Bryant (broken finger and all) has hit SIX straight field goals. He's hitting jumpers from all angles, from all sides of the court, with all sorts of fall away jumpers. He's hitting shots like he is playing horse in an open gym. With two minutes left in the FIRST QUARTER he has 20-points. The Bulls are leading 29-26 with 1:40 remaining. So with such a good start for both Kobe and the Bulls (my two favorite things in the NBA) I decided it is time for my first ever running diary.

First Quarter:
1:02- Joakim Noah just had a beautiful tip in dunk, his second of the game. He has the promise to be a terrific player for the Bulls in the future because of his style of play.

:30- Starting now, I am also going to keep a count of all the bad floating shots by Jannero Pargo, the count already is 4.

END of the first- the score is tied at 31 points a piece. It was one of the most exciting first quarters I've seen the Bulls play all season. Rose started off the hot streak scoring a quick 8-points, but after a beautiful fast break lay-up he tweaked his side. This worries me going deep into the game, hopefully he can come back strong (I'll keep his status posted). Kobe looked shaky with his first couple shots, and it seemed as though his finger may have been bothering him, shame on me for doubting him.

Second Quarter:
11:02- Brad Miller (or the Abominable Snowman) just hit another jumper from the baseline. I don't know how this guy can shoot, but he's making Bynum and Pau respect his "jumper". Score tied 35-35

10:35- Kobe takes a seat, hopefully the Bulls can capitalize.

8:37- The Bulls without Rose are 2/7 shooting, not a very good sign. At the very least Rose is back on the bench, but still holding his side.

7:56- James Johnson just got his LAYUP BLOCKEDDDDDD. The Bulls might be the worst team in the league at making layups. They miss them constantly. Dunk the ball young man. Rookie Mistake.

6:32- Kobe just decided to talk to Pau. The conversation seemed to go something like this
Kobe- "I'm going to run around all of our players, I then am going to look for a screen from Fisher. I want Odom to pop out, I'll fake the pass, pump fake and take a fade away jumper. Be under the basket just in case."
Pau- Shakes his head while starring down the Luv-A-Bulls.

4:56- Beautiful two man game with Kobe and Pau (maybe he was paying attention). Kobe dishes it while facing a triple team to Pau who proceeds to give Odom a tip pass for the flush. Too easy. Derrick Rose is back in the game, but the Lakers are on a 10-4 scoring run, we need a little bit of a "take over" from the Chicago native.

3:44- Rose gets a steal and dribbles to nowhere. Has nothing, so shoots. Sends home a bank shot from the right wing, ugly basketball, but it worked.

2:15- Six point Laker lead, and we just witnessed another blown layup by Joakim Noah. Kobe hits another unbelievable shot. The next offensive play for the Bulls has Derrick missing a layup and Noah missing another (could have been a foul, but since it was a gimme, I'm not blowing my fake whistle either).

1:23- LUOL DENG throws it DOWN on the fast break. Finally some authority!

:56- Derrick hits his 11th and 12th points of the half from the free throw line after Deng decided he would take on two Lakers on a fast break and bricked a layup. Atleast Rose got the offensive rebound.

41.9- The flowing-haired Spaniard just blew past Joakim and two other Bulls players for a reverse dunk. Joakim you should cut your hair just like Gasol, because he just OWNED you.

32.4-Another noodle arm, weak ass post shot from Joakim. He's just getting beat up down there.

At Halftime, the score is Lakers 54 Bulls 48, not bad for a team that has played very slow at the start of most games. Kobe finished with 25-points, 2-rebounds, and 3-assists. Rose, despite not playing the end of the first and most of the second, has 12-points and 3-assists. We have witnessed the best and worst of Joakim this half. He blocked Pau twice and went for a couple quick tip baskets. He has 10 total rebounds, 8 of which are offensive, but since then has played pretty quiet on both ends of the court. There is no Laker player besides Kobe with double digit points, so if the Bulls can find an answer for him in the second half they might be alright. Look to see if Rose can keep playing through whatever rib problem he suffered in the first, and see if Kobe can stay as hot to start the second half. I'll also be waiting to see if Ron Artest comes out looking a little drunk, because we all know his favorite Liquor Store is down the street from The UC, and he did like getting a little tipsy during half in the ol' days.

Oh and for everyone counting at home, the Jannero Pargo terrible shot count is idle at 4.

Third Quarter:
11:45- Luol hits a nice jump shot over the one, the only, Ron Artest. He is shaking his head. I can't tell if its because the Hennessey or because Luol hit that J in his eye?

10:45-Artest gets a jump ball tip 3-feet beyond the three point line and cranks it up. He has got to be drunk! Make it RAIN! TEAR DROPS! All Bricks!

10:21- Salmons fouls Bryant for his 4th of the game. Eventually we will have some more Jannero! I hope...

8:32- An AWFUL charge call on Derrick Rose. Fisher was dancing in the lane when Rose drew the contact on the fast break.

7:46- Artest goes to the line, and we finally get a close up of his face. His eyes are bloodshot, and I could smell booze through the TV.

7:16- Artest for another LOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG three! Bricked off the front of the rim. I bet he is "that guy" in the bar that goes after the most unattractive girl in the place. Then when his boys try to carry his drunk ass away, proceeds to tell them that she is a "dime piece". His perception under the influence is awful.

5:58- There is a little kid behind the Zen in a Iowa Hawkeye track jacket. He must be Lickliter's assistant, taking notes on how to be a successful coach. But we all know that these notes will later be thrown away, and Todd will proceed to do the opposite of everything he just read.

5:01- In case you are wondering the Lakers are up by three, 64 to 61. The Bulls are +10 in rebounds and are shooting about 56 %. One of the better games for this young crew.

4:37- Just got a beautiful stat: Ron Artest is 2-11 from the field, and 1-6 from range. Who is going to score when Kobe is double teamed? The Lakers still do not have a player in double figures, while the Bulls have four led by Rose with 17.

3:46- Artest just tried to save a ball from going out of bounds. He jumped one footed, and slapped at it one handed. Wasn't even close. He is making this "drunk" theory seem plausible.

End of the 3rd-quarter and the score is Bulls 73, Lakers 72. Kobe has 36 points, and has been considerably cold compared to the first half. If Hinrich keeps playing straight up man, with no real help on defense, Kobe is going to take over this 4th quarter with his post game. Rose and Deng are playing well, and Joakim has been very busy on the boards. The Bulls outscored the Lakers 25-18.

Fourth Quarter:
11:00- No call kick ball that allowed Shannon Brown to throw it home HARD on the Snowman. Perfect pass from Jordan Farmer. Lakers 77, Bulls 73.

8:45- Rose buries a nice jumper from the left wing after some quality ball movement. Brown answers back and is now 4-4 in 16-minutes of play. Lakers 81, Bulls 77.

7:21- Salmons finally touches the ball, and that means it's Salmons turn to shoot. He got tired of seeing everyone else work for a shot. He is the worst at this. He doesn't involve himself in the "offense" and then when he finally touches the rock, everyone in the arena knows its going up. Salmons, you have a shot clock with over 10-seconds, drive, drive, drive, drive!

6:36- Kobe posts up. Kobe spins. Kobe one on one against Hinrich. Kobe spins again. Kobe fades. Kobe hits another in Kirk's eye while the rest of the defense and Laker offense for that matter watch in amazement. Lakers 86, Bulls 77.

3:02- Odom hits a fade away jumper after getting an offensive rebound. That could have been a bit of a dagger. Lakers 90, Bulls 82.

2:15- The Snowman hits a run and stop jumper! It must be the Scrappy Doo tattoo, there is magic in that Scrappy Doo tattoo!

:39.2- Kobe just hit a running left handed cross over jump shot. Black Mamba, Black Mamba, Black Mamba, you are mean. Lakers 92, Bulls 84.

:37.4- Salmons hits a three finally, but the refs decided they would call an off-the-ball foul on Joakim for a moving screen. Lakers up by 10.

:19.3- To sum up the night, Kobe gets a steal for a break away Dunk.

Final: Lakers 96, Bulls 87. Joakim goes to Phil and shakes his hand right as the buzzer sounds. Class act that Gator Boy. The Bulls ultimately lost this game, but they competed and competed hard. They did it against a much better Lakers team, a team that was expected to take the Bulls out from the get go. If the baby Bulls can play this hard against teams like the Knicks, Nets, Sixers, and Detroit they will be just fine. It was nice seeing this kind of hustle out of them tonight, it seemed like they really got up for this game. Will it continue, who knows? Oh and Kobe finished with 42-points, enough said.

Feel free to comment, if you read all of this. If you like it and want to see more running diaries, please let us know and we will make sure to take care of that for you!