(Picture from http://www.draftexpress.com/)
The Bulls are taking on the Suns tonight in a pivotal game with playoff implications and at the same time they are battling with Chris Bosh and the Raptors for the eighth spot in the East. The Bulls are now only a half game behind Toronto and trying to prove that their 23.2 percent chance of making the playoffs (as given by John Hollinger in his Playoff Odds article) is a farce (for those that care the Raptors have a 78.1 percent chance, not good for Chicago).
Now I realize I just wrote that I want this team to tank, and hard; but since that post came out the Bulls are 2-0 (can anyone say reverse jinx?).
The only problem is, I didn't want it to be a reverse jinx! With every win, tanking to seal a Lottery Pick turns into a distant mirage that will never be reached.
Under Rose the Bulls are 3-0 against the Suns and they are going to have to keep that streak alive tonight if they want to continue to play past mid April.
Which is something D-Rose wants to have happen.
Derrick Rose told ESPNChicago.com after this morning's shootaround that, "We're still going to make it. You can't think about stuff like [not making the playoffs]. In my mind, we'll be making the eighth spot. We'll be playing LeBron [James] -- playing Cleveland. The closer we get, the [more] I'm going to think that."
Whoa there young fella. I know you are being a leader, but lets take a look at a few things before we go making promises.
The Raptors have a much easier schedule coming up. They are playing the Clippers, 76ers, Warriors, Pistons and Knicks (as well as playing the Bulls, Celtics, Cav's and Hawks).
The Bulls are playing the Suns tonight, the wicked hot Bobcats (twice), Salmons and the rejuvenated Bucks, the Cav's, Raptors, and the Celtics.
Listen I want the Bulls to do good just as much as the next fella, but again what is this playoff birth going to bring to this team?
For those of you that argue experience, you might want to leave this site.
None of these players are going to gain experience from getting their asses kicked by Cleveland. The Bulls are 2-5 against LeBron James and company under Vinny Del Negro, giving up 100.1 points per game and 29 points to LeBron. Add in the fact that a lot of the guys on the team have some sort of nagging injury that would be better off without an extra four games.
Listen, I love Rose's enthusiasm. I love his determination. Hell I love the kid to death. I have ever since I went down to Peoria to watch him as a senior at Simeon High School. But D, you'd be better off working on that jump shot with some coaches instead of watching LeBron James dunk on Kirk and the rest of your team for four straight games.
1 comments:
I commented on an earlier article that I wanted to also see the Bulls tank. But Rose just tugs at my heart a little bit giving his promise and putting his team on his back. I don't think the Bulls will make the playoffs but you have to admire what Rose is trying to do. I wonder if Rose feels like he has any pressure to be like Jordan by taking a sad Bulls team into a championship team. I don't want the Bulls tank but when I see the effort Rose is putting out it just makes me feel like I'm a crappy fan. If you make it Rose, I'm behind you and I'm sorry for doubting. If you don't make it, practice your butt off and come back hungrier next year.
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