Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

I thought it might be appropriate for me to title my first entry after my favorite Charles Barkley-ism because well, even though Chuck is annoying and sometimes incoherent, he is damn entertaining and I also really just like saying "Winner winner chicken dinner," and you should too. I will use this also to do my own little introduction, because even though I have been developing a detailed and comprehensive argument for the Bulls to not re-sign BG, I am technically supposed to be working on something else right now and we can always come back to that later now that the season is officially over. Oh ok and I guess I'll do some quick thoughts on the Bulls-Celtics series.

I'm a lifelong Cubs, Bulls, and Bears fan. In that order. I spent my college days out in California, without cable TV, so for four of the last six years I have been further away from the everyday ins-and-outs of the Chicago sports scene than ever before, but I think that gives me a better perspective, because I am now less satisfied with teams that are "competitive" or entertaining on a daily basis. I am currently not actually employed, though if you click around on my profile (I think) you'll maybe end up at the blog of WeFarm America, where I am currently working on an internship of sorts doing grant writing, marketing, etc. I am starting law school in the fall, so like Tris I aim to get my money's worth this summer. After that, who knows. Now, for the actual sports.

I umm, hate to start off by being a little disagreeable. Oh wait, nevermind, I don't. I am a little bit mystified by the hype over this series, despite how incredible and fun each game has been. (I want my money back for Game 3, seriously, I spent $45 on a ticket and it was the worst sporting event I have been to in my lifetime.) I think Tristan getting upset over Kenny Smith's one word summary of "parity," was a little misplaced. First of all, you can't summarize anything in one word, that is stupid stuff they make you do when you agree to accept buckets of money to make an ass of yourself on TV every night. This series was incredible, but it was incredible and amazing because of a combination of parity and sheer luck. I mean, if you made the Bulls and Celtics (in their current decrepit, injury-riddled, stat) play a 100 times, I think 10 games would look like game 3, 55 would look like game 7, and you would never ever get anything like game 6 ever again. That is what makes the whole thing unforgettable and made it so much fun to watch, but honestly, like most things in life, everyone is downplaying how much sheer random probability played a major role. The teams fit together well, their styles match, and without KG they both are totally reliant on outside shooting (well except when Rondo plays like he did in 1-5, something I am totally unconvinced he can do consistently) which is not a recipe for consistent success in the NBA. I would love to be wrong but I don't see the Bulls as a top 4 team in the East next year, and I am predicting the Magic to win in 5 in the next round.

Last thing, Joakim is definitely a great guy to have on your team, he has a lot of heart and I love him, but don't you think part of the reason he (and Tyrus and Brad) looked so good is because the Celtics backup big men are freakin' Mikki Moore and Scalabrine. I watched this Bulls team all year, even though it almost killed me, because I don't know if you remember this at all, but they were god awful for most of the year, and I haven't heard anyone come up with a reason why their post-trade success was a result of anything other than most NBA guys quit playing very hard toward the end of the season and as Scott Skiles continues to prove, if you run around a lot and hustle you can win a lot of games against teams that you have no business beating.

That was fun. Thanks to Tris for setting this up and inviting me to contribute. That background is killer.

Belated thoughts on Game 6

Here are those thoughts I mentioned in a previous post. Is it stupid to put these thoughts up after game 7? Maybe the first one, but the second I think is relevant.

1. You could see Derrick visibly shaking in his Adidas from about the last 5 minutes of regulation through each overtime. Don't get me wrong, the block on Rondo was a great play, but on offense every play it seemed like he was thinking to himself "please don't fuck up, please don't fuck up..."

And it's not so much his fault. We have huge expectations for the kid, but when it comes down to it, he is a rookie playing in his first playoff series. If it happens next year (when, Vinny or no Vinny, I expect a much longer playoff run,) then we'll have a problem.

And the reason it is stupid to post this now, he had a much better Game 7. Not great, still a few bad passes/decisions in the 4th quarter, but he didn't wilt under the pressure so much.

2. At the end of the first overtime, when we had 4 seconds left to get off a last shot, I turned to the people with me and said "I want any shot here but an off-balance, BG 20 footer." Because everyone and their grandma knew that was what was coming. I know it goes in every once in a while. I also have a friend who wins money on scratch-off lotto tickets a disproportionate amount of the time. Does that mean he should always play the lotto?

The most worrisome thing to me is the fact that BG fouling out of the game filled me with more confidence in our chance to win. Is that really what you want out of your franchise player? Fans to be relieved when he fouls out? Please, GM-wannabe Simmons, take BG on your team, give him 10 million per, and watch him throw up a shot every time the ball comes within 10 feet of him.

BG reminds me a of a certain person who shall remain nameless that plays pickup basketball with us some time (Will knows who I'm talking about, but I'm sure anyone reading this that plays pickup basketball knows someone like him.) He jacks up a shot on 70% of his team's trips downcourt. He can get hot and carry you for 4 or 5 straight games, but it's not even fun. Why should I run around all these screens and get open for a good shot when you're just going to jack up a running 18-footer over 2 guys? I bet there are Bulls players thinking the same thing today.

Why I Won't be Mad if Ben Isn't on the Bulls Next Year

7 for fucking 23. 2 stupid ass shots in the last 2 minutes where all he had to do was pull the ball out and get a decent look. He must be the least efficient offensive player on the Bulls this year (I'm in no mood to look that up and be contradicted, maybe I'll look it up later.) And to top it all off, he was mostly assigned to guard House and Scalabrine when they were in the game, and they lit him up. I'm not doing the blame game tonight, because I don't have the time or emotional energy for it, but there would be a VERY large amount assigned to Ben (and a little to Vinny for not doing anything about it.