7:39 PM
Just in time for the last game of the season, my first Bulls liveblog of the year. To start, I quote from the lamest captain in the league, Captain Kirk in his pre-game address to the fans:
"We realize that it's been a disappointg season, but we all promise we're gonna get back on track next year and we look forward to better things."
... also Gray starting, 'cause Noah was late ... perfect ending to the season, and to make it even better Kirk takes a bad jumper to start the game and misses.
Keywords: Chicago Bulls Liveblog
Comments
7:40 PM CT
Terrible turnover by Aaron Gray, telegraphing the pass, giving it right to T.J. Ford, next possession he throws it away AGAIN. Nice start for the big fella.
... little more context to Noah revealed, he came from a funeral in NY. But, still.
Game 9:11
pretty jumper shot by Hughes.
Game 8:21
What the hell? Hinrich taking the ball to the hole? Where's that been the entire season? And he even made the runner.
Game [G from here on out] 7:00
"Let's go Bulls" chant from crowd. Fans are too good to this team. Equivalent of a girl staying in an abusive relationship, because someday he'll change. Hughes rewards them by bricking two threes on the same possession.
7:49 PM CT
Dead man walking Jim Boylan quoted before the game ... "respect the game" ... at least he's right about that
G | 5:07 | 1st Q
Damn nice play by Gray on the blocks against Rasho. Backed up the Tornoto cneter, then a little jump hook, and one. Gray really needs to work this off-season. There is no reason he cannot become a reliable center.
G | 4:42
Next possession vs. Brezec. Faked he was gonna go middle again, then spun baseline "counter." Sick nickname dubbed by Stacey King: if Olajuwon is the dream, Gray is "the nightmare."
G | 2:53
It's Aaron Gray's World and we're only living in it. On pace to a 1st quarter double-double ... T.J. Ford also had 2 steals in 3 Bulls possessions.
2:38
Gray drawing attention, finds a cutting Tyrus for an easy dunk.
2:12
Second fadeaway of the quarter by Ford. I guess I've been out of touch, I always thought of him as just a passing guy who couldn't shoot. Shows my level of NBA knowledge.
:42.8
Four straight points by Bargnani. Kid hasn't been awesome yet, but young big men take longer, usually.
:2.8
Pretty long jumper by Thomas to seemingly finish the quarter, except for a past half-court three by the Raptors ... only could happen to this Bulls team.
Quarter Summary
11 points, 10 rebounds for Gray, and several jokes at his expense by the broadcasters about his pathetic level of conditioning, as he can barely make it down the floor by quarter's end.
2nd Quarter
11:11
Another picture perfect Bulls moment: Ben Gordon falling over his teammate Noah's feet, trying to go around a Joakim screen.
9:32
Nice play by supposed PF/C Bargnani. Faking the three, then taking the ball to the hoop & drawing the foul.
9:26
Though the rook still has a long way to go. He's guarding Thabo, and Thabo basically out-muscled him in the post to draw an Andrei foul. The Italian is 7 feet, the Swiss warrior is 6'7".
8:05
Steal by Duhon, followed by breakaway layup. Was hoping he'd do another dunk like last game.
7:45
Back to back Bulls steals & fast break pts, this steal by thabo, finished by Noce.
5:59
Hustling play by the tardy Noah. Grabs the board, then loses his balance and the ball. Manages to re-collect himself and the rock, though, dishing to an open teammate.
Manute Bol in the house tonight. Not sure, but my pops said he's a countryman of Mr. Deng.
4:32
Hot dog play by Gordon, making a between the legs, reverse bounce pass .. sadly, it right straight into a Raptors' arms.
4:03
Another Noah hustle play, charging out of bounds Rodman style, throwing it back in play, and eventually knocked out by Toronto's Joey Grahm.
3:27
And we offcially have a Demetrius Nichols sighting, making a smooth long jumper, with the assist going to Nocioni.
2:24
Filthy posterizing dunk by Thabo, giving the Bulls the lead.
2:04
ANother solid Nichols play, blocking a shot.
Fans yelling "bring in Gray."
1:25
Nichols then shows why he probably won't be in the NBA next year, taking a bad three abotu one second into the possession with a man staring him right in the face.
:37.8
Jamario Moon finishing on a fast break, showing why he was a dunk contest contestant.
:0.1
Final shot of quarter missed by Nichols.
2nd Quarter Analysis
Bulls battled back again from being down ten points. Was most impressed by Thabo Sefolosha. Have liked his game all second half of the season, but never thought he was really the type of guy who could take someone off the dribble. He still can't do it reliably, but had a few nice takes this quarter, showing maybe that it could be part of his game someday in the future.
Half time report revelaed Royal Ivey will be suspended three games for hitting the nightmare in the family jewels.
3rd Quarter
Following an extended rest, Gray's in to start the second ... will be interesting to see if he keeps up the pace, or disappears.
10:58
Beautiful give and go by Hinrich & Gray that would've made Stockton & Malone proud; save the fact Aaron missed his three footer by at least ten feet.
9:29
Excellent steal by Tryrus on a forced pass by Ford, taking it all the way to the rack, missed the layup, but got fouled.
8:50
Gray misses his next two shots on the same possession, each from within a foot of the rim.
6:49
Perfect defensive play by Chris Bosh on a Larry Hughes fast break. Timing his trail perfectly to wait till Larry puts upt he weak layup, then swats the ball to china.
6:15
Gray finally makes a second half open shot.
4:51
Thomas badly misses an ill-advised spinner in the line jacking it straight at the middle of the backboard ... didn't realize, he was passing it to himself for the S-L-A-M.
3:59
Kapano loses Thabo, beating him badly for a perfect back-door cut, found under the hoop by Ford.
2:41
Hinrich telling Noah to cool it against the ref, after Kirk acts like an aboslute embarassment to himself and the Bulls franchise this entire season, crying like a female dog every time he gets a call. Captain Kirk indeed. I'd rather have the real William Shatner leading my team.
:36.1
Tyrus attempts a dunk from seemingly thirty feet away, making an absolute punk of Primoz Brezec. Brezec got the foul, and was so embarassed he threw his terrible looking headband, drawing a foul.
3rd Quarter Analysis
Bulls played majority of the quarter, with Noah, Thomas and Gray on the floor together. Pairing those three with Deng at the two and Hughes/Thabo at the point could have been one of the biggest lineups in the NBA this season, would've been quite interesting to see what they all could do together. Too bad Paxson hates Deng at the two.
Bulls leading the game, despite going 1-13 from three.
4th Quarter
10:31
Smooth, smmoth fake three and inside pass by Duhon to Noah for the easy dunk ... next possession another beautiful inside pass from beyond the arc for Du, this time to Gray for the wide-open pound.
Taking a long look at Jim, my father wonders aloud if Boylan's a drinker?
If he wasn't already, he certainly will become one this summer.
7:31
Game re-starting now, in a trip back to the dark ages. Personal stop-clocks have replace the LED shot-clock, and a air-horn has replaced the buzzer at the end of a shot clock violation.
Red Kerr gets in an excellent shot on King ... w/regards to the broken shot clock, "it's like stacey, it doesn't work."
6:50
Don't know what Thabo was thinking, but he just threw a bullet pass straight to the court-side photographers.
4:04
Aaron officially breaks the 20-20 mark .. I think. Missing his first shot to give himself the extra board.
3:22
Fade-away by Tyrus.
2-something
Tyrus blasting the air-drums after a fine dish inside to Joakim.
1:42
Tyrus diving out of bounds, throws ball backwards over his head to Noah who finds Thabo under the hoop for a dunk.
0:00
Surprising class by Tyrus getting the ball with about 7 seconds left and instead of trying to pad his stats or going for a monster dunk, he just dribbled the clock out like a true gentelman.
4th Quarter Analysis
Here of the fourth are the lady-Bulls, for shaking their thangs with no apologies for the fans during the ten minute break, displaying stamina Aaron Gray can only dream of.