The Chicago Bulls had a big lead in the 4th Quarter last night and allowed Philadelphia to outscore them 40-20 in the final frame, to toss away a game they should have won.
If the Bulls do not make the post-season, they will look back at this game, and say,"We could have won that game." I hope it doesn't come that that. But, when you are up by 18 points early the 4th quarter, there is no way you should lose that game.
I don't know, Chicago used to be have a tough, aggressive defense, and when ahead, would not lose this game, Oh, that's when Michael Jordan played. I forgot. Actually, last season, at this time of the year, they would have won this game. But, every season and every team is different. Heck, every game is different with these guys.
By now, the team should be used to the trade which changed the complexion of the team. They have scoring punch, can move the ball up and down the court. But having what Walt "Clyde" Frazier, so aptly describes it, " a matador defense" is not a good sign.
To give up 40 points in the 4th...it seems like the team needed "smelling salts" to wake them up. Like a beat-up fighter, they wilted down the stretch.
Now, you can say, hey, "They're the youngest team in the league. They don't have a real leader on the team." Well, someone has to step up. I don't know who that is. Larry Hughes is the oldest guy on the team, and he has been with them for like 3 weeks.
Ben Gordon, Luol Deng, and Andres Nocioni have been with the team a while. You look at their roster and there is talent there. But, they don't have a lot of time to find their winning combination. Let's hope they get angry and remember this loss, and play with passion as the season winds down.
