This has been the most amazing first round series I have ever seen. Granted that Boston's Kevin Garnett and Leon Powe are out for the series, that is a factor in why these games are so competitive. Tonight's game saw the Celtics make clutch plays and the Bulls respond with equally clutch plays.
Noah's steal and drive to the hoop to give Chicago a two point lead was startling. And Rose's block of Rondo's shot at the end of the game was great. Imagine, the Bulls making two great plays to win the game. It used to happen when MJ played but this team has improved a lot in a matter of weeks. They are playing against Ray Allen, a potential hall of famer guard, and Paul Pierce, another great player. These two guys can win you a game in the final seconds. Allen almost did tonight. But Chicago came back like a great fighter who refuses to go down. This series reminds of the the famous Ali-Frazier fight in Manila when in the 14th round, both fighters are on fumes, throwing punches, almost mechanically, refusing to fall.
The Bulls showed me something tonight. They are learning how to win. A lot of guys stepped up tonight. Brad Miller, made some big Ft's, and plays, John Salmon made big shots, and Kirk Hinrich played solildly.
You can't fire Del Negro after this series. He has gotten his team to play at a high level, to battle it out with the defending champs, who knows what it takes to win these type of games. Win or lose, the future looks bright for this team. They are young, and have a very solid core of players. It is almost wierd to watch Derrick Rose play. He is just 20 years old, and he plays like a 5 year veteran.
He is great and he is only going to be a better player. Way to go Bulls.
