NBA Eastern Conference Final: Chicago Bulls vs Miami Heat

• Hb31187

  

  chicago510;770712 wrote:The key for the Heat is if they can get all 3 going in one game to beat a complete TEAM in the Bulls.
  
  1 or 2 of the Big Three is not going to get it done against the best defensive team in the NBA.
  
  Game 2 is Huge, obviously, I think that if the Bulls can put another solid defensive effort the Heat will start to get down on themselves as we've seen this year.

  
  Of the teams left, the Bulls are easily the biggest "1 man show" left
• robj55

  

  Skyhook79;770798 wrote:If the Bulls can continue to neutralize and or make Joel Anthony a non factor, the Heat are in trouble.

  
  lmao
• sleeper

  

  Skyhook79;770798 wrote:If the Bulls can continue to neutralize and or make Joel Anthony a non factor, the Heat are in trouble.

  
  lol'd.
• hoops23

  

  DWade looked GASSED in game 1... He didn't give much offensively either...
  
  Then again, neither did LeBron... Chicago plays some great defense. Taj Gibson is a solid player who keeps improving and Loul Deng is solid as well.. Chicago might have something here.
• robj55

  

  hopefully the bulls and heat can turn into an eastern conference rival for years to come
• wes_mantooth

  

  robj55;770870 wrote:hopefully the bulls and heat can turn into an eastern conference rival for years to come

  
  It really should be a great rivalry.... both teams have their guys signed for a long time.
• jpake1

  

  The Bulls definitely have something. I loved Gibson's game coming out of college. I was bummed when he didn't make it to the Heat. He reminded me a lot of Haslem, but with better defense. They have so many bright spots on that team and they're young. They've got leaders. Rose is a special player and person for that organization. Noah has been awesome. I hated the guy in college, but living here now, I hear him speak everywhere and he's very impressive in that regard. The Bulls also have the possibility of having 2 1st RD picks in the next two drafts. They could do a lot with those picks-- maybe even package Boozer if the feel Gibson is ready and they can get a better two. Who knows. The future is very bright for the Bulls. They will win a title with this group soon enough, maybe in June.
• september63

  

  sleeper;770857 wrote:lol'd.

  
  Joel Anthony IS a non factor. He doesnt need the Bulls to make him that.
• Laley23

  

  september63;771005 wrote:Joel Anthony IS a non factor. He doesnt need the Bulls to make him that.

  
  Not true. Joel Anthony is a STUD. There is a reason why he gets MVP chants. He is that good.
• Iliketurtles

  

  Laley23;771105 wrote:Not true. Joel Anthony is a STUD. There is a reason why he gets MVP chants. He is that good.

  +1
• september63

  

  OK then. 3 PPG and 5.5 RPG in the playoffs is a crucial piece to Miami's puzzle. LOL
• Laley23

  

  september63;771143 wrote:OK then. 3 PPG and 5.5 RPG in the playoffs is a crucial piece to Miami's puzzle. LOL

  
  Hows that breeze that just went over your head?
• Iliketurtles

  

  Laley23;771149 wrote:Hows that breeze that just went over your head?

  
  Yeah he definitely missed out on the fun of the other thread.
• SportsAndLady

  

  Septembers retarded, Joel Anthony is the OG of the NBA...I'd say he'll be a hall of famer one day.
• Iliketurtles

  

  SportsAndLady;771159 wrote:Septembers retarded, Joel Anthony is the OG of the NBA...I'd say he'll be a hall of famer one day.

  1st ballot HoF!
• jordo212000

  

  Game 1 was the highest rated NBA playoff game ever.
  
  Chicago and Miami both drove the ratings, with Cleveland being 3rd best in market viewership.
• karen lotz

  

  Highest rated game 1 ever? Or overall?
• The Boss

  

  I'm also interested in seeing what kind of adjustments Spo makes.
  
  If the Heat win, I'm interested in seeing how the people respond who are basically saying the Heat are done after game 1. A game in which all the Bulls did was hold home court (something they're supposed to do) and a game in which, at least in the 2nd half, they pitched a near perfect game. I'm not sure they can duplicate that, doesn't mean they can't win though. The Big 3 played fairly well in the 1st half of game 1, LeBron and Wade didn't bring it in the 2nd. I heard that there will be 3 new officials for this game as well, interested to see how that changes things. Not at all saying the Bulls had an advantage other than usual home court advantage from the officials. But the first group of officials definitely let the Bulls get away with some contact when the Heat were attacking the rim--things that are usually called fouls. If that continues the Heat need to recognize it and be just as physical. They played good defense but if the officials are going to let them bang in the paint then they need to match the Bulls physicality. Should be a good one, I'm with jpake, even if the Heat don't win I'd like to see some life out of them and I think we will. But if the Heat do win, I'm anxious to hear what the haters have to say when the series could definitely potentially be 3-1 Heat coming back to Chicago. Not sure that will happen, but 1-1 will definitely drastically change the mood of the conversation around this series and give the Heat some good momentum going forward. Hopefully someone outside of the Big 3 can make a few shots. Seen too many bricks and the offense will open up a lot for Miami if they start making some. I hope Spo comes out with a better offensive game plan that includes some movement. But I don't have too much faith in him.
• chicago510

  

  karen lotz;771183 wrote:Highest rated game 1 ever? Or overall?

  
  Highest rated in cable TV history.
• karen lotz

  

  chicago510;771231 wrote:Highest rated in cable TV history.

  
  
  ah ok, that makes a little more sense.
• Laley23

  

  karen lotz;771244 wrote:ah ok, that makes a little more sense.

  
  How long has cable even carried the games? Wasnt it just NBC up until a few years ago when ABC got the deal and ESPN then got some with Turner?
• karen lotz

  

  Couldn't tell you for sure, but TNT has had them for a few years now as well as ESPN.
• karen lotz

  

  Wikipedia says TNT started airing playoff games in 2000.
• Laley23

  

  karen lotz;771255 wrote:Couldn't tell you for sure, but TNT has had them for a few years now as well as ESPN.

  
  Yeah, I know its been a decent amount of years. More just wondering if the 90s and early 2000s had any cable coverage. For some reason in early 2000s (when Pacers played the Nets) I eem to remember not getting to watch all their games, because only 1 network had them, so only 2 games a day.
• Laley23

  

  karen lotz;771257 wrote:Wikipedia says TNT started airing playoff games in 2000.

  
  thanks. Longer than I thought. I figured it was about 2003.