Chicago Bulls failing on both ends of the floor in the Eastern Conference Finals – Part 1
The Chicago Bulls were the best team in the league this regular season. They laboured through the early stages of the playoffs but, when they won game-1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat, it seemed as if they
had finally found their stride.
However, since that win Chicago have been out done by the resurgent Miami Heat, led by the Big Three of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Miami have gotten away from Chicago during the final stretch in the last two games
and it has resulted in a bevy of questions on the Bulls ability.
This is because of the fact that, as brilliant as the star trio of Miami has been in the last two games, Chicago have looked ordinary at best.
The Bulls are a strong team no doubt. They have proved over span of the season that they are the meanest defence around and can stifle any offensive power put in front of them. They have good defenders all around; in the front
court they have size and grit in the form of Joakim Noah and Omer Asik, while Derrick Rose and company are one of the best back court defences around.
The team’s attack is built around league MVP Derrick Rose. His brilliance coupled with help from Carlos Boozer and contributions from the admittedly average support cast have made Chicago a “potent enough” force in offence.
The strategy of the Bulls has been to shut down the opposing team and then just score enough themselves to get a win. It has turned out to be an extremely effective strategy as well and a lot of credit must be given to Rose who
has provided a spark whenever Chicago seemed to lull on offence.
However after the 96 – 85 loss in game-3, the Bulls team looked in tatters. This is a mentally strong unit we are talking about, so the defeated body language they displayed at the end of the game cannot be taken lightly.
The Bulls are in trouble and they know it.
Chicago didn’t just lose another game. They were soundly beaten by the Miami Heat on both ends of the floor. The Bulls are weaker on offence and it’s no secret that if Derrick Rose is stopped the Bulls are hapless. However stopping
Rose is no easy task and there is some debate about whether Miami have really stopped him or not. He still averages more than both Wade and James in the series. There is no debate though about Chicago’s offence, the Heat have churned it down to a halt.
LeBron James has been doing to Luol Deng what the latter did to the former in game-1. His size and strength is also a nuisance for the Chicago in the low post. The Heat have double teamed Rose consistently, forcing him into tough
shots and isolating him from his teammates. Joel Anthony is a giant around the rim and he basically blocked anything that moved in game-3. Add to that the tenacity of Dwyane Wade and the aggressive intent of Chris Bosh; the Bulls are simply failing to find
a way through.
That was evident in game-3 early on, when Joel Anthony alone blocked 4 shots and the Bulls managed a meagre 15 points in the first quarter. Chicago shot a low 41.6 percent in the game. They also had just 15 assists all game while
turning the ball over 13 times.
Continued in Part-2
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