For the Chicago Bulls to get right, and possibly make a run at reaching the NBA Finals, they needed, and will receive a dose of brew city in the playoffs.
Or as Homer Simpson put it “to alcohol- the cause of and solution to all of life’s problems.”
The Bucks are the closest thing to a first round bye this postseason. It’s not just because of their reputation which precedes them; the Bucks faded down the stretch; finished 9-16 in their last 25.
The Milwaukee Bucks are to the NBA what the Kansas City Royals were to MLB in the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s- a total punchline.
Or as I like to joke on social media:
“Milwaukee Bucks Basketball: Chicago’s Big Ten Team”
Although the Bucks had a pleasantly plucky year, and they had a very nice 2012 season (that wasn’t too long ago, really), the American public’s perception of them hasn’t changed. The Bucks are the team every Eastern Conference squad wanted to see in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
Yes, the Chicago Bulls lost 95-91 in Brew Town on April 2nd, but take a look at these stats:
Between St. Patrick’s Day and the meeting between the two teams, the Bulls allowed an average of 92.3 points per game, the Bucks 105, +/- saw CHI at +12.2 while MKE was -6.6. The Chicago Bulls went 5-1 over that period while the Bucks were 2-6.
Milwaukee does have some nice pieces in The Greek freak and Michael Carter-Williams, and let’s give them credit for holding it down pretty well with their new franchise player Jabari Parker missing so much time. Brandon Knight can ball too; he’ll win them a game or two in this series.
When the Bucks get Parker back healthy next year, some good things could actually happen.
Back to this year, the Bucks present a chance for the Chicago Bulls to coalesce together with Derrick Rose, get back into the groove and get ready for the second round versus Cleveland.
The Cavaliers are the #2 seed, and the two weeks Lebron James took off during the season have made him the player that looks like an MVP now. No one wants them in the second round; or any round. The teams in the #4 and #5 slots may have a blessing in disguise.
So how will the Bulls win this series?
“I think when you play for Chicago, you’re not going to stay on the floor if you don’t defend, okay?” said ESPN Analyst and NBA Hall of Famer Hubie Brown.
“Because the way that Thibs runs that defense, you can’t have a weak link. But the key, once again as we all know is will Rose continue to get better and be able to give the 36 to 38 minutes once you get to playoff time?” Brown continued.
Rose only played ten minutes Wednesday night. He suffered soreness in his left knee during the first half and didn’t return. He said he’ll be ready for the playoffs when they commence on Saturday though.
NBA on TNT Analyst (and Chicago native) Isaiah Thomas on Rose: “I’m more concerned with his defensive effort. Going into the playoffs, you have to be able to control the point guard position, defensively, because it’s the most explosive position right now in the NBA.”
NBA on TNT’s Shaquille O’Neal on Rose benefitting from rest: “A lot of people may think it’s a disadvantage when you’re injured, but I’ve always looked at it as an advantage. I won four championships – all championships were when I was injured, aka, getting rest… Derrick Rose should be well rested.”
Well, there you go, Rose is rested. Joakim Noah is rested. The Chicago Bulls are rested.
“We got everybody back, and that’s our best basketball when we have everybody back,” said back-up point guard Aaron Brooks, who filled in very admirably for Rose last night.
“We’re a pretty good team when we have a full, healthy team. I think our record speaks for itself,” Brooks said.
One aspect of the series that nobody is talking about is Pau Gasol (more on him here). His 18.5 scoring average is his highest PPG since 2010-11. Indeed, he’s aging like a fine wine.
As we get into the playoffs, the game becomes more half court and less transition. You need a true post threat in your half court sets to succeed during postseason play. Gasol provides that.
Here’s the full schedule with TV channel assignments by the way:
Game 1 Saturday, April 18 Milwaukee @ Chicago 6:00 p.m. ESPN
Game 2 Monday, April 20 Milwaukee @ Chicago 7:00 p.m. TNT
Game 3 Thursday, April 23 Chicago @ Milwaukee 7:00 p.m. NBA-TV
Game 4 Saturday, April 25 Chicago @ Milwaukee 4:30 p.m. TNT
Game 5* Monday, April 27 Milwaukee @ Chicago TBD CSN/TBD
Game 6* Thursday, April 30 Chicago @ Milwaukee TBD CSN/TBD
Game 7* Saturday, May 2 Milwaukee @ Chicago TBD CSN/TNT
Prediction: Chicago Bulls in 5
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with Fox Sports Digital. You can read Banks’ feature stories and op-eds in the Chicago Tribune RedEye newspaper and hear his regular guest spots on numerous sports talk radio stations all across the country.
Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks)