NBA News: Bulls pull even
First off I like to congratulate Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose for winning the 2010-2011 NBA Kia Most Valuable Player Award. Now Derrick can continue to do what got him this special award and that is win. Going into game 2 of their Eastern Conference Semi-final series with the Atlanta Hawks the Bulls were down 1-0 and needed just that a win. You can tell that was eating at Rose when he was formally introduced as the MVP. It was very touching when he acknowledged his mother Brenda at the announcement on Tuesday. That right there just reinforced the good character Rose possess as a human being. Prior to the start of game 2, Commissioner David Stern presented the award to Rose in front of the Chicago faithful in the United Center last night. With all that out of the way the Bulls went to work and beat the Hawks 86-73. Putting behind that sloppy performance in game 1, Chicago went back to what got them the leagues best record and that was defense and rebounding. The Bulls didn't shoot all that well, going about 39% from the field, but they out-rebounded the Hawks 58-39. Chicago also held the Hawks to about 33% shooting after allowing them to convert 51% in game 1. Rose the new reigning MVP was on fire dropping 16-points in the first half, but in the second half he went cold going 10-27 to finish with 25-points. Rose in addition had 10 assists but an ugly 8 turnovers. Rose did have help, Joakim Noah stepped up with 19-points and 14 rebounds while Luol Deng finished with 14-points and hauled down 12 rebounds.
Carlos Boozer caught flack from the Chicago crowd finishing with a quiet 8-points and 11 rebounds. You can see he is struggling with his turf toe injury and Head coach Tom Thibodeau and Noah voiced afterwards its not fair that he is the scapegoat for their recent struggles. I respect that Boozer is giving his best effort but he has been a no-show prior to getting that injury, so I can understand the frustration from the home crowd.
Hawks guard Jeff Teague who is starting in place of the injured Kirk Hinrich, increased his stock by scoring 21-points. As for Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford who scored 34 and 22 respectively in game 1, were hampered by the Bulls defense in this one. Joe Johnson saw constant double-teams every time he touched the ball and finished with 16-points. Former Bull Jamal Crawford pretty much got the same treatment finishing with 11-points.
One thing that is noticeable is that Derrick Rose is playing in second gear. He insist that his sprained left ankle is fine, but you can see that boost of speed he is known for is off a bit. I'll say it again the Bulls have to play as a team, it can't be all about Derrick Rose. The Bulls and the Hawks do it again in the ATL Friday night......nuff said
