When the Bulls traded Andres Nocioni to the Sacramento Kings earlier this season, I think some people were sorry to see him go. After all, he had the fire and the passion that Chicagoans love.
But the Bulls got guard John Salmons back in that deal, and boy, has that ever worked out nicely. The seven-year veteran has averaged 20.3 points in 19 games since joining the Bulls, and his presence has taken some of the offensive pressure off teammates Ben Gordon and Derrick Rose.
On Saturday afternoon, the Bulls trailed the Indiana Pacers 102-99 with about three minutes left. Within a span of 45 seconds, Salmons knocked in two contested 3-pointers to give the Bulls the lead and turn the entire game around. He finished with 22 points as the Bulls prevailed 112-106.
With the win, the Bulls are now 13-8 since the All-Star break, good enough for third best in the Eastern Conference behind Cleveland (19-2) and Orlando (16-5). Overall, the Bulls are 36-38 and have risen to seventh in the Eastern standings.
The Bulls have little chance of surviving the first round of the playoffs, as they will be matched with Cleveland, Orlando or defending champion Boston. But it is good to see the team playing competitive basketball for the first time this season.
A postseason bid actually seems likely at this point. Since the Blackhawks basically have a playoff spot locked up, it appears the United Center will see BOTH playoff basketball and playoff hockey in the same year for the first time since 1997.
That should make for an exciting April in Chicago.
So Vinny Del Negro has his guys in the playoffs, and I am supposed to join the delusional Bulls fans into celebrating this accomplishment. I was reading a thread about WSI which Bulls fans were celebrating about making the playoffs. Forgive me if I have to throw a cold water on the Bulls. The fact they made the playoffs with a losing record does not constitute a success. In fact, it's embarassing. The only reason the Bulls are making the playoffs is because the Bucks lost Michael Redd and Andrew Bogut for the year so Scott Skiles, who Bulls fans hate, could not one-up Da Bulls this yaer. It has nothing to do with Vinny's greatness.
I still think Vinny Del Negro is not the right man for Da Bulls. I haven't seen him do much this year. With the talent he has, Da Bulls should be better than a seventh seed. Also, didn't that team went to the second round couple of years ago? I heard everyone was saying Da Bulls arrived. This team should be an Eastern Conference contender. Isn't that why Scott Skiles was fired so Da Bulls can be an elite team?
If Mike D'Antoni was coaching, maybe I would be sold. Too bad he wasn't good enough for them. I still think in the end, D'Antoni will make the Bulls regret not hiring him. I expect Lebron, Wade, or Carmelo Anthony to be a Knick come 2010, and that's where D'Antoni will come in handle. You know what? I am mpre impressed with what D'Antoni has done with the Knicks than what Del Negro has done with Da Bulls.
Sorry, but I ain't drinking Da Bulls Kool-Aid.
The way I look at it, Da Bulls have four extra games left after the regular season, and here's hoping my guy Lebron does to Da Bulls the way MJ and Co. did to the Cavs growing up as a kid.
Is the talent there? Of course. This team may not have won the division, but they could have been a fourth seed had they play like this since the trade. WIth a fourth seed, they go to the second round, and maybe have a shot of the Conference Finals.
Maybe next year, they will learn, but right now, it's four extra games left in the schedule.
The Bulls are 40-40 entering Monday's game with Detroit. If they win one of their final two, they will not have a losing record heading into the playoffs.
How about those Timberwolves? Twenty-four wins is pretty good for a college team.