We here at No Regard love our stories. And the playoffs are where each narrative strand that was teased in the regular season is shredded or affirmed. So, here are the first round series as we see them. Thank you.
By
mugsy2manute:
The Red Threat in the East never actually went away, it just got quieter for a few years. As a basketball town and team, Chicago is not to be trifled with. Sure, they had the inevitable, requisite post-Jordan rebuilding period, where not a lot happened, and then those adorable Baby Bulls, a favorite underdog of many. Between Ben Gordon and Kirk Hinrich launching threes from all angles of the court, and Tyrus Thomas attempting dunks, regardless of where he caught the ball, this team was fun; they had hutzpah.
But for Jerry Reinsdorf, Gar Forman and John Paxson, that could never be enough. These are not men who can be easily sated or mollified by scrappy victories or playoff appearances. No, these men have a slew of rings between them and when they construct a team, a championship is the goal in mind. The squad they've constructed is a fearless and balanced basketball team, one crafted with the precise goal to win one in and for Chicago. They are here to take back the territory they know belongs to them.
The Bulls have a smart, seemingly ego-less coach in Tom Thibodeau, who runs a tight ship. They play ruthlessly efficient offense and stifling defense. It's simple, half-court ball, the way playoffs and championships are usually won. They've got the undisputed (besides that missive from Stan the Man) MVP in hometown hero, Derrick Rose, who throughout the year has shown he can do just about everything on the basketball court. Carlos Boozer and Luol Deng lead a talented, versatile front court and Keith Bogans and Kyle Korver provide good enough perimeter play. These disparate pieces coming together create an estimable team. If you look close enough, you can see that Red Dawn on the horizon.
The first obstacle to that day is a decidedly mediocre Indiana Pacer team. Still living and playing in the lanky shadow of one Reggie M., they are finally forging a bit of an identity. Darren Collison and Danny Granger are two guys who can play excellent basketball (sometimes), while Roy Hibbert is a seven-footer who actually has some game. But besides these three and the perpetually angry, but productive Tyler Hansborough, they sorely lack the requisite gamers to lead a charge in these playoffs; but, they may well draw some blood. Like the Spartans at Thermopylae or those wily Wolverines of Calumet, Colorado, the Pacers will make a stand. How far it goes against these Bulls is yet to be seen.
Defining Quote
"...The Russians need to take us in one piece, and that's why they're here. That's why they won't use nukes anymore; and we won't either, not on our own soil. The whole damn thing's pretty conventional now. Who knows? Maybe next week will be swords."
Bulls in 5
Bulls fans have D-Rose, and the Hornets have CP3 but us Celtics fans, we have Rajon Rondo. And after last evening's surgical performance in which his 20 assist, 11 rebound, 15 point, and 2 steal effort all but booked the Knicks plane tickets for vacation, he reminded us once again that he brings his game not just to a different level in the playoffs but to a different universe. Looks as if Boston's facilitator has gotten over his BFF being shipped to OKC and he's prepared to quarterback the Big 3 all the way to the finals. We love you over here, Bibby, and you're one of our own, but Rondo's dialed in and you're about to have your hands more than full in the next round.
I've been thinking a lot lately about why I watch sports. There are many reasons, of course, but one of them that I keep coming back to is the security provided by their consistency. Although the makeup of teams changes and the storylines evolve, every year, I can expect recognizable patterns to emerge once again. Come fall, I am filled with excitement about the approaching starts of the NFL and NBA seasons. This time of year, I look forward to the NBA playoffs, and I gear up for the dragging yet ultimately rewarding baseball season. And so on. These patterns, this yearly consistency, is something that has helped me deal with other changes in life, ensuring that I will always have a place to turn to when all else is changing in unexpected and sometimes terrifying ways.
We're down to the nitty-gritty end of the regular season and the playoffs are dramatically close to finally starting. Sunny days are soon to come for all us NBA freaks and geeks. Be sure to check out No Regard for a look back at an incredible year and for a sneak peak at everyone's favorite second season.
