May
9
THE SEQUEL: THE MALICE OF AUBURN KILLS
Filed Under Chicago Bulls
Detroit Once Again Cuts Up Chicago in 21-Point Game Two Rout
Playing a like a team looking forward to bigger and better things, the Detroit Pistons once again handled the overmatched Chicago Bulls during a 108-87 victory Monday night and took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference series. On the other hand, Chicago played as if it as looking to the past–Saturday that is–and let Game One’s awful performance carry over into a terrible start to Game Two. Chicago trailed 8-0 and was down by double digits most of the game. After trailing by 15 at the break, Chicago got the game to no closer than 13 in the second half.
Tayshaun Prince shredded Chicago’s porous defense en route to a team-leading 25 points. As Detroit moved the ball wherever they wanted on the Bulls, Prince knocked down several key jumpers which further buried Chicago each and every time. Richard Hamilton continued to have his way with Chicago guard Kirk Hinrich, getting into the lane for easy jumpers and working the beleaguered guard off of screens all night for a steady 24 points. Chris Webber did what he now does best, hit the mid-range jumper. Webber was a superb 10-for-11 from the field after a rather quiet Game One.
At the heart of Detroit’s violent attack was who else but the straw that stirs the drink, point guard Chauncey Billups. While not looking for his shot like in Game One, Billups still had Chicago’s defense in the palm of his hand, getting his teammates off early (especially Webber who had nine quick points). And when Billups needed to get a bucket or hit a three, he simply did so. Adding insult to injury, Detroit sub Jason Maxiell came in and played a physical game, literally pushing the Bulls around and picking up a technical after smacking Luol Deng in the face after a foul.
Deng did not respond to the wakeup call, shooting a dismal 4-for-12 from the field for 16 quiet points. While Chicago needed Deng and shooting guard Ben Gordon to have big nights, they’ll have to wait until Game Three or maybe next season with the way things are looking for the Bulls. Gordon and Hinrich combined to go 3-for-14 from the field for a combined 15 points.
That’s right Chicago got 31 points from its three top scorers, merely six and seven points more than what Prince and Hamilton respectively got Detroit. Hinrich was 0-for-7 from the field while Gordon was once again bottled up by Detroit’s attacking defense. Give Flip Saunders credit. He’s making Gordon the focal point of Detroit’s defensive game plan, and Chicago’s other players have showed no ability to step up and pick up any slack.
How bad was it for Chicago? Ben Wallace led the team in scoring in the first half. The only player who seemed to snap out of the Chicago identity crisis was rookie forward Tyrus Thomas, who bounced back from a bad first half to finish with a team-leading 18 points. While most of those points came in the fourth quarter, Thomas at least showed some heart. As for the rest of the bench, Andres Nocioni played his second straight forgettable game while guard Chris Duhon showed how useless he is when he’s not looking for his jump shot.
Detroit can officially pull up the zipper on the Chicago body bags with a victory in Game Three Thursday night at the United Center. As for the Bulls, they need answers quickly as Detroit is beating Chicago in all the areas that they usually excel in: effort, intensity and defense. With Detroit cranking up its defense to a level not seen since it was running a feuding Shaq and Kobe out of the 2004 NBA Finals, Chicago looks as if this nightmare is going to continue and remain fresh in their minds for the remainder of the summer.
Here’s a breakdown of the best and worst players in Game Two.
Chauncey Billups: This guy is controlling the series on both ends of the floor. Billups has gotten Detroit’s offense moving and can basically do whatever he wants on the offensive end of the court. As for his defense, Billups is bodying Gordon and doing a good job of making the game way too physical for the Chicago guard.
Tayshaun Prince: Really broke Chicago’s back with several mid-range jumpers and three-pointers (3-for-7 from behind the line) deep in the shot clock. Prince also did a nice job on the block in Game Two, taking advantage of occasional mismatches with Gordon and getting his soft half-hooks to fall. When Prince plays like this in combination with Billups and Hamilton, it’s going to be hard for any team, let alone Chicago, from having any chance against the Pistons.
Chris Webber: Came out blazing in Game Two and scored a quick nine points. Reminded me of his time in Sacramento where he would hit that free-throw line extended jumper better than anyone else in the league. Also patiently worked his way on the block and got a couple of nice baseline half-hooks to go. Webber looks revitalized in Detroit after appearing to be dead in Philadelphia. This mid-season acquisition has been the perfect fit for Detroit as Webber can bust out and still get you 20 points despite lacking the quickness he once has.
Rip Hamilton: Hamilton really could be right below Billups on this list. Had another great performance with 24 points. He has made Hinrich, a second-team All NBA Defensive selection, look terrible and utterly helpless. Looks like the Rip Hamilton who shot down Duke in the 1999 NCAA Championship Game with his ability to work off screens and get quick shots. His tough shot over Thabo Sefolosha and Ben Wallace to end the first half was symbolic of how he’s been hitting on all cylinders so far this series.
Jason Maxiell: Didn’t do too much on the offensive end on Game One but more importantly showed no respect for Chicago. Pushed the Bulls around all game when he was in there. While a bit out of control, Maxiell was sending a message that he doesn’t think much of Chicago. Physicality was reminiscent of what Bill Laimbeer used to do the Bulls before they finally pushed through in 1991. Sadly, Chicago is letting an unproven player like Maxiell do this to them.
Game Two Corpses:
Kirk Hinrich: Is known as a defensive player, which is hard to tell after these first two games. Simply overmatched by Hamilton. More importantly, gave Chicago nothing on offense on a night when Gordon wasn’t doing much and the team needed his scoring. O-for-7 is unacceptable. Is really indecisive off the screen and roll! How many times has he had an open jumper off the pick and roll and passed it up? And how many times has he started to get into the lane off of the screens and passed to Ben Wallace about 12-feet away from the basket (the worst spot in the world for Wallace to be touching the ball) instead of going to the rim with some guts?
Luol Deng: Mid-range jumper is not falling at all. Chicago needed him and Gordon to have big games. At least you can say that Detroit is taking Gordon out of the series. As for Deng, he hasn’t yet shown that he was it consistently takes to be a superstar, which everyone had him ascending to after the Miami series. Looks hesitant at times with his jump shot. Is reverting back to how he performed against the Heat last year in the first round.
Ben Gordon: Is getting bodied big time in this series by Billups, who is not letting him get inside the three point line. Chicago has no chance without him scoring 20+ points per night and most importantly, keeping teams off balance with his dribble drive ability. With that said, had a better defensive effort against Billups (not too sure whether that was Ben or Billups playing a different type of game; more likely the latter). Gordon still makes stupid turnovers, including an inexcusable double dribble in the second quarter and a stupid blocking foul on Billups in the second half. Out of sorts and really frustrated. Is due for an explosion, but will Chicago have to wait until next season to see it with the way Detroit is playing him?
Andres Nocioni: Has played two straight terrible games, which is unusual for even the edgy Nocioni. He is really tight for some reason. Running with the ball instead of playing composed (and thus getting called for travels). Four more turnovers in Game Two. Where has the real Andres Nocioni gone? Chicago needs Nocioni to get into a scuffle or something in Game Three if the Bulls want any chance of being resuscitated.
P.J. Brown: The veteran is showing his age this series. Can not stop Wallace or Webber on the block. Disappointing to see this pouting veteran playing with such a disinterested and defeated look on his face (make that sitting on the bench with such a look). Has been a positive influence all season and needs to help get the young Bulls emotionally ready for Game Three. Also needs to avoid quick fouls and be relegated to the bench.
Game Three tips off Thursday night at 8 p.m. While Detroit has looked like world-beaters, will they take the foot off Chicago’s throat? Or will they continue to take it to the Bulls? A very solid half for Detroit could mean all the difference between a sweep or a few more games, most likely just a Game 5 in Detroit.
As for Chicago, they must hope the United Center crowd can get them going. Chicago is going out like chumps, making this series that much harder to swallow for any self-respecting Bulls’ fan. If Chicago does not push through at home, you could see some major changes to this team in the off-season (i.e. perhaps trading Gordon, letting Nocioni walk away, cutting ties with Duhon and even hearing the whispers about Skiles’ ability as an in-game coach and his future status). While Detroit is the superior team when at it’s best, Chicago should be at least making this a series.
I guess we’ll see in Game Three. During the downtime between Games Two and Three tomorrow, I will express my frustrations with the media creating this story that Ben Wallace is too close to the Pistons and is not playing hard enough. What junk! Wallace has been the only Bull to come out ready to play in the first two games (and this is coming from a guy who will call Wallace out when he’s dogging it)!
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