[GlenTaylorSucksParticipant]

At the start of the playoffs, I picked the Bulls and Thunder to make the finals. I’m having serious doubts as to whether or not the Bulls can make it out of the East, though. Each game they’ve won, they trailed almost the whole way through until late in the 4th. Today, they dug themselves an 18 point hole before rallying back and still losing. When they go up against the better/more experienced teams (i.e. Boston, Miami), they’re not going to be able to get away with that. Is it a case of them playing down to competition? Or is it a serious problem going forward that they can’t seem to build leads early on? 

[TyroberParticipant]

 The Bulls will go as far as Derrick Rose takes them. Rose is still relatively new to the playoffs. Even though they had the best record in the league, I dont see them as the best team. Having said that, I dont see any team WANTING to play them

[Vivid5292Participant]

why is carlos boozer taking a 3pointer? why didnt he call timeout? why didnt luol dang call timeout when he saw it was boozer he’d be passing to? why didnt noah call timeout when he realized he couldnt rose and korver couldnt get a three? so many questions….smh

[ProudGrandpaParticipant]

The Pacers are just one of the best teams and the league.

Maybe the Bulls should just try and win this series first.

[sheltwon3Participant]

Paul George seems like he is doing a Tayshaun Prince.  He is coming out and playing better in the playoffs then the regulars season.  His length seems to be an issue for the Bulls. I am sure Bulls will win it out though and they still match up well against ATL/Orlando and Miami. One series does not kill you.  All of these teams are pretty good and they are playing hard.  The difference between winning it all and losing in the first round is not as big as it used to be.

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

 Rose has got to get that shooting percentage up; 6 for 22 isn’t going to cut it. It certainly isn’t going to cut it in the Eastern Finals, let alone the Championship. The Pacers are a mediocre team, so I’m not worried about the Bulls closing this one out. And I like their chances against either the Magic or the Hawks. But eventually the Bulls have to go through the Heat or the Celtics and right now I can’t see that happening. 

[NJHooper95Participant]

Rose is a tremendous player but i think he is still a subpar shooter and he turns the ball over alot. Everyone saids Rose is an improve shooter and no doubt he is. But improved doesnt mean good. If you score a 30 on an exam and got a 60 the next time that is an improvement but still not good. Indiana is showing they are willing to live with Rose being a shooter only. That is really the only way to stop him because if he gets to the hole he is going to score or get fouled. One day his jumper will be automatic because he is a hard worker, but right now i think teams can live with it.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

The Bulls need more out of Carlos Boozer. His overall numbers probably don’t look too bad, but he hasn’t been that consistent 20 and 10 low post option he’s supposed to be. He’s played awful defense and hasn’t played with a lot of focus.

I think the Bulls can beat Orlando or Atlanta in 6 or 7 games, but I can’t see them beating Miami or Boston. Especially with Boozer playing this way.

[KayjayParticipant]

The Pacer’s aren’t your typical 8th seed. They play hard, and have had Miami sweat multiple times during the regular season. They are a well balanced team and next year, they will be more than just an 8th seed. Thats my opinion however. A win is a win as well, so Bulls shouldn’t worry too much.

However…like its already been said, Bulls will only go as far as Rose takes them. Its also been said, their defense keeps them in the game, while Rose closes it out. But what happens when they go up against another defensive team, that is more potent on the offense? Thats why I just can’t see them getting out of the second round. Depends though, Rose has pulled some serious magic out of his hat this entire play offs. So I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of them making it out of the semi’s. But the Eastern Conference finals is another story…

[SteroidParticipant]

I’ve never been truly impressed by Boozer. Boozer has had a few 20-10 seasons, but I never thought of him as a 20-10 guy. Now Elton Brand before he got hurt is a 20-10 guy. I guess it’s because Gasol and Bynum have made him looked bad in the past which contributes to that thought also. I think he’s giving the Bulls what he should give them, honestly. He’s a great 3rd option type player that I don’t think will be the player to help get the Bulls over teams like Boston and Miami.

But they will have some problems with the Hawks if they play with a purpose and not role over like how they have in some of their past playoff series. If Hinrich can play defense on Rose like how he did against Wade a few years ago in the playoffs, then I’d say it might just be a wrap because the Hawks have the players to match up with the Bulls.

[marcusfizer21Participant]

 I’m not ready to move forward yet… It takes 4 games to win a series and the Bulls haven’t done that yet… I want them to take care of business at home before I can say what I want to say on either ATL or Orlando… DRose is a warrior… I hope he’ll be fine by Game 5… They need him to be aggressive…

[JoeWolf1]

Growing pains, this is this new Bulls team’s first playoff run.  How they perform after the loss I feel will be the point in which they can turn their play around.  If they squeak by or drop another game after trailing 75% of it then I think they are not going to win their next series, but if they come out with intensity and play like they should then I don’t think they can turn around their recent play and gain some confidence as a playoff team.

[DanEboyParticipant]

They are not going to lose this series, take a deep breath Fizer. Look around guys, a lot of teams are struggling in the playoffs. The Pacers are double teaming Rose and he will figure it out. It is better that he learn how to overcome that in this series then agianst teams like the Heat or Celtics…or whoever wins the Magic/Hawks series.

They look like shi/t right now but they still almost pulled out the win today for a sweep. I haven’t lost an ounce of confidence in them.

[immaletufinishbutParticipant]

Indiana isnt a typical 8th seed, and if it was not for the enormous amount of free throws rose is shooting, this series might be tied………….

 

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2011/4/22/2126581/derrick-rose-bulls-free-throws-nba-playoffs-2011

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