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Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Sayson: Chicago’s last run for the playoffs
By Homer Sayson
Secondovertime
CHICAGO — Despite a season of unmet expectations, another season of broken promises, a sliver of daylight continues to shine upon the Bulls. With a 33-40 slate, they’re a mere1 1/2 games behind Philadelphia (34-38) for the eighth and last playoffs berth in the East Conference.
Hope floats, indeed. But it’s flickering, dying fast like a melting candle.
The Bulls play three crucial games this week, and these assignments ultimately determine whether this city’s NBA hopes will die, or burn with more possibilities.
First up is Indiana, which visits the United Center today. Ravaged by injuries and torn by uneven play, the 35-37 Pacers have lost four straight. Still, they cannot be taken lightly. Even with a hobbled Jermaine O’Neal and an injured Stephen Jackson, Indy still has enough firepower to invade and occupy a third world country.
After Indiana, the Bulls then play two games against Philly, the team Chicago wants to dislodge from the tight playoffs race.
The bad news is the Bulls will travel to Philadelphia for Game 1 tomorrow, which means the road trip will be a back-to-back game for the Bulls. The good news is three days later, Game 2 of this mini-series will be at the United Center.
The Bulls and Sixers have already met twice this season. Chicago drew first blood when it waylaid the Sixers at the UC, a 117-84 sleeper that nearly killed me of boredom. Philly awakened my slumber when it roared back with a vengeance nine days later, stomping the Bulls, 108-102, at the Wachovia Center.
The Bulls need to beat Philly at least once this week. Sweeping the Sixers would be fantastic because that will enable the Bulls to win the series, 3-1, and give them the tiebreak edge in the event both teams will finish the regular season with the same record.
Can the Bulls do it?
Why not? They are scappy, hungry, determined. And they play pretty good defense, a defense that forces 14.9 turnovers and allows the opposition to shoot just 42.7 percent of their field goals.
On the other hand, the Bulls are young and wildly inconsistent. On their best days, they can beat heavyweights Detroit and San Antonio. On their bad days, they fall prey to hapless lightweights such as Charlotte and Orlando.
Therefore, sweeping the Sixers is highly unlikely. And I have two letters, not reasons, to argue that point — A.I. Just in case you were in a cave since 1996, AI means Allen Iverson, the 2001 league MVP, and quite frankly, one of the best small men ever to play in the NBA.
Now 30, Iverson is a tad slower than his NBA Finals days. But boy, can he still run. He is norming 32.9 points and 7.5 assists in 63 games this season. When Philly slew the Bulls last Feb. 25, AI exploded for 38 points on 11-of-23 shooting.
AI scored 79 points in his last two games, both against the Knicks in April 1 and 2. And when the Sixers host the Bulls tomorrow, AI will be operating on three full days of rest. I don’t know which Bull will get the assignment to be Iverson’s primary defender, but whoever that fellow is, feel free to pray for him.
Call me stubborn, or perhaps, a little biased. But I’ve been courtside to all of the Bulls home games since March 2, and from my comfy view at press row I’ve seen a young team that can light fireworks on any given day.
Talent is an irreplaceable ingredient for NBA success. And with Iverson and Chris Webber in its roster, the Sixers clearly have the better talent over the Bulls. But sometimes, the ball’s lucky bounces spell the difference between triumph and tragedy.
I like the Bulls. I like their intensity, their enthusiasm, their innocence, their passion for the game. If there’s a bunch of guys who deserve a lucky break, it’s these young Bulls. And I hope they do find that luck. For a change.
FREE DINNER FROM CERRONE? From Cerrone Dayo of New Jersey: “My naive opinion is that the Nets have proven themselves to be a legitimate title contender. Correct me if I’m wrong, the Nets beat the Pistons and the Heat twice this season. I had floor seats Sunday when the Nets went 3-1 over the Heat. If the Nets reach the NBA Finals, I’ll buy you dinner.”
Winners of 12 straight, the Nets are really good, but not good enough to come out of the East. I’d love to have dinner (for free!!) with you Cerrone, but sorry my friend, it’s not happening this year.
(homsay@hotmail.com)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (April 5, 2006 issue)
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