– John Wall, 2013

A lone banner hangs like a question mark from the rafters inside the Verizon Center, reading ‘NBA World Champions 1977-78.’ When the starters shimmy and shake their way through introductions, few look up. Even fewer glance at the silhouetted banner; these moments are brief and unnoticed.

Four decades ago, the Washington Bullets were amongst the league’s elite, the only team to play in the NBA Finals four times in the 1970s. Since renaming the team in 1997 – you can count the number of playoff series victories the Wizards have won on a single finger. Since 1981-82 you can count it on two. Washington’s fandom continuously attempts to swallow pejorative commentary for a team that chokes its way through fourth quarters. Ascribe it to immaturity, the hapless story of the Washington Wizards.

Randy Whittman, head coach since 2012, hasn’t been to the playoffs in seven years of coaching. Just five players on his roster have. Naivety in the waning minutes has been Washington’s conundrum for years, exacerbated yet again this season.

Washington has garnered three Top 6 draft picks since ‘09, each armed with a prowess for scoring. Their roster averages 25 years of age, amongst the lowest in the NBA. Equipped with the league’s most latent backcourt, Washington’s perimeter can turn each possession into a pick-and-roll nightmare. Lack-of-talent can no longer be deemed the overarching-scapegoat.

The challenge of immaturity however, continuously reaffirms itself as Washington’s crux. Just three years ago, teammates Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton brought firearms into the Wizards’ locker room. Bradley Beal – who cannot even legally buy himself a drink yet – laces up his shoes nearby. The players may be gone, but the roots remain beneath him.

As Bleacher Report’s Bryant T. Jordan put it, “Washington’s problem isn’t lack of talent, it’s lack of professionalism.” Showcased again this year, Washington (4-8) has outscored their opponent just three times in the fourth quarter this season. Once was after Miami pulled their starters for the final nine minutes.

Closely contested games have eaten the Wizards this year, a trend proven by three decades of just falling short. 10 games have been decided by 11 points or less. Turnovers, blown assignments, and lack of willpower are just a handful of symptoms Whittman has attributed. Immaturity has raised its head in many forms, and while addressed behind a podium, remains stagnantly addressed on-court.

Washington faces a division including two teams that have yet to miss the playoffs in seven years (Miami/Atlanta). They’re marred by the heartache of final-minute-combustions, injury-riddled-stretches, and years of lukewarm efficiency. Mental fortitude continues to stand between Washington and their first playoff appearance in six years.

Only the Wizards can decide if they’re mature enough to win in crunch time. Washington’s youthfulness is the inexorable ghost, the haunt that keeps their lone banner and playoff hopes in shadows.

-L. Frank Baum, The Marvelous Land of Oz

There some situations bound by the laws of nature. That is to say, a New York Yankees/Boston Red Sox matchup will have a profound gradient of tension comparative to a minor league exhibition. That is to say, a Chicago Bulls/Indiana Pacers matchup will feel more struggle and sweat than a youth league pickup. -And just as a child staring directly into the sun would lead you to believe, tempting fate is one of humanity’s most prominent errors bound by those laws.

At a certain point when your team: is gauged higher in just about every statistical category listed, particularly on defense where they hold the top spot in ‘points allowed per game’ with 86.3; has arguably the best 23-year-old in the sport, who’s off to the best start to a season – in nearly everything – of his career; and has the best record in the NBA through 3 weeks, including trouncing the team you’re about to play by 17 points just ten days ago, it’s going to be expected of you to continue that torrential pace – and sometimes your knees just have to buckle.

Overwhelming the Pacers in all but two categories (fast break points, blocks) the Bulls (5-3) dealt Indiana their first loss of the early season (9-1), garnished with an efficient and improbable performance from Derrick Rose – who was returning from a hamstring injury that kept him out of the Friday night matchup with Toronto.

It would be too easy to catalog analysis on the fact that every single Indiana starter played to a plus/minus of less than -10, so game grades it is!

                Chicago Bulls 110              |               Indiana Pacers 94

Carlos Boozer, PF

26 MIN | 6-11 FG | 1-2 FT | 6 REB | 1 AST | 1 BLK | 3 TO | 4 PF | 13 PTS

While Carlos’s numbers didn’t dazzle to the tune of his season average (16.9 PPG/8.0 RPG), his ejection alongside Indiana’s Chris Copeland with 21 seconds left was arguably one of the worst calls this season and weakest technical foul since…well, the one that was called a quarter prior on Kirk.

Grade: B

Luol Deng, SF

32 Min | 8-14 FG | 6-7 FT | 7 REB | 2 AST | 2 STL | 3 TO | 3 PF | 23 PTS

Luol appears to be using the ‘one-night-on, one-night-off’ approach which is a tad disconcerning for contract enthusiasts but Deng did lead Chicago in scoring for the fourth time this year on a night that, thankfully, kept him inside the arc. Can’t complain there.

Grade: A-

Joakim Noah, C

32 MIN | 1-6 FG | 2-4 FT | 7 REB | 6 AST | 2 STL | 3 TO | 6 PF | 4 PTS

After a dazzling Friday night against Toronto, Joakim didn’t bring his best Saturday, a commonly growing occurrence against larger frontcourts – particularly Hibbert or as he’s being called this year ‘a fucking monster.’ Maybe he was tired, maybe he was simply dominated by Hibbert’s tangible improvement defensively this offseason (4.6BLKPG), but Noah will need to perform better when these matchups are actually tight late in the fourth.

Grade: C

Derrick Rose, PG

31 MIN | 7-16 FGM | 3 REB | 4 AST | 1 STL | 0 TO | 1 PF | 20 PTS

As Kelly Scaletta pointed out, this is the second straight game for Rose without a TO or FTA, a first in his career. That’s pretty incredible considering his living if often made driving to the basket, but Rose found himself a blanket and laid down around the arc Saturday. Derrick Rose played as he had throughout a majority of preseason – oftentimes around the perimeter, showcasing an improved three-point shot (6-11). His attack to the rim looked tentative, hence the 2 points coming inside of 23-feet, but critics of Rose’s tenacity towards the rim Saturday are also proponents of the ideology: if it ain’t broke, fix it immediately. Rose’s defense again appeared dynamic as he was able to keep George Hill in check most of the game and rotate cleanly to his assignment on the pick-n-roll.

Grade: A-

Jimmy Butler, SG

25 MIN | 2-3 FG | 5-6 FT | 2 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 1 TO | 1 PF | 10 PTS

Jimmy played arguably the most efficient of the Bulls starters, and even cracked the highlights with an amazing four-point play, and this block on Solomon Hill leading to a fastbreak basket from Deng:

 Grade: A

Taj Gibson, PF

27 MIN | 7-13 FG | 1-1 FT | 8 REB | 2 BLK | 1 TO | 3 PF | 15 PTS

If he can average 15/8 a game, the Bulls will win the rebounding battle most nights (Bulls won battle 42-37) and that allows the offensive scheme a chance to compete regardless of whether or not the shooting is there (which has been spotty for the Bulls thus far, to say the least). Taj also played some great defensive minutes on David West late in the game, showing his improvement on both sides.

Grade: B+

Mike Dunleavy, SF

23 MIN | 4-5 FG | 4 REB | 2 AST | 1 TO | 2 PF | 10 PTS

Dunleavy hit both three-point attempts and played tactile offensively down the stretch for Chicago. It’s also worth noting that Dunleavy has played his best ball against Division opponents, averaging 10.3 per game on 58% shooting. While the Bulls have only played 3 Division games, 2 have come against Indiana – the top defense in the league and viable Miami-Heat-surrogate. While his consistency has a ways to go, particularly his defensive rotational work, it’s comforting knowing that Dunleavy is making plays against teams that actually play well together.

 Grade: B

Nazr Mohammed, C

11 MIN | 1-1 FG | 1 REB | 1 AST | 1 BLK | 0 TO | 1 PF | 2 PTS

This is what I want Nazr’s stat line to look like always: low minutes, few shot attempts, and 1 foul just so his newfound reputation isn’t blemished post-Lebron:

 Grade: B

Kirk Hinrich, SG

33 MIN | 4-10 FG | 4-4 FT | 4 REB | 8 AST | 1 BLK | 3 TO | 3 PF | 13 PTS

Some nights Kirk seems to be the bane of Chicago existence, sometimes he’s adequate – tonight was another adequate night. YAY FOR KIRK! While he was tortured defensively and had his share of ‘NO, KIRK!’ moments particularly shooting in the 3rd, Hinrich gave the Bulls valuable minutes off the bench and kept the offense running without Rose and was even flashed in perhaps a rare Thibodeua lineup model: Rose, Hinrich, Deng, Gibson, Noah.

Grade: B-

The Bulls next play Monday night against the Charlotte Bobcats (5-5) in the United Center where they will attempt to win their fifth straight since losing to Indiana earlier this month. Indiana didn’t like losing that game, Chicago relished winning it in dominant fashion, and Tony Snell…well, Tony Snell continued to do whatever Tony Snell does.

CHICAGO — While the dystopian frontier McCarthy acknowledges doesn’t exactly resemble Toronto, ‘the road’ has not been kind to the Chicago Bulls in 2013 – having lost their first three matchups in opposing cities. Friday however, was a little different, and Chicago took the first step towards morphing the dark and desolate road game into a semblance of light.

The déjà vu of last night felt more instilling than eerie in Chicago’s 96-80 victory over the under-resourced and individual-oriented Raptors. Never trailing, the Bulls overcame a career-best 37 points from DeMar DeRozan to win all but one-quarter Friday and with it, the first road win of the season.

There’s something transcendent about watching the Bulls without Derrick Rose, like watching a doorbell work without the outer shell. Fleeting moments arise where the fan in all of us yearns for the only man not named Lebron James to win the NBA MVP award in the last five years to spurt onto the court to lead the offense. However, with Rose averaging over 6 points less per game in scoring (14.7), 1 rebound (2.8), 2 assists (6.8), and 10 FG% below his career average (46.1%), Friday was a little easier to muster.

Joakim Noah had his most productive game thus far, finishing with 18 points and 9 rebounds on 70% shooting, including some much needed closure for fans wary about his physicality and rhythm this season. Carlos Boozer’s numbers didn’t excel in any major area but his versatility was on full display, finishing with a near triple-double (14pts, 8rebs, 6asts). Tom Thibodeau was able to utilize ten of his twelve available players, in which each player tallied points, showcasing a fluid and balanced attack offensively. It’s also important to note that Kirk Hinrich didn’t completely make an ass of himself for one of the few times this year, and showed that if promoted he can occasionally handle the reigns on offense (dear god, I hope this isn’t tested often). Also, Jimmy (Butler) got a haircut and no longer appears like Bart Simpson!

It’s easy to credit the Bulls defensive schemes as the causation for the 16-point victory, but really, Toronto just isn’t really that cohesive. A team that ranks last in the league when it comes to assists per game (16.4) and twenty-first in points per game (95.6) spelled doom from the tip. A game that Raptors coach Dwayne Casey called “a stinker” was just about sealed  after an 11-43 first half of shooting (25%). That being said, DeRozan took and buried some incredibly well defended shots and his maturity appears to have improved since:

The Bulls next look to their first back-to-back game night of the season, where they will take on a disturbingly powerful and undefeated Indiana Pacers (9-0) in the United Center Saturday. Hopefully, we’ll have Rose back – but if not…well, you might not want to watch the second half. 

If you hype something and it succeeds,
you’re a genius – it wasn’t a hype. If you
hype it and it fails, then it was just a hype.
-Neil Bogart

CHICAGO — A matchup two years in the making proved more ragged than explosive. The juxtaposition of two all-star point guards trying to spark flint in a game both cities wanted if just to feel something catch and burn for a night, resulted in a sloppy – and at times lackadaisical – demonstration of a faux showdown. Turns out, Chicago was the better team Monday – and Derrick Rose wasn’t necessarily the catalyst. Lead down the stretch by Carlos Boozer and Mike Dunleavy Jr. who combined for 33 points on 65 percent shooting, the Bulls pulled away from the Cavaliers late, 96-81 on Monday night.

Carlos Boozer continued his display of methodic fade-away jumpers, pivoting lay-ins, and fourth quarter masochistic screams en route to his fifth game this season shooting above 56 percent from the field (only shot above that percentage twice in his career, so let’s all just wait for Carlos to be…Carlos sometime soon). The hyper-dispersed offensive production can found in the stat line, with each of Chicago’s starters in double-figures for points. Derrick Rose play didn’t exceed expectations but it was enough to keep Cleveland at bay and Chicago in the half-court preying on the Cavaliers’ 18 turnovers (most this season).

Rose also had BY FAR his best game defensively, holding Irving to a 0-6 start from the field and forcing countless turnovers and fast breaks with his lateral stability and improved positioning in Tom Thibodeau’s defensive system. DRose did leave late in the game however, as a result of a “minor sprain…nothing really bad.” Hopefully this is more truth than optimistic outlook from the Bulls training staff.

Kirk Hinrich and Luol Deng played like men ready to head out of town at season’s end, after a wretched 22 percent combined shooting night from the two veterans. This doesn’t even indicate how poorly Hinrich was defensively, particularly in the half-court, refusing to stop Irving or Dion Waiters when prompted. Both will have to pick up their play if they want the Bulls to re-sign them at the end of the year.

Andrew Bynum played with shades of the fortress Cleveland desired when they signed the 7-footer, frustrating Joakim Noah and producing reasonable numbers considering restricted minutes (21) – finishing with 11 points and 6 rebounds.

Tristan Thompson also had a balanced game – relentlessly driving and overwhelming the defensive liability that is Carolos Boozer – finishing with 14 points and 13 rebounds (5^th double-double this year). However it was the dawdling start of Kyrie Irving that kept most of those salivating before tip dry throughout the entire first half. Scoring just two points in the first twenty-four minutes, Irving brought the game within catching distance in the fourth quarter before Chicago counteracted the surge.

Game Ball: Mike Dunleavy Jr. As painful as his transparent skin appears on camera and any jump shot he takes inside of 23-feet, he found the bottom of the net when his team needed him most, connecting on a multitude of three-pointers and long jumpers throughout the fourth quarter when Chicago was struggling to hammer in the final nails of the proverbial coffin. We haven’t seen Mike Dunleavy Jr. that animated since:

Although he and Kirk Hinrich were arguably the worst defenders on the court Monday night, caught flat-footed on a variety of occasions, his offensive game and team interlocking took a significant step forward as he embraced the bright lights for the first time in his new city.

Josh Planos
Contributor @ Sportswunderkin | Contractor @ Tomorrow’s Online Marketing |
| Intern @ Rivals.com |
| Email: [email protected] |
| Follow me on Twitter: @jplanos |

With the 2013 NBA preseason in the books for Chicago Bulls fans (8-0), it’s finally time to – yet again – revel in the moments just before the nautical dawn of the 2013-2014 regular season. The good news is we only have to sit close-fisted 96 more hours to see what many of us have been waiting upon for well over a year. The tantalizing notion of a championship in a city that has been swept under the rug by LeBron James governed teams for three of the last four seasons or the unlikely aptitude of a Thibodeau squad to remain in any way cohesive physically by season’s end.

While Mike Dunleavy, Tony Snell, and Erik Murphy are in no way transcending pieces, this team appears far more balanced and dangerous in the half-court than any since Thibodeau came on three years ago.

It’s almost humorous to consider the Bulls are looking to improve on what many believed to be a quasi-hollow 2012 season, a mixture of insatiable progress and unnerving torment. The desire for progression and respect from a battered yet dauntless coalition whose shear will-power kept a city afloat into the second round of the playoffs.

After reexamining their 2013-2014 regular season schedule, I have Chicago going 61-21. Still seeing the Heat coming out as the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference at 63-19 and taking the season series against the Bulls, but a closer conference hierarchy in 2013 than we’ve seen in a while.

Most intriguing games:

10/29/13 – at Heat: This is it. Here’s to hoping Nazr Mohammed isn’t starting at center with Noah doing his best rendition of Greg Oden in the past week. Expect beaming smiles, shiny rings, and explosions the whole family can enjoy.

11/06/13 – at Pacers: Noah/Hibbert Rose/Hill Butler/George, I’m sold.

11/24/13 – at Clippers: What will this Chris Paul – Derrick Rose matchup yield? An overwhelming amount of advertisements both are stars in? Please no more, State Farm. I’m also slightly hoping Jordan or Griffin have a fast-break opportunity on Boozer just because.

12/11/13 – at Knicks: A shootout or a shutdown. Jr. Smith going off or Thibodeau going hoarse by halftime, which one is more plausible?

12/19/13 – at Thunder: With Westbrook back, the Thunder transition game will be in full-effect. Boozer could do the impossible and out-muscle an opponent for the first time since his Utah days. God only knows what Kendrick Perkins’ off-season consisted of.

01/29/13 – at Spurs: When searching for Rose’s highlights, you’ll find a multitude of them coming against a Tim Duncan matchup: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZimlxGDbPi0

02/09/13 – at Lakers: With Kobe back and the all-time scoring ranks on his mind, this matchup is sure to produce something memorable: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxHl9JYm-IM

03/03/13 – at Nets: Will Jason Terry make a fool of himself in front of a national audience? Will Noah blaze his pistols? All I know is this should end up being a game both of these teams desperately want.

Teague had another solid performance Monday night, scoring 15pts on 50% shooting from the floor, with 7asts.  For the love of god, somebody get Andrew Goudelock a contract.  Yes, it’s summer league but the guy is on a tare with a 2013 Summer League best 31pts Monday night.  If I’m Gar Forman, I have to be thinking a minimum level contract, just for a year to test Goudelock in Thib’s system.  He appears to play exceptionally well with Snell, Teague, and Murphy.

Tony Snell had a difficult night shooting (2-9), but showed a slashing mentality that is a carbon copy of what they’re expecting him to bring to the offense next year.  Hopefully he can raise his point total per game and develop his shot while facing tough competition in Las Vegas.  Erik Murphy didn’t look terrible!  18pts on 7-10 shooting is pretty ideal for the new big man, although the fact that he’s not capable of grabbing rebounds is a tad concerning.  Murphy didn’t look interested in the rim at all tonight, something his two total rebounds clearly dictate.

Chicago plays again Tuesday night against the Portland Trail Blazers, I’ll be looking for some storylines:

• Can Goudelock keep up his torrential pace?
• Can Teague continue to bring the Bulls balanced and valuable minutes?
• Can Snell shoot higher than 30% from the field?
• Will Erik Murphy learn how to rebound?

At the conclusion of each season, mere minutes after the Larry O’Brien trophy is lifted and the countless tons of confetti are wasted, the National Basketball Association revamps its marketing/advertising strategies for the following year.  One of the most important questions brought to the table is “what will the theme for next year’s playoffs be?”  After last Saturday’s historic game between the Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets, the NBA might want to consider “heart” as a potential candidate, followed closely by the name “Nate Robinson.”

For those void of a team to cheer on or merely watch for the entertainment value during this year’s playoffs, try the Chicago Bulls out for size, if for no other reason than the “heart” that each member brings to the court.  For families looking for a team, note that the Bulls were 26th in the league in technical fouls accrued, so you also don’t have to worry about Rasheed Wallace (recently retired) being, well…Rasheed Wallace, causing parents everywhere to jump for the remote.   One of the most inspiring stories of

this past season, was the reemergence of Nate Robinson, a 5’9 point guard, you may have confused for a hobbit version of 50 cent, whom many have forgotten in the years following his reign as Sprite Slam Dunk Champion at the annual NBA All-Star Game.

This past off-season, Nate was brought into the Chicago Bulls franchise by way of free agency.  His job?  With the help of starting point guard (Oh yeah, did I mention that Nate comes off the bench?) Kirk Hinrich, fill the shoes of Derrick Rose, the 2011 League MVP, no easy task.  Breaking the 30-point mark 3 times in the 2012-2013 season (all three times coming against Playoff teams), Robinson has rebounded from terrible stints in Boston, Oklahoma City, and Golden State to lead the Bulls to the 5^th seed in the Eastern Conference, averaging 13.1 points per game, accruing the lowest turnover rate of his career, and providing the Bulls with significant minutes and contributions throughout the year.

With all of the controversy surrounding Rose’s return, Nate did his best impression of “D-Rose” last Saturday and quieted critics, scoring a game-high 34 points, including 23 points in the fourth quarter, nearly breaking a franchise record set by Michael Jordan…thee MICHAEL JORDAN.  Scoring 29 points in the fourth quarter and overtimes of Saturday’s win, Nate tied LeBron James’ performance against the Detroit Pistons in 2007 as being the most points scored after the 3^rd quarter over the past 15 seasons in the NBA playoffs.  Not so bad for a guy fighting for a contract at the end of last season.  Points however, can only show so much.

Those who witnessed the game saw exactly what makes this sport magical, the spectacle of a player who’s locked in.  The littlest man on the court showed fans what “heart” is, leading the Bulls on a 14-0 run (scoring 12 points himself) to end the game and force the first overtime, a game that practically had Brooklyn Nets Victory printed in the next day’s Chicago Tribune.  Watching the fourth quarter of that game, I had to continuously check my pulse to make sure I wasn’t going into cardiac arrest or falling into a dream-world.  Not only was Nate inspiring his teammates with shot after incredible shot, Robinson was flying across the court, beating his chest.  At one point, he hit a shot that appeared as if he literally was throwing the basketball one handed off of one foot from three-point-range.

Most importantly, Nate was having fun with his teammates, truly enjoying his profession.  After fouling out in the third overtime, Nate was still seen jumping around on the bench like a Furbee in uniform, inspiring his teammates to finish what they had started.  A game that was one overtime period short of an NBA Playoff record, hopefully this past weekend’s Bulls vs. Nets game was enough to pull even the most diehard of baseball fans out of the sun and onto their sofas, if just to watch something magic happen.

Now, I’m not saying Nate Robinson is posed for Kobe status.  No, Nate Robinson is not LeBron James, nor Kevin Durant, nor any superstar that has garnered anything more than minimal press and exposure during this year’s NBA Playoffs.  He didn’t even make $1 million this year ($854,389), which in this league, means you’re probably not a household name.  By comparison, the men he guarded during Saturday’s game, Deron Williams and Chris Watson, made $17 million and $992k this season.  At best, Robinson might be remembered at the end of this season as one of the top 10 bench players of 2013, a far cry from an All-Star or MVP candidate.  By most analytical accounts, he is a risk on the basketball court.  Tom Thibodeau must’ve had a heart attack when Robinson put up a one handed shot in the first overtime.

“I tease Coach (Tom Thibodeau) a lot because it seems like every shot I shoot he’s mad,” Robinson said, laughing. “At the same time, it’s basketball. He does a great job of putting us in position to be successful.”  At times Nate can infuriate die-hard Bulls fans with his overtly confident demeanor and lack of control in the half-court, but Robinson is a firecracker, and sometimes the best medicine is to just let him burn.

The NBA will undoubtedly choose another vague and meaningless expression for next year’s post-season, not that “heart” is much better, but at least it’s more poignant considering the circumstances, but “heart” should at least be taken into consideration, because it was the only reason the Chicago Bulls won that game.  New Bulls fans be warned, you may meet season’s end in this series, or, in what looks to be almost assuredly the next one (meeting the destructive machine that is the Miami Heat, yes it’s going to hurt), but the Bulls will be damned if they’re going to leave politely.  If even for just Saturday, Nate Robinson became a Chicago demigod, the shortest player with the biggest heart.