Bull Crap

I'm writing this as the 3rd quarter of game two is being played so I don't know how its going to end...but i have a pretty good idea. Basically the Bulls can't do anything and I'm really happy to see another ESPN plot to anoint the next big thing foiled in favor of the boring and vanilla (or chocolate really) Detroit team. Too much has already been written about how the Pistons are truly a "team" so I'll spare the plagiarism. However, the same concept of team over individual performance can be said about the Bulls.

The one difference? The Pistons are flat out the best at what they do. Despite nearly everyone's (admittedly including my own) idea that the Bulls were basically a younger, more athletic version of the Pistons. It's Detroit who is out-hustling and out-scheming Chicago and I'm loving every minute of it. There really hasn't been a team in the NBA in the past 3 years that can beat Detroit when they are playing at even 85% to their potential.

The Stones have, thus far, exploited every single matchup that favors them and have played as smart defensively as I have ever seen them. Its getting to the point where Ben Gordon simply can't be on the floor anymore. Its just beautiful basketball and Flip Saunders deserves credit for the game plan and the team gets an A for the execution.

A couple of observations from Game 2: Michael Sweetney is freeking obese. Holy shit!!! I guess I haven't seen Sweetney since last season. It looks like he ate Roger Mason Jr. and maybe Janero Pargo. Think about how hard one has to work to get that fat that quick, particularly being a professional athlete. Our roommate Joe was a guard on the the UM football team, 6'8 and 315 lbs, and the guy had to eat half his girth in White Castle to keep his weight up during the season and training camp. I'd completely trade Sweetney straight up for Nazr Mohammed solely for comedic value. How hasn't Sweetney eaten himself out of the league?

Jason Maxiel is quickly becoming my favorite player on the Stones. The guy is looking like a much more athletic Corliss Williamson. He is also flat out nasty. Ooooo! He just tried to decapitate Kirk Hinrich after Hinrich fouled him. Love it! Anyway, he's shoving guys after the whistle, throwing elbows, fouling Tyrus Thomas hard in Game 1 then talking shit to him. Simply a young guy that understanding playoff basketball. A lot of people questioned Joe Dumars picking Maxiel as high as he did in the draft. Look like Joe D knew what he was doing. I'm not sure Maxiel's value is really as a starting PF in the league (Amir Johnson has a MUCH higher ceiling). But the guy can play 25 minutes a night, grab a ton of rebounds, hit some open shots, and knock someone's freekin block off. Ooooo...not sure if anyone noticed that Ty Thomas had an open dunk and just tossed it in rather than booming it. Willing to bet Maxiel warned him?

Think Charles Barkley and Dwayne Wade hang out in their free time?

It's too bad Kenny Smith is overshadowed by Barkley on the TNT broadcast. The guy is great. Probably my favorite analysis since Harold Reynolds got canned for an "inappropriate hug".