Game Blog: Spurs @ Bulls - Feb. 17

[timtonymanu]

LMAO Bonner is definitely in playoff mode with that shot.

[TE]

yeah it's fucking over.

[Death In June]

Bonner sucks so bad. Well, I'm done watching this piece of shit game.

[DPG21920]

Yeah, the Spurs had to come from behind. When a team goes on a huge run and eliminates your lead and builds a big one of their own that doesn't mean you're dominating.

The Bulls may have led longer in the game but you have to really stretch that to make it seem like they dominated longer (whatever the fuck that even means). The Bulls and Spurs both had runs in that game, but the Spurs had the later and better run.

Guy, do you even watch the games. The Spurs had one dominate quarter, and you could very easily call it a fluke. When a team really beats you up 7 out of 8 quarters, you look silly trying to argue against what I said.

[boutons_deux]

Bulls got their statement win.

[Tp9gospursgo]

Bonner misses a wide open 3 in crunch time. Figures.

[benefactor]

Chicago is just that good at home. That's all that this is.

[MannyIsGod]

What I'm going to take away from this game is that Chicago - especially Rose - wanted this game far more than the Spurs did. The Spurs might as well already be on the break.

[spurtech09]

Im not watching the game right but everytime they have a 2 day off they suck coming off that and than they play great after the game they lose

[Brazil]

rose is good, why tp is on kobe fourth quarter mode?

[Fireball]

game over ... good game though

[Em-City]

anyone got a box score?? shit aint workin on nba.com or yahoo

[Spurs Brazil]

Bonner disappear again in a tough game.

[MI21]

Rose is a killer.

It's amazing how similar his game is to Parker except he is stronger, taller and can jump a whole lot higher.

[MI21]

Rose is a killer.

It's amazing how similar his game is to Parker except he is stronger, taller and can jump a whole lot higher.

[Capt Bringdown]

Frustrating game to watch, except for the excuse-makers who have an answer for everything it seems.

[Banzai]

Just one of those nights. Bulls are a good team..rather the Lakers lose to them than the Cavs..oh wait..they did both.

[dbestpro]

Bonner and Blair will kill this team come playoff time. They are both one dimensional. If Bonner does not hit the three or Blair does not rebound then they are tremendous liabilities.

[DPG21920]

What I'm going to take away from this game is that Chicago - especially Rose - wanted this game far more than the Spurs did. The Spurs might as well already be on the break.

So the team that outrebounds, hustles and defends and wins the game wants it more :lol

Way to go out on a limb.

[Mugen]

lmao Bonner in playoff form already. "2nd best Big" on the team!

[m33p0]

can't catch a break in this game. ball always finding it's way into a white shirt.

[timtonymanu]

Bonner disappear again in a tough game.

Imagine how he would have played if he was active for the LA game.

[Spurologist]

anyone got a box score?? shit aint workin on nba.com or yahoo

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=310217004

[m33p0]

... and they keep making them!

[TampaDude]

Hey, at least we didn't lose to the Cavs...

[spurtech09]

well just to note the bulls are not going to do anything after this game...crazy

[DesignatedT]

didnt expect to win this game anyway. only one thing worries me after this game/roadtrip and thats the play of manu. we are not going to win anything with him playing like he is tonight. way to slow,passive, and settling to much.

[DPG21920]

didnt expect to win this game anyway. only one thing worries me after this game/roadtrip and thats the play of manu. we are not going to win anything with him playing like he is tonight. way to slow,passive, and settling to much.

Way to go out on a limb. Real bold prediction.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Hang on, let's not paint the whole team with that brush. I saw TD, TP and Neal look focused and active today.

Manu - yes he is tired, and he needs to know what he cannot do at this point. Yet he takes these risks and ends up hurting the team.

Hill and Blair - no reason to be tired, given their youth. They just played like bums.

Bonner plain sucks, and playing him is like using a double-edged sword.

I would say tiredness was about the 3rd or 4th reason why we got our shit pushed in, certainly not the first.

TP is playing on "fuck you for not making me an all-star" adrenalin, Neal has also played with some energy. Tim had a nice stretch but has otherwise been a bit out of sorts.

To play well on D and the boards you need most of the team to be playing with some energy, and I haven't seen that tonight. Manu is out on his feet, and even young guys get tired.

They are tired from being on the road for two weeks - fatigue is actually a better word. Travelling is tiring to start with, let alone playing 9 consecutive games on the road including 4 in 5 days. The ASB is exactly what they need right now.

[Rummpd]

Spurs actually were several times right there to get back in the game and then shit happened - one of those nights.

[Danny.Zhu]

Shit. Rose is great, period.

[hitmanyr2k]

Korver missed the knock out punch. Fuck.

[HighLowLobForBig-50]

cut to 8 please

[Libri]

Manu got hit?

[Pauleta14]

rose is good, why tp is on kobe fourth quarter mode?


Beacause nobody else is even trying... :bang

At least Tony keeps attacking and doesn't give up...

Amazing the comments on TP on this forum, I'm still not used to...:bang:bang:bang:bang

[m33p0]

Korver missed the knock out punch. Fuck.

come on. you can't have everything go your way.

[Tp9gospursgo]

Pop not giving in yet. Lets hit a 3.

[ohmwrecker]

Bulls are playing their best ball of the season and the Spurs are coasting. Spurs really need to come back after the ASB with a renewed sense of purpose.

[benefactor]

Now Parker's limping around. Get the fucking starters out Pop.

[Brazil]

No need to freak out over this game, bulls are a very solid team and rose is playing too good for us tonite.

[hitmanyr2k]

come on. you can't have everything go your way.

That play was specifically designed to be the knock out. Dude gotta make that. This game isn't over.

[tmtcsc]

That's my boy !!

[Spurs Brazil]

Manu dunk

[DesignatedT]

:lmao :lmao :lmao nice for you to show up manu.

[Rummpd]

Ginobili

[Tp9gospursgo]

Nice Manu.

[tmtcsc]

Nothing tired about that dunk.

[HighLowLobForBig-50]

come on baby

[DesignatedT]

Way to go out on a limb. Real bold prediction.

huh

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Back to back or not, when you play:

Sac
Det
Tor
Was
NJ
Phi
Depleted POR

you should win 6.

Agreed... but dude, are you ever happy?

Sheesh, we're 46-10, the RRT is done, and the team is clearly a contender. What more could you ask for right now!? :lmao

[hitmanyr2k]

Boozer you're being guarded by BONNER and you flail and scream? You sissy!!

[MannyIsGod]

Guy, do you even watch the games. The Spurs had one dominate quarter, and you could very easily call it a fluke. When a team really beats you up 7 out of 8 quarters, you look silly trying to argue against what I said.

Dude, they dominated the Spurs in one quarter in the first game. One

One quarter.

The 2nd quarter was close with the Spurs closing it out much better. The Third was an absolute plastering and the fourth was garbage time in which Chicago made the game look much closer than it had been since halftime.

Chicago has looked better tonight, but you trying to spin the first game where the Spurs absolutely destroyed Chicago in the 2nd half is some real revisionist shit.

[Rummpd]

Hell Chicago trying to still lose this!

[Libri]

Manu trying to take over.

[MI21]

Bonner couldn't even rebound that missed 3 by Korver once play was dead.

[Capt Bringdown]

Bonner and Blair will kill this team come playoff time. They are both one dimensional. If Bonner does not hit the three or Blair does not rebound then they are tremendous liabilities.

Exactly - Both are gimmick players. Maybe we have other pieces to compensate, we'll see.

[Spurologist]

Yeah, clearly he's been the problem this game.

What would've been the over/under on trade parker threads if he had manu's stat line? 10?

[crc21209]

OMG OMG OMG Rose is Jesus! :rolleyes :lol

[tmtcsc]

Ah fuck it. At least they didn't quit. They just couldn't stop Rose.

[Rummpd]

Rose is just too good.

[DPG21920]

Umm, saying "we aren't going to win anything..." is a prediction.

[MannyIsGod]

By DPG's logic if you outscore a team by 20 in the first quarter and they beat you by one point in each of the following 3 quarters you got dominated because it doesn't matter if you win or lose but how many quarters you won.

[noles1983]

noah is the ugliest fuck alive

[DesignatedT]

this is great. now we start taking it to the rim.

[ShoogarBear]

Beacause nobody else is even trying... :bang

At least Tony keeps attacking and doesn't give up...

Amazing the comments on TP on this forum, I'm still not used to...:bang:bang:bang:bang

Yeah, amazing isn't it? If TP and Manu had switched games tonight, it would be "Manu is the only player in the history of the Spurs who plays with any heart, and Tony is killing this team".

[dbestpro]

I wish RJ would do more of that.

[Tp9gospursgo]

Manu fucked everything up. Oh well. Good game Bulls.

[Brazil]

wtf manu and rj trying to show energy with 1 mn left ? lol

[DesignatedT]

Umm, saying "we aren't going to win anything..." is a prediction.

yeah i got that now.

[Hemotivo]

chip engelland FTW!

[BanditHiro]

thank god we don't have to face this team in the playoffs until the finals...

[timtonymanu]

Damn RJ and those free throws

[DPG21920]

Agreed... but dude, are you ever happy?

Sheesh, we're 46-10, the RRT is done, and the team is clearly a contender. What more could you ask for right now!? :lmao

Of course I'm happy. What does all of that have to do with the evaluation of this one game?

[Mugen]

great win for the bulls, very good defensively.

i dont see them playing any better offensively than they did tonight.

lol spurs D

[bigdog]

Bulls are a pretty good team, much respect to them. I'd like to see RJ do more driving like that.

[m33p0]

excellent game by the bulls tonight.

[crc21209]

Rose your typical stat whore of course going for his 40th point on Quinn....:lol

[dbestpro]

Blair :(

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Whoever said Rose will go for 40+ early in the game was spot on.

BTW, congrats to ohmwrecker for getting his black on! :)

Now if only LJ would give me my avatar trophy for winning DL I last year... :depressed

[timtonymanu]

I loved what I saw from Neal this game. I'm losing more and more confidence in Hill though.

[tmtcsc]

noah is the ugliest fuck alive

Popeye Jones takes exception with that statement.

[hitmanyr2k]

Stop it Rose. Now you're just showing off.

[Hooks]

Simply a fluke win by CHI, no need to worry.

[noles1983]

bulls wont make it to finals, no worries

[TIMMYD!]

Rose is just unstoppable, nothing you can do. Incredible young player that should only get better over the years.

[crc21209]

thank god we don't have to face this team in the playoffs until the finals...

I highly doubt they'll make it to the Finals. They'll be a tough out, but they wont make the Finals.

[m33p0]

lol blair showing up late

[DPG21920]

Dude, they dominated the Spurs in one quarter in the first game. One

One quarter.

The 2nd quarter was close with the Spurs closing it out much better. The Third was an absolute plastering and the fourth was garbage time in which Chicago made the game look much closer than it had been since halftime.

Chicago has looked better tonight, but you trying to spin the first game where the Spurs absolutely destroyed Chicago in the 2nd half is some real revisionist shit.

Dude, they won 7 out of 8 quarters. I didn't say the destroyed the Spurs 7 out of 8 quarters. I said they dominated the Spurs overall, even though the Spurs won game 1. I said they are proving to be a really terrible match up.

Trying to argue against facts is just silly.

[BanditHiro]

fucking ginobili he better turn back to super saiyan 4 soon.

[timtonymanu]

I didn't know we were in a playoff game.

[DPG21920]

yeah i got that now.

Excellent.

[AidanNelson2009]

There you go, game over. We tried, Rose is just to good, MVP for sure. Next game please.

[dbestpro]

Pop never adjusted his defense on Rose tonght so Pop can get some of the loser love too.

[alchemist]

Bulls got crazy home cooking tonight (Bulls were great aswell), nothing to take away from this but a sour taste of losing.

[boutons_deux]

yep, another career night to beat the Spurs. Happens too many times.

[Brazil]

rose stat padding

[Creation88]

as shitty as the Spurs played and as superb as the Bulls played they still only won by 10. very frustrating game though. shitty effort.

[Mugen]

good game bulls

i still wouldnt mind seeing them again this season though, hope they get to the finals!

[jjktkk]

Wow Rose, unbelievable layup.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Of course I'm happy. What does all of that have to do with the evaluation of this one game?

Not much, just seems like you're rarely happy.

You did state that you think this game matters in the big picture since it will kill our momentum, but I think that's unlikely. Perfect timing for a loss like this. Everything starts again after the ASB.

BTW, I'm a huge Deadwood fan. Shakespeare meets Wild West profanity and violence. Fantastic!

[timtonymanu]

I highly doubt they'll make it to the Finals. They'll be a tough out, but they wont make the Finals.

A potential Heat-Bulls series will be great to watch. Great defensive battles there.

[m33p0]

bulls wont make it to finals, no worries

best record in the east since mid january. they could very well end up representing the east.

[Spurologist]

We're a lot better off going into the all star break than the lakers.

LOL lakers

[DPG21920]

How many "season highs" or "career highs" do the Spurs have against them this year :lol

Probably seems like more because I watch every Spurs game, but damn it seems like a lot.

[Fireball]

congratulations to the Bulls ... heck of a home team !!!

[hitmanyr2k]

Simply a fluke win by CHI, no need to worry.

Not really. This is what they typically do when they want to avenge a loss from earlier in the season. Half of their starting frontline has been out the entire season. With Boozer and Noah in the lineup sky's the limit.

[TampaDude]

Just one of those nights...Bulls couldn't miss.

We still got #1 seed locked up.

[DesignatedT]

still puzzled by the last slam by manu. it would have been a totally different game if he played like that all game.

[Fermixalot]

Derrick Rose with the fuck you shot there at the end. Spurs got out-hustled and out-played at both ends of the floor.

Spurs can't expect to play like shit for 3 1/2 quarters and try to put together a run against one of the best defensive teams in the league.

I'll take 46-10 though, get your heads together during the break and demolish the league on the way to number 5.

[Spurminator]

This was a very good team on their home court. You're going to lose to teams like this occasionally. Everybody relax and enjoy the break.

[MannyIsGod]

Dude, they won 7 out of 8 quarters. I didn't say the destroyed the Spurs 7 out of 8 quarters. I said they dominated the Spurs overall, even though the Spurs won game 1. I said they are proving to be a really terrible match up.

Trying to argue against facts is just silly.

They didn't dominated the Spurs in the first game. How do you dominate and lose by 9? Thats the point.

I never said they weren't a bad matchup.

You do not dominate a team then lose by 9. Thats the fact.

[crc21209]

How many "season highs" or "career highs" do the Spurs have against them this year :lol

Probably seems like more because I watch every Spurs game, but damn it seems like a lot.

Aldridge....although he did go for 42 or 44 a couple games later against another team, so he doesnt have his "career high" against the Spurs....

[DPG21920]

Not much, just seems like you're rarely happy.

You did state that you think this game matters in the big picture since it will kill our momentum, but I think that's unlikely. Perfect timing for a loss like this. Everything starts again after the ASB.

Where did I say it matters in the big picture? I said getting dominated (if you lose a competitive game that is a different thing) is a shit way to end the trip and does kill momentum.

I didn't say it will derail the season. I said it matters because the Bulls really look like a tough match up for the Spurs.

[noles1983]

best record in the east since mid january. they could very well end up representing the east.

i dont think their team can win 7 game series vs celtics or heat. Guess we will see later on. Besides best in the East is like sleeping with your sister, you got laid..but it was with your sister

[Mal]

I`m not worried. Bulls were unbeatable today

[rayray2k8]

Rose is a beast.. Now we go to the break. Move on.

[alchemist]

Derrick Rose with the fuck you shot there at the end. Spurs got out-hustled and out-played at both ends of the floor.

Spurs can't expect to play like shit for 3 1/2 quarters and try to put together a run against one of the best defensive teams in the league.

I'll take 46-10 though, get your heads together during the break and demolish the league on the way to number 5.
the Spurs played decent basketball, but decent doesn't win on the road with tough calls going against you all night. Bulls are tough enough already.

[timtonymanu]

Aldridge....although he did go for 42 or 44 a couple games later against another team, so he doesnt have his "career high" against the Spurs....

Yep Aldridge got it against Chicago ironically.

[DPG21920]

They didn't dominated the Spurs in the first game. How do you dominate and lose by 9? Thats the point.

I never said they weren't a bad matchup.

You do not dominate a team then lose by 9. Thats the fact.

I didn't say the dominated the Spurs in the game. I said they had more good quarters and have dominated the match up overall. One fluke quarter doesn't change that.

When you look beyond the basic things, and a team had consistently beat you from quarter to quarter, you look for things that can be consistently done against another team.

One fluke quarter will not consistently happen. Winning 7 of 8, whether it is by a lot or a little, shows you which game plan is more reliable.

[tmtcsc]

Chicago
Hornets x 2
Portland
Orlando
Dallas
Boston
Clippers
Knicks
Philadelphia

10 losses to 9 teams by the All Star break. Pretty damn good.

[DPG21920]

Also, who is happy after a loss :lol? Are you Ron Artest, Rough?

[xmas1997]

I just wish our defense was better.
It just isn't championship caliber defense yet.
Spurs lose every time they go up against a great defense just like the Suns used to do.
And that is what wins championships, not a great offense.
Defense counters offense every time.
The Spurs still have a long way to go and IMHO I don't think it's in them.
But I'll go down with the team!

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Bulls are a real chance to win the East. They are 1-2 vs Boston (all home wins), 1-0 vs Miami (at home), 1-1 vs Magic (home wins), but they're better than that and have Noah coming back. Big players in the East should be a bit scared.

And next year, if they get a real SG, look out!

[boutons_deux]

5 Spurs with 12+ points and can't win.

Rose had a Michael Jordan game.

[Capt Bringdown]

Bulls only 6 games behind in the loss column, obviously a very good team. And, they're without their best rebounder, which is impressive.
How would the Spurs fare without their best rebounder?

Looking at our record in isolation, things couldn't be better (kinda funny that, considering all the shit this forum's dumped on regular-season warriors like Dallas & Phoenix).

[MannyIsGod]

Apparently you don't watch the games DPG because it wasn't just one quarter. It was half of the 2nd in that game a hell of a 3rd then a fourth where they obviously took the foot off the gas and coasted.

You're just not right. The Bulls played better tonight and the Spurs played better in November and thats about the only thing you can take away from these 2 games.

[DesignatedT]

I`m not worried. Bulls were unbeatable today

that's what it felt like. doubt anybody would have beaten them tonight.

Also, they have already beaten Dallas, LAL, Boston, Miami and Orlando at home this year. This isn't a bad loss and as much as people are trying to make it out to be, it isn't.

[ShoogarBear]

How many "season highs" or "career highs" do the Spurs have against them this year :lol

Probably seems like more because I watch every Spurs game, but damn it seems like a lot.

The all-time worst was 3-4 years ago when Jason Kapono had 11 boards against the Spurs, when he had about 20 career rebounds.

[SouthTexasRancher]

I tell ya when it comes to playing with our heads up our asses, we can do it with the best of them! We don't do extended layoffs very well. We need to play every other night. Otherwise we get the ol' out of sync mentality. When we stink we really stink.


OK FatAss_BigMouth Charles, let the world know that you've said all along that the Spurs were the 2nd best team in Texas and about 10th best team in the NBA and shouldn't even be considered a contender. I'll agree with you if we don't start playing better defense instead of just letting every team and player have their best games of the season when they play us. Yeah we usually win but, come playoff times we better be a much better team than this and a whole hell of a lot better on defense because right now we don't even know what the word defense means. Tonight was a pathetic performance by our Spurs. This was flat out embarrASSing!. We looked like the Lakers playing the Cavs last night.

Pop was outcoached tonight and our lazyass Spurs were out played badly. No heart and no soul tonight. Not a professional showing. When Blair commits two quick fouls yank his ass out of there right immediately if not sooner! Sheeeeeeeeeeeeshhh, this should not have happened. %**#@^%%$ :ihit

[TampaDude]

Spurs will win the :lobt2:

No worries...

[timtonymanu]

Chicago
Hornets x 2
Portland
Orlando
Dallas
Boston
Clippers
Knicks
Philadelphia

10 losses to 9 teams at the All Star game. Pretty damn good.

Damn Clipper loss. Although them beating LA and Miami doesnt make it feel as bad.

[spurtech09]

are you kidding me?itwas a fluke loss....just like the cavs beating the lakers...that was a fluke....bulls are good but not that good...bulls will crumble in the play offs...

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Why Ibaka for the dunk contest? You want a 7' dunker, DeAndre Jordan should be there.

[Mugen]

meh just more drama for the championship DVD :lol

[xmas1997]

It's pathetic that some Spurs fans take consolation in that the Lakers lost too.
That is no consolation!
Fuck the Lakers! I could care less about the Lakers or what they do.
I care about the Spurs, and what they do!
This team had better do some serious soul searching because their record is fools gold.
Defense wins over offense a majority of the time.
I don't see the Spurs getting past the Bulls or the Celtics with their defenses.
The Mavs will present serious problems too.
I hate to say it, but we might have a to make a trade to get that defensive stopper!

[timtonymanu]

meh just more drama for the championship DVD :lol

agreed. Low lights of this game followed by Pop and his stone cutter quote.

[DPG21920]

Apparently you don't watch the games DPG because it wasn't just one quarter. It was half of the 2nd in that game a hell of a 3rd then a fourth where they obviously took the foot off the gas and coasted.

You're just not right. The Bulls played better tonight and the Spurs played better in November and thats about the only thing you can take away from these 2 games.

:lol Saying I don't watch the games when my statistics are correct and I clearly brought up the point sight unseen off the top of my head from remembering the games.

Also, :lol at saying not acknowledging my points. When a team gets you down double digits and you constantly find yourself playing from behind (the entire game tonight pretty much) and you need one fluke quarter to win the game, that doesn't mean my point isn't correct.

The Bull have clearly done more in the first two games to give the Spurs worry. It's not all even steven like you are trying to make it out.

[Refocus]

Chicago looked pretty good today.

Is TP okay?

[awktalk]

Great game played for 48 by the Bulls, can't say enough about their performance. If they get Noah back and stay healthy, they can beat anybody in 7 games. I fear them much more than the Keltics right now, much less the Heat.

[Mugen]

you know its a fluke when the centerpiece drops 2 threes on us!

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Chicago
Hornets x 2
Portland
Orlando
Dallas
Boston
Clippers
Knicks
Philadelphia

10 losses to 9 teams by the All Star break. Pretty damn good.

Yup. How many of them on b2bs (I count this as a b2b since it's the last game of the RRTand they played 4 in 5 only a few days earlier)? Orlando loss was a b2b. 8 of them were on the road.

Great fucking effort! You rock SPURS! :flag:

In the second game, go Suns! Regardless of the Spur-fan hate, I love Steve Nash.

[alchemist]

what the Spurs need to fix before the playoffs:

-3pt defense.
-rebounding, 2nd chance scoring is killing these guys badly.

[TampaDude]

We're gonna win it all!

GO SPURS GO!!!!!

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

It's pathetic that some Spurs fans take consolation in that the Lakers lost too.
That is no consolation!
Fuck the Lakers! I could care less about the Lakers or what they do.
I care about the Spurs, and what they do!
This team had better do some serious soul searching because their record is fools gold.
Defense wins over offense a majority of the time.
I don't see the Spurs getting past the Bulls or the Celtics with their defenses.
The Mavs will present serious problems too.
I hate to say it, but we might have a to make a trade to get that defensive stopper!

There won't be a major trade before the deadline. Get used to the fact that this is what we're going to war with.

Agreed that our D needs to improve to win the title, and I think it can. You can cliffjump now if you like, but this record is anything but fool's gold and this team has the chemistry, depth and flexibility to go deep in the playoffs (injuries notwithstanding).

Tonight's no-show was a fatigue thing, I'm certain of that. We'll come back stronger than ever after the ASB in the quest for SPAM!

:D

[MannyIsGod]

:lol Saying I don't watch the games when my statistics are correct and I clearly brought up the point sight unseen off the top of my head from remembering the games.

Also, :lol at saying not acknowledging my points. When a team gets you down double digits and you constantly find yourself playing from behind (the entire game tonight pretty much) and you need one fluke quarter to win the game, that doesn't mean my point isn't correct.

The Bull have clearly done more in the first two games to give the Spurs worry. It's not all even steven like you are trying to make it out.

Actually it is. Its 1-1.

[Budkin]

Man I really wanted that win... who'd have thought we'd only have 10 losses at this point though... can't complain.

[Capt Bringdown]

In previous years, many Spurs fans regarded regular-season success with a measure of skepticism. Not the case now it seems.
I love the first half of the season this year, it's been a lot of fun. But I think our record is a bit of a mirage, as we aren't winning a title with our current level of defense and rebounding.

[DPG21920]

Actually it is. Its 1-1.

Nice try, guy. Take that GNSF stuff else where. If you want to play dumb and act obtuse, you can have a convo with someone else Fabbs or something.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

I'm very surprised so many Spurs fans thought we'd beat the Bulls on the road at the end of the RRT... a testament to hopefulness I guess.

[xmas1997]

There won't be a major trade before the deadline. Get used to the fact that this is what we're going to war with.

Agreed that our D needs to improve to win the title, and I think it can. You can cliffjump now if you like, but this record is anything but fool's gold and this team has the chemistry, depth and flexibility to go deep in the playoffs (injuries notwithstanding).

Tonight's no-show was a fatigue thing, I'm certain of that. We'll come back stronger than ever after the ASB in the quest for SPAM!

:D


You don't believe that for a second!
And if you do, then more power to you.
I prefer to live in reality. And so far, the reality is that this team doesn't have championship caliber defense, and might not ever attain it because I have yet to see evidence of it against a top defensive team this year.
But I hope you're right.
But it looks like when the Spurs jump off the bridge, I'll be right behind them all the way.
I just hate being compared to the Suns.

[duncan228]

Some post-game quotes.


Bulls nip Spurs for fourth straight win (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=310217004)

CHICAGO -- Derrick Rose grabbed the microphone and thanked the fans for making him Chicago's first All-Star starter since Michael Jordan in 1998. Then he went out and showed why they made a wise decision.

Rose had a career-high 42 points and the Bulls headed into the break with an impressive 109-99 victory over the NBA-leading San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night.

Luol Deng had 19 points and Carlos Boozer finished with 15 for Chicago, which shot 54 percent in its fourth consecutive win. The Bulls improved to 38-16 after winning 41 games last season.

"We have a lot of confidence right now, knowing we can beat some of the best teams in the NBA," Rose said. "We just have to keep it going."

Once again hearing "M-V-P! M-V-P!" chants, Rose was at his best when San Antonio challenged Chicago in the fourth quarter. He had 13 points in the final period, answering Spurs baskets with acrobatic drives and long jumpers.

"What's great about him is that he seems to love the pressure," San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said. "He loves putting the team on his back so to speak."

Rose's long jumper as the shot clock expired with 3:21 left gave Chicago a 101-90 lead and took the steam out of one San Antonio rally. He also finished with eight assists and five rebounds.

"That was some performance," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. "It was great leadership."

Tony Parker scored 26 points and All-Star Manu Ginobili added 16 for San Antonio, which had won six of seven. Reserve Gary Neal made four 3-pointers and finished with 16 points.

"We were not having our best defensive night," Ginobili said. "We didn't move the ball well. We didn't penetrate and kick the way we usually do."

Chicago led 83-75 after three quarters and grabbed control early in the fourth. Ronnie Brewer kickstarted a 11-2 run with a dunk and finished it off with a jumper that made it 94-80 with 8:08 remaining.

Tim Duncan had 14 points and nine rebounds hours after Popovich announced he would replace Yao Ming in the Western Conference's starting lineup for Sunday's All-Star game in Los Angeles.

Duncan enters the break with career-low averages in points and rebounds, but is a key reason why San Antonio leads the NBA with a 46-10 record.

"It's a great honor," Duncan said. "I didn't expect to be there this year and I definitely didn't expect to start, so definitely a great honor."

The Spurs trailed for much of the night in the finale of their annual rodeo road trip but challenged Chicago with several bursts. Rose and the Bulls had an answer each time while improving to 25-4 at home in their best start at the United Center since 1997-98 championship team won 25 of its first 27 home games.

Duncan hit a running hook and Parker converted a three-point play to help San Antonio pull within two with 4:49 left in the third. But Deng stopped the spurt with a 3-pointer and Boozer had three straight points to make it 79-71.

"The third quarter was huge and then D. Rose took the game over," Boozer said. "All we had to do was get him the ball."

Even with the loss, it was a banner first half for San Antonio, which set several franchise records for fastest starts. The Spurs went 6-3 on their nine-game trip and open the second half with a three-game homestand.

"To date we have a good record but nothing of importance has been accomplished yet," Popovich said.

Rose slithered through San Antonio's stout defense for 21 points in the first half, making eight of 12 shots from the field. He scored Chicago's last six points of the second quarter, connecting on a nice runner, a jumper and two free throws to give the Bulls a 58-51 lead at the break.

Game notes
Parker said he dinged his right knee but was fine. ... Rose also was selected by the fans to participate in Saturday's NBA Skills Challenge against Golden State's Stephen Curry, Washington's John Wall, Russell Westbrook of Oklahoma City and New Orleans point guard Chris Paul. ... The Spurs and Bulls split the season series. San Antonio rallied to beat Chicago 103-94 on Nov. 17. ... Deng was shaken up with 9:40 left but stayed in the game. ... Jordan celebrated his 48th birthday on Thursday.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=310217004

[TampaDude]

Bulls played a helluva game. It is what it is. Spurs still best in the NBA!!!

GO SPURS GO!!!!!

[duncan228]

Chicago Bulls 109, San Antonio Spurs 99: Popovich singing Thibodeau singing Popovich (http://www.48minutesofhell.com/)
by Timothy Varner
48 Minutes of Hell

Over at the Daily Dime (Friday morning edition), I make an argument that tonight’s Bulls game (http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=310217004) might well have been an NBA Finals preview. And if that’s the case, the Spurs will need to figure a few things out between now and June.

The most obvious place to start is Derrick Rose, who torched the Spurs for an MVP-worthy 42 points.

“He’s taken a monster leap this year,” said Gregg Popovich after the game. “What’s really great about him is that he seems to love the pressure of putting his team on his back. He has the character and the demeanor to do that. Superstars have that character and leadership gene.”

Keep reading → (http://www.48minutesofhell.com/popovich-thibodeau-bulls-spurs#more-12918)

[duncan228]

Looks like the break comes at a good time. :lol

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/53/fullj.447db7574d4454a50887eef6b873a298/ap-34b30d9d0336447abb0e250cb3927beb.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/59/fullj.724fef40d9bde82da162b7c461400cb8/ap-6ceceaea09ae41b7ab2eccca54833016.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/cc/fullj.dea3882abf8b5a245aaa85f4231a2939/ap-f05da5a572194362bd9b398ff164ecb8.jpg

[elec99]

I wouldnt worry too much about this loss, you could see the energy wasnt there. If you look at the quarter by quarter breakdown, we stayed pretty much even through each one. It took a career night for Rose to beat us, IF it came to a 7 game series that isnt going to happen each game. I'd be more worried about boozer, he seems to always have our number. But we made him shoot from the outside, he was just dropping them, not much you can do with that.

In the end it was about rebounds, they needed to outrebound us just to have the same amount of field goal attempts, of which they made more. Thats good news for the spurs, but bad that we got outrebounded by a smaller front line.

[BRs.Ganso]

Great match for Bonner 26 minutes, 4 fouls 3 points 3 rebounds 0-3FG 0-1 3PT 3-3FT

[elec99]

Anyone else notice that we play fatigued with two days off? One day off is when we seem to do well.

[TampaDude]

The truth is, while it would've been great to win last night, the Spurs did not have to win that game. The Bulls are the hottest team in the East right now, so no shame in losing to them, especially in Chicago with Rose going off like that. We're still up 6 games on the Mavs and 8.5 games on the Lakers. We have some easy games coming up after the ASB. We'll be fine. HCA is still ours, no worries. :hat

[Giuseppe]

I fervently hope the Bulls spill your plums all over Old Town.

[TampaDude]

I fervently hope the Bulls spill your plums all over Old Town.

So, you think it's gonna be Spurs and Bulls in the Finals, eh??? I'll take it. :hat

[Giuseppe]

So, you think it's gonna be Spurs and Bulls in the Finals, eh??? I'll take it. :hat

:lol

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

No surprise here. 6-3 on Rodeo Road Trip is good with me.

[Juggity]

No surprise here. 6-3 on Rodeo Road Trip is good with me.

I was hoping for a better RRT, all things considered, but it's preferable to 4-4