Post Up: Believe in Me Now

Bulls are back in the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Bulls have taken a lot of flack this postseason for not being the dominant team that their regular season record and postseason accolades have suggested that they should be. But last night they showed the world just how dangerous of a squad they can be when everything is clicking. In closeout games in the Playoffs, the Bulls have been dominant, and Chicago destroyed the Hawks from the very outset leaving little chance or hope that Atlanta’s season could be extended by one more game.

The Bulls finally got solid production from Carlos Boozer who finally showed that he is a legitimate second option to Derrick Rose. He started out the game on fire and helped Chicago put some distance between themselves and Atlanta that they Hawks were never able to overcome.

Derrick Rose basically had the night off as his supporting cast took the load off his shoulders for really only the second game in the entire Playoffs, but it was good for him to be able to rest offensively because a much bigger challenge awaits. The Miami Heat.

This is the series that everyone has been waiting for and been talking about for at least a week now. Neither Heat supporters, fans or “Stans” are giving Chicago any chance of beating the team from South Beach, but the Bulls are ready and there definitely won’t be any backing down. The series should be epic, one that basketball fans everywhere, regardless of allegiance, should really enjoy. See you Sunday! — Bryan Crawford / @_BryanCrawford

Add a Comment
x

Invite a Friend
Your name:
Your email:
Friend name:
Friend email:

Invite a friend
Share
RSS

Tags: Atlanta Hawks, Carlos Boozer, Chicago Bulls, Derrick Rose, Feature Too, Playoffs 2011

Read the SLAMonline Discussion Rules before posting.

Myung

Congrats to all the Bulls fans on SLAMonline. My favorite team played well in 4 of the 6 games (2 of which were wins). Last night, they didn’t even show up, but it wasn’t just a poor Atlanta showing that led to the loss. Chicago dominated from start to finish. The BETTER TEAM clearly won the game and series. I’m disappointed in my favorite player (Al Horford), who barely showed up at all this series (very unbecoming of an All NBA 3rd team selection). I think Teague’s emergence was huge for us, and I hope we can build on his star (probably too strong a word, but you get what I’m saying) turn. We need to let Jamal walk. Thanks for the memories. I hope we trade Hinrich (thanks for 3 months of service, Kirk, but you’re expendable). I hope we trade Josh Smith, and this isn’t just my bias talking. He is our most tradeable asset (other than Hinrich) because of his contract and stature. No one will touch Joe, and Horford just got extended too. I think LD is a better coach than Woody (not saying much there), but I wish we could get someone else to run the show… but I know that’s not going to happen. I am not his biggest fan, but he certainly deserves to be brought back next year. He’s earned it.
Myung

It’s been fun re-joining the SLAMonline community for the past week, but I’ll be taking a break again (life beckons). I know my man eboy is going to fight all you Bulls fans off Bruce Lee style, and it’s going to be a very entertaining series, both on the court and here in The Post Up. I’m thinking Miami in 6 over CHI. I’ll take OKC in 7 over DAL. Miami over OKC in 5. In my heart, I would LOVE to see Chicago and Dallas (my two remaining favorite teams), and I’d REALLY REALLY love to see Dirk, JET, and Kidd (3 of my all time favorite players) win their first rings. Or I’d love to see the 2006 re-match (MIA-DAL) or the 1996 re-match (let’s not forget the Thunder used to be the Sonics), but I’m picking OKC and Miami to emerge, which has no connection, other than maybe Daequan Cook. Haha.
JTaylor21

Bulls vs Heat ECF >>>>>>>>>>> Grandma’s Cookies
vtrobot

Peace, Myung. Thanks for coming back for a bit. Good luck to yr Hawks in the future.
lexluther703

Chi city back in the ECF! Gonna be a great series, but I think we match up extremely well with the Heat. Can’t wait to see how it goes
Myung

Thanks for the kind words, vtrobot!
http://www.slamonline.com Eboy

Myung….congrats to your boys for having a season that was stellar and bypassed the fans expectations. Seeing you around here for the last few weeks has been fun and a reminder of the cool, grey days of the SLAMOnline past.
http://www.slamonline.com Eboy

To the three or four real Bull fans on this site (you KNOW who you are) I wish you congratulations as well. A feel good story all season, breaking ground as you went and fulfilling destinies in a way that made Chicago Bull basketball more relevant than in has been in a decade and a half. The future is as bright as the present for your franchise and here’s hoping to a great series between two teams built in different ways, but both ready to venture into the rarefied air of the NBA Finals if the “stars” align. Best of luck from the one true Heat fan that won’t dilute my fandom with mob mentality thinking. See you on Sunday.
logues

the hawks will never go anywhere if they dont change their style of play. their offense looks like an open gym where everyone is tryin to do it themselves, esp joe johnson
logues

they got talent, but not enough heart and work ethic. plain and simple
http://www.pablasso.com pablasso

Atlanta was impressive this playoffs. That could only mean that they will suck next year.

Everytime they give us reasons to take them seriously, they screw it up.
Nella

Finally got to see the ball movement that had been missing since the regular season. Cutting, pick and pop, pushing the pace, as well as defensive stops. Hopefully we can get back to that full time in the ECF.
JTaylor21

Someone took some acting classes, sounding like a real thespian.
http://pickandroll.tumblr.com airs

YEAAAAH BOY
the city is buzzing because of this upcoming series, CAN’T WAIT.
if boozer can play like he did last night all series, i will take back every single bad word i said about him and demand that he get a raise. but only “if”.
pretty efficient night for rose eh? see what happens when his team shows up.
if any bulls or heat fan is coming to game 2 in chicago, lemme know, i’ll buy a round of beer, we’ll get drunk and if we lose we’ll start the malace at the madhouse.
eyal

I loved how rose said in the postgame how great it was that he ‘could take a break’ because boozer showed up and he didn’t have to shoulder the offensive load. To all of you looking to compare DRose to westbrook, there is the proof that they clearly don’t think alike. Hero ball only works when your team NEEDS you to be the hero…
http://Slamonline.com Datkid

Myung you’re a cool commenter…one of the most balanced and intelligent ones here. Come back soon fam.
http://www.bulls.com Rigo Gonzalez

Great win. ECF is gonna be fun.
http://slamonline.com AllBall

Eboy, that comment was classic Phil(osopher).
http://slamonline.com AllBall

Yes that was a hang over reference.
HAMMER

That’s the Booz I’ve been waiting 2 c! And couldn’t come @ a better time. On the “ro-ad” 2 close out the series. That’s what championship caliber teams do. No doubt its been a successful, more than successful, season 4 los Toros
http://www.slamonline.com Eboy

It was actually meant to be truthful….
HAMMER

And yes, that was a “Black Sheep” reference
http://pickandroll.tumblr.com airs

yikes, this place is quiet.
http://slamonline.com zoom

Co-sign eyal. One of the things I learned this postseason was that there really is a huge gap between Rose and Westbrook. I used to think they were nearly equal, but Westbrook himself has killed that noise. Rose>>Westbrook…Can’t wait until both CFs. As much as I love the feel good story that is the Grizzlies, I want to see hurry up and see who’s reppin’ the West in the finals. Thunder or Mavs? It’ll be the first time in 13 years that I root for a team out west to win it all.
add

hawks gave em a scare for a minute
http://Slamonline.com Datkid

Also shoutout to d.rose…I’m critical of him but he’s improved his game and done more than alot of people thought he could..including me.
http://www.bulls.com Rigo Gonzalez

To Josh Smith: IN YO FACE!!!! HAHAHAHA!……nah, but really, in yo face.
http://Slamonline.com Datkid

Also cosign eboy and 9:44 Congrats to ‘matic…allball give Westbrook some time he’s improved alot and really he’s only been playing pure pg for a couple years. Plus I like his willingness to take the last shot
http://Slamonline.com Datkid

My bad I said allball and I meant zoom
http://pickandroll.tumblr.com airs

anyone else hear joakim’s interview after the game? it was hilarious, i dunno what language he was speaking but it was towards deng.
http://www.bulls.com Rigo Gonzalez

Datkid – in all seriousness, it was a second round victory.
Not really worth celebrating for the number 1 seed.
If we make the finals I’ll be celebrating a little.
If we win the title…I’ma take a flight to O’Hare, blasting Kanye’s “Homecoming” and Common’s “Chi City” on my ipod the whole way down, and hit up Grant Park for the biggest celebration in the city since Obama was elected!
And airs will buy me a beer…
Speaking of which – airs, if by the “Malace at the Madhouse” you mean you throwing a beer cup at LeBron James, me laughing about it and then LeBron running up the stands to whoop my a**…no thanks, I’ll pass. LOL
Jake

Ill love seeing someone try to guard Rose in this series. I honestly think this is the best matchup the bulls could have hoped for. They matchup well at every position, and noah is going to steal joel anthonys lunch money. Bulls in 7…cause lebron is a choke artist.
Oh Nose

@airs on espn 1000 waddle & silvy show said that it was Sudanese and jo was talking to luol hahaha. apparently he was saying something about either dancing/cutting the pressure or something along those lines.
http://pickandroll.tumblr.com airs

rigo -what?! cmon thats the fun part. you’ve changed, smh.
jk, i’d never throw a beer, or anything actually, at a 6’8″ 265 lb beast.
there will be no maliciousness.
oh noes – yeah i caught a little of that, trying to win the grand they’re giving away haha, i could use it.
im also feeling a little bittersweet because this is the first playoff game i have ever gone to in my life, and its the ECF against miami which is freaking awesome.
but the tickets cost me my first born child so…
should be fun!
http://slamonline.com zoom

@ Datkid: I’m not sure one can grow out of selfishness. See Kobe for an example.
Oh Nose

@airs yeah man i feel you, I’ve been trying to get that 1k allll week, unfortunately no luck. I also tried to get some tickets this morning but….I couldn’t find myself to drop $176, 325 row 7 game 7 haha
http://www.bulls.com Rigo Gonzalez

Thibs better play Kurt Thomas against the Heat.
He’ll scare the sh*t outta Bosh with his crazy eyes, and would do well against Z and Anthony as well.
Also, if Haslem plays well, Thomas can match his toughness and grittiness.
http://pickandroll.tumblr.com airs

you think thats bad?
im in club level, bruh. once you go 100 level its so hard to go back
but i’ve been saying all year if bulls make it to ECF, im going. i saved up for months so i don’t feel TOO bad about it.
Oh Nose

dang…i envy you!

i spent a lot of my money for the home game vs OKC, bulls baseline 7 rows up

if only i could predict they were gonna make the ECF…ugh
http://pickandroll.tumblr.com airs

damn! must’ve been dope.
yeah best seats i ever had were like 100 level 10 rows up. i kinda got a hookup so i take advantage when i can haha.
not this time though =T
http://www.bulls.com Rigo Gonzalez

Screw you both.
At least you’re not forced to watch the games on DVR delay from your duplex in Palmer, Alaska!!!
http://www.slamonline.com Eboy

Jamal Magloire will be waiting for Kurt, Pablo Montero . If that’s a matchup you’re hanging your sombrero on, this series may become comical.
JTaylor21

Huge gap my a**. Rose is slightly better than Westbrook and the only reason people dislike Russ at the moment is because they think he shoots too much for a PG, which makes no sense because everyone’s favorite player is quite fond of shooting too much. What happened to fair and unbiased criticism?
http://slamonline.com AllBall

Rose makes the game so easy for Deng. He attracts all the attention, and Deng is pretty great off the ball. It’s no coincidence that Rose huge improvement has resulted in Dengs best year.
http://pickandroll.tumblr.com airs

haha, sorry matic.
i’ll eat another order of fries in your honor.
Oh Nose

dang airs…next time you can’t use your hook-up, i’ll be more than obliged to take your seat

@Rigo, you’re right..I should be blessed to watch it on non-DVR.
http://www.bulls.com Rigo Gonzalez

Magloire? Scary.
If you think that’s a matchup I’m hanging my anything on, you must have no respect for me as a commenter on here.
That’s a minor matchup.
And I don’t wear sombreros, closet racist!
http://slamonline.com AllBall

There’s nothing closet about his racism lol.
The Hawks should not trade Josh Smith right now. This series could have been the turning point for him. After the last six games you should be thinking trade Horford. Noah owns him, and they will have to go through the Bulls at some point for how ever long Rose is healthy.
http://www.slamonline.com Eboy

You brought Kurt’s name up as if he was going to come in and change the series by scaring Bosh. If Bosh is more scared of a 5 minute a game player than a guy like KG who basically punked him in the last series and the dude STILL got 4 double doubles, I’ll GIVE UP commenting here. GTFOH. And yeah, you wear f*cking sombreros….they’re just fur lined, b*tch!
http://www.bulls.com Rigo Gonzalez

AllBall, you really think they should trade their All-NBA center because he doesn’t match up well with his old college buddy?
Sounds a little extreme.
Wouldn’t the better option be to trade Smith for a good starting center, and move Horford permanently to the 4?

Post Up: Believe in Me Now

Bulls are back in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Invite a Friend

LATEST NEWS & RUMORS