WE ARE BACK! - BULLS WITH FIRST WINNING STREAK OF SEASON!

[QT]

Bulls 89
Heat 82

This follows up our win against the Hawks (96-92), we are now 8-41!

------------------
"I came here to win, I am a winner" - Denzel Washington , Remember The Titans ; 2000

 

[jod23]

YEAH !!!! 2 straight!

Next up is Cleveland who have lost 10 straight and is definitly a winnable game. We could have 3 on the trot!! Then there Milwaukee which will be tough but then its the Clippers!

A few wins here and there and we could move past Washington to get out of last place.

Go the BULLS!!!

 

[QT]

Bulls 84
Cavs 85

!

Bulls up by 9 at 3 quarter time

Bad luck boys

But ohh boy, we are back!

------------------
"I came here to win, I am a winner" - Denzel Washington , Remember The Titans ; 2000

 

[jod23]

If Hoiberg would have nailed that shot on the buzzer it would have been three in a row

My only question is why was the ball in his hands?? Give it to Brand in the post and get to the free throw line. !

Ah well next up the Bucks which will be tough. But then a ray of hope with the terminally ill Clippers.

 

[carb70]

Jod & QT, I admire you guys. You must be the only 2 guys left in Australia who are still loyal Bull fans. What happen to the days when everbody seem to be a Bulls fans?. I think they might all have become Manchester United fans now. As a Lakers fans for over 20 years I used to hate the Bulls with a passion throughout the 90s but I always respected Jordan for the champion he was. Anyway keep supporting the Bulls even though they suck at the moment, you never know the glory days might come back, but I think that might be a few years away though.

[This message has been edited by carb70 (edited 21 February 2001).]

 

[ant]

Yeah, well dne guys for on your continued support for the team. I used to be a big Bulls fan but since Jordan retired I've become a Laker fan (though I dislike Kobe Bryant). You see, I was more a fan of Jordan than the team, so when he left, I just stopped caring. Also, I despise Jerry Krause (the GM) who really wants to win a championship without Jordan to prove how good a general manager he is

Cheers

 

[carb70]

Ant, while I respect the other 2, I'm not to sure about you. The fact you like the Crows is reason enough not to like you but how can you be a Lakers fan after you used to be a Bulls fan, c'mon.

The whole reason you follow team is so you can enjoy the great moments but you must also follow then through the bad times. I can't accept people who follow teams just because they are the successful team at the moment. That defeats the purpose of following sports if you are always going to jump on the bandwagon of the best teams.

Also why do you hate Kobe?. If Kobe and Shaq can get over their problems with each other and work as a team, they can be just as good a combination if not better than what Magic and Kareem used to be.

 

[dee_girl9]

okay im another bulls fan, and i think that there r alot of people who have no faith in the bulls now MJs gone, but thats ok.

mind u its the first time theyve had a sellout at the united centre in a long time

 

[jod23]

Thanks Carb70

I started going for the Bulls for the obvious reasons because Mike is just awesome but jus cos he retires is no reason to jump ship. It was always Jordans Bulls but now its just the Bulls, kinda refreshing although we all miss MJ terribly!

Im glad your a long term Lakers fan instead of a all of a sudden Laker fan I loved Magic, he is my second favourite player of all time. But your comment about Kobe and Shaq being better or could be better is way off base, Magic and Kareem are in the top 10 players of all time! Magic is prolly second behind MJ and to say that Shaq and Kobe can do what they did, i think is a little premature.

They should find it tough to repeat this year with the Trailblazers and Kings in there way. Then there the 76ers and that chant that keeps coming out of Philly.. MVP.. MVP.. MVP.. for none other than the Answer. Hes a great player and you will probably have to beat him and his 76ers for the title. Thats if you make it to the Finals.


Oh and by the way we lost to the bucks
Bucks 101
Bulls 92

We were without Mercer though, so hopefully he will be back for the game against the Clipers today.

GO THE BULLS!!

 

[carb70]

Originally posted by jod23:
Thanks Carb70

Im glad your a long term Lakers fan instead of a all of a sudden Laker fan I loved Magic, he is my second favourite player of all time. But your comment about Kobe and Shaq being better or could be better is way off base, Magic and Kareem are in the top 10 players of all time! Magic is prolly second behind MJ and to say that Shaq and Kobe can do what they did, i think is a little premature.

GO THE BULLS!!

I agree jod that statement is a little premature but Shaq and Kobe are capable of being one of most dominant forces in NBA history if they can get their act together.

Shaq is the most dominant player in the NBA, there is not one player who can go with him one on one. Shaq's only problem is his free throws if he could fix that problem the Lakers wouldn't lose any games. I have noticed that he has improved in that area recently but I still not very confident in him when he walks to the line.

As far as Kobe goes he is just behind Iverson in scoring this year. He has already played in a Championship at the age of 21 and is already regarded as one of the top players in the NBA. Magic was still playing at Michigan State at that age.

The main thing is both Shaq and Kobe are young and they both have time on their side. Magic and Kareem played in 5 championship together I beleive Kobe and Shaq are capable of playing in 5 or more. Well at least I'm hoping they do.

 

[ant]

Originally posted by carb70:
Ant, while I respect the other 2, I'm not to sure about you. The fact you like the Crows is reason enough not to like you but how can you be a Lakers fan after you used to be a Bulls fan, c'mon.

The whole reason you follow team is so you can enjoy the great moments but you must also follow then through the bad times. I can't accept people who follow teams just because they are the successful team at the moment. That defeats the purpose of following sports if you are always going to jump on the bandwagon of the best teams.

Also why do you hate Kobe?. If Kobe and Shaq can get over their problems with each other and work as a team, they can be just as good a combination if not better than what Magic and Kareem used to be.

Carb70, you don't have to respect me, I fully respect that

As mentioned, I was a complete MJ fan and I only really followed the Bulls because Jordan was on that team. Now he's not there I don't really give a stuff about the Bulls, though they do hold a special place in my heart. As I also said the Bulls have a conniving GM called Jerry Krause who I intensely dislike for many of the lies he has told about Michael Jordan (Just read 'The Jordan Rules' and 'Second Coming'.) He thinks he can win a championship without Jordan

I'm supporting the Lakers because Phil Jackson and Tex Winter are the coaches, former Bulls players like Harper and Grant are on the team, and I like Shaq, who is an awesome player. I reckon Bryant is an overrated player, great athletically but with a poor jumpshot, considering his status as one of the best players in the game. I also remember when he refused to go to Charlotte in the draft, who had to trade him to LA. The problems with Shaq only confirm my opinion of him.

Well that's it Carb, like it or not, this is the way I am.

 

[SS11]

hey jod
ur continued support of the bulls is like me still barracking for collingwood.
u should know how i feel now!

 

[Same Old's]

Originally posted by SS11:
hey jod
ur continued support of the bulls is like me still barracking for collingwood.
u should know how i feel now!

But there's a difference. Unlike Collingwood, Bulls supporters don't say that they're going to win the championship when they're going through a one match winning streak.

 

[jod23]

Originally posted by carb70:
I agree jod that statement is a little premature but Shaq and Kobe are capable of being one of most dominant forces in NBA history if they can get their act together.

Shaq is the most dominant player in the NBA, there is not one player who can go with him one on one. Shaq's only problem is his free throws if he could fix that problem the Lakers wouldn't lose any games. I have noticed that he has improved in that area recently but I still not very confident in him when he walks to the line.

As far as Kobe goes he is just behind Iverson in scoring this year. He has already played in a Championship at the age of 21 and is already regarded as one of the top players in the NBA. Magic was still playing at Michigan State at that age.

The main thing is both Shaq and Kobe are young and they both have time on their side. Magic and Kareem played in 5 championship together I beleive Kobe and Shaq are capable of playing in 5 or more. Well at least I'm hoping they do.

Well i agree that they could be one of the most dominant forces in history but i dont think there capable of winning 5 championships. There winning team last year wasnt even that strong and i think the NBA is going through a rough patch for talent.

Now im not saying individual talent, theres Iverson, Garnett, Shaq, Kobe, Carter, Mourning, Payton, Brand, Webber, Duncan and so on and so on. What i think the NBA lacks is a Talented team. Individual talent and team talent is totally different. I dont think you would disagree when i say the 98 Bulls would have wrapped up a Finals series against the 2000 Lakers prolly 4 - 0 maybe 4 - 1.

The Lakers have this core of talent with Shaq and Kobe and a couple of nice role players in Harper and Grant but after that the team sort of goes downhill now im not saying they cant go back to back but i am leaning towards the Blazers right now.

Kobe has a ring at 21 and Magic was still at Michigan fair enough but you have to remember that the NBA is totally different than it was in 1980. Back then it was the proper thing to do to finish college then nominate for the draft. But today they dont even bother with college, they just come straight in out of high school which i dont agree with. Too many projects. If they would go to college and develop into complete players and then come to the NBA everything would be easier.

I wouldnt say Shaq is particualrly young anymore though. Isnt he like 28 or something in his 8th or 9th year in the NBA? Players retire at like 32 and 33. That means purely based on skepticism is that he only has maybe 6 or 7 years left in the league. Kobe on the other hand has all the time in the world.

Oh and one more point Magic and Kareem had to beat ppl like MJ Bird Isiah DrJ Barkley Malone (Moses and Karl) Mchale and so many other greats of the game to get his five. Shaq and Kobe arent up against that sorta talent everynight.

Thoughts?

 

[ant]

Just on that Jod, the Lakers team of the 80's had plenty of other good players, Worthy, Cooper and others (can't think right now) while the Celtics had a very strong team with Bird, McHale, Parish, Johnson. Towards the end of the 80's the Pistons came in and won two titles when the Lakers and Celtics were declining (though the Lakers made the 91 Finals). As you implied, teams back then were more complete than they are now with at least the top four teams being very strong and others being pretty good (Philadelphia, Blazers, etc.) . I doubt very much if the current Lakers team could get close to the 80's Celtics or Lakers outfits.

Having said that, it isn't completely out of the question that they could win 5 rings considering the dilution of talent in the league right now. If Shaq and Kobe were to stay together and a couple of reasonably good players were added (as Harper and Grant retire), they'll certainly be one of the top contenders every year. Also, depending on Shaq's desire, I would have thought a center like himself could play until he was 35 or 36. It would be different for a guard, but a center could last longer I would have thought.

Comments??

 

[jod23]

Originally posted by ant:
Just on that Jod, the Lakers team of the 80's had plenty of other good players, Worthy, Cooper and others (can't think right now) while the Celtics had a very strong team with Bird, McHale, Parish, Johnson. Towards the end of the 80's the Pistons came in and won two titles when the Lakers and Celtics were declining (though the Lakers made the 91 Finals). As you implied, teams back then were more complete than they are now with at least the top four teams being very strong and others being pretty good (Philadelphia, Blazers, etc.) . I doubt very much if the current Lakers team could get close to the 80's Celtics or Lakers outfits.

Having said that, it isn't completely out of the question that they could win 5 rings considering the dilution of talent in the league right now. If Shaq and Kobe were to stay together and a couple of reasonably good players were added (as Harper and Grant retire), they'll certainly be one of the top contenders every year. Also, depending on Shaq's desire, I would have thought a center like himself could play until he was 35 or 36. It would be different for a guard, but a center could last longer I would have thought.

Comments??

Well i never said it was impossible for the Lakers to start a new dynasty. They certainly could win 5 championships in the coming years but it would be very tough. With Philly trading up Ratliff for Mutombo they are now my pick for the Championship. With a big body like Mutumbo and the sheer fright that he puts to opponents when they drive the lane will be a big factor. Hes a blocking machine and a great defensive player. 2 time defensive player of the year.
If he can cull Shaqs impact on the game then i think Iverson can do the rest.

But back to the Lakers and there quest for a new Dynasty. I think it could be possible that Shaq may be traded in the coming years as the bickering between the two (Kobe)becomes too much. But if no trade happens then Shaq and Kobe will be tough to beat in the coming years.

Winning a championship in the NBA though is no easy feat and to stay on top of the world like that for extended periods of time can be very draining ie: MJ. I think in the coming years we will see the Championship change hands almost every year as there are no real stand out teams. Anyone of Philly, Jazz, Lakers, Kings or Blazers could win it this year. Given that i think there is always going to be a certain bunch of teams that could win it each year.

In 98 there was generally only one team that could beat the Bulls (Jazz) A lot of experts predicted a two horse race and that it was, but in todays NBA the talent is thinner but it is spread better.

I think in the next few years you will see the Trophy in Sacramento LA Portland Philadelphia and even Orlando and Miami. (Zo and Hill will be back next year)
Keeping it in those cities for more than a year will be the hard part.

 

[oh_my_hat]

I am a closet 76er fan from the Dr J days but until recently there hasn't been much to cheer about. I agree that Mutumbo's addition will be a boost for Philly. Even though he is renown for his D, blocked shots and rebounding he can also score at the other end of the floor (17 points in his first game as a Sixer). Losing Kukoc (even though he didn't get the game time under Larry Brown) may hurt them though.

I also have a soft spot for San Antonio as I think that Tim Duncan is a gun and being a Dallas Cowboy fan I have a soft spot for Texas based teams. Good to see the Mavs improving this year too.

 

[coxon]

ah... dr J... who did the best dunk i've ever seen... hehe...

i saw him in person at hoopfest many years ago...

tho, at the recent olympics, the vince carter dunk over the 7ft frenchman was definitely up there... was there watching it too! hehe..

yeapp.. centres and other big muthas can usually last a bit longer... eg. ewing, hakeem, karl malone... parish and kareem played well into retirement age..hehehe..

tho, its mind boggling to see stockton still out there!$@! 38 yrs old?!! man

 

[jod23]

Jordan was the best dunker of all time!

WE WON AGAIN!!!

90 - 75 over the Grizzlies. Thats 3 out of our last 6. We rule. Ant Carb still awaiting comments from you two?

 

[carb70]

Thats great jod, 3 wins out of the last 6. You are still offically the worst team in the NBA.

Now for my reply to some of your comments. You basically state that there are no great teams in the NBA today just great players and the Bulls team in 98 would of beaten the Lakers of 2000 4-0 maybe 4-1. Well were the Bulls of the 90s a great team or were they just a team who had the greatest ever player playing for them. If I remember correctley that year and a half that MJ retired from the game to become a baseballer the Bulls sucked. Also since MJ has retired players like Pippen, Harper, Kukoc etc are not the same players now as they were when Michael was around.

Regarding Shaq, yes he is 28 but he still has another 10 good years left in him. There is nobody in the NBA today who can go with him one on and there probably won't be anybody in 10 years who will be able to stop him either. Also I would like to thank Shaq for his game today, his 37 points and 19 rebounds help my fantasy team win their game.

Finally the Lakers look like they have raised their game to the next level even with Kobe missing the last few games. We have won 8 from 10 with a lot of those games on the road. Players like Fox, Rider and Shaw have had good games recentley and if we can get more from Horry and Grant then we should walk away with this years championship.

 

[ant]

Carb70, the year after Jordan left the Bulls still won 55 games and pushed the Knicks to 7 games in the Eastern Conference Finals. The following year after Grant left we really started to struggle. Frankly Jod was right, no teams now would win more than one game against the Bulls of 98.

Well done to the Bulls at the moment, but they are still the worst team in the NBA. Good to see them winning a few games though. Another top draft pick and who knows???

 

[carb70]

That might be the case ant but answer this has any Bulls side ever won a championship without Michael Jordan?. He was the difference between the Bulls being a championship team instead of being just a good team who makes the playoffs.

 

[ant]

That may be true Carb, they were a great team that just happened to have the greatest player to ever play basketball. That doesn't make them any less of a team, just all the more unbeatable. When you think of their defence, the triangle offence, Pippen, Rodman, Kukoc, then add Michael Jordan, a closer at both ends of the floor, I just can't see any team nowadays beating them. This is just my opinion Carb.

 

[jod23]

Carb - The Bulls were a great team and in my opinion the greatest team ever. To go 72 - 10 is something that will never be beaten. Jordan Pippen Harper Longley Rodman Kukoc and Phil Jackson guiding them!!!! Cant get better than that. And the Bulls without Mike werent just a good team who make the playoffs, they were in the top 4 teams in the world losing to the Knicks in 7 was a great year considering no Jordan.

Concerning Shaq. Yes there is nobody in the legue who can beat him one on one today. Today being the key word. If he was around 10 15 years ago and had to face Ewing Robinson and Olajuwon in there prime he would have wilted. Olajuwon gave him a lesson in 96. 4 - 0. Olajuwon Championship Shaq embarrassment.

Also you said that Jordan was the difference between championships and just playoffs. Well Duh!!!! You think the Lakers would have won 5 rings in the 80's without Magic or Celtics 3 rings in the 80's without Bird! Or even the Lakers last ring without Shaq. Every team needs a great player to guide them to the promised land. Just cos we got the GREATEST player doesnt mean you have to be jealous. And for gods sake havent you had your fair share. (Chamberlain, Robertson, West, Baylor, Magic, Kareem, Worthy, and on and on and on)

Ant - you dont need to justify your statements on no teams in todays NBA stretching the Bulls of 96 97 98. It just wouldnt happen.

 

[coxon]

yeapp.. agree with ant...

even when jordan left, the bulls were still a formidable team... only lost a few games more than the previous season even when jordan was there....

bj armstrong was voted into the starting line-up of the east allstar squad (filling the vacancy left by jordan), and pippen won mvp for that game...

Also since MJ has retired players like Pippen, Harper, Kukoc etc are not the same players now as they were when Michael was around

well, at the moment, all three arent a shadow of what they used to be... but, when MJ did retire, Pipps and Kukoc were just as good as they were.. they're numbers were up.. they didnt win a championship, but what team did if they lose their franchise/superstar player...

and as for Harper, well, he was well past his prime when he joined the bulls.. (for that matter, he was past his prime when he joined the clippers too! at one stage.. his scoring and dunking exploits were talked about in the same breath as MJ.. (hahahaha.. one armed dunk with other arm tied behind back was good tho)...