The Art of Boxing Out

Earlier in the year, I wrote a post about the inability of the Bulls to play defense and pointed the blame solely upon Vinny Del Negro's slicked back hair. Well, nothing has really changed, as the Bulls do not win unless they score 110-120 points. Nevertheless, they have been winning because the scoring has been there. But after sitting and watching this version of the "Baby Bulls,"  (Can we please stop calling them that? Nobody says the Baby Hawks and they are younger), blow a 4th quarter lead to a beleagred Celtics team, I am going to rant about another deficiency. Can anyone box out?!? The game is 5 vs. 5, so when a shot goes up, that means each player has to turn around and push the guy he is guarding away from the basket. In high school we would do a drill in which the ball had to hit the ground before a defensive player could grab the rebound. It is a basic concept you learn in 3rd grade! But when the Celtics take a shot (most notably with 24 seconds left), everyone just turns around and hopes the ball will bounce toward them. We got out hustled by a team that is a decade older and injured. Please box someone out!!!!

Now, on a positive note, the Bulls are in the drivers seat of the series. They have shown that they are going to give the Celtics a game every night and have stolen home court advantage away from the defending champs. I was not expecting to sweep the Celtics, but we should have won tonight and that is why I am upset. Now off to watch the Hawks.... I LOVE THIS CITY!!