Andrew's Chicago Bulls Dynasty - November 2006

[Anthony15]

Nice Andrei made First Team Told ya you'll sweep Nets.

[Murker]

huge win i was expecting Chris Paul would get in the first rookie team...

[---]

Looking at that all rookie first team, I wonder how CP3 didnt get ROY, I would understand if Bogut stole it off him, but McCants??? Was Chris Paul injured for parts of the season?

[[C][B]#4]

Toronto makes the playoffs, Chris Bosh All Defensive 1st Team and Jose makes All Rookie 1st team

Good job sweeping the Nets btw

[Marquis]

Yeah weird, all stats by Paul was better than McCants. The only reasonable explanation would be that Paul was injured for a part of the season.

And sweep, yeah I was expecting this from you.

[23 LeBron]

hey andrew wats your next opponent??? i think it will be miami... GL with the next round...but i haf to say it'll be a tough serie...

NOTE: nice series against NJ...
NOTE2: why wasn't CP3 not the ROY??? all of his stats are better then Rashad McCants
NOTE3: its nice to see lebron in the award of MVP...

[Andrew]

Chris Paul only missed three games so I'd say it's just a matter of the game doing something weird. McCants did play all 82 games (starting 75) so perhaps it decided that made him ROY somehow. Francis being selected for the All-Defensive First Team was a bit odd as well.

[---]

And also, no Kobe on any All NBA teams?

[Andrew]

Yeah, that was strange too. On the whole they were better than I was expecting, the All-Star game was pretty messed up. I enjoyed it and all but the selections were pretty off.

2006 Playoffs First Round Results




I've got a feeling this is going to be a tough series.

[Mark.]

Yeah no Kobe or T-mac in either of the teams Maimi will be tough, although Shaq isnt too hard to guard in the game, im thinking its going to be a matter of how well you guard players like Walker and Posey etc that will decide it...

[Andrew]

Chicago (116) at Miami (108)
Heat run falls short, Bulls steal homecourt

Miami outscored Chicago 39-28 in the fourth quarter but it still proved to be too little, too late as the Bulls won 116-108. Ben Gordon led all scorers with 40 points and added 3 rebounds and 5 assists while Udonis Haslem led the Heat with 21 points and grabbed 9 rebounds.

Chicago got off to a quick start but Miami quickly caught up as the teams traded baskets through the first six minutes. The Bulls began to pull away and built a fourteen point lead by the end of the first quarter. Their momentum continued in the second quarter as they ran their lead up to 23 behind the superb play of Gordon and Kirk Hinrich, who combined for 35 of the Bulls' 64 first half points.

Miami wasn't ready to submit though, making a small dent in the Bulls' lead with a strong push at the end of the third quarter. They remained behind by double digits for most of the fourth quarter but aggressive defense in the final minutes led to Chicago turnovers that in turn led to fast break points. However, time ran out on the hometown Heat giving Chicago the Game 1 victory.

Dwyane Wade played only 17 minutes after finding himself in early foul trouble. The Bulls managed to contain Jason Kidd and Vince Carter in their first round series with the Nets by forcing them into a similar plight. Wade scored 16 points and had 3 assists and 3 steals in his limited time on the floor. Shaquille O'Neal abused the Bulls down low for 18 points and snared 14 boards while dishing out 3 assists and blocking two shots. James Posey contributed 15 points and Antoine Walker produced a fine game with 18 points, 3 rebounds and 7 assists. Luol Deng was the only Bull other than Gordon and Hinrich to score in double digits with 13 points to go along with 2 rebounds and 5 assists.

Game 2 will be played in Miami.

Notes: Latrell Sprewell left the game in the fourth quarter after injuring his elbow. He is listed as day-to-day...Miami was 2-1 against Chicago during the regular season...Gordon's 40 points is the highest by a Bull so far this offseason...Chicago have won seven straight games including the final two regular season contests...the Bulls are now the only team in the Playoffs that remain undefeated.

Bulls lead series 1-0

[Mark.]

Nice win, you keep this up and we will be seeing a clean sweep of the entire playoffs

[Jugs]

Bulls sweep Nets? Maybe 10 years ago

[Andrew]

Nice win, you keep this up and we will be seeing a clean sweep of the entire playoffs

Maybe...I wouldn't mind losing a game here or there but I would like to get the season over with and it's not without its challenges (if only due to the comeback logic) so as long as I win it all, I think I'll enjoy it.

Bulls sweep Nets? Maybe 10 years ago

True...but I could say the same of the Blazers making the Playoffs and getting to the second round.

[3P]

http://www.nba.com/news/321882.html

Check that out, quite ironic.

[Drex]

LMAO, talk about a realistic dynasty

[Andrew]

http://www.nba.com/news/321882.html

Check that out, quite ironic.

Yeah I saw that. I'm hoping it happens as I'd rather have Kemp on the roster than Andrew DeClercq or Luke Schenscher.

[---]

Miami vs Chicago... This is what I was waiting for. Good Luck

[Jugs]

Bulls sweep Nets? Maybe 10 years ago

True...but I could say the same of the Blazers making the Playoffs and getting to the second round.

Wow. Touche Touche.


Do you remember last year with Live 2005 and dynasties? There were atleast 10 ongoing at the same time, nobody wanted to stop their dynasty. There was even pre-06 dynasties starting a month before the game came out! Now for live 06, there's only 2-3 updated dynastys and no speak of an live 07 pre-dynasty or whatever. The enthusiasm has been sapped out of dynasty-ers

[Andrew]

I've noticed that, but if nothing else the fact we're in the final stretch leading up to the release of NBA Live 07 might have people holding off on doing any new Dynasty games. Overall interest has seemed to have faded earlier than last year though.

[Mark.]

Yeah ive noticed that too, I was thinking about doing a preview thread thing, but I dont really think its worth it, especially when im not too sure what 07 is going to offer me in the way of presentation options.

Plus im stuck for ideas currently

[Matthew]

The awards were good, but the Bulls got jacked on the all nba teams. ANything in that game 1 win have you thinking of a strategic change to put a stranglehold on the series?

[Andrew]

I need to do a better job of shutting down guys like Posey but I think the key will be limiting Wade's minutes by getting him into early foul trouble, the same way I managed to contain Jason Kidd in the last series. I think the best strategy is to just attack from the opening tip because if I fall behind and Wade gets going it's a huge hole to climb out of. I'm also going to wait a while before reeling it in and resting the starters if I do build a big lead as they almost erased what seemed to be a comfortable advantage in the fourth quarter. I brought the starters back but they'd made up too much ground by that point.

[diddy]

i think only one option u have to stop my favouite time - to make wade and shaq get foul troubles early in the first quarter! but good luck anyway! Miami is so great!

[Andrew]

Chicago (109) at Miami (120)
Heat burn Bulls in fourth quarter, even series

The Chicago Bulls' seven game winning streak finally came to an end tonight as the Miami Heat poured in 35 fourth quarter points to secure a 120-109 Game 2 victory, evening the series at a game apiece. Jason Williams top scored for the Heat with 23 points including nine in the fourth quarter push. Ben Gordon led all scorers with 24 points but struggled from the field shooting just 10/28 and 0/9 from downtown.

Chicago scored the first four points of the game but soon found themselves in back and forth battle with a Heat determined not to lose two straight on their home floor. The Heat led by two at the end of the first quarter but relinquished the lead in the second, trailing the Bulls 62-52 at the half. Chicago appeared to have the game in hand throughout the third quarter and led by fourteen with three minutes left before a 16-4 run brought the Heat right back into the game.

The first seven minutes of the fourth quarter were hotly contested but the Heat soon began to pull away while the Bulls floundered, managing only 22 points in the period. Chicago would come within four in the closing minutes before going cold and ultimately falling 120-109, their first defeat of the 2006 postseason.

Dywane Wade played only 18 minutes due to foul trouble but scored 19 points. Shaquille O'Neal dominated the Bulls inside with 17 points, 12 rebounds and 2 blocks. James Posey scored 22 points, Antoine Walker added 15 points and Alonzo Mourning had a solid game in limited court time with 7 points, 6 rebounds and 4 blocks.

Seven Bulls scored in double digits in the loss, led by Gordon's 24. Tyson Chandler and Mike Sweetney were impressive off the bench with Chandler scoring 12 points and grabbing 9 rebounds while Sweetney accounted for a playoff high 16 points and 4 boards. Luol Deng and Andres Nocioni had 10 points and 7 rebounds apiece while the point guard duo of Kirk Hinrich and Chris Duhon combined for 22 points and 9 assists.

Game 3 will be played in the United Center.

Notes: Chicago attempted only six free throws while the Heat attempted seventeen. Chicago made four of their attempts while Miami connected on twelve...Miami shot 62% from the field...the Heat won the battle of the boards 41-33 though the Bulls held a 16-15 advantage on the offensive glass...the Bulls' last loss was to the Heat on April 16th.

Series tied 1-1

Miami (113) at Chicago (143)
Bulls blow out Heat in record setting performance

Chicago set a new high for field goal percentage in a playoff game shooting a blistering 68% from the field as they ran over the second seeded Miami Heat 143-113. Ben Gordon scored 38 points while grabbing 4 rebounds and dishing out five assists as Chicago took a 2-1 lead in the series.

From the opening tip the Bulls were determined to send a message to the Heat scoring early and often. Both teams shot the lights out in the first half with Chicago leading 69-64 at halftime but the third and fourth quarters belonged to the Bulls. Gordon scored 15 points in the third while Hinrich added 10 of his 25 points in a 41-25 effort that produced a 21 point lead heading into the fourth quarter. The Bulls didn't let up and emerged victorious at the final buzzer.

Shawn Kemp and Luol Deng scored 20 points apiece for the Bulls who also got 12 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists from starting forward Andres Nocioni. Shaquille O'Neal and James Posey each scored 24 points but Dwyane Wade once again saw little court time, leaving the game midway through the first quarter and then sitting much of the second half due to foul trouble. Flash still finished with 14 points on 7/8 shooting in just 16 minutes of action. Jason Williams had another fine game with 22 points, 3 rebounds and 8 assists.

"We saw this as a must-win game," Gordon admitted afterwards. "We felt we threw (Game 2) away in Miami so we wanted to come home and take care of business."

The Bulls will host Game 4 in the United Center in two days.

Notes: Chicago attempted 20 free throws making 17 while Miami attempted just seven free throws connection on four...normally a prolific three point shooting team, the Bulls attempted just seven three pointers in Game 4 making two of them. Miami were 5/18 from beyond the arc.

Bulls lead series 2-1

Miami (115) at Chicago (136)
Bulls go up 3-1 behind Gordon's 54 points

Chicago will have a chance to close out their series with the Heat in Miami in Game 5 after a stellar 54 point performance propelled the Bulls to a 136-115 victory over the Heat. Gordon scored 33 of his career playoff high 54 in the second half including 17 in the fourth quarter. He also shot a scorching 24/31 from the field.

The third quarter was once again the key to Chicago's victory as they turned in another strong performance out of the halftime break, outscoring the Heat 43-26 in the period. Gordon scored 16 points in the third slashing to the hoop and taking advantage of the foul plagued Heat. Dwyane Wade played 21 minutes scoring 16 points on 7-9 shooting as well as handing out 7 assists.

"We want this series to be over and done with," said Kirk Hinrich, who had 24 points on 10/13 shooting and 7 assists. "We've won big in the last two but (the Heat) are too good and too proud to give up without a fight. We'll have to give 110% in Miami."

Antoine Walker led the Heat with 21 points in addition to handing out five assists. Shaquille O'Neal had a fine all around game with 17 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 blocks. James Posey once again filled in admirably for Wade scoring 19 points but found himself in foul trouble as well late in the game. Andres Nocioni had 14 points and 7 rebounds for the Bulls while Luol Deng added 10 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists.

Game 5 will be played in Miami, where the Bulls will have a chance to advance where they would face the Cleveland Cavaliers, who swept their second round matchup with the Indiana Pacers. The Bulls are 1-3 against the Cavaliers this season.

Notes: Miami were whistled for 24 fouls to Chicago's 7...both teams attempted 11 free throws with the Bulls connecting on all 11 and the Heat knocking down 10...the Bulls held a slight advantage on the boards 33-31 though Miami outrebounded them 13-12 at the offensive end.


"We meet again": Former All-Star teammates Kemp and Payton once again lock horns as opponents


"Kryptonite": Chandler blocks basketball's Man of Steel

Bulls lead series 3-1

Chicago (123) at Miami (94)
Bulls cool off Heat, advance to Eastern Conference Finals

Chicago ended their series with Miami in impressive fashion with a dominating 123-94 victory over the Heat in the AmericanAirlines Arena. Ben Gordon and Andres Nocioni scored 29 points apiece and Kirk Hinrich added 21 of his own as the Bulls advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in almost a decade. James Posey top scored for the Heat with 18 points in a losing effort.

Miami struck first with a three pointer from Antoine Walker but the Bulls roared to life with a 29-4 run through the first nine minutes of the quarter to set up a comfortable 33-19 advantage at the break. The Bulls continued to build on their lead throughout the game with the Heat getting no closer than fourteen points for the rest of the game. Several fans began leaving the stands at the end of the third quarter and continued to file out throughout the fourth. Many however stayed to see the team's final basket, an impressive dunk over Elden Campbell by Dwyane Wade.

It was another frustrating night for Wade who played just 22 minutes due to foul trouble, scoring 12 points and committing 8 turnovers. Shaquille O'Neal scored 12 points of his own and grabbed 7 rebounds and Walker finished with 13 points and 8 rebounds but Miami could not slow down the charging Bulls. In addition to his 29 points, Gordon dished out 9 assists and made four steals while Hinrich had a game high 12 assists.

The Bulls will now face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Notes: Miami outrebounded Chicago 34-27...Chicago dished out 38 assists to Miami's 17...the Heat committed 20 fouls while the Bulls were whistled for just 6...the Bulls shot 64% from the field while the Heat connected on 55% of their shots...the two teams combined for 16 free throws with the Bulls shooting 8/10 and the Heat knocking down 3/6.

Bulls win series 4-1

2006 NBA Playoffs Second Round Results