(1) Cavaliers Vs. (8) Bulls

[Phil89]

Even when they were leading by 21 you just knew it would finish like that. Good win.

[Andrew]

The Bulls are an absolute trainwreck, so I'm calling Cleveland in 4.

Cavs in 4

Cavs in four.

sweep. cavs take this one easy

Voted Cavs in 4.

Well gentleman, that absolute trainwreck just shot down your predictions. My prediction, on the other hand, still has a very good chance of being accurate as it would not surprise me greatly if the Cavs take care of business in the next two to wrap it up at home in Game 5. And even if I'm wrong and the series somehow goes longer, I can enjoy my favourite team doing a little better than expected. Win-win for me.

Even when they were leading by 21 you just knew it would finish like that. Good win.

Indeed, the Cavs were not going to go quietly into the night. As for the Bulls, they blew a 30 point lead against the Kings so they could certainly blow a 21 point lead against the Cavs but fortunately they held on, even with Deng being the one to take clutch free throws at the end. At the end of the day it's a win though, they avoid the sweep and are giving the Cavs more of a challenge than expected. I have to believe it's a positive experience moving forward, both for the players that will be around next year and in trying to lure free agents this offseason.

[john26]

man hinrich just knows when to turn it up, he's one of my favourite players since 2006

[Andrew]

He can be frustrating to watch sometimes, but when he's on his game he's pretty clutch.

[Lamrock]

Wow, the Bulls played like dogshit towards the end there. Shame the Cavs made the mistake of getting Varejao the ball. (I'm doing a tipping contest with some friends and picked Cavs in 4)

[hova-]

Wow, giving Varejao the ball was so dumb. LBJ and Mo Williams had some video game threes.

[Valor]

Loved Lebron getting crossed up by Rose and Deng (sweet behind the back then reverse layup )

even better, Rose got some MVP chants. In your face Lebron

[benji]

even better, Rose got some MVP chants. In your face Lebron

I'm sure having the actual trophy instead of the stupid chant every fanbase does (to multiple players on their teams) will soothe the deep psychological wounds.

[hova-]

Yeah, the crowds yellin MVP no matter who is at the line at times. I mean, Kobe MVP, LBJ MVP or CP3 MVP is okay, but guys like Derrick Rose is just stupid. Hell, do they even yell MVP for Monta Ellis or maybe Corey Maggette?

[benji]

Suns fans have been chanting it for both Nash and Amare.

[George7]

Yeah, the crowds yellin MVP no matter who is at the line at times. I mean, Kobe MVP, LBJ MVP or CP3 MVP is okay, but guys like Derrick Rose is just stupid. Hell, do they even yell MVP for Monta Ellis or maybe Corey Maggette?

OK for monta Ellis and Maggette,but Rose?
Maybe he's not that great but he can sure be this good like these guys and i believe these series with Cavs are his series.
Nice win,Rose played like an MVP and surely deserved the notice today.Hinrich had one of his bright games(like every now and then in the season)
Deng played with durability (for the first time this year!) vs LBJ.I was pretty surprised by Deng in this game.
Overall, a win which had to be easier ,with the 21 pt- lead as well,but a win is a win and that what matters here,aloong with getting playoff experience as there's no real ambition for this year.

[hova-]

Okay, maybe it's a question of what you understand by MVP. If it is the most valuable player of a team, Rose could be considered, although I'd give this award to Noah. But if you consider the MVP the most valuable player of the season, Rose is nowhere near it and won't be in the next years to come. The Bulls will sign a star player who can really give them what a MVP brings, which will make Rose less important.

Deng seems to have had a good game. I always liked him, but he never really turned into something special (and earns a lot of money).

[George7]

hova-, Rose IMO is the best player on the team, and has the potential(IMO always) to be one of the MVPs of the entire league in the following years.

[hova-]

hova-, Rose IMO is the best player on the team

Go Benji, go Benji!!

[shadowgrin]

You don't even need benji for that.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHI/2010.html

Check the Playoffs Advanced tab or even the Advanced Tab (regular season)

[Murat]

I want Chicago take the series 4-2

[hova-]

Ye, youre right I did not look it up before, but in my opinion it is pretty obvious that Noah is the team's most important guy.

[kevin02]

the bulls played good but i think they played the best they can possibly play and they barely won. I think this will be their only win in the series.

[Andrew]

Ye, youre right I did not look it up before, but in my opinion it is pretty obvious that Noah is the team's most important guy.

Noah's importance to the team is unquestionable, but Rose isn't exactly useless. I agree he's unlikely to win an MVP trophy anytime soon, but after a slow start to the season I believe he's been better than a lot of people give him credit for.

As for the MVP chants, it's just become the standard cheer to rally on a player who's important to the team. Whether it's intended to mean the MVP of the game, team or entire league, its accuracy isn't really important as it's just a chant to lift the spirits of the player and cheer on the team, the general sentiment being akin to "We think you're great!". I get where you're coming from of course but these chants migrate from fanbase to fanbase, "Beat LA" being another example. It's used by fanbases of teams that don't have nearly a storied rival with the Lakers as the Celtics do. I don't think they merit any deeper examination than that.

[Murat]

My heart says Bulls in 4-2 but I couldn't forget last year (Celtics made it in 7 games, you understand)

[Andrew]

Again, I wish I had that optimism.

[George7]

Maybe stats say that Noah is the Most ipmortant player,but would Bulls make it in the playoff if it hadn't been Rose in the final games?
Would you forget his games with Cavs where he was the only trying?Only Noah helped in a little level than Rose.

But IMO Rose and Noah need each other.They're sth like Kobe and Shaq or Nash and Amar'e.When one is out ,the other can't work that good.
Personally i believe that rose has the potential to be the league's best.But the fact that he's on the most difficult position in the game(PG),and that he has little help to shine from his teammates(like last year ,where there was BG who was taking shots and he was leaving Rose to make his game) make him difficult to do that.Because of that,he may become a league's superstar(as it seems) but in order to become an MVP he needs a little help,or the Bulls to build the team around him(Signing a Decent SG - Ray Allen is FA,right?- or Joe Johnson and a PF like Bosh or Amar'e-those moves can make the Bulls a Championship contender or conference finals-).

[NovU]

Watching the game right now, but I think it's pretty much over for the Bulls. CLE is looking real good and I can see this is more like the series of 1st seed vs 8th, comparing to LAL's series with OKC.

[shadowgrin]

Damn Noah with the 20-20. No wonder LeBron had to work harder resulting in a triple-double.

[atlwarrior]

I think that soar elbow actually helped Lebron's jumpshot if anything.