by Bobby Stompy on February 28 at 3:46PM
BobbyStompy goes pro in unbridled optimism
I look at the Bulls and the fans and I see two camps right now.
Camp 1: "This team sucks, I don't watch them, I hope they lose and we get a good draft pick, What a travesty..."
Camp 2: "This new trade has really energized the Bulls, I've been watching them a little more lately, There's still time to make the playoffs, I know we lost to (Dallas/Jersey) but we looked great against Denver and at least we're playing competitive..."
I'd like to think I've been a mixture of Camp 1 and 2 this season, primarily staying in Camp 2. Right now, I think it's hard to say where the majority of fans are. Ben Wallace leaving definitely put new life into most of us, though. That's undeniable.
I like this trade because I'm excited to see what Gooden and Hughes bring to the table (Larry had 29 against the Pacers on Wednesday), I've loved the starting lineup of Noah/Thomas/Deng/Thabo/Kirk, and I think that the Noah/Thomas part of that equation will only benefit from seeing more minutes.
The Bulls are 2-2 since the trade was made. Also -- and maybe more importantly -- 1-0 against the East. With the conference as bad as it is, the Bulls can still make the playoffs. Us Camp 2 optimists look at it as a good thing. While it's easy to say something like "I'd rather have a lottery pick than a meaningless first round exit," you can't put a price on what post-season birth would do for this core of players. The experience of winning and getting there would surely help create some confidence, and, in the big picture, build on something for next season.
My biggest focus right now is on something I surely thought the Bulls had accomplished already this season. Wanna guess the longest win streak Chicago has had this season?
What's your guess? 4? 3?
Try two.
TWO.
T-W-O.
How pathetic is that? I almost didn't believe it when I looked it up. This team used to be about three-peats, but now we'd just like a three-streak. Looking at the upcoming schedule, it might be possible.
Washington, @ Cleveland, Memphis
Like 'em or not, this is what we've got. These Bulls, these Baby Bulls 2.0, just could-maybe-kind of-you never know make the playoffs. And us optimists can always say things like "Remember the 2006 Steelers? 2008 Giants? 2007 Golden State? Whatever Knicks team did good after stupid Ewing left? They made a run when no one expected it!" Am I saying this team is good enough to go to the finals? Nah. But we'll see what happens.
Hey, at least they're (somewhat) watchable again. And maybe Ben Wallace will end up playing the role of iceberg to Cleveland's Titanic.
I look at the Bulls and the fans and I see two camps right now.Camp 1: "This team sucks, I don't watch them, I hope they lose and we get a good draft pick, What a travesty..."
Camp 2: "This new trade has really energized the Bulls, I've been watching them a little more lately, There's still time to make the playoffs, I know we lost to (Dallas/Jersey) but we looked great against Denver and at least we're playing competitive..."
I'd like to think I've been a mixture of Camp 1 and 2 this season, primarily staying in Camp 2. Right now, I think it's hard to say where the majority of fans are. Ben Wallace leaving definitely put new life into most of us, though. That's undeniable.
I like this trade because I'm excited to see what Gooden and Hughes bring to the table (Larry had 29 against the Pacers on Wednesday), I've loved the starting lineup of Noah/Thomas/Deng/Thabo/Kirk, and I think that the Noah/Thomas part of that equation will only benefit from seeing more minutes.
The Bulls are 2-2 since the trade was made. Also -- and maybe more importantly -- 1-0 against the East. With the conference as bad as it is, the Bulls can still make the playoffs. Us Camp 2 optimists look at it as a good thing. While it's easy to say something like "I'd rather have a lottery pick than a meaningless first round exit," you can't put a price on what post-season birth would do for this core of players. The experience of winning and getting there would surely help create some confidence, and, in the big picture, build on something for next season.
My biggest focus right now is on something I surely thought the Bulls had accomplished already this season. Wanna guess the longest win streak Chicago has had this season?
What's your guess? 4? 3?
Try two.
TWO.
T-W-O.
How pathetic is that? I almost didn't believe it when I looked it up. This team used to be about three-peats, but now we'd just like a three-streak. Looking at the upcoming schedule, it might be possible.
Washington, @ Cleveland, Memphis
Like 'em or not, this is what we've got. These Bulls, these Baby Bulls 2.0, just could-maybe-kind of-you never know make the playoffs. And us optimists can always say things like "Remember the 2006 Steelers? 2008 Giants? 2007 Golden State? Whatever Knicks team did good after stupid Ewing left? They made a run when no one expected it!" Am I saying this team is good enough to go to the finals? Nah. But we'll see what happens.
Hey, at least they're (somewhat) watchable again. And maybe Ben Wallace will end up playing the role of iceberg to Cleveland's Titanic.
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The Bulls totally suck, but I'm optimistic as well. Hinrich isn't as bad now as he was in the first half, and Gordon and Deng missed a lot of time already this season as well. Once everyone gets back, the Bulls will make the playoffs. How about Cleveland in the first round? I realize LeBron is the greatest basketball player of all-time or whatever, but their second best player is a guy nicknamed Boobie. I almost like the Bulls chances in that matchup...