Bulls Stun Cavs In OT

You invite your buddies over for a 30 point blowout, and you end up getting to watch the most meaningful Bulls victory of the season.

While the play was disjointed with some unforgivable turnovers and a few badly missed shots, the Bulls managed to bottle up LeBron James (well, he still finished with 28 points, 14 rebounds, and 7 assists, but it's the 8/28 shooting which should be emphasized). Chicago played as a team -- for once -- and seeing them come together like that, especially in such a huge game, was incredibly refreshing. Guys were helping each other up, the crowd was getting into it, and it seemed like everybody (besides maybe Gordon) contributed to the victory in one way or another. Tyrus had his blocks, Kirk had his spark off the bench, and Deng forced LeBron into a miss on the potential game winning shot in the 4th quarter.

While Derrick Rose is probably the most marquee of all rookies, Thursday felt like a coming-out-party of sorts. Though he shot poorly overall, he stepped up when it truly counted, hitting two big free throws to tie the game, having some incredible takes to the basket, and making a great pass to Deng (who drilled a three) when the D collapsed on him in the lane during a crucial juncture in the overtime. Rose finished with 16 points and 6 assists but shot a James-ian 6/20 from the field.

But out of everything, it was the Bulls' 13-1 run to start the OT which impressed the most. So many times, this team shoots itself in the foot while the game is still up for grabs. So to see the Bulls step on the neck of the Cavs right away was a nice change of pace.

VDN still has lineup issues (Noc is not a power forward), and the team is still in 4th place in the division, but it's no matter. At least not tonight. Because the Bulls, for the first time in a long time, actually gave us something to legitimately cheer about.

Now, about that trade...