I knew I wasn’t crazy for being optimistic about the Bulls! Considering their 0-2 start, the Bulls bounced back nicely this week and won three in a row to bring their overall record to 3-2 this preseaon. Their play showcased an array of qualities reminiscent of a championship-contending team. Let’s discuss what those qualities are and how they translated into Bulls victories.
Don’t stop fighting until victory is assured
No matter how many rounds ahead on the judge’s scorecard a boxer may be, he will only stop punching under three conditions: when the bell that signifies the end of the round rings, when the ref steps in to stop the fight, or when the opponent falls to the ground. Having the state-of-mind to close out a victory when ahead can sometimes be more difficult than mounting a comeback. You need the “killer instinct”, so to speak, to not let up until the final horn sounds, ensuring that the win is secured. The Bulls definitely showcased this quality in their game against the Milwaukee Bucks. They lead from start to finish, outscoring their opponents for the first three quarters.
Points Scored by Quarter |
|||||
|
Q1 |
Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final Score | |
Chicago Bulls |
24 | 27 | 23 | 17 |
91 |
Milwaukee Bucks |
20 | 21 | 20 | 24 |
85 |
Pau Gasol led the Bulls in scoring with 20 points followed closely by Jimmy Butler, who shot 60% on the field for 18 points. Derrick Rose was fantastic as well, scoring 16 points (3-4 from beyond the arc) in 22 minutes of play.
Again, the quintessential aspect of this game that I wanted to highlight was the “killer instinct” mentality the Bulls showcased. They never took their foot off the gas when leading and I hope that they can maintain that same level of tenacity throughout the regular season/postseason as well.
Don’t let a slow start impact the rest of the game
Reminiscent of their start to the preseason in general, the Bulls struggled early on in their match against the Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets managed to jump out to an 11-point lead after the first quarter, limiting the Bulls to only 19 points. However, the Bulls pushed back and managed to outscore the Nuggets the remaining three quarters.
Points Scored by Quarter |
|||||
|
Q1 |
Q2 | Q3 | Q4 |
Final Score |
|
Chicago Bulls |
19 |
39 | 25 | 27 |
110 |
Denver Nuggets |
30 |
28 | 17 | 15 |
90 |
Jimmy Butler had another fantastic offensive game. He had 21 points, going 7-8 from the field and 7-7 from the free-throw line. But Butler’s true shining moment will come a little later. Instead, let me take this moment to highlight the rookie from Creighton, Doug McDermott: aka McBuckets! This guy is known from his NCAA days as a shooter and he put that on full display this game. He racked up 16 points, including 3 from beyond the arc. I have great expectations for Mr. McBuckets and I hope he can live up to them, or else, he will face the unrelenting sting of my words in this blog! (Just kidding. I have too much respect for the guy).
Derrick Rose struggled to score consistently this game. He went 4-12 from the field (1-5 beyond the arc) but was on point with his free throws. However, what he lacked in scoring he made up for by getting his teammates involved. His vision on the court combined with his precise passing made for some nice assists, an important attribute for any successful point guard.
It’s never over until it’s over
I made a boxing analogy earlier about never letting up on your punches, even when you’re ahead on the judge’s scorecard. But also consider this. No matter how far ahead on the scorecard you are and no matter how relentless you may be with your punches, it only takes one clutch swing from your opponent to knock you out and make the difference between winning and losing.
In Friday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks, the Bulls were getting beaten down on both ends of the court throughout the first three quarters.
Points Scored by Quarter |
|||||
|
Q1 |
Q2 | Q3 | Q4 |
Final Score |
|
Chicago Bulls |
15 |
17 | 15 | 38 |
85 |
Atlanta Hawks |
20 |
22 | 24 | 18 |
84 |
In boxing terms, the Hawks were ahead on the scorecard after the first 11 rounds. However, in the twelfth and final round, the Bulls rallied a comeback, outscoring the Hawks 36-18 in the fourth quarter. Then, the Bulls delivered the knockout blow, and Jimmy Butler was the right hand that landed cleanly on the chin of the Hawks. My lame metaphors can’t do this moment justice; so I’ll let the eccentric commentating of Stacey King do the talking for me (Youtube video rights belong to NBA)
“GIVE ME THE HOT SAUCE”!!!!
The Bulls play next against the Charlotte Hornets Sunday, October 19.
I Am Capabull 