Nobody's getting pessimistic or negative here to start the 08-09 Chicago Bulls season. Trust me, I already know how the Bulls will take the Central division, upset the Lakers in the finals, and begin the dynasty that will last another ten years. I've already celebrated Thabo's Defensive Player of the Year award, Derrick Rose's Rookie of Year honors, Hinrich's Comeback Player of the Year, Noce's Sixth Man, Vinny's Coach of the Year, Pax's GM of the Year, and obviously Deng's Community Assist award for the next 5 years. But there's one player that puts all of these certainties at risk...that guy in the picture above.
It's hard to believe that we're here blaming BG for the quick fall of the rise of the Bulls. How did he go from 4th quarter hero, mentioned in a group of elite closers such as Kobe, Lebron, and D Wade, to the next Stephon Marbury or Jamal Crawford? How did he go from hitting game winning shots to hitting the fourth row with a pass? Somehow analysts theorize that Skiles lost the attention of the team, or Kirk forgot how to shoot, or there was no inside game, or Noce took too many threes, or Tyrus didn't become the Matrix in his second season...but it's about time someone states what Paxson won't say with his words but has with his contract negotiations: Ben Gordon must go.
Nobody was a bigger BG fan than myself his rookie year. Remember the formula? Get within single digits by the fourth quarter and BG's heroics plus Tyson's rebounding equaled another Bulls upset. He played to his strengths of shooting 3's, shooting floaters, shooting fadeaways, shooting freethrows...just shooting. Then somebody made him believe he could be more than a shooter and he could do more than shoot. Who the hell called him "Air Gordon"? What was thought of as a catchy headline became the beginning of the end for BG. You could see it in everything he did that he believed he could impact the game the way MJ would. All of a sudden he thought he was an allround player. Do you remember cringing everytime he had 8 assists and 6 rebounds on the stat sheet? NOOOOO!!!! That summer it was reported that Gordon was working on defense and passing. He thought he was expanding his game, but he was expanding his head. It's as if Gordon was no longer happy being in a specialized role, as if getting triple-doubles was the only measure of basketball greatness.
Stay tuned for how this development led to the dysfunctional Bulls team we painfully watched last year...
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4 comments:
With longtime Spur Vinny D at the helm, I can't imagine the Bulls doing anything but winning this year.
A-men to that!
I think a more pertinent question to put up for vote is:
Do you think Ben Gordon should continue to play the sport of basketball?
A.) No, is that a rhetorical question?
B.) Yes, but only in his imagination
C.) No, his passing skills are better suited to throwing errant t-shirts into the crowd
I get your point, but overlooked is the role that the LuvaBulls played into last year's disastrous season. They are the oft-maligned dance troupe that last year, embarrassed often with their 80's-style dance routines and puzzling choice of outfits (cheerleader don't usually wear evening gowns). To whom it may concern: The LuvaBulls need a complete overhaul (except you know who you are brunette third from the right, you can stay).
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