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A stinker in the Rose Garden
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AP Greg Wahl-Stephens
The worst first half that I have witnessed since the Tim Floyd era has just wrapped up as I write this. The score, 62-37. The Trailblazers (7-5) have made the Bulls (5-7) bigs look grade school down low.
The score after the first quarter was 34-13.
Some of the ugly play comes from Joakim Noah, who managed to pick up 5 first half fouls. Commentator Neil Funk stated that Noah "didn't have a good first half," a good way to sugar coat it. Tyrus Thomas play has reminded me of the over energetic guy at your local pick up game venues who can either hurt your team or injure you with his play.
The Blazers have continued the pace into the third and the score is 74-47. I was fearful that something like this was going to happen after viewing the Bulls first game to start this trip, yesterday against the Los Angeles Lakers (8-1).
Lakers forward Pau Gasol had 18 points in the first quarter and finished with 34 points. Center Andrew Bynum had 18 points. I figured that the Blazers bigs could give the Bulls trouble on the glass and with a habit of trying to shoot their way back into games and too many one-on-one possesions, The Blazers could run up the score and it has played out just that way.
Brandon Roy has getting into the lane whenever he wants. I've never seen Joel Przybilla get so many dunks in a season than he has tonight. Whenever the Bulls have managed to put it together for a couple of plays, the Blazers have managed to kill that momentum and that has led to the Bulls going one-on-one and not looking to distribute to the open man.
The third quarter has just finished with a Steve Blake runner at the buzzer. The final score 88-57.
The Bulls begin the fourth with a turnover and I know that in their minds, they have checked themselves out of the game and can't wait to get to Oakland where the Golden State Warriors (5-6) will be waiting. Atleast that's a game that will probably fit the Bulls style of play.
The Bulls might lose this game by 50+ and I have to think after watching this performance, John Paxson is on the phone making some phone calls.
Justifying that last statement, Portland has turned the fourth quarter into eye candy for the fans. They're out hustling, out executing and flat out embarrassing the Bulls. 102-59. You would hope that it's over, but there is seven minutes left in the game.
Rookie Jerry Bayless, who has only played in three games this season, has now checked into the game as well as Ike Diogu.
I know can remember a time when the Bulls were the young team, who out played opponents with defense and energy that not many teams can keep up with for 48 minutes. Portland is that team now. I'm impressed with the athleticism on this team. They have shot blockers, guys who can create for one another and Greg Oden is going to be something special, the way he over powered and out muscled the Bulls bigs tonight. He finished with 11 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks.
Brandon Roy has just put in his food order for the night and with under two minutes to go, the score is 115-68 .
The Bulls have the long-jaw look on and I can't imagine what Vinny Del Negro will tell his team after losing 116-74. Less one-on-one would be a big help as taking contested shots isn't going to get it done on the road.
Luol Deng sat out tonights game with a nagging hamstring injury.
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