Bulls win one to remember

Today's Bulls game against the Brooklyn Nets was one for the ages. One of my Facebook posts that day was that the game was the most exciting since Game Six of their first round series against the Boston Celtics in 2009. That series went seven games and almost saw the young Bulls stun the then-defending champions.
But Saturday's game may have actually been even better. These "iron men" Bulls broke the franchise record for most points scored in a playoff game, eclipsing their 1986 effort against Boston where Michael Jordan scored a playoff record 63 in double OT.
Saturday's game went into triple overtime, but not before the Bulls erased a 14-point deficit with three minutes to go in regulation. Up 14, Brooklyn and guard C.J. Watson had a fast 1 on 0 breakaway that should have resulted in a 16-point lead. But Watson missed a dunk, the Bulls fouled Reggie Evans, who then missed a pair of free throws, and the comeback was on. The Bulls outscored the Nets 14-0 over the next two minutes and headed into overtime.
The drama actually began during the final seconds of the third quarter, when Brook Lopez put up a long last second three just a moment after the Bulls thought they had a steal.
But the fourth quarter, and much of the comeback, belonged to Nate Robinson - who scored 34 points on 13 of 21 shooting before fouling out in the second extra session.
The end of the first overtime was another reason this game turned into an instant classic. Joe Johnson of the Nets hits a shot to tie the game with 11 seconds left. Then, even with a foul to give, the Nets do not foul Robinson, who puts up an awkward shot that banks in with a second to go. Johnson, who had the hot hand, then hit the tying bucket with no time to go and force the second OT.
Blunders by both teams in the second quarter saw a third overtime, where the Bulls had already fouled out two players - but still managed to hang on for the win.
This Bulls season may ultimately be remembered for the year Derrick Rose refused to play even when cleared by doctors. but no matter what happens from here on out, Saturday's game should go down in the book for the greatest this franchise has ever seen.

Just like the 1990s

It's NBA Playoffs time, usually one of my favorite parts of the sports year. Watching games that have a higher meaning in a seven-game do or die series is what I live for. I could go the whole season without seeing a basketball game and still be interested come playoff time.
In 2011, I am particularly interested. That's because the Chicago Bulls, a team many experts thought was a year or two away from competing for a title, have the league's best record and have looked pretty unstoppable for the last two months of the season.
Still, as it is with most Chicago teams except for the Cubs, the Bulls aren't getting national recognition. Most of the country still figures the NBA Finals will come down to the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat.
But the Bulls have a certain MVP, the most likeable player in the NBA - Derrick Rose. He makes the Bulls the most likeable and classiest team in my opinion. Teams like the Heat and Celtics are the bad guys in this story.
I can't wait to see the Bulls advance past Indiana and take on some of those other teams with more playoff experience. I think they will take the challenge head on.