NP: John Cage, 4'33" (extended dance mix)

I'm still trying to figure out why I'm so fascinated with this 2004-2005 Bulls team. It's easy to jump on a bandwagon when a team is doing well, but there's something about watching a team that's got a hint of a spark and is doing everything they can to turn it into something real. To be honest, this reminds me of a similar instance about twenty years ago when I fell for the New York Rangers in the midst of a four Stanley Cup run by regional rivals the New York Islanders.

By the way, Potvin sucks.

Where was I? Right, Bulls.

Tonight was a heartbreaker, not quite to the degree of the double-OT season opener, but a heartbreaker nonetheless. I defy you to find a Bulls team in the post-Jordan era even capable of breaking your heart. A 10-0 run that should have been capped by a 3-point play to tie the game, were it not for a call going the wrong way, with under a minute shows that backbone I keep talking about. And to make that comeback with at least four of your much-ballyhooed kids (Curry, Chandler, Gordon and "elder statesman" of the bunch Andres Nocioni) unable to get the job done was even more impressive.

The Bulls lost this game because they were absolutely dominated on the glass for three quarters, and the bulk of that blame goes to Curry and Chandler, who sat and watched in the fourth as Adrian Griffin and Othella Harrington, of all people, showed them how it's done. Griffin, who I was a bit skeptical about in previous outings, was a revelation with his hustle and actual boxing out of opponents under the glass (what a concept!), and I expect to see more playing time from him, especially if Skiles puts either of the big guys in the doghouse.

Right now the schedule is working against this team, with too many games against too good opponents, but I still think they're going to surprise a lot of people in the second half of the season.