Denver and Chicago have one thing in common......they are pretty young.
Chicago is by far a younger team....featuring FIVE rookies, and NINE players under the age of 25. But the team showed as much heart as any veteran squad. This was a team that started the season 0-9. Just another bad year for Da Bulls in the post-Jordan era. But something happened. These Bulls didn’t really weren’t phased by past glories. Most of these guys hadn’t played in the NBA with Jordan. The team gained confidence and wins. It carried them into the playoffs...and wins in their first two games. But, they ended their season with 4 straight losses and won’t be riding along in their pumpkin ride.
But is this just a fluke??? Or are these Bulls back on track? Well, aside from Antonio Davis, the roster is pretty cheap [Eddie Robinson’s buyout is the second biggest salary number at $5.5M]. However, they only have 7 guys under contract for next season. Ty Chandler and Eddy Curry are restricted free agents...and have good shots at coming back [unless someone grossly overpays them]. They’d like to get Chris Duhon back...but he may try to cash in on his late season rise. If they bring those three back...they’ll keep the core intact that may lead them to even better things in the near future.
As for Denver...the season was about potential. Under Coach Bzzzzz and Coach Cooper, the Nuggs were 17-25. Once George Karl arrived...the team was 32-8. This could be a recipe for greater things to come.
Their core will be pretty intact as well. They need to see about picking up another shooter from somewhere....as it was a sore spot for Denver. Aside from that...the team should look the same as it did in the second half of the season. Coach Karl, Carmelo Anthony, Marcus Camby, Andre Miller, Earl Boykins and Kenyon Martis all are under long term deals. Heck, they could be favorites in the Northwest Division next year. Portland and Utah won’t be that great.....Seattle may lose Ray Allen....and Minnesota fell off the basketball planet. So Denver may get to shine in the near future.
So, while getting tossed from the playoffs stings....both the Bulls and Nuggets have a ton of good things to look forward to in the future.
P.S. So far, I picked Miami [in 5], Washington [in 6], Detroit [in 5], Phoenix [in 5], San Antonio [in 6] and Sacramento [in 7]. I've only got one series completely wrong....but been pretty spot on everywhere else. So what about the remaining series?? I picked Boston [in 7] and Dallas [in 7]. Amazing that I picked both those series to go the full length!!! So, let's hope the C's and Mavs can pull these games off and make me look like a genius!!!
Well, except for Sacramento...
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