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Coach David Blatt Whines About Physicality After Chicago Bulls Game

By Dave Daniels

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When coach David Blatt complained about the physicality of Sunday’s game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls, that is when I knew Tom Thibodeau and company had gotten under his skin.

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Thibodeau’s teams have always been recognized by their physical defense, but, this season, his squad has (interestingly) been more talented on the offensive than defensive end. This is mainly due to the additions of Pau Gasol and Nikola Mirotic; however, on Sunday the Bulls finally started to showcase their trademark aggression on defense.

Joakim Noah brought the nasty. Fansided has already been over what he called LeBron James on the court, but to me it was more about the hard fouls on LeBron that signaled a series between these two teams could be a blood bath.

Smack talk is all well and good, but it is the teams who back it up that you really need to worry about. Chicago and Cleveland both fit the bill in that respect.

The Cavaliers’ 99-94 win over the Bulls on Easter Sunday could have been a playoff preview; however, both teams will likely have to fight their way through at least one series, a task which they seem capable of. Noah, in particular, didn’t mind getting physical with James, and things would only escalate to the point of a possible suspension in the playoffs.

So if Cavs head coach Blatt is already concerned about a few collisions, then it will only get worse for him in the playoffs.

“That was not an easy game to officiate,” Blatt said afterwards to Cleveland.com. “I thought the officials did a pretty incredible job, but on the other hand, the rule is fun. You can wrap a guy up in mid-air as long as you don’t pull him down to the ground, but on a screen, like what happened with LeBron’s flagrant, if you dislodge a guy in the way that he did, he’s going to get a flagrant foul. In my opinion, that’s just simply wrong. The rule is incorrect and when you grab and hold a guy in mid-air, you’re endangering a player.”

Blatt seemed to be zeroing in on Joakim and glossing over LeBron’s physical drives with no conscience for who he runs over before or after the play. Noah and James do not like each other, and they have made no secret of that fact over the years.

“I thought some of the things that happened were a little overboard. I really do,” Blatt continued whining. “But the league will take a look at it and they’ll decide what’s right.”

Just for the record, the league has not announced any extra suspensions or fines.

Cleveland.com seems to think a match between the Cavs and Bulls in the playoffs would end quickly, but we do not think so here. My prediction is that the series would go seven games, and you will have to wait until we get there for me to pick a winner.

Next: Would Michael Jordan Average 50 PPG? Not So Much

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