Pippen Ain't Easy
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Chicago Bulls Players Are Not Panicking Despite Tough Game 4 Loss

By Paul Steeno

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In a stunning reversal of fortune, Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James hit a corner fadeaway with 01.5 left to sink the Bulls 86-84 in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. In the heat of the moment, this shot was demoralizing for a Chicago Bulls team that had cued a late fourth quarter comeback to put themselves in position to win the game.

However, the disappointment of losing Game 4 won’t cause this team to panic, and they will approach Game 5 with sufficient focus and energy to give themselves a chance to win the game.

LeBron James provided the perfect answer to Derrick Rose‘s game-winning buzzer-beater in Game 3.  The shot ties the series at two games apiece and with the series heading back to Cleveland for Game 5, the Bulls have reason to be worried. Essentially, the remainder of the match-up becomes a best of three series, with Cleveland enjoying home-court advantage for two of the three games.

May 10, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; The Cavaliers Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game winning basket in the second half of game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center. The Cavaliers won 86-84. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bulls will move on from this Game 4 loss and approach Game 5 with the same hunger and energy that has characterized this team for the last five years. The Bulls players have calmly endured a roller coaster season, why would they start panicking now?  

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Following their dramatic Game 4 loss, the Bulls looked disappointed but not distraught. Their post-game comments and demeanor suggest that they will use the Game 4 loss as a rallying point and come into Game 5 refocused and ready to steal one in Cleveland.

Bulls forward Taj Gibson provided perspective to the task that the Bulls have before them.

"It is a best of seven[series]. We just gotta go out and get a win. This team has been through a lot. It was a tough one tonight…but it’s like a 12 round boxing match. Each team gotta keep on swinging. It is the best of who can keep swinging and who can adjust faster. Nobody said it was going to be easy."

Bulls forward Mike Dunleavy gave Bulls play-by-play radio announcer Chuck Swirsky a snapshot of the teams’ mindset going into Game 5 in Cleveland.

"Just focused in on [winning] Game 5, and only Game 5. We got to get that game. We have won there before, so we know we can do it. We feel good about our chances."

With his son P.J. on his lap during the post-game press conference, Bulls superstar point guard Derrick Rose seemed the least bit worried about the events that had just unfolded in Game 4 moments ago.

"I’m not concerned at all [after losing Game 4 despite having an 11 point lead in the second half]. I think that we’re a quick learning team. It hurts now knowing we had a couple chances but hey the game is over with and just got to chalk this one up and make sure we are prepared next time."

Later in the interview, Rose acknowledged the shot for what it was: a great play by a great player.

"There’s nothing you can do about it. He hit a great shot. He’s a hell of a player. We just have to make sure that if we’re in that position again, just make sure that we force him out a little bit more or make someone else get the ball."

Ultimately, there was nothing that the Bulls players could have done on that last possession to prevent James from making the shot outside of fouling him. Sure, the Bulls can dwell on other ways in which they let the Cavaliers beat them. However, at the end of the day, all they can do is study the game tape and make sure their miscues aren’t replicated in Game 5.

The past is the past. It is time to commit all available energy and resources to the future. The post-game comments from a number of Bulls players suggested this is the mentality that the Bulls are approaching Game 5 with. The post-game comments of a variety of players failed to produce any visible signs of panic, and that breeds optimism for the Bulls chances moving forward.

May 10, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Mike Dunleavy (34) is fouled by The Cavaliers Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) in the second half of game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at the United Center. The Cavaliers won 86-84. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Another reason that this loss won’t negatively impact the mentality of this team is that the Bulls can’t afford to get down on themselves and come into Game 5 flat. If they do this, they will get run out of the gym.

In Game 2 in Cleveland, the Chicago Bulls were outscored 38-18 in the first quarter. Ultimately they never recovered, losing convincingly 106-91. The Bulls can’t put themselves in a huge hole early, because its too hard for them to make a big comeback against such a talented team.

The situation at hand necessitates a strong effort in Game 5. Expect the Bulls to deliver just that.

The Bulls won’t let a tough Game 4 loss ruin their confidence moving forward. The core of this group has been through a lot together during their careers. In each instance, they have surmounted the circumstances and used adversity to become stronger as a unit. Don’t expect the Bulls’ Game 4 loss to demoralize spirits and cause them to come out flat on Wednesday in Game 5. This is too proud of a group, just ask Joakim Noah.

Next: Derrick Rose's son steals the spotlight after Game 4

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