Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
I really don’t know what to think about Game two Tuesday night. I had so many emotions going on at one time. As a basketball fan, I wanted to the Bulls to win because I want all of the playoffs series to go seven games because the season will carry on longer. I want the Bulls to win because over time of studying, analyzing and writing about this squad for the last few months, you tend to get a little emotionally invested. I have put in a lot of work writing for Pippen Ain’t Easy, the best choice for Bulls news, previews and reviews. That takes some passion to keep it up. So I do care about the team. On the other hand, I watched the game and wanted to see if everything I wrote would come to fruition. Sadly, the majority of it has. The Chicago Bulls for the second time in as many games blow a fourth quarter lead losing to the Washington Wizards 101-99 in overtime. The Bulls have now lost five straight home playoff games in a row. The Bulls have lost six playoff games overall. If you are a Chicago Bulls fan or one of the Pippen Peoples that are shocked over the chain of events, guess what? You haven’t been paying attention. To the everyday Chicago fan, let me get a towel for the cold water thrown in your face. As for the Pippen Peoples, you should be ashamed because we here at Pippen Ain’t Easy saw this coming. Think I’m lying? Go back and read every single preview from the backcourt to the frontcourt to the bench. Now the question has turned from can the Bulls win this series to will the Bulls even win a game. If the Bulls keep the same game plan, find a dustpan. Let’s go over some reasons why you should even watch Game three…
1) DJ Augustin has played himself into a 10 million dollar deal.
It’s rare that NBA wives get into an article, but Pippen Ain’t Easy is no ordinary website. We’re crazy enough to do anything short of getting us fired from FanSided. This goes out to Mrs. Augustin.
Mrs. Augustin,
Hi, I’m Ronald Agers, Editor of Pippen Ain’t Easy, the best source for Bulls news, previews and reviews. First off, congratulations to the little Bull that you have added to the Augustin family. I’m pretty sure that you and the little bundle of joy are doing great. I’m writing this to ask a favor. For the next week or so, can you let DJ get as much rest as possible? As a father of three, I know the responsibilities of a newborn. I’m sure DJ is a wonderful father. You see you husband has emerged as one of the few shots the Bulls have of winning a game this series. Your husband had an out-of-body experience in Game two dropping 25 points and seven assists. He was amazing and the Bulls are going to need him to do this for about a week. If you can let him slide a little on Daddy-duty, MAYBE the Chicago Bulls won’t get swept. Again congratulations!
Pippen Ain’t Easy
P.S.
Mrs. Augustin, you might want to pack.
Why? Because if the Chicago Bulls don’t pony up at least a three-year deal worth about 3-4 million dollars a year. DJ Augustin will go by the waste side and leave like Nate Robinson, Marco Bellinelli, Kyle Korver and CJ Watson. Augustin had his best game as a professional considering the circumstances. The Bulls were in danger of getting run out of the gym down 17 points until this guy showed up near the end of the first quarter. Augustin scored 11 straight points to get the Bulls back in the game. Let me tell you Pippen Peoples, DJ Augustin has not played this good throughout his career. He got past the mind games of Larry Brown in Charlotte, his awful play in Indiana, the indignity of being released to open up the scenario to trade Rudy Gay out of Toronto to saving the season for this Chicago Bulls team. Since Luol Deng got traded, Augustin emerged as the team’s leading scorer. What’s more impressive he did this after having an off game in Game one. That’s confidence. That’s heart and to Mrs. Augustin a big payoff for that one week of extra diaper duty…trust me!
2) Taj Gibson put on his big boy drawers.
After getting slapped around in the second half of Game one, Taj Gibson made sure that there was no repeat of that in Game two. Taj Gibson played so good even the Legion of Booz called to give him props. In 36 minutes Gibson scored 22 points by way of shooting 7-17 from the floor and 8-10 from the charity stripe. He wasn’t just scoring though. He grabbed ten rebounds and had three blocks. Here’s the kicker right here Pippen Peoples, Gibson had an obscene NINE OFFENSIVE REBOUNDS! That is unheard of. The big difference between the two games was the aggressiveness. When your team is shooting in the low 40% range (43 percent) and chasing every brick from the three-point line that’s not being shot by DJ Augustin, you have yeoman’s work. He and Joakim Noah rendered Marcin Gortat useless for Game two with their energy and activeness on the boards. After getting beat down on the glass in Game one, the Bulls came back strong outrebounding the Wizards in Game two. Taj Gibson is the main reason for that.
3) Support your new Defensive Player of the Year!
To watch the look of frustration on Joakim Noah’s face in the post game interview was sad. He’s right. He DOES hate losing. He’s right when he says this situation the Bulls are in right now sucks. After watching him dive to deflect a ball only to see the Wizards grab it and throw it ahead for a lay up marked the end of the Bulls chances for this series. To watch this guy play with so much heart is just a wonderful thing to see. Charles Barkley calls him his favorite player. He’s my most inspirational player. The Bulls need to renegotiate this guy’s contract (Believe me they won’t) because this guy is something that the NBA should build a campaign around. The way this guy works and uses every bit of energy and intelligence that he has which grows every game he plays we should all support this team. For Joakim Noah.
Look Pippen Peoples, it does not stop here. Pippen Ain’t Easy will have TOTAL coverage of the last two games and what has gone wrong over the last two games. Also check the Washington Wizards home page on CNNSI for interviews that I have done with Ben Mehic, the Editor of the Wiz of Awes website on FanSided as well. Keep it locked to Pippen Ain’t Easy, your best choice for Bulls news, previews and reviews. Maybe together we can help figure out how the Bulls can get back in this series and what person(s) you need to point you finger at. Send your comments. The Bulls might read this and use them. They need all the help they can get.