Five Observations From the First Two Games of Bulls-Bucks

Mar 25, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic (44) passes the ball against the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre. Chicago defeated Toronto 116-103. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

2. Nikola Mirotic should take note of what happened to Ersan Ilyasova

“Has anyone noticed how good this 24-year-old, 6-foot-10 power forward from Europe has been playing? He is averaging 13.0 ppg and shooting 45.5 percent from 3-point range. What a find this guy has been. He is going to be a future NBA star because of his size and shooting combination. They have found a cornerstone for the future of their franchise.”

Of course we knew I was referring to Ilyasova if I was writing for Behind the Buck Pass after the 2011-12 season. I would go as far to write a 1,600 word column about how he is going to be a future NBA star. That was before Illaysova declined the last two seasons and turned into a fringe starter on the Bucks, who no one mentions as one of the young cornerstones for the future of the franchise. The Bucks went as far to try to get rid of him at the deadline without avail.

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Ilyasova has combined for an effective 23 points on 24 shots so far this series, including a solid 1-8 from three and some ghastly post defense on Pau Gasol.

KEEP WORKING HARD NIKOLA. YOU ARE STARING YOUR CAREER WORST-CASE SCENERIO IN THE FACE THIS SERIES.

3.Nikola Mirotic should keep trying to piss off Zaza Pachulia

That scuffle has been my favorite part of the series so far. I haven’t seen Europeans get that mad since Zayn said he was leaving One Direction, and I’m judging you if you get that reference. Where were Gasol and Ilyasova in this fight? I was ready for it to turn into a European war. There was a moment at the :44 mark when Mirotic grabbed Pachulia’s head. If he had the exact opposite amount of hair, I was for ready Zinedine Zidane 2.0. Sasha Vujacic and Goran Dragic already fought each other in the playoffs before. Are European fights becoming a thing?

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