Running with the Bulls for a Game 7

Alright, tonight's game 7 between the Bulls and the Celtics is a big enough event that we'll get a little running diary going tonight starting with the pregame show.



7:33pm- People have questioned whether this series has been the best ever, I'm not sure. I haven't been alive long enough to compare it to others, but my biggest fear for tonight has to be a repeat of the Lakers-Suns game 7 a few years ago. That series had it all, a fierce rivalry, two MVP canidates in Kobe and Nash, and the great Tim Thomas. Which reminds me, ESPN has thrown out the idea of Kevin Garnett going Willis Reed and lifting the Celtics to a win, alright, 1) I doubt that's going to happen, 2) I hate Kevin Garnett, he seems sooo phony and for all his intensity and competitiveness he's never played well in crunch time, 3) most importantly, why hasn't anyone mentioned Tim Thomas?!?! Sure he hasn't played in the series, but he's raised his game in this series too. He has yet to smile, jump, or show any sign of life despite being in one of the greatest series of all time. He deserves a spot in the Hall of Fame for these actions.



7:41- Boston Celtics run onto the court. Tony Allen points to the sky and fist pumps, he's ready.



7:44- Here come the Bulls! Joakim Noah one ups the Tony Allen intro by jumping in place for 12 seconds.



7:45- Saving gas is good, thanks Goodyear.



7:48- John Thompson has just compared Joakim Noah to Dennis Rodman...I'd agree with that, they're both insane...I think VHI should have a reality show featuring both of them, or maybe MTV could do a True Life following both of them, the possiblities are endless!



7:56- Alright the tip off is in four minutes...I think the Celtics are going to win, but hopefully it'll be interesting. My biggest fear is a repeat of the Lakers-Suns game 7 where David Stern limited Kobe Bryant to 3 second half points.



8:00- Another Willis Reed-KG comparison on behalf of TNT. Just stop.



8:01- Barkley thinks it's going to be a blowout because the "Celtics are just a better team", the Celtics also have David Stern coming off the bench. No one in the NBA can match up with the guy.



8:03- Some of the most tense times in your life can come pumping gas according to Shell.



8:05- Just got a text from an unknown number saying "the fix is in".



8:06- I get a text from the same number telling me if I don't delete my last text then I'm dead, there's also a picture of a gun and it has the signature: *D. $+eRn*.



8:06- The Garden looks to be jumping tonight, there are white towels waving all around.



8:07- Celtics win the tip and Pierce knocks down the first shot, David Stern with the assist.

8:22- I lost the computer for a little, so that's the reason for the 15 minute delay. Boston just took a timeout which allows me to catch up a little. Some thoughts of the beginning of the game...The Brad Miller- Brian Scalabrine match up is soso underrated! The looks on their faces which say "I so don't belong here" matches the Rondo-Rose match up. Also, Scalabrine looks like an idiot with the headband on and he reminds of me Central Catholic Assistant Coach Devin Crummie a little. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Rose looks great, he's composed and is attacking early, also Gordon is matching David Stern basket for basket, he's going to make this thing interesting. Also, what a block my Rose on Scalabrine/Devin Crummie.

8:27- Pierce has come to play. It seems like gets no elevation at all on his jumper put some how manages to get it off. He's knocking down his jumper early, which means Ray Allen won't have to carry so much of the scoring load so early in the game. As the game goes on will Boston go to Allen who has had the hot-hand/mismatch so far in the series or Allen, who they normally go to in an isolation set at the top of the key.

8:29- Devin Crummie/Scalabrine knocks down a garbage 3, then manages to allow Rose to shoot over him for a pretty duce.

8:34- Stephon Maurbury looks a little lost, but he just found Scalabrine for a nice 3. Stephon Maurbury with no confidence? The NBA-where amazing happens...those commericals speak the truth.

8:35-Wow, what a block on Rondo's drive to the hoop at the end of the 1st quarter!! The Bulls are soo athletic with Noah and Thomas down low. Both seem to be a little raw, especially Thomas, who can jump out of the gym, but doesn't really have any low post moves or a consistent jump shot, so he's forced to be a "garbage player" on the offensive end. Nevertheless, he plays hard (I'm sure Joe Cattania is a big fan of his) and defends. Most importantly, Garbage Time supports garbage players.

8:39- Vinny Del Negro is interviewed and basically tells us Scalabrine/Crummie can hit open threes, thanks.

8:40- Start of the second quarter, Chicago up 27-23, no sign of KG banging his head of the basket like Gus Ferotte ...Still waiting for David Stern to check in.

8:41- Ben Gordon has 17 of Chicago's 32, after hitting a 3 and a nice pull up jumper over Starbury...Crummie answers with a 3 of his own. Where were these threes in the seniors vs. faculty game?

8:43-Both Boston and Chicago are playing really great, exciting basketball, maybe David Stern has a partially torn ACL like KG.

8:47- A pretty drive by Allen pulls the Celtics to within 4. Honestly, is he better than Reggie Miller? Respond on Garbage Time's Fan Page on Facebook.

8:50- Glen Davis ties the game at 36 with a dunk, well more of a power lay up, but still. The Celtics are coming alive and Chicago is out of synch on offense. Ben Gordon isn't in to bail them out and create on offense. More importantly, the Chicago bigs are struggling offensively, they're turning the ball over and clogging the lane for Rose and Salmons to drive right now. Chicago needs to spread the floor a little so Rose can go one on one against Marbury and create for everyone else.

8:55- The NBA stay in school program endorsed by Rajon Rondo who left college early! The NBA where caring happens.

8:56- Another Chicago turn over and a big 3 by House. Celtics on an 18-4 run.

8:59- Another 3 by House and the Garden gets louder. Chicago can't buy a bucket right now, Gordon needs to get going before the Stern house call comes through. Perkins with a bucket and Chicago calls a much needed time out, they're down 8 and Boston is pulling away.

9:01- Just saw the preview for Dance Flick, it looks hilarious, but so did Superhero Movie. Lowes won't be getting my 8.45 this time.

9:04-After a great first quarter, the Bulls have been outscored 23-11 in the 2nd quarter and haven't scored in the paint yet. Kendrick Perkins just picked up his third foul allowing for the great Mikki Moore to check in!

9:09- The last 4 Bulls possessions, the Bulls have turned the ball over. The Celtics defense is impregnable right now (copyright: Mike Tyson). The Bulls are down 12, but it's not looking to good. The Bulls aren't getting good looks, Hinrick hasn't scored, and Rose and Gordon have cooled off. Making things harder for the Bulls, they don't have a low post presence who they can get the ball to, who can get an easy bucket or commands a double team. The guards aren't getting to the line and they're being forced into shooting jumpers.

9:14- A nice drive by Rondo followed by him blocking Rose's shot ends the first half. The Bulls are down 52-38 and can't buy a bucket. Devin Crummie is being interviewed!!! He's provided us with the great info that if you penetrate then you get open, the crowd inspires defensive stops, and that it's his mom's birthday. What an invaulable interview.

9:24- Still waiting for the Dwight Howard, Dwyane Wade, Charles Barkley T-Mobile commercial....still waiting...we get a Popeye's/ Mr. Waterheater/ Edgar Snyder commercials instead.

9:27- The Bulls have not overcome a halftime deficit greater than 10 points all sason. That can't be a good sign.

9:32-Cisco says you can push a button to get an expert. I can turn my head in Chemistry class and get Luke Smith. Me-1 Cisco-0

9:34- Quick rundown of the matchups...Rondo-Rose, as of now Rose is getting the better of the matchup, but Boston's winning. Advantage-Rondo. Scalabrine/Crummie-Miller, it's not even close right now. Advantage-Crummie/Scalabrine. Gordon-Allen, Gordon has more points, but didn't score in the 2nd quarter. Still, advantage-Gordon

9:36- The 2nd half starts and the Bulls still can't score. Allen is doing a great job denying Gordon the ball.

9:37- The Bulls first bucket in 9 minutes! They're down 12. The Bulls are doubling Allen right now, Davis is being left open and he's making the Bulls pay. He also has a mohawk, which tells me he wants to be unique, but isn't cool enough to do it before it's become accepted as cool in society. Real men get a high top fade before a mohawk.

9:41-Two Noah free throws brings the Celtics lead back into the single digits.

9:43- Just when Chicago seems to be getting back into the game, Ray Allen hits a 3 to stretch the lead back to 12 thanks to a screen set by David Stern.

9:45- A pretty pass by Rondo to Glenn Davis gets the lead back to double digits for the Celtics.

9:48- A nasty foul on Rondo by Noah...Rondo decides to lay on the ground for a few minutes as Paul Pierce looks on like a proud father.

9:52- A look at Tyrus Thomas on the bench, he looks sooo disinterested. Tim Thomas is making his mark on the series after all

9:54- Derrick Rose with a nice floater giving him 16 or the game, he's starting to come alive. Rondo answers with a floater of his own. Celtics 65-55.

9:56- The game is getting a bit sloopy. Boston calls a time out to settle things down. Crummie/Scalabrine has gotten beat on back to back possesions but the Bulls guards havent finished. The Bulls are down 7 with 3:30 left in the 3rd quarter.

9:58- Chicago has to stop doubling Ray Allen, each time they double him Davis dives straight to the rim for an easy bucket.

9:59- A beautiful pass by Rondo to Pierce for a nice lay up giving him his 10th assist and KG his 123rd expletive. Pierce drives past Miller for a dunk, allowing Willis Reed Jr. to curse for the 134th time this game. Someone please tell him to shut up.

10:03- Ray Allen hits two free throws and the Celtics are up by 11 again, but Rose hits a jumper. He won't go down without a fight. Glen Davis with another lay up, I'm not sure what the Bulls are doing, but it might not be a good idea to leave a NBA player wide open and let him make lay ups. Bulls down 12

10:05- Rondo has 30 assists to 0 turnovers in the last two games. CP3, he's coming for you.

10:07- Ben Gordon passes the ball for the first time all series.

10:08- Why is Chicago switching screens on Rondo?!? He's not going to pull up for a jump shot, so there's no reason to switch. If they go under the screen, they're beating him to the spot where he wants to drive and there's no longer a mismatch with a guard on a Celtic big guy.

10:10- Ben Gordon with his 1st basket since the 1st quarter brings the Bulls to within 6. 78-71 Celtics going into the fourth quarter. I'm hoping David Stern is not near a tv right now.

10:12- The 4th quarter starts with another switch on a screen leaving Davis wide open. Noah fouls him. Stop switching the screens!!!! STOP SWITCHING THE SCREENS!

10:14- Lindsey Hunter gets stuck on Glenn Davis on a switch off of Ray Allen. Hunter fouls Davis. STOP SWITCHING THE SCREENS VINNY DEL NEGRO.

10:15-Chicago has gone small with Hinrich, Gordon, and Rose all on the floor at once. The lead Boston is down to 5, but Eddie House knocks down a big 3 to push the lead back to 8.

10:17- Marbury dribbles towards the basket for the first time all season.

10:18- Hinrich hits another jumper, bringing the Bulls to within four.

10:20-House with a big 3 after a Davis rebound. Celtics up 7, but House gets a tech. YES the much awaited Howard/Barkley/Wade T-mobile commerical. Ok back to my prior thoughts--actually, I forget them thanks to the rush I got from that commercial.

10:22- A commercial featuring guys ice skating just came on , then it said "Stanley Cup Playoffs on Versus"...What a terrible commercial, what is the Stanley Cup Playoffs and where can I buy them? How much is it? What will it do for me?

10:23- A horrible shot by Gordon in which no one else touches the ball. Chicago is in the penalty with 8:20 left in the game. If Boston attacks they can get a ton of easy buckets at the free throw line. Boston up 6.

10:25-Chicago is unraveling a bit. Rose isn't getting the ball, Noah picked up his fifth foul, and Gordon has monopolizd the ball. Bulls down 9 mith 7:45 left.

10:27- Kendrick Perkins is making things tough on the Bulls guards when they get to the cup. Hinrich with a big 3 to bring the lead down to 6.

10:29- The Celtics are running everything through Pierce, who just turned the ball over. Where's Ray Allen?

10:32- Bulls get an extra point from a first quarter 3 that was counted as 2. Ric Bucher reports Ray Allen was in the bathroom with David Stern.

10:34- Bulls down 3, Ben Gordon pulls up for a 3 which he air balls. Bulls double Pierce again leaving Perkins open for a lay up. GO UNDER THE SCREEN CHICAGO, stop doubling your getting killed on it, adjust!

10:35- Ric Bucher reports Chuck Crummie is coaching the Chicago Bulls

10:37- A bad Chicago possession, leaves them down 5 with four minutes to play. Brad Miller with a terrible foul after allowing Perkins to get post position. Chicago is geting beat to every loose ball and can't get a bucket right now. Boston's quietly in control. Chicago down 91-86

10:39-Applebee's is offering real burgers!!! Hmm what were they offering before?

10:40- Again with the ice skating/ Stanley Cup commercial! These things are driving me crazy, what is it trying to sell?!

10:41- Bulls haven't scored in 3:15, down 7 with 2:45 to play, but now the Celtics are in the penalty.

10:43- A back breaking 3 by Eddie House after transfering. Bulls down 8 with 2:10 left.

10:46- A 3 by Hinrich pulls the Bulls to 5. The Bulls won't quit, but David Stern is encouraging them to. The refs are calling fouls on every bit of contact.

10:47- Crummie/Scalabrine checks in.

10:47- Crummie/ Scalabrine gets scored on. Bulls down 5.

10:48- Crummie/ Scalabrine is defended panics and calls time out.

10:49- Crummie/ Scalabrine no longer in the game.

10:52- Bulls get a stop, but Gordon doesn't finish. House is beat off the dribble, but gets lucky which allows him to curse and act like he hade a big play. Noah fouls out on the rebound, Pierce hits both free throws.

10:53- "Does he have a tatoo on his head?"

"Marbury? yea"

"He's crazy. He does realize there's life after basketball. How idiotic will he look as a 70 year old man, with a wrinkled head with that tatoo"

An exchange between my dad and I.

10:55- The Celtics go for a home run and Allen gets a 3 point play. Celtics up 8 with 50 seconds left. It's not looking good for Chicago.

10:57- Kevin Garnett yells anything is possible at the top of his lungs. A tip in by Miller makes it interesting, a steal!! Gordon misses the 3 and David Stern pleads on behalf of Eddie House for a foul not to be called on the rebound.

11:00- Eddie House has takn over KG's role as overrated scrub who gets to yell at the top of his lungs becaus he's on the floor. Chicago down 109-99 with 12.8 seconds left. Game over.