How can you not love Ben Gordon? He had one play, not sure when it was, third or fourth quarter, where he split a Boston triple team to score on a jumpshot after Ray Allen knocked the ball out of his hands, giving Gordon another dribble. Then he had that runner while double teamed, that I believe either put the Bulls up 2 late in regulation. Then of course the big three.
I do think Ben Gordon went a little bonkers in the beginning of the second overtime period. Not that I have anything wrong with what he would do normally, because I believe on all but one of them he generated a pretty good look, and the "bad look" was really not that bad. But with a hamstring injury and falling flat on his back prior to that, I don't think it was any time for him to be trying to take over by himself.
And who says Vinny can't make adjustments? Getting Boston to switch on the pick and roll and letting Rose drive on the Boston bigs was brilliant. He better do that next game.
And this is the difference between Vinny and Skiles. Skiles never could get our guys prepared for the big games. In the Detroit series, he couldn't get our guys to respond until we were down 3-0. Vinny, after the embarrassing loss, has our guys back playing hard, pretty focused basketball.
And Ben Gordon, +20 while he was on the court, in what was only a 3 point game. -17 when off. When Gordon is on the court, it just opens up things so much more for the other players on the team.
I am proud of Joakim Noah, he had big stops in the second overtime, big rebounds, and had that big dunk as well.
Tyrus Thomas is the weak link in the front court. Poor defense and stupid decisions on offense, and he doesn't exactly hustle. If we could package him to get Amare, Bosh, or Boozer, while keeping Noah, I think our team would be elite.
