Game 2 Victory Cigar !!!

[MyInsatiableOne]

Good points, Sully. Whatever the case, this is turning into one hell of an entertaining series!

[bruno sundov]

Rondo did it all game long. Ray was great in the second half and we dont win without that effort. I think Rondo gets the cigar.

[Banks2Pierce]

Like MyInsatiableOne just said, the series could be 2-0, 1-1, or 0-2 at this point. Both teams should feel like they can win the series. I bet they'll split out in Chicago. Tyrus Thomas is playing a lot like Josh Smith on that defensive end. He swats anything within 4 feet of the lane. Kid's a freak.

Had to give this one to Ray. I don't know how you calm your body down when the whole building is swaying when you go up for the shot. That was just an awesome game to be at. I've had goosebumps all morning.

[Athanacropolis]

Had to go with Rondo. He kept them in it, and the offense stalled when he was out of the game.

[MyInsatiableOne]

Had to go with Rondo. He kept them in it, and the offense stalled when he was out of the game.

This is true, but Ray was on fire the entire second half...and he hit the most important shot (after that jumper Rondo hit!)

[GreenDreamer]

The problem here is that we just got to witness some of the greatest individual playoff performances in the history of the team. Rondo, Ray, Baby and Perk all raised their games to the highest level when the season was on the line. Make no mistake about it, if we don't win this one, the season is over and the vultures would have descended on the team, and all of us too, like you wouldn't believe.

While Ray, baby and Perk were wonderful, Rondo was even more so. His performance in this game was literally bringing tears to my eyes. It was a truly great performance, worthy of anyone who has ever worn the Green. I will expalin:

1. The first is the easiest: His stats were ridiculous. Barkley was practically speechless after he saw the boxscore. Huge statistical performance.

2. He played the best game of his career in a situation where anything less would have meant defeat and disaster. That is the mark of the great ones - they have the ability to push themselves to new heights when the situation calls for it.

3. The team was immensely successful when he was out there, and was a train wreck when he was not. Even the Bulls fans noticed this. As great as Ray was, it was Rondo's presence on the floor which made the difference throughout the game. I consider this less of a black mark against Marbury than I do a indicator of Rondo's ability. The Bulls fans were openly prying that Rondo would not be able to continue to play, and for Doc to sub him out at the beginning of the fourth quarter.

4. He was enormous in the clutch. When Paul obviously imploded out there, it was Rondo who stepped up and took the team on his shoulders. He not only scored points, but he was also DIRECTLY responsible for Ray and Baby's points as well. He made key hustle plays which gained us extra points we otherwise wouldn't have. It was a classic Rondo freakout... he just pulled one with the season on the line.

5. He overcame great adversity to see this through. Let's be clear about this: Rondo really hurt himself out there. He was in major pain, and that fall was scary. The injury forced him to play a different style of basketball in the second half than he did in the first, running the offense more from the perimeter in teh half court, than by penetration in the full court. Yet, he somehow found a way to make it work AND to hold Derrick Rose down AND to crash the boards. Awesome.

This isn't a slight on Ray, who was friggin ridiculous out there in the second half, and had himself a truly great game, but Rondo was the puppet master. Rondo was the guy.

[pballa]

Ray Allen gets my vote.

28 in the second half when the teams season could've been on the line.

agree

[bullzman23]

Just curious, but so far are you guys finding this first round more exciting or last year's one against the Hawks? Last season the excitement after not being in the playoffs for so many years must have been something. This year, you're defending the ring but there's all this added uncertainty and pressure due to KG's injury. I lived in Atlanta and went to games 3 and 4. They were insane, the crowd was crazy, and the games were simply fun. This year, I'm now in Chicago and will try and go to game four. As a Bulls fan I'm biased, but it's been great television.

[Banks2Pierce]

Well, yea its more exciting because we basically blew the Hawks out every game that was in Boston. Exciting, yes. Good for the heart, no. Although that win Monday night was one of the best sporting events I've ever been to.

[UGA Hayes]

Well from a bball standpoint this year is infinitely more exciting. The Hawks series was not particularly well played, and the officiating was atrocious. This series is basketball nirvana, and minus a couple of Salvatore calls (both ways) has been as well as officiated as I can remember.