I've done it now. I'm shocking the world like the Warriors with a career-high second post this year! I'm sure for you guys, this is like Christmas in April. It is for me at least.

So I got the Detroit series almost right. Good for them, they actually maintained focus for one whole playoff series. This is a major development for Dee-troit, after all, since this the team that thought it could beat the Spurs in the finals after spotting them two games. That they almost pulled it off (and really would have, had Rasheed not forgotten to guard Bob Horry for the fourth quarter and OT of game 5; that game, along with his Charles Smith impersonation against the Lakers in 2000, perfectly captures why 'Sheed has to be one of the most frustrating star players in NBA history) just shows how unique and great this team is. But we'll get to why I think they're winning the whole shooting match later in this series of posts. If I stick around until the finals, that is.

Post-mortem Bulls-Heat Diagnosis

Wow. I really didn't see this coming. In my lost column of last week, I gave the Heat almost an even chance to win this series. I think Kahn, or whoever on Fox it was who wrote this last week, nailed it right on the head: the laziness of one of the game's great underachievers of all-time is finally catching up to him.  Simply put, Shaq has never come close to his potential as a defender or rebounder (on the defensive end), which both come down to focus and effort. While the overratedness of Shaq is a whole 'nother column waiting to happen, I'll say this now: the Diesel D is such a liability, he has to be rolling offensively to justify him being out on the floor. Otherwise, the team is better with 'Zo in the middle.

After witnessing the demise of Shaq to mortal status in games 1 and 2, you knew Miami was going down. But who'da thought the baby Bulls were bad enough to do it big four in a row? Big Ben put in yeoman work, and his ability to play earnest defense straight up against the Diesel was huge. But the game ball has to go to Luol Deng. The guy did his best Rip Hamilton impression, at 6'9'' putting on a clinic of movement off the ball and midrange shooting. That said, don't believe the hype: they shoulda traded him for Pau Gasol. Deng will be a valuable piece on a winning team, but I don't see enough playmaking ability for him to be a franchise-type player. Yet. If dude ever learned a post-up game though...

While it's nice to hang on to developing young players, I'm definitely of the school of thought that a deal that gives you a shot at a title is a deal you have to make. Nevermind the need for scoring in the paint, can you imagine the looks Gordon, Hinrich, and Nocioni would be getting with a passer like Gasol out there?

As it stands in 2007, Luol Deng does not have a post up game. Neither do any of his Bull buddies. That means 'Sheed and CWebb will be frisky on offense in round two, and with their shooting, Big Ben is going to be drawn away from the basket. Rebounding is going to be critical in this series: with the Bulls' best lineup having Deng, Nocioni and Wallace, they could be hammered on the offensive boards. No rebounds means saying bye-bye to the running attack that worked so well for Chicago in round one. This doesn't  begin to mention how the Pistons backcourt matches up almost perfectly with Chicago's, with the length of Hamilton and the strength of Billups causing headaches for Gordon and Hinrich at both ends.

Nonetheless, Chicago plays harder than any team in the league. Unlike Detroit, you won't have to worry about them not showing up for a game. Deng is really on a roll, and his matchup with Tayshaun Prince (Kentucky style!) will be great to watch. Two guys who count on their length meeting their matches, it'll be very interesting to see if they elevate their games or if they malfunction like KG and Duncan do when they go head to head. You know, the "Oh %$^&, you mean I cant just turn around and shoot over the top all day?  What do I do?" syndrome.

But back to the series, I see a hard fought six games, with Detroit's road dominance on full display in the clincher. It will be the best series to watch in the second round. If you're into stuff like tough, competitive playoff basketball that is. Everyone else can watch the pretty-boy Phoenix Suns in their quest to kill defensive basketball in the NBA. Yeah I know, another column.