Here We Go Again

I'm generally pretty optimistic about my teams, but I'm pretty sure the Bulls' loss last night to the New Jersey Nets effectively ends the season.

I really just don't see this team beating the Miami Heat in a seven-game series, home court advantage or not. There are three reasons for this.

1. Shaq;
2. D-Wade;
3. It's the playoffs.

Here's the thing. Kirk Hinrich does a very good job of locking down Dwyane Wade when these two teams meet. Wade's even gone on record saying that Hinrich is one of the toughest defenders he's ever gone against.

That's all well and good, but do you remember last year's NBA Finals?

Remember all those whistles you heard whenever Dwyane Wade moved?

That's because in the NBA playoffs superstars get every single call. All of the tugging and hand-checking that Captain Kirk gets away with during the regular season will be fouls in the playoffs.

You could bring up the point that Wade is coming off the shoulder injury and hasn't looked the same since his return, but I still maintain the opinion that he's faking the entire thing just as an excuse to rest his tired legs over the last half of the season.

Remember, this is the same Dwyane Wade who hurt his hip against the Bulls in the playoffs last season. He then came back and torched the Bulls offensively. Was I the only one who noticed how smooth-moving and pain-free Wade was when he had he ball in his hand, only to grimace in agony everytime he ran back on defense?

That's because he was full of shit.

Being injured is part of his persona, he has a 24/7 Willis Reed complex going on. (No, I don't mean Willis Reed was faking his injury.)

Then there's Shaq. Shaq in the playoffs. Ben Wallace couldn't stop Shaq last season as a Piston, and he had Rasheed and company to help him out. What's to make me think Big Ben will be able to handle the task this season?

There's the hope that Shaq may tire after having to carry the team for a while after Wade's injury, but I'll believe that when I see it. The man has won enough NBA titles to know how to bring it in the playoffs.

So really, unless the Bulls have an outstanding series shooting wise, I don't see them beating the Heat. Even if they do, they'll probably be too beat up and tired to take on the Pistons in the second round.

Trust me, I hope I have to eat these words in a few weeks, I just don't think I'll have to.