They’ve met once this season, a December match up in which the final score (Bulls 100, Celtics 82) does not do justice to the beating Chicago laid down. Interestingly Tony Allen scored 20 points and at the time I immediately dismissed his performance as garbage time. Allen of course went on a statistical tear until his knee injury. Seems like ages ago.
Bulls Starters
Kirk Hinrich – One of the better defensive players in the league regardless of what Pat Riley says. While I would not go as far to call him a “Dwayne stopper” he always makes Wade work.
Ben Gordon – Few people realize this but he was born in London. I actually say “few people” to make myself feel better because I only found out the other day. Anyways Gordon is the Bulls crunch time guy. He’s a scorer who can be streaky at times.
P.J. Brown – I feel like he’s been around forever. Came over in the Tyson Chandler deal. Does some of the dirtier aspects of pro basketball and believe it or not will make $8 million this year.
Luol Deng – He’ll turn 22 in just over a month and currently is averaging 18 points and 7 rebounds per game. His numbers have improved every season and the Bulls think the sky is the limit for him. They better be right, as it appears that Chicago refused to part with him in a possible deal for Pau Gasol.
Ben Wallace – He’ll turn 33 next year, will be making more than $14 million per year through 2009/2010, and most people feel that his best days are behind him. Meanwhile Tyson Chandler is averaging 9 points and 12.5 rebounds per game. And those numbers don’t speak to some of the absolutely monstrous nights that Chandler has had. He’s averaged 15 rebounds since the start of February, including 3 20-rebound efforts.
Other Bulls of Note:
Andres Nocioni – One of my favorite Bulls. Despite the fact that he gets dunked on all the time, is a real solid player.
Thabo Sefolosha – Promising rookie who was part of the epic Bryan Colangelo draft day clip on YouTube. Gained prominence partly for Colangelo praising how “long” the Bulls were and partly because he appeared to browbeat Danny Ainge on the phone.
Tyrus Thomas – Also part of the Colangelo clip. Distinguished himself with all the bad press around the All Star break. Is it bad that his comments about just doing the dunk contest to collect the cash prize did not bother me at all?
Chris Duhon – I’ll guarantee you two things – he’s a free agent right now in your fantasy league and if you need to pick him up you are in trouble.
Celtics Starters:
Kendrick Perkins, Paul Pierce, and Al Jefferson seem to be the only givens in the starting lineup right now. Doc is taking it slow with Delonte West so I’m guessing Rajon Rondo gets the start again. And I think Brian Scalabrine rounds out the starting five as Chicago is a more physical team than Seattle.
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