2015 NBA Playoff Previews: Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks
By Ian Levy
Now that the regular season has ended, we’ve switched into playoff mode here at Friendly Bounce. To kick off our coverage, we’re bringing you some unique previews of every series. You’ll find a #10WordRecap of each team’s season, a recap of their season using emojis, important Vines, and reasons why they will, and won’t, win their first-round matchup.
Chicago Bulls (3): By Jack Maloney (@jackhaveitall)
#10WordRecap
Rose returned. Then he left again. Now he’s back again.
Emoji Recap
Three Most Important Vines
Derrick Rose fancy pants
Pau Gasol spin cycle
https://vine.co/v/O0LUKJFqlBe
E’Twaun Moore ONIONS
“Woke up an optimist. Sun was shining, I’m positive.” The Bulls will win because…
Look, the Milwaukee Bucks are a nice story. Giannis is awesome, they have cool new logos, and Jabari will be back next season, but let’s be realistic. They’re the Bucks, this is the Bulls. The Chicago Bulls, with Jimmy Butler and Pau Gasol and Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah. They’re just too talented. The Bucks are going to put up a valiant fight, there’s no doubt about that. But there’s also no doubt as to which team will emerge victorious. Here’s a hint: they’ll be wearing red and black.
“Too many Urkels on your team that’s why your wins low.” The Bulls will lose because…
Derrick Rose is back, but only barely, and regardless, he’s not the dynamic force of nature he once was. Joakim Noah is not 100 percent. Neither is Jimmy Butler. This is a banged up group, worn down by the non-stop attitude of their head coach. With Rose limited in his return from action, and Butler not the same player he was a few months ago when he was a fringe MVP-candidate, the questions regarding scoring suddenly becomes a bit frightening for Chicago. And that doesn’t even take into account that the Bucks have one of the best defenses in the league. If Chicago can’t figure out a way to put points on the board, these games are going to be drawn out and ugly, giving the Bucks a chance to win each and every night. When that’s the case, you only need a few things to go against you, and all of a sudden the Bulls are out of the playoffs much earlier than expected.
Milwaukee Bucks (6): By Eric Buenning (@EricBuenning)
#10WordRecap
Nobody expected this, yet here we are. Wooo!
Emoji Recap
Three Most Important Vines
GIANNIS
Happy Giannis
Damn…
“Woke up an optimist. Sun was shining, I’m positive.” The Bucks will win because…
The Bulls are one wrong move from every one of their players falling apart. Not really, but they may be more fatigued than the youthful, innocent Bucks. Milwaukee has the ability to make life difficult on defense for Chicago, and can get out and use their length in transition. If Chicago is indeed tired or just isn’t really as sharp as they should be, the Bucks could pull something off here, especially if their shooters (Middleton, Dudley, Mayo) get hot. Also, don’t underestimate playoff Giannis.
“Too many Urkels on your team that’s why your wins low.” The Warriors will lose because…
Chances are Chicago isn’t horribly tired, and they remember that they have a humongous advantage in the paint over the Bucks. Pau Gasol is a tough matchup on offense (he’s dropped 46 on the Bucks this season), and then you also have to concern yourself with Jimmy Butler, Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, and former MVP Derrick Rose. If the Bulls play at the high level that they’re more than capable of, this shouldn’t be too long of a series.