Sometimes one is handed a perishable gift that lasts just a little while, but while it does the gift is remarkable. You don't really want it to end, but you know it will, so you just savor it. A great bottle of wine falls in this category. The Bulls-Celtics playoff does too. Thursday's game was the best so far in a series that has been called the best ever played. See Bill Simmons story here. The NBA definitely got the slogan right this year. It really is where amazing happens.
Highlights here
I am not sure it will be the best series in history but whatever history decides, I fell in love with this young Bulls team Thursday night. After the Spurs lost on Tuesday, I was feeling pretty down, and then this game happened.
It had everything a fan could ask for. When the Bulls lost the big lead I felt terrible for the young players. Then the comeback and the 3OT's happened! Unless you are a diehard Celtics fan how could you not love the youthful enthusiasm and poised play of Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, John Salmons and Kirk Hinrich? They were incredible. Hinrich's feisty push back after Rondo's cheap shot. Noah's great play, called by TNT's Kevin Harlan: "The steal, the gallop, the sledgehammer!". Rose's crucial block of Rondo's jumper. Salmons consistent scoring.
However, I got special pleasure out of watching the "old guy" among all the youngsters, Brad Miller, the 10 year veteran who was traded by the Kings to the Bulls along with John Salmons in February in exchange for Nocioni and Drew Gooden. Miller was electrifying and I have to tell this story.
In December, I was in New Orleans and ran into Brad Miller in the lobby of the Ritz Carlton and we rode in the elevator together. He looked tired, but he was nice enough to chat with a fan. I asked him how the Kings could handle Chris Paul. He smiled, shook his head and said, "Nobody can guard CP3, he is just too tough." This seven footer looked beat before the game even started. The Hornets won of course. Their next game was in San Antonio, and I was there. Miller looked frustrated from the beginning, and the Spurs whipped the Kings.
Fast forward to Thursday night. Brad Miller was full of energy, he hit a late and important 3, he made two critical free throws, and TNT captured his ear to ear grin in a slow-mo shot before a commercial break. This was a newly revived Brad Miller. He was at play and having so much fun. When he was getting ready to shoot the key free throws, Doug Collins (who was world class behind the microphone) said something about the NBA which is so true: "This game will break your heart one minute and give you incredible joy the next." Yes, Doug, and I will savor the memories of this remarkable game for as long as I can.
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