Endgame

  In the blink of an eye, Miami turned out the lights on the dreams of an improbable
Bulls comeback.  First it was Wade and then it was James.  You felt that the dragon
had been slain,  at least for at one night, when Ronnie Brewer pumped in a
three ball to put the Bulls up twelve.  Miami said no.  Like all of Chicago, I watched in
disbelief as Miami simply put on the afterburners in route to the NBA Finals.
Part of the Chicagoan in me wants to scream about an officiating conspiracy.
Part of me wants to go totally meatball and say that the NBA wanted Miami on
their biggest stage against Dallas.  No.  No.  And No.  The Bulls were up twelve
in spite of all the phantom calls and all of the trips to the line that Miami took.
Officiating had  nothing to do with the step back that James hit to put Miami
ahead for good.  Officiating had nothing to do with Dwayne Wade knocking
down a three that basically hastened the Bulls demise.  I was reminded of that Bulls
team that faced  Orlando after Jordan had officially re-entered the basketball scene.
That was 1995 I believe.  Like that Bulls squad in 95, this Bulls team lost control of
a game that was in their hands.  That 95 team like this one, will
have an entire summer to regroup and refocus.   On that night, like this one,
superior talent held serve.  What am I getting at?  Michael learned from that
fateful night in 95 as Orlando prematurely celebrated his decline.  My hope is
that  Derrick Rose learns from this experience and grows stronger from it.
My hope is that this isn't the beginning of more Miami beat downs on the
road to a potential championship.  Michael willed his way past the Pistons
but this is a different time.  No one man can single handedly carry a team
to greatness.  If this series doesn't emphasize this point, I don't know
what else will.  And so.... the off season begins.  You're on the clock
Gar Foreman.  Batman needs a Robin.