Congrats to Phil...

You read the title just right. I want to send a big CONGRATS to Phil Jackson for accomplishing one of the most wanted achievements in the world of basketball. What's that you ask? - Well, before Phil received his fourth Lakers Championship Trophy he had himself about six others from the great city of Chicago where the Bulls rule of course and the fact that they're my favorite team. My hat goes off to his crew that made who the Lakers are today. I knew that as soon as Kobe got his fourth title people would start to compare him to other players that have four titles as well. The following article is of course what I predicted [Article Link] brought to you by CBSsports.com. Now the good man Jackson can walk around with each of his fingers and two thumbs extended out to show all his great achievement. Once again congrats to you and the Laker franchise.

Noah and the Bulls...

CHICAGO - Joakim Noah turned in perhaps the best outing of his rookie season Thursday with 13 points and 20 rebounds, leading the Chicago Bulls past Cleveland107-96.

The Bulls overcame a 39-point effort from LeBron James.

Luol Deng and Ben Gordon both scored 23 for Chicago, which put together a third-period run to win its second straight. The Bulls have won two in a row for the first time in almost two months and have not had a three-game winning streak all season.

Cleveland had won its three previous games, including a victory Wednesday over New York in which James scored 50 points.

James scored 26 in the first half Thursday, but was not as effective after colliding with Chicago's Kirk Hinrich early in the third quarter.

Cleveland owned a 53-49 advantage in the third before Chicago scored 17 consecutive points. The Cavaliers came no closer than eight in the fourth period and Chicago tacked on a 14-2 surge in the final quarter. Noah finished off that burst with a layup.

Trading for a future...

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. Marcus Williams, temporarily replacing Jason Kidd, scored six of his 25 points in overtime Wednesday, leading New Jersey past Chicago 110-102.

After the multi-player trade that sent Kidd to Dallas this week, the Nets plan to use newly acquired Devin Harris as their point guard. But with Harris out of action with an ankle injury, Williams filled in and produced a season-high point total. He made nine of 18 shots from the field, including three of five from three-point range. Vince Carter also delivered a season-best 33 points, helping the Nets to their fourth win in five games. Richard Jefferson added 24 points.

Chicago, losers of three out of four, was led by 17 points from Joe Smith -- one of eight Bulls to score in double figures. Carter made a free throw with 49 seconds left in the fourth period to tie it and neither team could score another point in regulation.

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Having Chicago lose by that small margin isn't too bad but it's a loss nonetheless. After the trades between Chicago and Cleveland I'm looking forward to an interesting outcome for the second half of the season. It was tough lossing Wallace but with the new guys in play maybe we can get a wave of talents together and become "The" team to beat.

Snapping the streak...

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (UPI) -- Andres Nocioni scored 22 points Friday and Chris Duhon hit a key three-pointer to propel the Chicago Bulls past Detroit 98-91.
The Bulls snapped the Pistons' five-game winning streak.
Luol Deng added 17 points and nine rebounds for the Bulls, who have won four of five. Detroit was within three points as the game entered the final three minutes, but Deng hit a jumper and Duhon followed with his three-point shot that gave the Bulls a 91-83 advantage. The Pistons were led by Chauncey Billups with 27 and Richard Hamilton with 24. Chicago has won both meetings between the teams this season and has beaten the Pistons five times in their last six games.

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I got to watch some of the game last night but was unable to see the entire thing. I can say that from what I saw it looked pretty good on their part. I would like to see more from Noah but I can understand that they are playing him periodically to make sure that when it's game time all the way he'll be ready. Congrats Chicago on another win.

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Another win for Da Bulls...

CHICAGO (UPI) -- Luol Deng scored a game-high 30 points Wednesday, enabling the Chicago Bulls to upend the Charlotte Bobcats 91-82. The Bobcats led by 36-28 in the second period before the Bulls grabbed a 42-39 halftime advantage. Charlotte led 66-61 with about eight minutes remaining before Chris Duhon and Andres Nocioni keyed a 19-4 Bulls run that put Chicago on top 80-70 with 3:14 left.
Charlotte never led again. Nocioni had 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Ben Gordon had 13 points and five assists. Duhon added 12 points, five rebounds and nine assists for the Bulls, who won for the third time in their four games. Charlotte was led by 22 points and eight rebounds from Gerald Wallace. Jason Richardson and Raymond Felton scored 17 points apiece, and Emeka Okafor had 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Bobcats, who suffered their seventh straight loss.
Charlotte lost to the Bulls for the second time in less than a week.

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Once again the Bulls are showing some hope, I would like to see some more out of Noah and Ben but it seems that they are still adjusting. Either way I'm proud of their achievement last night and hope to see more in the near future.

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