Talent finally wins out
Yahoo! Sports' NBA analyst Steve Kerr makes his points on the postseason in his playoff notebook.
Series schedules and results:
Nets-Heat | 76ers-Pistons | Pacers-Celtics | Wizards-Bulls
Grizzlies-Suns | Nuggets-Spurs | Kings-Sonics | Rockets-Mavericks
Wizards-Heat | Sonics-Spurs
Washington 94, Chicago 91
In the end, grit could get the Chicago Bulls only so far. They made a valiant effort in Game 6 but ultimately didn't have enough manpower to handle the Washington Wizards.
The Wizards were bigger, quicker and more talented, and it took every physical advantage they had to overcome the scrappy Bulls. Washington won a playoff series for the first time in 23 years, and the Wizards move on to face Shaquille O'Neal and the Miami Heat.
It was interesting to watch the young Wizards progress during the series. The playoffs are pressure-packed and difficult, and it takes experience to learn how to handle it.
Eddie Jordan made some nice adjustments after Game 2, getting his team to move the ball and attack the Bulls inside. And, as the series went on, the Wizards' talent took over.
But Washington's inexperience continually was on display, especially at the end of Game 5 and for most of Game 6. Instead of playing to win, the Wizards did what most young teams do – they played not to lose.
When the Wizards were threatened, Larry Hughes and Gilbert Arenas reverted to the quick shots that got them in trouble early in the series.
They got away from the ball movement that had given them such an edge after Game 2, and as a result they allowed the Bulls to control most of Game 6. If not for a few fortunate breaks and some clutch plays down the stretch, Washington would be heading to Chicago for a seventh game.
The Wizards gained valuable experience in this series, and it will help them considerably as they grow together. Arenas and Hughes are incredible talents, and they're gaining priceless knowledge of postseason basketball. Washington fans should be proud of a young team that made great strides.
For the Bulls, this was a wonderful season after six years of futility. Scott Skiles did a brilliant job getting his young team to compete night in and night out. That's how Chicago led the NBA in field-goal percentage defense.
But in this series, Skiles missed Eddy Curry and Luol Deng, both of whom were a big part of the Bulls' offense during the regular season. Curry, in particular, would have given Chicago a post presence, something the Bulls lacked in the series.
Chicago's big people were manhandled by Washington, and eventually the Bulls' constant reliance on perimeter play caught up with them. Jump shots can carry you only so far, and the Bulls just couldn't make enough of them.
The good news is that Chicago has a very bright future. GM John Paxson has helped Skiles build a nice foundation. Now it's up to the two of them to figure out how to take the next step.
I believe the team's ability to become an elite team depends on Curry. If he is healthy, he has the potential to be a dominant low-post player. Combined with the nasty defense the Bulls already play, Curry's presence could make this a championship-caliber team in a couple of years.
