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There were some surprise performances in the Boston Celtics-Chicago Bulls game Thursday (Feb. 16) at the United Center. For starters, there was resereve guard Mike James, who provided eight points and four assists in 17:21 on the court. He also fouled out, but Bulls coach gave him increased playing time in the absence of Derrick Rose.
Co-captain Carissa of the Luvabulls, who had a busy night of performing.
With Rose sidelined by a back injury, C.J. Watson became the starter. John Lucas III, usually the guard behind Watson, played 7:12. The reason? Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo, who has been a problem for even a healthy Rose, the reigning NBA MVP.
James played 9:09 in the fourth quarter, a time when he usually has a minute or two on the court — if he’s lucky — in a blowout.
“I thought Mike James was terrific, Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. “Rondo is a load to deal with. In every aspect of the game — pick and rolls, transition and now they are posting him more. I thought Mike James battled him well in the post.”
“The challenge with Rondo, you don’t want to double-team him and bring someone else into the game. You don’t want someone else getting their three-point shot going. I thought if we had a little more size, we would not have to double-team. I thought John Lucas played well when he was in there, too.”
“I’m grateful for the opportunity,” James said. I was shocked when coach called my name. He said it maybe four or five times. I had to make him say it one more time just to make sure. But it’s about being ready; it’s about being prepared. When your number is called, you have to contribute however you possibly can.
“I’m not going to let no one smaller than me post me up. I take pride in my defense. I’m not the biggest guard, but I have some size on me. … Guards have never posted me up, and that’s nt something new that I’m going to start allowing.”
Another surprise performance? Well, for some of us in the audience it was the Luvabulls. They, too, enjoyed increase time on the court.
Thanks to the game being televised on TNT, there were additional commercial breaks. And longer ones. Which meant more time for the Luvabulls to perform. Here are some of their efforts in a busy night of dancing:
Some postgame interviews:
For an interview with former Celtics great John Havlicek and one with NBA great Jerry Lucas, here is a link to the Feb. 16 “Sports & Torts” with David Spada and Elliott Harris. Can’t remember which order the interviews are in, but I’ll bet Lucas could. He is working on a memory system for youngsters that will be available on 21st century media platforms. Here is the link at talkzone.com. As always, the shows are archived and available on podcast.
If you are interested in being part of “Sports & Torts” as an advertiser (and who wouldn’t want to be?), you can contact David by email at david@injuryinillinois.com.
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