If you can't finish, you don't deserve a W

A few weeks ago I couldn't believe that I had watched the Bulls go into overtime with one of the Eastern Conference's best teams and then completely dominate them in the OT period. The Bulls tied the game up with a little less than 20 seconds left in regulation against the Cleveland Cavaliers, which made me groan because that meant they gave LeBron James all the time in the world to sink a game winner. Fortunately, his shot attempt clanked off the rim and the game was sent into overtime.

The Bulls proceeded to outscore the Cavs 15-6 in the extra period (not to mention they outscored them 19-6 in the final seven minutes of regulation) and it appeared that it could have been a turning point for their season. My thoughts were, 'hey, they just took over one of the best teams in the East and completely dominated them down the stretch.'  They did what winning teams do: finish the game.

What I thought was the turning point in their season turned the complete opposite direction with the Bulls losing 5 games in a row. Losses by 5 points to the Spurs, 4 points to the Knicks, 3 points to the Hawks, 20 points to Toronto (more on this in a moment), and 1 point in overtime to the Timberwolves leaves me wondering what happened to that team who finished down the stretch against the Cavs?

They just don't know how to finish. They will stay in the game for almost the entire time, but then they falter when it matters most. The Five close losses in a row proves it. But what about the Toronto game, that wasn't close right?

For those who didn't see it, the Bulls were down by one measly point to the Raptors with 6:19 left in the game.....then disaster struck. They were outscored 23-4 in the last 6 minutes of the game! That is what I call the complete opposite of finishing. That is what I call laying down and letting the other team take a dump on your face.

Then the overtime loss to Minnesota....the Bulls had two opportunities to win the game; once in regulation, and then in the closing seconds of the overtime. Super-stud rookie Derrick Rose took both shot attempts to try to win the game, but failed on both. I am not bashing Rose here at all. I'll take him shooting the final shot of the game any time. 

My problem is the TEAM doesn't know how to finish. I can understand if it happens every once in a while where it goes down to the wire and our star player misses the game winner. Fine, it will happen again. The problem with what happened against Minnesota was that there wasn't anyone else to help Rose at all. 

Sure, Luol Deng's numbers looked good with 22 points and 8 rebounds, but he didn't score a basket in the 4th quarter or in overtime. That cannot happen! When you make as much money as he does and you can't score for your team down the stretch in a close game, there is a BIG problem.

In the overtime period, Rose had the ball for the final possession of the game. He decided to drive to the hoop, and then pull up for an off-balance shot. But there was NO help anywhere. There were at least two defenders that committed to Rose when he started driving, and no one stepped up to receive a pass. I almost feel like some of the players are resenting that Rose is the go-to man now. It's almost as if they are telling him 'hey, if you want to wear the cape Superman, then let's see you do it all on your own.'

I don't know, I could be wrong about that, but one thing for certain; if this team doesn't learn how to finish a close game down the stretch, they are in for a loooong 3 months.