In reality that might be the only time you ever see the name Taj Gibson in a thread title on these boards. I thought that after having had a great preseason game that I would give him that opportunity. I also thought it would be fun to have a thread were we could all gloat a bit about our teams unknown players that are making a splash in the preseason. This is not to be a serious thread as one can tell by the title but one in which we can poke fun at our own teams or other teams.

I always find it funny in the preseason when you get posters writing threads all excited about some unknown player on their team that had a good game. These posters get all cought up in the moment and think this diamond in the rough player is that one missing part that will make the machine that is their team a contender. I have been there myself and after watching Taj Gibson score 19 points and 9 rebounds against the Pacers I almost went down that very path. I was wise enough not to get that excited and level headed enough to realize that Taj Gibson may not be able to combine for 19 points in his first ten games.

If you are a Nets fan maybe you are high on Chris Douglas-Roberts after scoring 21 points on the Knicks.

If you are a Bucks fan then you must love Hakim Warrick after dumping 24 points right?

I just love NBA basketball and cannot wait to see all the hype that will come onto these boards.

Well what unknown player on your team is a hidden gem based on preseason play thus far?

In reality that might be the only time you ever see the name Taj Gibson in a thread title on these boards. I thought that after having had a great preseason game that I would give him that opportunity. I also thought it would be fun to have a thread were we could all gloat a bit about our teams unknown players that are making a splash in the preseason. This is not to be a serious thread as one can tell by the title but one in which we can poke fun at our own teams or other teams.

I always find it funny in the preseason when you get posters writing threads all excited about some unknown player on their team that had a good game. These posters get all cought up in the moment and think this diamond in the rough player is that one missing part that will make the machine that is their team a contender. I have been there myself and after watching Taj Gibson score 19 points and 9 rebounds against the Pacers I almost went down that very path. I was wise enough not to get that excited and level headed enough to realize that Taj Gibson may not be able to combine for 19 points in his first ten games.

If you are a Nets fan maybe you are high on Chris Douglas-Roberts after scoring 21 points on the Knicks.

If you are a Bucks fan then you must love Hakim Warrick after dumping 24 points right?

I just love NBA basketball and cannot wait to see all the hype that will come onto these boards.

Well what unknown player on your team is a hidden gem based on preseason play thus far?

While checking out a few of the now notorious Kobe vs Jordan or LeBron vs Jordan threads I keep running into this single argument that I have trouble swallowing. Some Posters keeps refering to the 1990s as a weak decade for NBA basketball. Often the argument states that there were few teams outside the Bulls that were really even that good and that that is why Michael Jordan is looked at so greatly. Then you will here this followed by the fact that the Lakers and Celtics were old and could no longer challenge the Bulls. That idea is an injustice to many great teams of the 1990s, many of which could have given the 80s Lakers and Celtics a run for their money. Am I saying that the 90s were better then the 80s? No, what I am saying is that they were very close and solid arguments can be made in both cases. Let us take a look.

The 1980s were really dominated by two teams and we all understand that. The rivalry between the Lakers and Celtics is by far the greatest in the NBA and maybe in all sports behind Yankees/Redsox. Larry Bird vs Magic Johnson in college and then on the NBA hardwood is a storybook-type legend that shaped the NBA into a powerhouse league. The Celtics with Bird, Parish, McHale, and Walton created perhaps the greatest frontcourts in NBA history and the Lakers with Magic, Worthy, Kareem, and Cooper were maybe the most balanced and exciting teams ever. Nothing can be taken away from what these two teams did and how great they were.

Let's look at the rest of the 80s teams. There were the Hakeem and the Rockets, Dr. J and Malones 76ers, and the late eighties Cavaliers and Pistons that were all great teams as well. What I am getting at is that the 80s were just like the 90s in that there were two teams that were above the rest and a half dozen or so very good teams just below them. In the 90s the Bulls were the Laker/Celtics in that they were just better then the rest. It is not like the Bulls just swept every team in the playoffs though. They had their hurdles to jump.

To me the 80s and 90s will always stand out as the two best decades in NBA history for a two reason. First, players started to get much bigger, stronger, and faster. This is even more true for the 90s when players like Shaq and David Robinson came on the scene. Before the 80s basketball was more of a team sport and a finesse game. I am not saying that it was not physical, but no one can say it was more physical then the 80s and 90s when players were much stronger and therefore fouls were just that more nasty. Secondly, there were no hand checking rules back then so defenses were twice as aggressive as they are today. I really wonder how LeBron James or Kobe Bryant would do against the 80s Celtics or Pistons or the 90s Bulls or Knicks. Jump shooting was much harder and so was driving the lane. The game is now designed for high scoring and fast paced basketball. Gone are the days of hard fouls every other play and players be whacked al the time. Take a look at some old tapes of games from the 80s and 90s and one will see that it was a much different game.

To say the 90s had no competition for the Bulls is just silly. The Bulls real rivalries took place in the East Playoffs and not the Finals. Sure the Suns, Jazz, Trail Blazers, and Supersonics were all great teams with HOF players on them, but anyone who was alive to watch Jordan and the Bulls play knows that the teams that the Bulls had most trouble with were in their own conference. The early 90s with the Pistons has to be one of the greatest rivalries in the NBA behind the Lakers/Celtics and if the Bulls had been in the west and those playoff series were really Finals matchups then some would argue them to be some of the greatest Finals matchups ever. Also, who could forget the intense matchups with the Knicks and Pacers. Surely those Knicks and Pacers teams of the 90s would have won rings had the Bulls not been around.

Bottomline. It is hard to really compare two different decades of basketball and I for one believe the 80s and 90s to be the best ever do to player size and athletic abilities and the lack of strict defensive rules. To make a claim that Kobe or even LeBron is better then Jordan or Magic is like comparing apples and oranges. Who is to say how well James and Kobe would have played back in the day against hard defenses? Maybe they would be even better. Who knows? Would Magic and MJ thrive even more with less contact? I think Jordan would be even scarier in today's game. You really only need to look at the stats and add to that the era of basketball that they played in to realize that MJ, Magic, and Bird were the greatest players ever. Wilt, Russell, Oscar, and Kareem are also in the mix.

I guess I will close with my alltime top ten list because it just seems fitting.

1)Michael Jordan. 2)Magic Johnson. 3)Wilt Chamberlain. 4)Bill Russell. 5)Larry Bird. 6)Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. 7)Oscar Robertson. 8)Hakeem Olajuwan. 9)Tim Duncan. 10)Shaquille O'Neal

     Well the Bulls just blew a tight lead to the Pacers and have only 6 games left this season. Two big games still are on the schedule. One versus the Pistons on the Road and one versus the Bobcats at home. A loss to the bobcats could spell out "no playoffs" for the Bulls, but a win against the Pistons could mean the 7th seed. Anyways, besides John Salmons lighting it up for the Bulls, I have really noticed that Tyrus Thomas is becoming a very solid player. It is almost like a lightbulb came on, even though it is only a 25 watt bulb, and I think we are starting to see what kind of player he will become. Let us look at his play for the last two months (28 games).

 Here are his totals for the last 28 games:

375 points, 224 rebounds, 58 blocks, 35 steals, and 31 assists.

What does that break down to?

13.4 ppg, 8 rpg, 2.1 bpg, 1.25 spg, 1.1 apg, while shooting .474 from the floor.

     So a question must be asked. Is this the best we are going to see or is the sky the limit? You can always reply that the answer is somewhere in the middle. Tyrus has always looked a bit lost on the floor but he looks much better as of late, so I am wondering if he is slowing coming into his own. As a Bulls fan I of course want to see him become a star in this league. He surely has the talent and athletic ability to be a monster on defense and a great rebounder. He also has started to show he can hit the 15 to 17 footer pretty well. Now if he can learn a few moves down low then I think he could be a star in this league. I think it all falls on him though. Will he grow up any more? Will he run the floor with passion? Will he give it his all? Will we have to wait until his contract season to see how hard he can play?

There are a lot of questions and tyrus has all the answers. There are many moments lately when he just does something amazing and I get this little butterfly in my stomach thinking that he just might turn into something great, but as a Bulls fan I know not to get to excited.

Well since I got you here, here are my predictions for the rest of the Bulls season:

1. At Pacers. 101-96 Bulls lose.
2. Home vs Nets. 98-94 Bulls win.
3. Home vs Knicks. 107-101 Bulls win.
4. Home vs 76ers. 97-92 Bulls win.
5. Home vs Bobcats. 99-97 Bulls lose.
6. At Pistons. 102-95 Bulls lose.
7. Home vs Raptors. Bulls win.

Bulls end season with a record of 40 and 42 and land the 8th seed. They play the Cavaliers in the first round and lose in 5 games stealing a win at home in game 3. Derrick Rose wins Rookie of the Year Award.

I copied and pasted from another of my threads, hence the correct prediction that we would indeed lose to the Pacers, so I guess I am 1 for 1 right now.

 Wow, just when one team in the east looks like it is going to take charge and secure the 8th seed they stumble. As of today, with less then twenty games left in the season, the race for the 8th seed seems tighter then ever. Not that it really matters to most NBA fans or even the teams involved for that matter, but as a fan of one of those teams I find myself biting my nails all the time. On one hand I would like to see the Bulls in the lottery again with a chance at a nice draft pick, but the fan inside really wants to see the Bulls in the post season even though it would mean getting their butts kicked by the Cavaliers or the Celtics. I think the playoffs would be good for this young team and Derrick Rose would maybe take yet another step towards stardom.

 Well here is a list of the teams that are fighting for that final spot. Who do you think will land it and why?

1. Bucks. Barely hanging in there winning only 3 of their last 10. They hold the 8th seed for now by the slimmest of margins even with so many key injuries. One would have to think they will lose their spot to another team.
2. Bulls. This team seems to step up and play with the big dogs and then get it handed to them by the weaker teams in the league. I thought their trades last month would clearly put them over the top, but it looks like they are as inconsistant as ever.
3. Nets. They are now a half game out of the final spot but seem to being falling dispite the great play of Devin Harris. I think this team has a good chance of turning things around just enough to force their way into the post season.
4. Bobcats. Also a half game out but this team is really hot right now and remind me of the Bulls 4 seasons ago when they won almost all of their end of the season games to make the playoffs. I would not be shocked to see this team even reach the 7th seed.
5. Pacers. One and a half games out and also playing quite well and earning the title of giant killer by taking down some of the best teams in the league. With Danny Granger anything could happen with this team. Playoffs being one of them.
6. Knicks. Weeks ago it looked as if they might make a push but not so much as of lately. It will take a huge push and a couple of winning streaks for it to happen. On the far outside looking in.

So which of these six teams do you think will land that final spot? Does it matter to you the fan? Also, of these six teams which one has the best chance at giving the Cavaliers or Celtics a scare?

Here we go:

1. Lakers. The team to beat and without doubt the best in the NBA right now. Best record plus being the hottest team in the league is proof enough.
2. Cavaliers. Just when you think this team is not as good as the Celtics LeBron James does something insane that gives me a Michael Jordan flasback. Lack of depth? Who cares? Who is going to stop LBJ?
3. Spurs. Overtime loss to the Knicks was a hard one for any fan to watch who does not live in New York. I still think this team has a real shot at an upset when the WCFs roll around.
4. Celtics. How will this team adjust without Kevin Garnett? I think they just lost themselves the number one seed for sure. Will KG come back in full health? Scary for Celtic fans I bet.
5. Magic. Rafer Alston was a great move for the Magic with Jameer Nelson out for the season. Magic fans must be breathing a sigh of relief right now. There is yet a flicker of hope off in the distance.
6. Nuggets. Loss to the Bulls was ugly for sure. But Billups has been great for this team. They need to be a bit more consistant and play with passion every game.
7. Portland. With Michael Ruffin on board they could make it to the Finals. Sorry, that was a joke. This team is young and balanced. Most of all they keep winning games.
8. Jazz. Look out here they come. They are just 3 1/2 games out of the 4th seed and playing quite well. Have won 3 in a row. I smell a darkhorse.
9. Rockets. This team iwins three games without Tracy McGrady. Didn't this happen before? Tracy McGrady is a cursed player. There I said it.
10. Mavericks. Another darkhorse team. Dirk is playing his best ball this season and this team has nice depth. I hope they can do without Jason Terry.
11. Hornets. I really liked the double reverse trade for Tyson Chandler. I wonder if they knew how bad his toe was? This will hurt them in future trades. What seed does this team get in the playoffs? 8th vs Lakers? Ouch!
12. Hawks. Young and balanced. They are the fourth best team in the east but are this low in the rankings. Says a lot about the east.
13. Suns. This team was reborn the day they fired Terry Porter. How far will they get without Amar'e Stoudemire? That is the real question.
14. Heat. Not to sure that JO was the right move or not. He is injury prone so you have to wonder if he will be there come playoff time. Good thing they have that other guy Dwyane Wade to carry them.
15. Bulls. This team is one of the hottest teams in the east right now. Beating the Nuggets with only 7 players says a lot about this teams passion. They are playing gritty, backs against the wall basketball. Hello playoffs.
16. Pistons. Rasheed Wallace will jack up 5 failed 3 point attempts before I finish writing this sentence. Someone needs to buy Coach Curry a chemistry set. Sad when AI is not the problem.
17. Bucks. This team has one thing going for it. Scott Skiles. He and he alone will will this team into the playoffs. I am not sure that will be enough at the end of the day.
18. 76ers. This team will most likely make the playoffs but lets hope Miller gets back soon to run this team before they rack up to many losses.
19. Knicks. Starting to rack up a lot of points on other teams. Larry Hughes should be a nice addition to Mike D'Antoni's run and gun offense. Knicks could slip into the playoffs yet.
20. Pacers. This is were the teams really start to slip off for me. Granger can not do it by himself. This team needs to make some smart draft selections this summer and let the rebuilding continue.
21. Nets. They could not get rid of Vince Carter. Souldn't they have done that like 3 years ago anyways? Brook Lopez is a solid piece to the puzzle for the future.
22. Warriors. Despite what some Warriors fans think Monta Ellis has not been playing that well and without Andris Biedrins in the paint this team will continue to struggle.
23. Raptors. Record or no record, a team with Jose Calderon, Chris Bosh, and Shawn Marion can not be this bad, can they?
24. Bobcats. Is this team ever going to be a .500 team after an Allstar break? They have rebuilding down to a fine art in Charlotte.
25. Timberwolves. No Al Jefferson equals a lot of tears in pillows. Timberwolves fans need only think about the draft to find comfort.
26. Grizzlies. At least this team has a bright future to think about. To bad the owners do not like to spend money.
27. Wizards. Two wins in a row is nice to see. Other then that this team has been shockingly bad this season.
28. Clippers. Baron Davis needs not to be traded for Tracy McGrady, we need to get these two guys on the same team. That would be interesting.
29. Thunder. Maybe the best young talent in the NBA reside here in Kevin Durant. What a joy to watch he is. Let's hope they can build something around him.
30. Kings. What else can be said. Drew Gooden and Andres Nocioni could help things out. I will miss Andres Nocioni though.

1. Lakers. Great road trip only solidifies their dominance. Sole loss to the Jazz should not faze them what so ever. They are the team to beat.
2. Spurs. Win over the Celtics move them up in my book. This is a scary team that is now playing their best ball of the season. It seems this way every year. Spurs always make a push come midseason.
3. Celtics. Losses to the Lakers and Spurs hurts their chances to be called the top dog. Even with that being said they are still playing fairly good and should rebound. They are the best in the east for now.
4. Nuggets. Call me crazy but this team is quitely pushing itself up the standings and beating solid teams on the way. Chauncy Billups is proving to be a top point guard. Piston fans must be missing him.
5. Cavaliers. A loss to the Lakers is understandable but a loss to the Pacers is just sad. The question of depth once again the topic of conversation amongst Cavalier fans.
6. Magic. Still sitting pretty in the east. A loss to the Nuggets is bound to happen. Will the loss of Jameer Nelson keep the Magic from going deep in the playoffs?
7. Trail Blazers. This young team may be to young to win rings this year, but Laker fans have to be a bit afraid of the future. The Blazers are looking more and more like the team of the future.
8. Hawks. The Hawks are for the east what the Blazers are for the west. A young team that could be in the finals for years to come. Young and athletic, this team has a bit off everything needed to win.
9. Hornets. Something tells me this team will finish the season strong. A healthy Chris Paul is a must or this team is not going anywhere and they will continue to slip in the standings.
10. Jazz. Creeping back to life this is not a team anyone wants to face in the first round. When Boozer returns this team will make a push. I could see them landing the 6th seed.
11. Rockets. With Tracy McGrady out again with knee problems the Rockets can say goodbye to the season. What looked like a promissing season has turned into what most expected. Injury plagued.
12. Mavericks. A Darkhorse? I was starting to think so but they play so hot and cold it is hard to figure them out. On a bright note Dirk is having his best season ever.
13. Heat. Is Jermaine O'Neal the answer? Maybe not but they finally got rid of Shawn Marion and I like the pickup of the young and athletic Moon.
14. 76ers. Elton Brand who? To bad they owe Brand so much money because it looks like they do not need him at all. In the end though how far will this team get in the playoffs?
15. Suns. What is going on in sun city? This is a team that is about to dismantle and start over. Not even Steve Nash can make this team look good. Say goodbye to Shaq or Amar'e or both.
16. Bucks. Even with all the injuries this team still keeps winning. I do think that this team will still slow down and slip in the standings and maybe out of the playoff picture.
17. Pistons. Slip sliding away. 3 losses in a row only magnifies their issues. Rasheed Wallace needs to be traded. I would trade Iverson if I were them and build around Rip, Stuckey, and Prince.
18. Bulls. This team is either winning or losing close games. There is a lot of turmoil behind the scenes with talk of Paxson stepping down after the Allstar game and trade talks with the Suns could hurt this team.
19. Nets. Brook Lopez has been outstanding thus far this season. He looks like he may be what most thought Grag Oden was. A future Allstar Center. He will be key for this team down the stretch.
20. Pacers. Big win over the Cavaliers was a great game for Pacer fans and Danny Granger is becoming a top 10 player overnight. No only if they can build a team around him.
21. Bobcats. This team has 6 players averaging more then 10 points a game. You would think that is a good thing but they have no go to guy down the stretch.
22. Warriors. They have won 3 in a row. To bad there is no hope of making the playoffs in the stacked western conference.
23. Knicks. Another Hot and Cold team that has little chance of making the playoffs. They have to hope for other teams ahead of them to really fall apart. 2010 can not come soon enough.
24. Raptors. With Shawn Marion teamed up with Jose Calderon and Chris Bosh you would think this would be a great team. we will just have to see.
25. Grizzlies. They move up just because others have moved down and not because they have gotten any better. O.J. Mayo and Marc Gasol are a solid young pair and can be built around.
26. Thunder. Kevin Durant is the next big thing but I am sure you already know that. By next season he will be a top 10 player. To bad he is on the Thunder. When is his contract up?
27. Clippers. This team has a lot of solid players. They have to start winning some games right? No, they most likely be looking for yet another high draft pick.
28. Timberwolves. Can this team even land one more win without Al Jefferson? I would be shocked if they win more then 3 games by seasons end.
29. Wizards. Two players averaging more then 20 points is nice but when your top assist maker is your small forward and he only averages 4.4 assists then you are in trouble.
30. Kings. Kings of crap that is. Kevin Martin needs to demand a trade if this team is in the same boat next season. On another note I think they should trade Brad Miller to my Bulls for Larry Hughes.