D With a V

I don't need to tell you the score.  The picture says it all.  Now that we've had plenty of time to digest what went on at the United Center last night, I'll recap what it all means historically. 

The Bulls set team records in fewest points allowed (58), fewest allowed in a half (20 in the first), lowest shooting percentage allowed in a half (20.5 in the first) and tied a record for fewest points allowed in a quarter (five in the second).  Atlanta, which had a putrid 2-of-21 from the field in the second quarter, narrowly avoided the team record for offensive futility in the shot-clock era (57 in a 1955 game) and the league record for fewest first-half points in said era (19 by the Clippers in a 1999 game).  I would have made note of all of this last night if I didn't have to make a missed work day from last week.  So with my attention elsewhere for most of the game, you can imagine how shocked I was when I saw the Hawks had amassed just 18 points with only a couple of minutes left before halftime.

Add up a couple of factors and this was a perfect storm waiting to happen.  Tom Thibodeau had been particularly hard on his team during the morning shootaround for showing up defensively only half the time at home (10-10 before last night).  The way everyone responded was one in which the proper word has yet to be invented.  It was like the scene in "A Christmas Story" when Ralphie took out all his suppressed rage on the neighborhood bully.  Yes, the Bulls beat the Hawks down hard defensively.  Neither team is likely to forget this anytime soon.

Of course, the Bulls were helped by a horrible Hawks offense.  As much as we pride ourselves on defense in Chicago, we're not that great.  No NBA team is.  No Atlanta starter reached double figures and from game accounts, Josh Smith was disinterested.  Maybe he was just frustrated by his team's unwinding troubles, but if you're the All-Star leader of the team, it shouldn't be in your nature to just throw in the towel when things are bleak.

Above all, the Hawks should be ashamed of themselves for a game like this.  The offense they displayed wouldn't be fit for a Division III game.  A listless performance against a club desperate to regain its defensive prowess at home is deserving of a beatdown.  The Hawks may have to deal with Miami in their division, but they must have forgotten about the Bulls as a sleeper in the East.  Tim Legler even called them the biggest of such on SportsCenter.  Atlanta did this to themselves just as much as the Bulls lay the hammer down.  Even though I want Bulls victories, I have to feel embarrassed for an opponent if an egg like this comes out.  It's more entertaining for fans if both clubs on the court are at least somewhat competitive.

Now that the Bulls are done with their easiest game of the season, they'll head north to take on the Toronto Raptors tomorrow.  I have to believe a team with a sorry history will put up a better fight.  Lose, but lose by knockout instead a TKO.  That looks more pleasant.