Post by FeartheFro2122 on Jul 10, 2007 16:09:08 GMT -5
Championship solidifies Hall for Brand
Nathan Kopp
July 10, 2007
Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, Shaquille Oneal.
Patrick Ewing, Karl Malone, John Stockton, Gary Payton.
A championship ring can be the most elusive object in sports. Whether on a court, field, or ice; championships are not easy to come by. Just ask Dan Marino. Marino single handedly rewrote the NFL history book, tieing or breaking 25 records, but failed to earn one championship ring.
In Elton Brand’s seven year career with the Bulls, he has achieved career numbers of nearly 27 points and 12 rebounds a game. He has been on the all-league team(first, second, or third) every year he has played in the league. He won the rookie of the year in 99, All Star MVP in 02 and 03, and MVP in 04. Prior to this season, he had career highs of 60 points, 26 rebounds, and 11 blocks. If Elton would have had one more point or one more rebound he would have tied all time BBS player records. He also has recorded 328 double doubles, and three triple doubles.
Elton Brand is also steadily climbing the latter of the all time rebounds and blocks records. Despite this laundry list of accomplishments, he has never won a ring. Brand expressed his avid desire to win a ring in many interviews. But when asked would he chase (sign with Lakers) it like Karl Malone, he replied, “No.” Brand showed loyalty to the Bulls and his General Manager Dave by sticking with the team. Brand was not alone on the team, no one on the current roster had won a championship.
The Bulls have always been a winning franchise. They are tied for third on the all time wins list only trailing the Warriors and Pistons. Despite this regular season success, the Bulls proved to be just a mediocre playoff team. Year after year they were ousted early in the playoffs after magnificent regular seasons.
But this season was special. Dave’s move early in the season to attain Joe Johnson, which may have sacrificed the team’s future, turned out to be a success. Joe Johnson sparked the ball club and proved to be the missing link. This was very reminiscent of the Piston’s acquiring Rasheed Wallace (also on the Bulls) on their way to the championship.
The Bull’s exemplary regular season turned out to mean nothing once again as the Cleveland Cavaliers forced a game seven in the first round. This time the Bulls prevailed and survived a first round scare. They did everything they needed to win shooting 92% on the line and winning the turnover battle. The Bulls breezed through the Raptors and Knicks to advance to the finals vs. the Warriors.
The Bulls won the NBA championship in five games and Brand secured his spot in the Hall of Fame. Now Elton can move his name from the second group of players listed into the first, as NBA champions.
Nathan Kopp
July 10, 2007
Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, Shaquille Oneal.
Patrick Ewing, Karl Malone, John Stockton, Gary Payton.
A championship ring can be the most elusive object in sports. Whether on a court, field, or ice; championships are not easy to come by. Just ask Dan Marino. Marino single handedly rewrote the NFL history book, tieing or breaking 25 records, but failed to earn one championship ring.
In Elton Brand’s seven year career with the Bulls, he has achieved career numbers of nearly 27 points and 12 rebounds a game. He has been on the all-league team(first, second, or third) every year he has played in the league. He won the rookie of the year in 99, All Star MVP in 02 and 03, and MVP in 04. Prior to this season, he had career highs of 60 points, 26 rebounds, and 11 blocks. If Elton would have had one more point or one more rebound he would have tied all time BBS player records. He also has recorded 328 double doubles, and three triple doubles.
Elton Brand is also steadily climbing the latter of the all time rebounds and blocks records. Despite this laundry list of accomplishments, he has never won a ring. Brand expressed his avid desire to win a ring in many interviews. But when asked would he chase (sign with Lakers) it like Karl Malone, he replied, “No.” Brand showed loyalty to the Bulls and his General Manager Dave by sticking with the team. Brand was not alone on the team, no one on the current roster had won a championship.
The Bulls have always been a winning franchise. They are tied for third on the all time wins list only trailing the Warriors and Pistons. Despite this regular season success, the Bulls proved to be just a mediocre playoff team. Year after year they were ousted early in the playoffs after magnificent regular seasons.
But this season was special. Dave’s move early in the season to attain Joe Johnson, which may have sacrificed the team’s future, turned out to be a success. Joe Johnson sparked the ball club and proved to be the missing link. This was very reminiscent of the Piston’s acquiring Rasheed Wallace (also on the Bulls) on their way to the championship.
The Bull’s exemplary regular season turned out to mean nothing once again as the Cleveland Cavaliers forced a game seven in the first round. This time the Bulls prevailed and survived a first round scare. They did everything they needed to win shooting 92% on the line and winning the turnover battle. The Bulls breezed through the Raptors and Knicks to advance to the finals vs. the Warriors.
The Bulls won the NBA championship in five games and Brand secured his spot in the Hall of Fame. Now Elton can move his name from the second group of players listed into the first, as NBA champions.