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End of the Era?! The Bulls started the season with a dismal performance against the [Boston] Celtics, making the controversy surrounding the team a hot news story for a desperate media. Questions like, "Are the Bulls a championship caliber team anymore? Will the Bulls repeat the three-peat?" haunted the minds of Bulls fans. The Bulls, undisputedly the team of the '90s, began their season doubtfully and tentatively. The team barely re-signed Dennis Rodman before the start of the season, and were criticized of having blown one too many birthday candles in their organization. The Bulls' performance in the first half of the season was, undoubtedly, fuel for the fire. The Bulls were a different team in the second half of the season, showing more team effort, and willpower. Scottie Pippen's recent return after a long rest (thanks to an injury to his ankle) seemed to be helping too. During the first half of the Bulls had an almost spotless record at home, but it was their performance on the road that disturbed the fans, an area they promptly improved upon in the second half of the season. As the Bulls entered the post season, with the best record in the NBA (62-20), any negative thought or feeling about the team was dissolved. When the Bulls swept their opponents, the New Jersey Nets, in the first round, a sixth championship seemed certain. There was a little turbulence against the Charlotte Hornets, but to win a best of seven series in 5 games didn't disturb Bulls too much. The series against the Pacers started out so well that a sweep was predicted by every sports critic in America; instead the Pacers won game three. "Just a bump in the road," as Jordan called it, turned into a huge roadblock, forcing the series into seven games. Even the last game wasn't decided until the last minute, but ultimately the Bulls won the series, even though fans lost their confidence in the team, again. The musicians seemed to play all the wrong notes for "The Last Dance" in game one. As down as they were, the Bulls showed why they are called World Champions by beating the Jazz 93-88 in game two of the NBA Finals. By doing so, they gained home court advantage, a key part of victory in the playoffs. Although many people gave up on the chance of the Bulls winning another championship after they lost game 1, the Bulls rallied in game two to tie the series at one apiece. Winning game two proved that mental toughness is probably as important as physical toughness in any field. Jordan, perhaps, said it best, "A lot of people have been talking about our physical toughness or whatever, but our mental toughness is there. You don't become champions five times without having any kind of mental advantage. Right now we [the Bulls] are mentally strong enough to be where we are and certainly strong enough to defend what we have." I cannot agree with him more. I'd predict a Bulls win in 6 games. A sixth ring will surely add more glitter and stature to Jordan's already growing hands.
Date Posted : June 7, 1998. What do
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