NBA Playoffs 2011: Bulls Fans Fear Not; Game 1 Loss Is Not End of the World

Bulls fans had high hopes coming into the playoffs, and they were slightly shot down in round one after five hard-fought games against the Indiana Pacers.

As round two began, Chicagoans again felt compelled to boost the somewhat unreasonably high expectations pinned on the young, inexperienced team.

That youth and inexperience showed their glaring teeth in Game 1 of the Bulls' Eastern Conference Semifinals series with the Atlanta Hawks. The Coach of the Year-led Bulls got off to an extremely lackadaisical start, as they sleep-walked through the first half.

ESPN columnist and long-time Chicago enthusiast Michael Wilbon tweeted after the Chicago Bulls' 103-95 loss at the hands of the Atlanta Hawks:

"One thing for the Celtics or Lakers to sleepwalk through a half of a playoff game...Bulls aren't so talented they can do that..."

Wilbon is right; they aren't talented enough.

The Bulls won in the regular season by being ignorant and trying extremely hard to win every game they possibly could. This uncommon trend in the NBA positioned them for a deep playoff run.

But teams like Atlanta, who lost their final six games heading into the postseason, are experienced enough to know to enter that proverbial fifth gear come the NBA playoffs. 

And as Chicago struggled to match the streaking Hawks, I couldn't help but wonder if all the expended effort has caught up to the young Bulls. But it wasn't about physical fatigue; it was about mental state.

There are two types of the teams in the NBA.

One, for example the Celtics or Lakers, is a proven competitor best served with a side of extreme confidence, even when the battle looks to be completely uphill.

The other, a Bulls or Thunder team, is a young, inexperienced club that must be approached in a different manner.

They need to be knocked down a few times; roughed up by the school-yard bullies. They need to have a chip on their shoulder, something tangible that they can play for.

For the Bulls the regular season came easy, due to the aforementioned opinion that Chicago simply tried harder than other teams in the NBA.

Now, that is not to doubt their talent level and ability. It is simply an explanation for their outstanding record.

It did appear that the Bulls' inability to compete with the Hawks on both a talent and intensity level hampered them in their Game 1 loss; the continual learning experience for the young team does not end there.

The series opener will in no way be indicative of how this series will turn out. The Bulls just came off a series that they struggled through unnecessarily. They went off in Game 5 and finished off the Pacers with ease, giving them a false sense of security and confidence.

Meanwhile, the Hawks went through an emotional roller coaster of a series, knocking off their nemesis in the Orlando Magic. The experienced Hawks knew that no team can ever feel safe in the playoffs, and they may have just shown the young Bulls that in Game 1.

Also, another point to keep in mind is that the Bulls were coming from five days off. The last time they were off for that long was the 2011 All-Star Break. Their first game back: a loss to the lowly Toronto Raptors.

But fear not, Bulls fans. Rose's ankle will again prove to be a non-factor, and the Hawks' sharp shooting will cool.

The Chicago Bulls should take this series in six games, winning Game 2 on Wednesday night and Game 3 in Atlanta, followed by wins in Games 5 and 6.

The learning experience for the young team is now continuous; they must learn on the job. Although largely ahead of the usual "learning curve" for potential NBA championship contenders, the Chicago Bulls will suffer the peaks and valleys of the NBA playoffs. But overall it is the end result that counts.

So, Bulls fans and NBA watchers alike, I warn you: The Chicago Bulls are not turning over and calling the season a success with one playoff series victory.

They're gunning for an NBA title, and too young to know any better.

Josh Rosenblat is a high school student from Chicago looking to find a way to break into sports journalism. He often writes about the NBA (primarily the Chicago Bulls), as well as the MLB, College Basketball, and the NFL. You can email him at [e-mail] or follow him on twitter @JMRosenblat. Feel free to send him comments.