On Saturday night, the Bulls gave the fans their first Big Macs of the years, beating the Atlanta Hawks 101-98.

Monday night, it looked like the Bulls were set to give the fans Big Macs in back to back games. By the second quarter of the Bulls game against the Sacramento Kings, I was declaring that it looked like the Bulls would win this game. With 8:50 remaining in the third quarter, the Bulls were up by 35 points, 79-44, and easily on way to delivering the fans the greasy burgers they love.

However, the Bulls only scored 19 points in the final 20 minutes and 50 seconds of the game, falling 2 points short of the 100 points needed for the Big Mac. Not only did the Bulls fail to reach 100 points, but they also managed to squander their 35 point lead, losing the game 102-98.

This is just about the most embarrassing collapse in NBA history. It was the biggest comeback since 1996, when the Utah Jazz came back from

However, this game was looking like a blowout for the Bulls at one point, so what was going right that allowed the Bulls to create such a large lead in the first place?

Well the short answer is that the Kings were playing Andres Nocioni, who is horrible (and all the turnovers the Kings were committing early in the game). I was one of Nocioni’s harsher critics in his final years here. Loved the guy his first few years, but he had become an abomination in his last year or so here. The guy chucked up bad shots, and wandered around on defense like a chicken with his head cut off. He was simply an on the court cancer.

Unsurprisingly, this is the Nocioni that showed up at the United Center last night. Luol Deng took advantage of Nocioni’s horrid defense early, scoring on a variety of slash and cuts to the basket. Derrick Rose even got involved with a pick and roll that involved Deng. Nocioni appeared confused what to do on the pick and roll, which led to some easy scoring opportunities for the Bulls.

The turning point was when Paul Westphal benched Nocioni, who finished with 3 points on 1-7 shooting and a -28 +/-, for the rest of the game. The Kings defense tightened up, while their offense caught fire, leading their comeback.

Even after their collapse, the Bulls had the opportunity to win the game in the clutch, but no one stepped up and got them the win.

Kirk Hinrich didn’t step up, letting Tyreke Evans score on him at will. Tyreke Evans, who finished with 23 points, with 9 of them coming in the last 2:28 of the game, is a bit of an amazing player, as seen by his shot over Luol Deng’s tight defense, but Hinrich’s defense was weak, making it easy for Evans to score.

One of the more disappointing moments of the game was when Tyreke Evans missed a layup with 19 seconds remaining, and the Bulls failed to secure the defensive rebound, forcing the Bulls to foul.

Even then, the Bulls had a chance to tie. Derrick Rose missed short on a little one handed fall away in the paint with 8 seconds remaining in the game. The Bulls were forced to foul, and Udrih hit both free throws, making it a 102-98 Kings victory.

Luol Deng finished the game with 26 points, but faded late in the game. Deng scored 14 points making his first 7 shots, completely abusing Nocioni.

Derrick Rose finished with 24 points and 7 assists. Kirk Hinrich had 14 points and 8 rebounds, Taj Gibson had 10 points, and John Salmons had 14 points and 6 steals.

For the Kings, John Thompson had 14 points. The Kings got a lot of help off their bench, with Beno Udrih scoring 16 points, Ime Udoku scoring 17 points, and Sergio Redriguez scoring 10 points.

With the loss, the Bulls fall to 10-16 on the season.

Closing Comments:

It’s hard to see Vinny Del Negro lasting too much longer with a loss like this. The Bulls have a knack for firing coaches on Christmas Eve, and if the Bulls come out flat against the Knicks, Del Negro might join Tim Floyd and Scott Skiles as coaches fired on Christmas Eve by the Bulls.

The Bulls under Del Negro haven’t exactly been horrible as a whole. They are 51-57 in regular season games, and 3-4 in playoff games. 6 games under .500 isn’t bad for a coach with no coaching experience. Sure, it’s not a winning record, but Jerry Reinsdorf didn’t give Del Negro a winning team.

However, where Del Negro will likely lose his job is the style of losses the Bulls have suffered. When you’re losing to one win teams, being blown out, and blowing 35 point leads, it is unavoidable that you will end up on job life support, which Del Negro should now be on.

Eastern Conference

1. Cleveland Cavaliers
2. Orlando Magic
3. Boston Celtics
4. Detroit Pistons
5. Miami Heat
6. Atlanta Hawks
7. Toronto Raptors
8. Washington Wizards
——————-
9. Chicago Bulls
10. Philadelphia 76ers
11. New York Knicks
12. Milwaukee Bucks
13. New Jersey Nets
14. Indiana Pacers
15. Charlotte Bobcats

Western Conference

1. Los Angeles Lakers
2. San Antonio Spurs
3. Dallas Mavericks
4. Portland Trail Blazers
5. Denver Nuggets
6. Phoenix Suns
7. Utah Jazz
8. New Orleans Hornets
——————-
9. Golden State Warriors
10. Los Angeles Clippers
11. Memphis Grizzlies
12. Oklahoma City Thunder
13. Minnesota Timberwolves
14. Sacramento Kings
15. Houston Rockets

Eastern Conference First Round

1. Cleveland Cavaliers over 8. Washington Wizards (4-1)
4. Detroit Pistons over 5. Miami Heat (4-2)
3. Boston Celtics over 6. Atlanta Hawks (4-2)
2. Orlando Magic over 7. Toronto Raptors (4-0)

Eastern Conference Semi-Finals

1. Cleveland Cavaliers over 4. Detroit Pistons (4-2)
3. Boston Celtics over 2. Orlando Magic (4-3)

Eastern Conference Finals

3. Boston Celtics over 1. Cleveland Cavaliers (4-3)

Western Conference First Round

1. Los Angeles Lakers over 8. New Orleans Hornets (4-0)
4. Portland Trail Blazers over 5. Denver Nuggets (4-2)
3. Dallas Mavericks over 6. Phoenix Suns (4-3)
2. San Antonio Spurs over 7. Utah Jazz (4-1)

Western Conference Semi-Finals

1. Los Angeles Lakers over 4. Portland Trail Blazers (4-2)
2. San Antonio Spurs over 3. Dallas Mavericks (4-3)

Western Conference Finals

2. San Antonio Spurs over 1. Los Angeles Lakers (4-2)

NBA Finals

San Antonio Spurs over Boston Celtics (4-3)

Coach of the Year: John Kuester (Runner Up: Gregg Poppovich)
MVP: Lebron James (Runner Up: Dwight Howard)
Rookie of the Year: Tyreke Evans (Runner Up: Blake Griffin)
Sixth Man of the Year: Manu Ginobili (Runner Up: Leandro Barbosa)
Defensive Player of the Year: Dwight Howard (Runner Up: Ron Artest)
Most Improved Player: Brook Lopez (Runner Up: Michael Beasley)

1. Los Angeles Clippers - Blake Griffin (Oklahoma, Sophomore)

The Clippers have a history of making lackluster draft selections, but they’re not going to mess this one up.  Right?

2. Memphis Grizzlies - Ricky Rubio (Joventut)

If Yi Jianlian’s threats didn’t stop the Bucks from drafting him, then the Grizzlies shouldn’t cave to the demands of Rubio.  The flashy guard is a perfect fit for Memphis’ high tempo offense.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder - James Harden (Arizona State, Sophomore)

While Harden only measured 6′5″ in shoes, his great weight should help him to be a good defensive force if he puts his mind to it.  Harden will give the Thunder some added scoring, and Harden will step in for Thabo Sefolosha, who was never a longterm solution at shooting guard for the Thunder.

4. Sacramento Kings -Brandon Jennings (Lottomatica Roma)

The Kings may have something at the shooting guard spot in Kevin Martin, at the power forward spot with Jason Thompson, and at center, with Spencer Hawes.  Therefore, they could choose to pass on a big man, opting for a point guard, a position that has had increased importance placed on it as of late.

5. Washington Wizards - Hasheem Thabeet (Connecticut, Junior)

The Wizards were one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA last season.  Thabeet’s shotblocking prowess should help improve their dreadful defense.

6. Minnesota Timberwolves - Tyreke Evans (Memphis, Freshman)

Minnesota is set in the frontcourt with Al Jefferson and Keivn Love, so they will look for help in the backcourt.

7. Golden State Warriors - Jordan Hill (Arizona, Junior)

Hill averaged an impressive 18 points and 11 rebounds in his junior season.  He will slip down to seventh because of team needs, and will be a great value pick for the Warriors.

8. New York Knicks - Stephen Curry (Davidson, Junior)

The Knicks have reportedly given a gaurantee to Curry.

9. Toronto Raptors - DeJuan Blair (Pittsburgh, Sophomore)

Even if the Raptors decide to keep Chris Bosh, they still will need more toughness up front.

10. Milwaukee Bucks - Ty Lawson (North Carolina, Junior)

Scott Skiles likes winners, and he will be looking for a point guard to help lead his team.

11. New Jersey Nets - Earl Clark (Louisville, Junior)

The Nets will be looking to find a front court mate for Brook Lopez.

12. Charlotte Bobcats - DeMar DeRozen (USC, Freshman)

After trading Jason Richardson, the Bobcats will be in a market for a shooting guard.  They are in need of a star, and DeRozen has some star potential.

13. Indiana Pacers - James Johnson (Wake Forest, Sophomore)

The Pacers seem set in the perimeter positions, so they will look for some big man help.

14. Phoenix Suns - Johnny Flynn (Syracuse, Sophomore)

The Suns begin preparing for life after Steve Nash by drafting his replacement.

15. Detroit Pistons - Omri Casspi (Maccabi Tel Aviv)

With this pick, the Pistons go for a player they can store overseas for a few years while they keep their salary commitment down while they have capspace.  The Pistons have been toying with the idea of trading either Richard Hamilton or Tayshaun Prince, so if he does come over this season, there may be minutes for him.

16. Chicago Bulls - B.J. Mullens (Ohio State, Freshman)

The Bulls have needed front court help for so long, and Mullens is a guy with start potential.  Mullen’s measurements from the pre-draft camp were impressive, measuring in at 7′1″, 258 pounds, with a 9′3″ standing reach.

17. Philadelphia 76ers - Eric Maynor (VCU, Senior)

Even if the 76ers re-sign Andre Miller, he isn’t a longterm solution, as he is getting up there in age.  The 76ers would look for Maynor to be their point guard of the future.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves - Chase Budinger (Arizona, Junior)

With their second pick in the draft, the T’Wolves look for more help out on the perimeter.  Budinger should give Al Jefferson an option to kick the ball out to for three.

19. Atlanta Hawks - Jrue Holiday (UCLA, Freshman)

With Bibby aging and a free agent, the Hawks will need some help at the point guard position.

20. Utah Jazz - Jeff Pendergraph (Arizona State, Senior)

The Jazz will be looking for some front court help as potentially three of their big men, Carlos Boozer, Paul Millsap, and Mehmet Okur will be free agents.

21. New Orleans Hornets -Victor Claver (Pamesa Valencia)

Claver is an international player that the Hornets may be able to store overseas for a few years.  Claver could provide some solid three point shooting that would complement Chris Paul.

22. Dallas Mavericks - Gerald Henderson (Duke, Junior)

The Mavericks take Henderson as a value pick after he slipped in the draft.

23. Sacramento Kings - Slava Kravstov (BC Kyiv)

With their second pick in the draft, the Kings take a center prospect who they can store overseas.

24. Portland Trailblazers - Terrence Williams (Lousville, Senior)

The Blazers take Williams for the defense, as they need help on that side of the game.

25. Oklahoma City Thunder - Tyler Hansborough (North Carolina, Senior)

The Thunder go for some front court help in a proven winner.

26. Chicago Bulls - DeMarre Carroll (Missouri, Senior)

The Bulls draft Carroll to be a tough, defensive minded energy player to help bolster the Bulls’ weak defense.  Defending Lebron will be a priority going forward, and Carroll may have the tools to slow him down.  Carroll should be a natural fit for the Bulls’ fast paced offense as he is coming from Mike Anderson’s Missouri system, which has a rep as the fastest 40 minutes in basketball.

27. Memhis Grizzlies - Wayne Ellington (North Carolina, Junior)

Ellington could give the Grizzlies some three point shooting, providing a good kick out option for Rubio.

28. Minnesota Timberwolves - Vladimir Dasic (KK Buducnost Podgorica)

With their third pick in the draft, the Timberwolves take a small forward/power forward prospect that they may be able to store overseas.

29. Los Angeles Lakers - Marcus Thornton (LSU, Senior)

Thornton could step in right away to contribute to the Lakers, and provide them with some perimeter scoring.

30. Cleveland Cavaliers - Gene Lawal (Georgia Tech, Senior)

The Cavs need to get some youth on their frontline, as Ilgauskus, Wallace, and Smith are getting up there in age.