Volume 5: Unrivaled

Volume Five: Unrivaled — All In. On the next possession, the Bulls still patiently ran their offense, leveraging the Big Three's advantage in driving. After a series of pick-and-rolls, they launched an attack off a screen. Wade found an opening and pulled up for a jumper, but with slight interference from Looney, it clanged off the rim. With pressure in front and behind him, Wade did not force the shot, instead kicking the ball out to Butler in the corner. This superstar who had risen from the Chicago slums had finally fulfilled his lifelong wish: donning the Bulls jersey he had always dreamed of, fighting for his hometown fans, and basking in the cheers and applause of the United Center. Rose and Wade had both performed so brilliantly that Butler naturally seemed somewhat dim by comparison. Bulls fans believed that if Rose's playing time returned to the usual 36 minutes, he could still put up MVP-caliber numbers. He was not a 1.93-meter Jordan now; he was a 20-minute 1.93-meter Jordan. Mike Breen, ESPN's commentator for the national broadcast, said, "Rose's trademark is his drives—high-speed changes of direction without slowing down, and those folding, double-clutch layups are a joy to watch. Wade's trademark is his Eurostep, with its unpredictable rhythm changes and effortless floaters. Both have left a deep impression." Curry and Antetokounmpo resting were Zhang Yu's greatest source of confidence, followed by the Bulls' own weaknesses. The Warriors' Tsunami Brothers represented the pinnacle of shooting, while the Bulls' Big Three represented the pinnacle of driving. Each had its strengths. Moreover, Butler did not have any one skill that left a particularly deep impression. He could drive, shoot mid-range jumpers, hit threes, and pass, but none of those skills was good enough to serve as his trademark. Despite having three elite