Post by Tampa Bay Bull Sharks on Apr 27, 2012 17:49:15 GMT -5
Tampa Bay Bull Sharks Unveil Championship Apparel -- October 30, 2012
Click the link for Championship T-Shirt Photos: s1295.beta.photobucket.com/user/richardson239/library/
April 27, 2012
In what some may think was impossible, the Bull Sharks surprised the league by winning the 2012 championship. Despite a 6-4 regular season record, the Bull Sharks mounted an improbable playoff run by upsetting the Utah Jazz 7-2 in the Finals.
Tampa Bay, which battled injuries all season long (Bogut, Ginobli) and early season struggles from some key players, managed to make it into the playoffs surprisingly healthy. That is, until Amare Stoudemire went down. This posed a serious concern to Bull Sharks GM Richardson.
"We thought that signing ZaZa (Pachulia) during the season was our insurance move for Bogut being out. We fully prepared to enter the playoffs without Bogs; we knew there was no chance he would play. But when Amare was injured. Well, I don't think anyone was prepared for that."
Unprepared or not, the Bull Sharks had to be ready to battle with or without their star center. However, things took a turn during the second round when backup turned starter, ZaZa Pachulia went down with a foot injury.
"I thought we were done in Orlando," said GM Richardson. "How the hell were we going to compete on the glass, not to mention blocks, with David Lee, Gortat, Blair and Thompson. We didn't have ZaZa, we were planning on playing without Amare, and Bogut has been out all year. No disrespect to the guys we have, but when you lose those three, wouldn't you agree that winning blocks and rebounds would be hard to come by?"
But the Bull Sharks overcame adversity. They pulled together like a team. It was the team mentality that won Tampa Bay its first ever NBA Championship.
"It's bigger than just one player. Bigger than just two or three players," said Finals MVP Chris Paul. "We had guys step up big during our run. It took everyone on this team and our brilliant head coach to get this trophy to Tampa."
There will be a parade in downtown Tampa on Monday to celebrate the Bull Sharks title. It looks like, for now anyway, the 'ship has docked in Tampa Bay. For the future, we'll let GM Richardson worry about this summer. Now, it is time to reflect on the season that was. To recognize that despite a mediocre season that uncertain teams can win championships. This is a time for players like Dirk Nowitzki to enjoy and forget about the upcoming year in free agency.
When asked about what he was going to do next, Nowitzki said "I'm going to Dizzanee World!"
Click the link for Championship T-Shirt Photos: s1295.beta.photobucket.com/user/richardson239/library/
April 27, 2012
In what some may think was impossible, the Bull Sharks surprised the league by winning the 2012 championship. Despite a 6-4 regular season record, the Bull Sharks mounted an improbable playoff run by upsetting the Utah Jazz 7-2 in the Finals.
Tampa Bay, which battled injuries all season long (Bogut, Ginobli) and early season struggles from some key players, managed to make it into the playoffs surprisingly healthy. That is, until Amare Stoudemire went down. This posed a serious concern to Bull Sharks GM Richardson.
"We thought that signing ZaZa (Pachulia) during the season was our insurance move for Bogut being out. We fully prepared to enter the playoffs without Bogs; we knew there was no chance he would play. But when Amare was injured. Well, I don't think anyone was prepared for that."
Unprepared or not, the Bull Sharks had to be ready to battle with or without their star center. However, things took a turn during the second round when backup turned starter, ZaZa Pachulia went down with a foot injury.
"I thought we were done in Orlando," said GM Richardson. "How the hell were we going to compete on the glass, not to mention blocks, with David Lee, Gortat, Blair and Thompson. We didn't have ZaZa, we were planning on playing without Amare, and Bogut has been out all year. No disrespect to the guys we have, but when you lose those three, wouldn't you agree that winning blocks and rebounds would be hard to come by?"
But the Bull Sharks overcame adversity. They pulled together like a team. It was the team mentality that won Tampa Bay its first ever NBA Championship.
"It's bigger than just one player. Bigger than just two or three players," said Finals MVP Chris Paul. "We had guys step up big during our run. It took everyone on this team and our brilliant head coach to get this trophy to Tampa."
There will be a parade in downtown Tampa on Monday to celebrate the Bull Sharks title. It looks like, for now anyway, the 'ship has docked in Tampa Bay. For the future, we'll let GM Richardson worry about this summer. Now, it is time to reflect on the season that was. To recognize that despite a mediocre season that uncertain teams can win championships. This is a time for players like Dirk Nowitzki to enjoy and forget about the upcoming year in free agency.
When asked about what he was going to do next, Nowitzki said "I'm going to Dizzanee World!"