Series Analysis: Chicago Bulls (4) vs. Washington Wizards (5)


Loughery
Coach Kevin Loughery has seen it all in the NBA since he entered the league in 1962 as the 13th overall pick for the Detroit Pistons. In his 11-year playing career with Detroit, Baltimore Bullets and Philadelphia 76ers, Loughery averaged 15.3 points per game. Loughery was named interim coach of the 1972-73 Sixers team, kick starting his NBA second career. Then, he and Dr. J won two ABA titles with the New York Nets and Loughery eventually moved to the NBA with the Nets. After the Nets, he coached the Hawks, was Michael Jordan's first coach in Chicago, coached the Bullets (Wizards) and eventually the Heat, where he spent four years on the bench and three more in the front office.

By Kevin Loughery (as told to Rob Peterson)

Bulls like Ben Gordon were good in the regular season, but their youth could hurt them in the postseason.
Gary Dineen/NBAE/Getty Images
What to expect from Chicago:

"That's the thing about this series, both teams are very young and inexperienced when it comes to the playoffs. With the Bulls having the home-court advantage, that will help them. But I think with the injuries to Luol Deng, Eddy Curry and now Tyson Chandler being a little banged and with a young guard corps that has to go up against Gilbert Arenas and Larry Hughes, I give the Wizards the benefit of the doubt here. The Bulls need Chandler at full strength.

"The Bulls are a great defensive team. They play solid, hard-nosed defense. Skiles has done an excellent job with this team this season, but the Bulls are so young. I think they'll be affected by the playoff atmosphere."

What to expect from Washington:

"Washington's a little like Phoenix in how they like to run. I don't think they should change anything they've done. They shouldn't get caught in a half-court game entirely. Arenas, Hughes and Antawn Jamison are great scorers, but I think Kwame Brown and Brendan Haywood have to play well. The key will be how well the Wizards' three stars play. But they don't have a lot of playoff experience either.

"In watching Arenas play, he made the All-Star team this year and I think he's matured greatly as a player. He works hard, plays hard, gives 100 percent. I don't think he'll have a problem."

Loughery's series prediction:

"I like Washington to win this in six games."