You could make a case for this being the best playoff series in the history of the NBA. Yes, in the history of the league.

Now, don?t misunderstand. I?m not saying it?s been great Basketball, and I?m not suggesting there?s any real significance, because it?s two teams going nowhere with no chance to beat Cleveland ? and probably not even Orlando.

But the statement stands on its own: It?s the best playoff series in the history of the NBA.

With the exception of one blowout, each game has been played very hard, very close, and with twists and turns and plots and plodders that a scriptwriter would never try to sneak past an audience.

The seven overtime periods in six games speak for themselves.

Again, it?s not for the NBA title, and there?s no Michael Jordan.

It has no import beyond its meaning to those playing in it, and to the fans living and dying with it. The quality of play between two mediocre teams has been awful in stretches.

But for pure theater, excitement and drama, there?s never been a series like this in league history.

Big deal

When the Bulls were coughing up a 13-point lead in the first half Thursday, Joakim Noah and Tyrus Thomas were combining for 2 points in 36 minutes.

So don?t be fooled by moments when they?re mildly effective.

Thomas is mostly terrible, while Noah at least tries hard and does force other bigs to work, but he has limited offensive ability. All their offensive and defensive qualities together don?t even make up one big man, let alone two.

Garnett?s mouth

Kevin Garnett has been talking trash nonstop throughout the series. He?s making a fool of himself and tarnishing his reputation. Some young Bulls players have gone from admiring a legend to thinking this guy is a clown and a thug.

So why?s he doing it?

Just coaching

The Bulls are playing hard, and you?ll have to decide whether that?s because of Vinny Del Negro, or in spite of him.

But the fact is the Bulls are often clueless on the court and have come out of timeouts with no idea what to run or how to run it. Boston players hit the same shots over and over again from the same spots, and in crucial situations, and the Bulls never adjust. No fan was I of Scott Skiles and the way he managed humans, and players inevitably tune out a guy with his style and personality. But from a technical standpoint, the man was an excellent coach when he was here, and he never would have come out of a timeout without his players knowing exactly how to run a play.

To the hoop

Derrick Rose is a great point guard, good teammate and a humble guy, but when he learns to be a little more selfish and decides to go to the hoop more often, he?s going to be twice as good a player.

Nice catch

Brad Miller got the biggest cheer of his UC career when he entered the game 4:38 into the first quarter Thursday. With all due respect, why? For getting punched in the face Tuesday night? That said, Miller deserved all the cheers he received later after he played a terrific game off the bench, gathering 10 boards to go along with 23 huge points. No way do they win Game 6 without his enormous contribution.

Great effort

Despite a missed a layup late in the third OT that could have sealed the deal, Kirk Hinrich nevertheless played a whale of a game off the bench, especially defensively. Both Hinrich (11 points, 7 assists) and Miller played physical and with anger, and they lifted the Bulls on several occasions.

Best stat

Game 6 bench points: Boston 11, Bulls 35.

Best choice

Rajon Rondo?s favorite movie is "Cinderella Man." Though he refrained from throwing haymakers at Kirk Hinrich on Thursday during their tussle, Rondo does have some "Bulldog of Bergen" in him, doesn?t he?

And finally?

Doc Rivers, who was with the ?93 Knicks, on the Celtics being known as a team that plays rough: "I don?t know that we?re as physical as people think. I played on a team in New York that would laugh at this."

brozner@dailyherald.com