My initial reaction to Derrick Rose's injury was rash, but certain in its message: blowup the team. However, after further reflection, I think the Bulls have several possible directions to go in the off-season or regular season. Let's take a look at a few possible scenarios.
Rebuild on the Fly
Realistically, the Bulls do not have to break-up the team, even if that is an attractive option. The Bulls have approximately $64.5 million in salary obligations for the 2014-2015 season. Early projections suggest the cap will be about $62.1 million, putting the Bulls slightly over the cap.
With Taj Gibson playing well recently, I think the cries to amnesty Carlos Boozer will finally be met. Let's not forget that this is a real cash expense of $16.8 million, though it will lower the Bulls' cap figure to $47.7 million, freeing up around $14.1 million. In other words, the Bulls will have enough money for good player, but not a superstar.
Pau Gasol
If the Bulls do indeed amnesty Boozer, I think Pau Gasol could be an interesting fit on a two-year deal in the neighborhood of $20 million. The Lakers are armed with tons of cap room, but I am not sure Gasol wants to return to a team that doesn't enjoy using one of the best post scorers in the league.
This idea is far from flawless, as Gasol is going to be 34 years old and his numbers have dropped as he has been plagued by a bad system and injuries. The other problem with this idea is Taj Gibson. His large contract is simply too much for the minutes he plays. I'm a firm believer that most of a team's cap space should be allocated to finishers: those players you want on the court in crunch time. Yes, Gibson often plays down the stretch, but that forces the uber expensive Boozer to ride the pine. I want as much of my cap as possible on the court in the last few minutes, and that simply isn't possible under this arrangement.
Deng/Humph
The Bulls could also opt to amnesty Boozer, resign Luol Deng, and pursue a larger power forward with the mid-level exception/left over cap room. I really don't like this idea because the Bulls will have to rely on Taj Gibson playing heavy minutes and hope they can sign a backup in the ilk of Kris Humphries who can play as a small 5 or averaged sized 4.
Deng/Mirotic
The wild card option remains Nikola Mirotic. The dude is a stud, and he looks like the next Toni Kukoc, except better defensively. However, Mirotic won't be cheap because he's making a run for a second consecutive Euro League MVP trophy. Mirotic will probably want (and earn) at least $7 million per season, so the Bulls will be forced to amnesty Boozer and possibly trade Gibson to free-up some cap space.
To be completely honest, I think this is the ONLY way it makes sense to keep Deng. Deng is a fantastic NBA player, but the Bulls desperately need an offensive creator, and I think Mirotic can be that guy. This team would be scary good offensively with Rose in the fold, and the Bulls could play a fairly small, but deadly, offense that involves Rose/Butler/Deng/Mirotic/Noah. Miortic weighs basically nothing and will have a hard time defending powerful 4s in the mold of Zach Randolph, but this lineup could light up the scoreboard.
Full Rebuild
Let me get this off my chest first and foremost: the Bulls will not tank this season, and unless new commissioner Adam Silver enjoys rigging drafts like David Stern, the Bulls will not be able to acquire the first overall pick/Jabari Parker.
Strong Mid-1st Round Talent
That being said, the 2014 NBA draft class is insanely talented, and the Bulls will be served well if they can utilize 2 1st round picks (one from the Bobcats/Hornets). Even in the middle of the first round, the Bulls might be able to grab Arizona's Aaron Gordon, Kansas' Wayne Selden, Michigan's Glenn Robinson III, or Kentucky's Andrew Harrison. The talent will be there even if the Bulls can't sneak into the lottery.
Interestingly enough, this probably applies to the Bulls in the event of a full rebuild or just a quick retooling. I think the Bulls will have the chance to acquire some strong rotation players regardless of where they land in the draft.
Deng or Boozer for Hardaway/Shumpert/Bargnani
If the Bulls want to fully rebuild, I think the team should acquire some "damaged" goods or make moves for players who may be underutilized in their current situations. I think this would be the perfect opportunity for the Bulls to trade Deng to a team like the New York Knicks who are desperate to compete for a title. Carmelo Anthony could move into the PF role, and the Bulls could give up Deng for Andrea Bargnani (ew), Tim Hardaway Jr., and Iman Shumpert. This would allow Jimmy Butler to move into his more natural role as a small forward, give the Bulls a creative offensive player in Hardaway and a strong defender in Shumpert. It's definitely a risky trade, but the Bulls get younger and deeper.
The Knicks might be hesitant to do it, but I can't imagine another team that would be bold enough to move some young assets for an established all-star in hopes of an NBA title. Deng can defend LeBron James much better than Anthony can, and when Tyson Chandler returns, the Knicks could be a great defensive team. The Knicks could also be interested in taking on Boozer for the same players.
Deng for Waiters/Clark/Gee/1st Rounder
If the Cavs want to go all-in for LeBron James (assuming he opts out of his deal), then they will need some cap space. The Bulls get upside in Dion Waiters and a 1st round pick, a cheap bench player in Alonzo Gee, and a player who can have his contract terminated in Earl Clark. I think the Cavs may be suckered into a rental, particularly if owner Dan Gilbert thinks the Cavs have a legitimate shot at LeBron James. I'm not sure the Bulls would want to acquire such a significant amount of players and contractual obligations, but I think it is an interesting idea worthy of further investigation.
There are several trades and moves the Bulls can make, but they might simply stand pat. The only move I think fans can fully expect is the amnesty of Boozer in the offseason. In fact, the Bulls might be able to vault themselves into championship contenders with the largely the same core (Rose/Butler/Deng/Noah/Gibson) if they are able to sign Mirotic. While I'm not crazy about giving GarPax another shot at building a contender, Bulls fans should be excited about the various possibilities going forward. If the Bulls don't go into full-tank mode, I would love for them to acquire somebody--anybody--that can create shots off the dribble.
If I had to put money on it, I would say the Bulls' starting five next year will be:
Rose
Butler
Deng
Gibson
Noah
With Tony Snell, Nikola Mirotic, Marquis Teague, Mike Dunleavy, and league minimum veterans coming off the bench.
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Saturday, November 30, 2013
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Bulls (6-7) Vs Pistons (6-8)
Tonight the Chicago Bulls take on the Detroit Pistons in a battle of mediocrity. The Bulls come into tonight's game emotionally defeated after losing to the worst team in the NBA and after losing the last MVP not-named LeBron James for the season.
Tonight will be a tough game for the Bulls as the Pistons feature a trio of strong interior players in Andre Drummond, Josh Smith, and Greg Monroe. Miraculously, former future star Rodney Stuckey leads the team in scoring, while Smith, Drummond, Monroe, and Brandon Jennings all average double digits in scoring.
I'm not really sure what the Pistons are doing with regards to building their team. The Pistons continue to acquire overlapping talent rather than looking for complimentary pieces. This team is built for 40-42 wins and a 1st round exit from the playoffs.
That being said, the Bulls just lost to the worst team in the NBA. I expect one more let down game tonight, and I think the X-factor will be Brandon Jennings. The Bulls held him to a 6 point game last year, but his other performances were far superior, topped off by a 35 point outburst in an 8-point victory last January. I think he goes for 25+ again tonight, especially with the Bulls on the last leg of a 6 game road trip. He should torch an exhausted back court.
Final Score: Pistons 99 Bulls 85
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**Bonus
Here's an uplifting video in light of the Bulls' recent struggles
Tonight will be a tough game for the Bulls as the Pistons feature a trio of strong interior players in Andre Drummond, Josh Smith, and Greg Monroe. Miraculously, former future star Rodney Stuckey leads the team in scoring, while Smith, Drummond, Monroe, and Brandon Jennings all average double digits in scoring.
I'm not really sure what the Pistons are doing with regards to building their team. The Pistons continue to acquire overlapping talent rather than looking for complimentary pieces. This team is built for 40-42 wins and a 1st round exit from the playoffs.
That being said, the Bulls just lost to the worst team in the NBA. I expect one more let down game tonight, and I think the X-factor will be Brandon Jennings. The Bulls held him to a 6 point game last year, but his other performances were far superior, topped off by a 35 point outburst in an 8-point victory last January. I think he goes for 25+ again tonight, especially with the Bulls on the last leg of a 6 game road trip. He should torch an exhausted back court.
Final Score: Pistons 99 Bulls 85
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**Bonus
Here's an uplifting video in light of the Bulls' recent struggles
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Is Adidas to Blame for Derrick Rose's Injury?
It's funny how popular this topic has become, particularly in the shoe world. I'm a sneaker enthusiast myself, and while I lean overwhelmingly Nike, I buy every Derrick Rose signature model. I haven't picked-up the newest pair yet, but that's only because I can't walk thanks to injuries suffered on the basketball court while wearing the Rose 2.5.
Shoes don't make you play basketball any better or any worse, for the most part. If you suck, you suck. If you're good, you're good. Some of the best basketball players I know love knowing about different shoes and care deeply about what they wear, while other dominant basketball players I know couldn't care less about what shoes they wear. However, I am a firm believe that your selection can impact your health.
Take the Rose 2.5 (shown above). The way the midsole is situated is relatively unstable, and the lightweight (cheap) materials don't provide great ankle lockdown. Rose was banged up all season when he wore these, and I went as far as to blame the shoes for some nagging injuries. I stand by that statement, but I do not believe the shoes had anything to do with his ACL.
Nor do I believe the Rose 4 has ANYTHING to do with his torn meniscus. The web's premier footwear reviewer Nightwing2303 noted that the shoes are fantastic and graded them well for support--the area where the 2.5 lacked.
From my experience, the only really impact shoes can have on a player from a pain standpoint are hotspots (areas where the shoe pinches your foot) and cushioning (some make your feet very bruised/painful). Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour like to boast about how their respective patented cushioning system is better for your knees or "disperses impact" evenly. I'm not sure I buy that, particularly in light of Chris McDougall's Born to Run that traces injury not to overuse or to lack of cushion, but rather to the unnatural design of modern running shoes. You should read the book--I named it one of the best books last year--but to make a long story short, modern running shoes force runners to strike with their heels rather than their forefeet, causing injuries. He runs with a tribe of Tarahumara Indians that run hundreds of miles without real shoes or injuries. Maybe Nike could show us some evidence to the contrary, but I doubt it.
Players get injured all the time--Russ Westbrook torn his meniscus wearing Jordan shoes. Kobe tore his Achilles in Nikes, and Joakim Noah suffered approximately 4 million injuries wearing his French tennis shoes. On top of that, LeBron James has seldom worn his new shoes this year--a Nike product!
You can rip on Adidas for making some of the ugliest shoes I've ever seen, but you can't blame it for Derrick Rose's injury any more than I can blame Adidas for my injury. I landed viciously on someone's foot and rolled off. I would have been injured badly in any shoe, though I admit some shoes would have done a better job than others of protecting my ankle. Rose's meniscus came on a freak play and bad pass from Joakim Noah. Terrible luck yes, the shoes? Not a chance. Rose would have been injured in Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, Li Ning, or New Balance.
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| Mmm, now that's healed |
Shoes don't make you play basketball any better or any worse, for the most part. If you suck, you suck. If you're good, you're good. Some of the best basketball players I know love knowing about different shoes and care deeply about what they wear, while other dominant basketball players I know couldn't care less about what shoes they wear. However, I am a firm believe that your selection can impact your health.
 |
| Thanks adidas |
Take the Rose 2.5 (shown above). The way the midsole is situated is relatively unstable, and the lightweight (cheap) materials don't provide great ankle lockdown. Rose was banged up all season when he wore these, and I went as far as to blame the shoes for some nagging injuries. I stand by that statement, but I do not believe the shoes had anything to do with his ACL.
Nor do I believe the Rose 4 has ANYTHING to do with his torn meniscus. The web's premier footwear reviewer Nightwing2303 noted that the shoes are fantastic and graded them well for support--the area where the 2.5 lacked.
From my experience, the only really impact shoes can have on a player from a pain standpoint are hotspots (areas where the shoe pinches your foot) and cushioning (some make your feet very bruised/painful). Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour like to boast about how their respective patented cushioning system is better for your knees or "disperses impact" evenly. I'm not sure I buy that, particularly in light of Chris McDougall's Born to Run that traces injury not to overuse or to lack of cushion, but rather to the unnatural design of modern running shoes. You should read the book--I named it one of the best books last year--but to make a long story short, modern running shoes force runners to strike with their heels rather than their forefeet, causing injuries. He runs with a tribe of Tarahumara Indians that run hundreds of miles without real shoes or injuries. Maybe Nike could show us some evidence to the contrary, but I doubt it.
Players get injured all the time--Russ Westbrook torn his meniscus wearing Jordan shoes. Kobe tore his Achilles in Nikes, and Joakim Noah suffered approximately 4 million injuries wearing his French tennis shoes. On top of that, LeBron James has seldom worn his new shoes this year--a Nike product!
You can rip on Adidas for making some of the ugliest shoes I've ever seen, but you can't blame it for Derrick Rose's injury any more than I can blame Adidas for my injury. I landed viciously on someone's foot and rolled off. I would have been injured badly in any shoe, though I admit some shoes would have done a better job than others of protecting my ankle. Rose's meniscus came on a freak play and bad pass from Joakim Noah. Terrible luck yes, the shoes? Not a chance. Rose would have been injured in Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, Li Ning, or New Balance.
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The Bulls Fall to the Jazz
In case you didn't believe that the loss of Derrick Rose was going to ruin the season, the Bulls tried their best to refute that notion, losing in overtime to the pathetic Utah Jazz 89-83. By no means did I think the Bulls would be good, but losing to possibly the worst team in the NBA without Enes Kanter and with Derrick Favors limited to 26 minutes thanks to foul trouble is simply inexcusable.
The Bulls hit 1-13 three pointers to shoot a whopping 7.7%. That simply is inexcusable when the opposing team is trotting out Richard Jefferson, Alec Burks, John Lucas III, and Trey Burke as perimeter defenders.
The Bulls looked fine defensively, forcing Gordon Hayward into terrible drives and even worse jump passes. Though he was occasionally bailed out by the officials, the Bulls did a great job containing Hayward, who I'm convinced has a much lower ceiling than many experts believe.
Luol Deng and Carlos Boozer Audition for the Rest of the League
While we know that Coach Tom Thibodeau was forced to give both Marquis Teague and Tony Snell considerably playing time (we'll get to that in a second), I think it was clear that the Bulls wanted to feature Carlos Boozer and Luol Deng in order to make them more enticing acquisition targets. Deng and Boozer attempted 18 and 23 shots, respectively, and ended with solid games of 24/10 and 26/16. Deng managed to get 13 free throw attempts, and it goes without saying that he will be in high demand throughout the entire league. Because he isn't signed for next season, he may not yield an amazing return, but he will certainly be able to net at least a 1st rounder if he continues to score so efficiently. I still think the perfect fit for him is in Memphis.
As for Boozer, while he experienced his normal defensive lapses, he provided much-needed fire power, showing limitless confidence from everywhere on the floor. Boozer took some terrible shots, but hell, someone needs to shoot. I'm confident Washington would love to add him to the fold. The rumors of his untradeableness are greatly exaggerated, in my opinion, particularly because he only has the rest of this year and next year remaining on his contract. Washington has another year of Nene. The Bulls could also afford to eat Eric Gordon's bad contract, which would happen to fill the Bulls' void at shooting guard.
The Kids Can't Play
Tony Snell and Marquis Teague are not very good--yet. Snell showed some flashes with his beautiful, high-arcing three point shot that should develop into a fantastic weapon in the lower part of the Bulls rotation. Teague is scared to death of Thibs, and frankly, it's time to move him. He's quick and can occasionally get to the rim, but his coach despises him. He will never thrive on the Bulls.
Can We Please Stop the Derrick Rose Hate?
I understand why fans would be frustrated by seeing the Bulls' best player go down for yet another season. However, fans and radio talk show hosts alike need to calm down. It's too early to say that Rose "won't ever be the same player" especially since he's ONLY 25 YEARS OLD. He's not ancient, and he could easily have another decade left in his career. Yes, it hurts to see him miss some of his formative years, but it isn't the end of the world. There is NO REASON to want to trade him, nor is there any reason to believe he won't be a superstar when he returns. Maybe he should have gone to Germany like Kobe Bryant, but in any case, he's still a star point guard who is the heart and soul of the Bulls and Chicago.
If you want to trade Rose or think it's time for him to retire, then you can also denounce your fandom. You think you're frustrated? How do you think Rose feels?
And if you look at his stats and say "he wasn't that great anyways," then you don't know a damn thing about basketball. The Bulls are a great team with him and a bottom of the barrel team without him. Need I say more?
Yes, the Bulls need another superstar, but not to replace Rose, but because you need multiple superstars to win an NBA title. Parker/Duncan, Wade/LeBron, Kobe/Gasol - the list goes on and on. Stars matter more in the NBA than any other sport, but luckily teams are dumb enough to let them go (I'm looking at you OKC). The Bulls will find one, fans simply must be patient. Or, Reinsdorf could fire GarPax and make the process go much quicker.
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The Bulls hit 1-13 three pointers to shoot a whopping 7.7%. That simply is inexcusable when the opposing team is trotting out Richard Jefferson, Alec Burks, John Lucas III, and Trey Burke as perimeter defenders.
The Bulls looked fine defensively, forcing Gordon Hayward into terrible drives and even worse jump passes. Though he was occasionally bailed out by the officials, the Bulls did a great job containing Hayward, who I'm convinced has a much lower ceiling than many experts believe.
Luol Deng and Carlos Boozer Audition for the Rest of the League
While we know that Coach Tom Thibodeau was forced to give both Marquis Teague and Tony Snell considerably playing time (we'll get to that in a second), I think it was clear that the Bulls wanted to feature Carlos Boozer and Luol Deng in order to make them more enticing acquisition targets. Deng and Boozer attempted 18 and 23 shots, respectively, and ended with solid games of 24/10 and 26/16. Deng managed to get 13 free throw attempts, and it goes without saying that he will be in high demand throughout the entire league. Because he isn't signed for next season, he may not yield an amazing return, but he will certainly be able to net at least a 1st rounder if he continues to score so efficiently. I still think the perfect fit for him is in Memphis.
As for Boozer, while he experienced his normal defensive lapses, he provided much-needed fire power, showing limitless confidence from everywhere on the floor. Boozer took some terrible shots, but hell, someone needs to shoot. I'm confident Washington would love to add him to the fold. The rumors of his untradeableness are greatly exaggerated, in my opinion, particularly because he only has the rest of this year and next year remaining on his contract. Washington has another year of Nene. The Bulls could also afford to eat Eric Gordon's bad contract, which would happen to fill the Bulls' void at shooting guard.
The Kids Can't Play
Tony Snell and Marquis Teague are not very good--yet. Snell showed some flashes with his beautiful, high-arcing three point shot that should develop into a fantastic weapon in the lower part of the Bulls rotation. Teague is scared to death of Thibs, and frankly, it's time to move him. He's quick and can occasionally get to the rim, but his coach despises him. He will never thrive on the Bulls.
Can We Please Stop the Derrick Rose Hate?
I understand why fans would be frustrated by seeing the Bulls' best player go down for yet another season. However, fans and radio talk show hosts alike need to calm down. It's too early to say that Rose "won't ever be the same player" especially since he's ONLY 25 YEARS OLD. He's not ancient, and he could easily have another decade left in his career. Yes, it hurts to see him miss some of his formative years, but it isn't the end of the world. There is NO REASON to want to trade him, nor is there any reason to believe he won't be a superstar when he returns. Maybe he should have gone to Germany like Kobe Bryant, but in any case, he's still a star point guard who is the heart and soul of the Bulls and Chicago.
If you want to trade Rose or think it's time for him to retire, then you can also denounce your fandom. You think you're frustrated? How do you think Rose feels?
And if you look at his stats and say "he wasn't that great anyways," then you don't know a damn thing about basketball. The Bulls are a great team with him and a bottom of the barrel team without him. Need I say more?
Yes, the Bulls need another superstar, but not to replace Rose, but because you need multiple superstars to win an NBA title. Parker/Duncan, Wade/LeBron, Kobe/Gasol - the list goes on and on. Stars matter more in the NBA than any other sport, but luckily teams are dumb enough to let them go (I'm looking at you OKC). The Bulls will find one, fans simply must be patient. Or, Reinsdorf could fire GarPax and make the process go much quicker.
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Monday, November 25, 2013
Game Preview: Bulls (6-6) Vs. Jazz (1-14)
This game is going to get ugly tonight, as the Chicago Bulls take on the Utah Jazz without Derrick Rose.
Without question, the Jazz are terrible. Last time I looked at the Jazz, we found out the Jazz are terrible. Even though Rose is out and Kirk Hinrich will start at point guard, the Bulls have a clear advantage. Trey Burke is back, but he's still an inexperienced rookie coming off of injury.
The main reason to watch tonight is to see the final days of this long-time core together. I have little doubt that the Bulls will do what must be done, and blow up the team.
The Jazz did somehow beat the New Orleans Pelicans last week, but we shouldn't anticipate a similar occurrence tonight.
Final Score: Bulls 95 Jazz 86
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Without question, the Jazz are terrible. Last time I looked at the Jazz, we found out the Jazz are terrible. Even though Rose is out and Kirk Hinrich will start at point guard, the Bulls have a clear advantage. Trey Burke is back, but he's still an inexperienced rookie coming off of injury.
The main reason to watch tonight is to see the final days of this long-time core together. I have little doubt that the Bulls will do what must be done, and blow up the team.
The Jazz did somehow beat the New Orleans Pelicans last week, but we shouldn't anticipate a similar occurrence tonight.
Final Score: Bulls 95 Jazz 86
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Shut Him Down: Derrick Rose is Out for the Year
This was a traumatic weekend as a Bulls fan, and even worse for a Chicago sports fan. I couldn't bring myself to write until we had solid clarity on what's going to happen to the Bulls' fallen superstar, Derrick Rose.
The loss against the Portland Trailblazers: terrible.
The loss against the Los Angels Clippers: pathetic.
The loss of Derrick Rose: heartbreaking.
Rose is more than just your everyday player, and he should be to all Bulls fans. He's a poor kid from Englewood who had a meteoric rise from amazing high school talent to become the first overall pick for his hometown team. He came into the league just as the Miami Heat were on the cusp of creating the greatest NBA villain since the 90's New York Knicks, and the selfless, all-about-basketball Derrick Rose was the perfect foil to the "I'm taking my talents down to South Beach" LeBron James.
Instead of becoming our generation's Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, the Rose/James rivalry has been more of a Kobe Bryant/Tracy McGrady. And it saddens me. Believe it or not, as great as a team Miami is, this Bulls team had a 2-year window where they could have taken them down. That time is over.
Derrick Rose's torn meniscus in his right knee should be fully repaired if it needs to be, and that means he will be out for the entire season. That means another lost year. But more importantly, it means it's time to break-up this beloved Bulls team.
It pains me to say this, because I really do love Joakim Noah, Luol Deng, Kirk Hinrich, and Carlos Boozer like family. I respect and cherish every bit of effort we have received from these wonderful players, and I'm incredibly grateful that I was able to experience the second greatest era in Chicago Bulls basketball. Unfortunately, the Bulls only have one real superstar, and with the status of his health a question mark in perpetuity going forward, it is time for the Bulls to be bold and acquire another.
#1: Trade Luol Deng
I love Deng, and he is a one of a kind person. I love his effort, and I've really loved watching him grow into a perennial all-star. He's a fantastic third star on a team that has three third stars.
Now is the time to strike. Luol does literally everything well, and he never slacks off. However, the Bulls need to lose games to receive a better draft pick, and Deng's will to win would not work towards that goal.
Deng is an expiring contract, so moving him shouldn't be a problem, especially since it would give a team that might want to sign him in the off-season a leg up on the competition. Still, he somehow earns more than both Tim Duncan and Tony Parker.
Why this trade works: Memphis, run by a true sabermetrics guy, picks up 4 wins while dumping Tayshaun Prince's fairly terrible contract. The Bulls depart with Marquis Teague while picking up a wonderful chucker in Jerryd Bayless, who would love to put up 20+ shots a game running the show for the Bulls. Ed Davis can fill in for Boozer when we trade him (just wait a minute for that), and Memphis receives a player in Deng who is a perfect fit for their system
#2: Trade Carlos Boozer
Boozer is playing the best basketball of his Bulls career, so he's too good, and must be traded. Why not trade him for Nene's horrendous contract? The Wizards could use a versatile 4 like Boozer while the Bulls could start Nene until they amnesty him in the offseason.
#3: Trade Taj Gibson
Taj Gibson has performed his own #TheReturn this season, but he must go for a player with less offensive talent. Drumroll...
Why this trade works: Houston receives a player who can come in and start at power forward right away, while ridding themselves of Omer Asik and his bad attitude. The deal provides Houston with reasonably priced power forward for the next four seasons. Asik comes back to Chicago where he will get playing time because...
#4: Trade Joakim Noah
It pains me to say this because I absolutely love Joakim, but with Asik back on the roster, he becomes expendable. Noah is quite injury prone, and he's the heart and soul of this Bulls team. What better way to crush a team's spirits than to trade its emotional leader. I really do not think the Bulls will part with Noah, but hey, it could happen.
Why this trade works: The Charlotte almost Hornets really want to compete, and Noah gives them a premier defensive center to pair with Al Jefferson. The Bulls receive a capable scorer, and, I assume, a decent draft pick. Ben Gordon can be resigned for a quickly rebuilt Bulls in the offseason for a reasonable deal, but in the meantime, he becomes an extremely good salary match.
Our Starting 5:
PG: Bayless
SG: Gordon
SF: Butler
PF: Nene
C: Asik
That is a team that's poised to tank.
Good luck to Derrick Rose on his surgery. He will come back as great as ever, and I will reveal the next step in my plan later this week...
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The loss against the Portland Trailblazers: terrible.
The loss against the Los Angels Clippers: pathetic.
The loss of Derrick Rose: heartbreaking.
Rose is more than just your everyday player, and he should be to all Bulls fans. He's a poor kid from Englewood who had a meteoric rise from amazing high school talent to become the first overall pick for his hometown team. He came into the league just as the Miami Heat were on the cusp of creating the greatest NBA villain since the 90's New York Knicks, and the selfless, all-about-basketball Derrick Rose was the perfect foil to the "I'm taking my talents down to South Beach" LeBron James.
Instead of becoming our generation's Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, the Rose/James rivalry has been more of a Kobe Bryant/Tracy McGrady. And it saddens me. Believe it or not, as great as a team Miami is, this Bulls team had a 2-year window where they could have taken them down. That time is over.
Derrick Rose's torn meniscus in his right knee should be fully repaired if it needs to be, and that means he will be out for the entire season. That means another lost year. But more importantly, it means it's time to break-up this beloved Bulls team.
It pains me to say this, because I really do love Joakim Noah, Luol Deng, Kirk Hinrich, and Carlos Boozer like family. I respect and cherish every bit of effort we have received from these wonderful players, and I'm incredibly grateful that I was able to experience the second greatest era in Chicago Bulls basketball. Unfortunately, the Bulls only have one real superstar, and with the status of his health a question mark in perpetuity going forward, it is time for the Bulls to be bold and acquire another.
#1: Trade Luol Deng
I love Deng, and he is a one of a kind person. I love his effort, and I've really loved watching him grow into a perennial all-star. He's a fantastic third star on a team that has three third stars.
Now is the time to strike. Luol does literally everything well, and he never slacks off. However, the Bulls need to lose games to receive a better draft pick, and Deng's will to win would not work towards that goal.
Deng is an expiring contract, so moving him shouldn't be a problem, especially since it would give a team that might want to sign him in the off-season a leg up on the competition. Still, he somehow earns more than both Tim Duncan and Tony Parker.
Why this trade works: Memphis, run by a true sabermetrics guy, picks up 4 wins while dumping Tayshaun Prince's fairly terrible contract. The Bulls depart with Marquis Teague while picking up a wonderful chucker in Jerryd Bayless, who would love to put up 20+ shots a game running the show for the Bulls. Ed Davis can fill in for Boozer when we trade him (just wait a minute for that), and Memphis receives a player in Deng who is a perfect fit for their system
#2: Trade Carlos Boozer
Boozer is playing the best basketball of his Bulls career, so he's too good, and must be traded. Why not trade him for Nene's horrendous contract? The Wizards could use a versatile 4 like Boozer while the Bulls could start Nene until they amnesty him in the offseason.
#3: Trade Taj Gibson
Taj Gibson has performed his own #TheReturn this season, but he must go for a player with less offensive talent. Drumroll...
Why this trade works: Houston receives a player who can come in and start at power forward right away, while ridding themselves of Omer Asik and his bad attitude. The deal provides Houston with reasonably priced power forward for the next four seasons. Asik comes back to Chicago where he will get playing time because...
#4: Trade Joakim Noah
It pains me to say this because I absolutely love Joakim, but with Asik back on the roster, he becomes expendable. Noah is quite injury prone, and he's the heart and soul of this Bulls team. What better way to crush a team's spirits than to trade its emotional leader. I really do not think the Bulls will part with Noah, but hey, it could happen.
Why this trade works: The Charlotte almost Hornets really want to compete, and Noah gives them a premier defensive center to pair with Al Jefferson. The Bulls receive a capable scorer, and, I assume, a decent draft pick. Ben Gordon can be resigned for a quickly rebuilt Bulls in the offseason for a reasonable deal, but in the meantime, he becomes an extremely good salary match.
Our Starting 5:
PG: Bayless
SG: Gordon
SF: Butler
PF: Nene
C: Asik
That is a team that's poised to tank.
Good luck to Derrick Rose on his surgery. He will come back as great as ever, and I will reveal the next step in my plan later this week...
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Friday, November 22, 2013
Game Preview: Chicago Bulls (6-4) vs Portland Trail Blazers (10-2)
The Portland Trail Blazers are a bit of a sore spot for me. Yes, I have a massive, unabashed man crush on Ben Gordon, but my love of LaMarcus Aldridge is up there with anyone in the league. You might even recall that the Bulls once drafted LaMarcus Aldridge and traded him for *drum roll* TYRUS THOMAS.
The only positive from that trade was that Thomas was so horrible that the Bulls weren't any good, so David Sternfixed the draft happened to pull the lottery ball for the Bulls to win the first overall pick in the draft, and thus Derrick Rose.
Think of Aldridge as a really, really good Carlos Boozer: he can bang down low with a variety of post moves, and he can hit the 20 footer with ease. The entire NBA (including Aldridge) knows that he would be a perfect fit for the Bulls, and trade rumors persist. GarPax won't do a deal for him, nor would the Trail Blazers wan the older Boozer, so I doubt a trade ever gets done. He's the best thing in Portland this side of Portlandia.
Damian Lillard
On top of Aldridge, the Blazers have a wonderful point guard by the name of Damian Lillard. There is almost always an East Coast bias in national sports coverage, so the Lillard doesn't receive as much attention as he deserves, but he is a wonderful compliment to Aldridge in the Blazers' offense. Lillard is taking 7 3's per game (wow), but managing to connect on 39% of them. Lillard is also quite quick, and he can get to the rack on occasion in spite of his small stature.
Three Point Shooting
The Blazers are a team tailor-made to 21st century basketball sabermetrics. Three point shooting is incredibly valuable, so in addition to Lillard, the Blazers have Wesley Matthews and Nic Batum drilling three pointers at will. About 50% of both players' shot attempts are three pointers, and the Blazers have trigger happy Mo Williams coming off the bench to pour in even more points. The Blazers are second in the NBA in scoring at 110.7 PPG, and their offense could really thrive with Jimmy Butler sitting out and Lillard penetrating.
I'm really worried about this game. I thought the Bulls would show-up for last night's game (and they did-- for a half). This is another long trip from Denver to Portland, and I think it's safe to say the Bulls will not be adjusted for this late night affair.
For the first time this year, I am expecting the Bulls to lose, in spite of a valiant effort from Kirk Hinrich. The Blazers fire power, and the lack of Butler and
Final Score: Blazers 105 Bulls 92
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The only positive from that trade was that Thomas was so horrible that the Bulls weren't any good, so David Stern
Think of Aldridge as a really, really good Carlos Boozer: he can bang down low with a variety of post moves, and he can hit the 20 footer with ease. The entire NBA (including Aldridge) knows that he would be a perfect fit for the Bulls, and trade rumors persist. GarPax won't do a deal for him, nor would the Trail Blazers wan the older Boozer, so I doubt a trade ever gets done. He's the best thing in Portland this side of Portlandia.
Damian Lillard
On top of Aldridge, the Blazers have a wonderful point guard by the name of Damian Lillard. There is almost always an East Coast bias in national sports coverage, so the Lillard doesn't receive as much attention as he deserves, but he is a wonderful compliment to Aldridge in the Blazers' offense. Lillard is taking 7 3's per game (wow), but managing to connect on 39% of them. Lillard is also quite quick, and he can get to the rack on occasion in spite of his small stature.
Three Point Shooting
The Blazers are a team tailor-made to 21st century basketball sabermetrics. Three point shooting is incredibly valuable, so in addition to Lillard, the Blazers have Wesley Matthews and Nic Batum drilling three pointers at will. About 50% of both players' shot attempts are three pointers, and the Blazers have trigger happy Mo Williams coming off the bench to pour in even more points. The Blazers are second in the NBA in scoring at 110.7 PPG, and their offense could really thrive with Jimmy Butler sitting out and Lillard penetrating.
I'm really worried about this game. I thought the Bulls would show-up for last night's game (and they did-- for a half). This is another long trip from Denver to Portland, and I think it's safe to say the Bulls will not be adjusted for this late night affair.
For the first time this year, I am expecting the Bulls to lose, in spite of a valiant effort from Kirk Hinrich. The Blazers fire power, and the lack of Butler and
Final Score: Blazers 105 Bulls 92
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Game Recap: The Bulls fall to the Nuggets
There are things I hate doing in life, and then there is addressing the issue of a Bulls' loss. This marks the 7th consecutive time the Bulls have fallen to the Nuggets in Denver, though for 2 3/4 quarters this game looked like it was in hand.
What went wrong?
It wasn't rebounding. The Bulls out rebounded Denver 58-48 while grabbing a whopping 22 offensive boards. Unfortunately, these second chance opportunities didn't matter as the Bulls shot just 38.8% from the field. The Nuggets' defensive wasn't necessarily lockdown, but the Bulls simply aren't a great shooting team, and the Nuggets' limited the Bulls post game in the second half, making scoring nearly impossible.
Carlos Boozer got off to a great start in the first quarter, but he couldn't help himself from broadcasting his shot. Thus, he finished with just 15 points on 7/18 shooting.
Deng was horrible offensively. He also began the game with a corner snipe, but he missed nearly every shot thereafter, shooting 3/18 on the night for 6 points. If you didn't notice there's a trend developing here--the Bulls can't score.
How about Derrick Rose? The star point guard scored 17 points in the first half, and for the first time all season, he looked comfortable every time he took the ball to the rim. Rose only had 2 turnovers, one of which was inexplicably thrown up the court and easily intercepted by Kenneth Faried.
In the second half, Rose mostly settled for jumpers, and things got ugly quickly. It's easy to see that Rose's jumper looks NOTHING like should. For some reason, not only are his feet staggered, but he is clearly not shooting at the peak of his jump, making him push the ball towards the rim. It was my understanding that Rose spent his time off honing his jumper, but as of right now, it looks uglier than it did in high school. He seems able to take threes, but any other jumper is a huge concern. I expect teams will start to sag off until he proves he can shoot.
Nasty Nate
Nate Robinson ignited a crucial 7-0 rally by himself last night, and Bulls fans across the world collectively cursed GarPax for not keeping him. Even in his post-game interview with Rachel Nichols, Robinson sounded devastated about his departure. Robinson only shot 3/13 from the field, but it was enough to spark solid play from Darrell Arthur and 17 points from Jordan Hamilton.
It hurts to see Nate do what he did best for the Bulls for the Nuggets, but it pains me even more to know that the Bulls do not have a comparable presence off the bench. Yes, Tom Thibodeau coined the good Nate/bad Nate moniker, and we know he hates players who don't play great defense (Nate tries!). However, it is easy for me to see the value of a high volume, irrational confidence scorer who can come off the bench and spark the offense. And Nate did just that for the Nuggets: Wilson Chandler was scoreless, Randy Foye and Ty Lawson weren't scoring much either.
Nate came in off the bench, took a lot of shots and gave the Nuggets are comfortable lead that boosted the confidence of everyone around him. The Bulls could use a guy like that, but they simply do not have one at this juncture. My hope is a Ben Gordon reunion next season but that seems like a pipe dream at best.
The Nuggets game was difficult, but I'm more upset from seeing the value of Nate Robinson than anything else. Perhaps the Bulls will find an irrational confidence guy at some point, but it probably will not happen this season.
As a side note, I loved watching Taj Gibson and Thibs show emotion, even if it resulted in technical fouls. I do not like to see the Bulls go down silently.
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What went wrong?
It wasn't rebounding. The Bulls out rebounded Denver 58-48 while grabbing a whopping 22 offensive boards. Unfortunately, these second chance opportunities didn't matter as the Bulls shot just 38.8% from the field. The Nuggets' defensive wasn't necessarily lockdown, but the Bulls simply aren't a great shooting team, and the Nuggets' limited the Bulls post game in the second half, making scoring nearly impossible.
Carlos Boozer got off to a great start in the first quarter, but he couldn't help himself from broadcasting his shot. Thus, he finished with just 15 points on 7/18 shooting.
Deng was horrible offensively. He also began the game with a corner snipe, but he missed nearly every shot thereafter, shooting 3/18 on the night for 6 points. If you didn't notice there's a trend developing here--the Bulls can't score.
How about Derrick Rose? The star point guard scored 17 points in the first half, and for the first time all season, he looked comfortable every time he took the ball to the rim. Rose only had 2 turnovers, one of which was inexplicably thrown up the court and easily intercepted by Kenneth Faried.
In the second half, Rose mostly settled for jumpers, and things got ugly quickly. It's easy to see that Rose's jumper looks NOTHING like should. For some reason, not only are his feet staggered, but he is clearly not shooting at the peak of his jump, making him push the ball towards the rim. It was my understanding that Rose spent his time off honing his jumper, but as of right now, it looks uglier than it did in high school. He seems able to take threes, but any other jumper is a huge concern. I expect teams will start to sag off until he proves he can shoot.
Nasty Nate
Nate Robinson ignited a crucial 7-0 rally by himself last night, and Bulls fans across the world collectively cursed GarPax for not keeping him. Even in his post-game interview with Rachel Nichols, Robinson sounded devastated about his departure. Robinson only shot 3/13 from the field, but it was enough to spark solid play from Darrell Arthur and 17 points from Jordan Hamilton.
It hurts to see Nate do what he did best for the Bulls for the Nuggets, but it pains me even more to know that the Bulls do not have a comparable presence off the bench. Yes, Tom Thibodeau coined the good Nate/bad Nate moniker, and we know he hates players who don't play great defense (Nate tries!). However, it is easy for me to see the value of a high volume, irrational confidence scorer who can come off the bench and spark the offense. And Nate did just that for the Nuggets: Wilson Chandler was scoreless, Randy Foye and Ty Lawson weren't scoring much either.
Nate came in off the bench, took a lot of shots and gave the Nuggets are comfortable lead that boosted the confidence of everyone around him. The Bulls could use a guy like that, but they simply do not have one at this juncture. My hope is a Ben Gordon reunion next season but that seems like a pipe dream at best.
The Nuggets game was difficult, but I'm more upset from seeing the value of Nate Robinson than anything else. Perhaps the Bulls will find an irrational confidence guy at some point, but it probably will not happen this season.
As a side note, I loved watching Taj Gibson and Thibs show emotion, even if it resulted in technical fouls. I do not like to see the Bulls go down silently.
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Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Game Preview Chicago Bulls (6-3) Vs. Denver Nuggets (4-6)
And the Circus Trip begins! Tonight, your Chicago Bulls will take on the struggling Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Bulls are coming off a very lackluster home victory against the Bobcats that likely induced more incidental naps than any game in recent memory.
A quick side note: doesn't the idea of the Circus Trip feel antiquated? Boers and Bernstein briefly touched on the issue during their afternoon program on the Score, and I couldn't agree more. I've never been to a circus, nor do I know anyone who goes to circuses, though I did meet a bartender who runs a nonprofit focused on getting funding for small circuses. Go figure.
Regardless of whether you enjoy circuses, it will cause the Bulls to take a 6 game road trip. From the interviews I've heard and read, the players seem to like the road trip since they don't have any distractions (family) and get to hang out with each other. The Nuggets are certainly a great opponent to kick off a long road trip.
New coach Brian Shaw, who replaced very solid long-time Nuggets head coach George Karl, is doing something you don't see often in the NBA: damn near every player is averaging at least 15 minutes per game. True, the number is slightly skewed by injuries to Javalle McGee (stress fracture in his left tibia) and the recently recovered Wilson Chandler, but it suggest that Denver doesn't have too many players worth playing outside of Ty Lawson.
Key Players
Ty Lawson
Speaking of Lawson, the former UNC star is averaging 22 points, 9 assists, and 4 boards per game--all career highs as he becomes the focal point of the Denver offense. Lawson is quick, but takes too many three balls. Nevertheless, he will pose a problem when he penetrates the lane. The Bulls have to respect the willingness and ability of Wilson Chandler to launch threes, so the team may not be able to collapse on Lawson, assuming he beats Derrick Rose off the dribble at least a few times.
Wilson Chandler
Meanwhile, Chandler's three point shooting has been terrific this year. He's knocking down 43.5% of his 6 attempts PER GAME. Confidence isn't an issue with Chandler, who can pretty much do everything well. Chandler may experience some modest mean reversion (he's a career 33.7% 3 point shooter), but I think his game is much better after he dominated the Chinese professional league 2 years ago.
Still, I'll keep beating a dead horse here: the Bulls have fantastic perimeter defenders. Even if Jimmy Butler doesn't play, Luol Deng can handle Chandler by himself.
Kenneth Faried
Kenneth Faried might be the unhappiest player in the NBA. He was a perfect fit for George Karl's uptempo offense, but he has floundered in Brian Shaw's system. He will undoubtedly be traded this season. Faried can treat every game going forward as an audition for his future team. With Faried looking for a blockbuster extension and the Nuggets looking for a juicy bid, do not be surprised to see Faried showcased a little more than someone of his offensive skill set should be showcased.
Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah will no doubt try to contain Faried and JJ Hickson on the boards, but it will be difficult. Though neither is as tall as Noah, both Nuggets are intense rebounders who will outwork opposing teams on the offensive glass. If the Bulls offense doesn't come to play tonight, the second chance opportunities created by Faried and co. may be difficult to overcome.
Overall, Denver is a middle of the road offensive team with a poor defense. The Bulls need all the help they can get after an aggressive Bobcats team nearly forced an upset.
Obviously I would love to see some of Derrick Rose's aggressiveness from the fourth quarter of Monday night's game carryover to tonight, but that may be a bit too much to ask. Boozer should return to normal tonight, meaning the Bulls will have to rely less on the offensive prowess of bench players to pickup the slack. Mike Dunleavy will get lots of open looks, so he will have a shot at a breakout performance.
Bulls 100 Nuggets 91
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A quick side note: doesn't the idea of the Circus Trip feel antiquated? Boers and Bernstein briefly touched on the issue during their afternoon program on the Score, and I couldn't agree more. I've never been to a circus, nor do I know anyone who goes to circuses, though I did meet a bartender who runs a nonprofit focused on getting funding for small circuses. Go figure.
Regardless of whether you enjoy circuses, it will cause the Bulls to take a 6 game road trip. From the interviews I've heard and read, the players seem to like the road trip since they don't have any distractions (family) and get to hang out with each other. The Nuggets are certainly a great opponent to kick off a long road trip.
New coach Brian Shaw, who replaced very solid long-time Nuggets head coach George Karl, is doing something you don't see often in the NBA: damn near every player is averaging at least 15 minutes per game. True, the number is slightly skewed by injuries to Javalle McGee (stress fracture in his left tibia) and the recently recovered Wilson Chandler, but it suggest that Denver doesn't have too many players worth playing outside of Ty Lawson.
Key Players
Ty Lawson
Speaking of Lawson, the former UNC star is averaging 22 points, 9 assists, and 4 boards per game--all career highs as he becomes the focal point of the Denver offense. Lawson is quick, but takes too many three balls. Nevertheless, he will pose a problem when he penetrates the lane. The Bulls have to respect the willingness and ability of Wilson Chandler to launch threes, so the team may not be able to collapse on Lawson, assuming he beats Derrick Rose off the dribble at least a few times.
Wilson Chandler
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| Wilson Chandler in a sexy, oversized candy cane number |
Meanwhile, Chandler's three point shooting has been terrific this year. He's knocking down 43.5% of his 6 attempts PER GAME. Confidence isn't an issue with Chandler, who can pretty much do everything well. Chandler may experience some modest mean reversion (he's a career 33.7% 3 point shooter), but I think his game is much better after he dominated the Chinese professional league 2 years ago.
Still, I'll keep beating a dead horse here: the Bulls have fantastic perimeter defenders. Even if Jimmy Butler doesn't play, Luol Deng can handle Chandler by himself.
Kenneth Faried
Kenneth Faried might be the unhappiest player in the NBA. He was a perfect fit for George Karl's uptempo offense, but he has floundered in Brian Shaw's system. He will undoubtedly be traded this season. Faried can treat every game going forward as an audition for his future team. With Faried looking for a blockbuster extension and the Nuggets looking for a juicy bid, do not be surprised to see Faried showcased a little more than someone of his offensive skill set should be showcased.
Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah will no doubt try to contain Faried and JJ Hickson on the boards, but it will be difficult. Though neither is as tall as Noah, both Nuggets are intense rebounders who will outwork opposing teams on the offensive glass. If the Bulls offense doesn't come to play tonight, the second chance opportunities created by Faried and co. may be difficult to overcome.
Overall, Denver is a middle of the road offensive team with a poor defense. The Bulls need all the help they can get after an aggressive Bobcats team nearly forced an upset.
Obviously I would love to see some of Derrick Rose's aggressiveness from the fourth quarter of Monday night's game carryover to tonight, but that may be a bit too much to ask. Boozer should return to normal tonight, meaning the Bulls will have to rely less on the offensive prowess of bench players to pickup the slack. Mike Dunleavy will get lots of open looks, so he will have a shot at a breakout performance.
Bulls 100 Nuggets 91
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Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Bull of the Day: Craig Hodges
Craig Hodges remains one of the few Chicago Bulls this side of Dennis Rodman is known more for his off the court personality rather than his on-court performance. Unlike Rodman, Hodges focused on many civil rights issued, which led him to believe that he was "blackballed" from the NBA.
Whether or not such is true, Hodges was a knockdown three point shooter in an era that came up without a three point line, making his ability even more unique for the time period. Hodges also won three consecutive three point championships and played a small roll on the 1990-91 NBA Champion team. The following year, Hodges played in just 56 games during the regular season and averaging only 8.1 minutes per game in the playoffs. He was cut in the offseason.
Hodges' three point prowess would be even more appreciated today in an NBA that values efficient shots and three point shooting more than it ever has before.
This video was uploaded by him, and it is too sick.
* Note: You can also watch a video of MJ bricking threes on his channel.
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Whether or not such is true, Hodges was a knockdown three point shooter in an era that came up without a three point line, making his ability even more unique for the time period. Hodges also won three consecutive three point championships and played a small roll on the 1990-91 NBA Champion team. The following year, Hodges played in just 56 games during the regular season and averaging only 8.1 minutes per game in the playoffs. He was cut in the offseason.
Hodges' three point prowess would be even more appreciated today in an NBA that values efficient shots and three point shooting more than it ever has before.
This video was uploaded by him, and it is too sick.
* Note: You can also watch a video of MJ bricking threes on his channel.
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How to Make the Bulls Look Bad
The formula to make the Chicago Bulls look bad (or average) over the past three seasons appears to be the same: be a below average team. For whatever reason, the Bulls can destroy the Pacers one night, but then be perplexed at how to stop one of the worst teams in the league. Don't listen to Neil and Stacey: this wasn't a good Bobcats team by any measure. Sure, they played hard, but the Bulls simply played terribly.
You already know what the worst part of the game was: Ben Gordon's DNP - Coach's Decision.
The Bulls held the Bobcats to 36.3% shooting, but the Bulls responded by shooting 36% from the field. Not surprisingly, the Bulls murdered the Bobcats on the boards, outrebounding them 54-44, with Carlos Boozer compensating for his poor shooting by grabbing 17 boards.
Derrick Rose looked like Ramon Sessions. Rose had no aggressiveness, little lift on his shot, and he genuinely looked disinterested in taking the ball to the hole--until the last minute, where Derrick Rose looked like Derrick Rose.
I'm not that surprised that Rose is falling in love with his jumper, as is the case for any player following a hot performance. Last night, Rose shot just 4-13 from the field, hitting only 1-5 three pointers.
Throughout the season, we've seen Rose mostly take a baby steps forward, but I would say last night was his first step backward. Rose wasn't confident, and he did not show many flashes of an all-star. I don't think there's anything wrong with Rose physically, but mentally, that's another story.
For whatever reason, Rose, unlike EVERY OTHER NBA PLAYER, doesn't even play pickup games over the summer, and it certainly showed. Rose must relearn the game, and if he doesn't do it quickly, he won't be able to carry the Bulls on a given night like he has in the past.
Is Thibobdeau Wearing Down the Bulls?
My number one fear at this point of the season is that Tom Thibodeau has worn on this team. It happened to Scott Skiles, another fantastic head coach, and there is reason to believe the same fate could befall Coach Thibodeau.
The Bulls main problem last night was effort. Mike Dunleavy is completely unable to throw an entry pass to the post, and the Bulls had numerous lazy passes picked-off. The Bobcats reminded me of a hungry high school team playing as hard as humanly possible. As my high school basketball program used to say, "Hard work beats talent, when talent doesn't work hard."
Minutes are down slightly for starters pretty much across the board, but the damage may already be done from Thibs riding this team for years. I can't imagine the Bulls EVER playing down to the level of competition like this in the first few seasons of his tenure.
If I've learned anything from reading Phil Jackson's books, it has been that the journey of an NBA season involves games like this. Assuming the Bulls right the ship and put some effort into their next contest, then this won't be a concern. However, a damaging pattern could emerge, and in the event it does, I expect GarPax to use it as an opportunity to fire Thibs.
Altogether, last night's performance was poor, but it was still a win. The Circus Trip starts this week, and the path won't be easy, with tough opponents like the Warriors and Trailblazers ahead.
You're not scared of 'em, are ya DRose?
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You already know what the worst part of the game was: Ben Gordon's DNP - Coach's Decision.
The Bulls held the Bobcats to 36.3% shooting, but the Bulls responded by shooting 36% from the field. Not surprisingly, the Bulls murdered the Bobcats on the boards, outrebounding them 54-44, with Carlos Boozer compensating for his poor shooting by grabbing 17 boards.
Derrick Rose looked like Ramon Sessions. Rose had no aggressiveness, little lift on his shot, and he genuinely looked disinterested in taking the ball to the hole--until the last minute, where Derrick Rose looked like Derrick Rose.
I'm not that surprised that Rose is falling in love with his jumper, as is the case for any player following a hot performance. Last night, Rose shot just 4-13 from the field, hitting only 1-5 three pointers.
Throughout the season, we've seen Rose mostly take a baby steps forward, but I would say last night was his first step backward. Rose wasn't confident, and he did not show many flashes of an all-star. I don't think there's anything wrong with Rose physically, but mentally, that's another story.
For whatever reason, Rose, unlike EVERY OTHER NBA PLAYER, doesn't even play pickup games over the summer, and it certainly showed. Rose must relearn the game, and if he doesn't do it quickly, he won't be able to carry the Bulls on a given night like he has in the past.
Is Thibobdeau Wearing Down the Bulls?
My number one fear at this point of the season is that Tom Thibodeau has worn on this team. It happened to Scott Skiles, another fantastic head coach, and there is reason to believe the same fate could befall Coach Thibodeau.
The Bulls main problem last night was effort. Mike Dunleavy is completely unable to throw an entry pass to the post, and the Bulls had numerous lazy passes picked-off. The Bobcats reminded me of a hungry high school team playing as hard as humanly possible. As my high school basketball program used to say, "Hard work beats talent, when talent doesn't work hard."
Minutes are down slightly for starters pretty much across the board, but the damage may already be done from Thibs riding this team for years. I can't imagine the Bulls EVER playing down to the level of competition like this in the first few seasons of his tenure.
If I've learned anything from reading Phil Jackson's books, it has been that the journey of an NBA season involves games like this. Assuming the Bulls right the ship and put some effort into their next contest, then this won't be a concern. However, a damaging pattern could emerge, and in the event it does, I expect GarPax to use it as an opportunity to fire Thibs.
Altogether, last night's performance was poor, but it was still a win. The Circus Trip starts this week, and the path won't be easy, with tough opponents like the Warriors and Trailblazers ahead.
You're not scared of 'em, are ya DRose?
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Monday, November 18, 2013
Game Preview: Chicago Bulls (5-3) Vs. Charlotte Bobcats (5-5)
No need to do a double take, that is indeed a .500 Charlotte Bobcats (Hornets soon, but not soon enough) squad taking on your Chicago Bulls. I generally try to go to Bobcats games, prompting you to ask, wtf is wrong with Stormin Normin? Well, I love Ben Gordon, and I go give him a solo standing ovation amidst the swarm of boos. I can't make it this year, so I'll just have to do that in the comfort of my living room. And I'll dream of what could have been...
Enough about a guy who probably won't play. The Bobcats aren't as terrible as usual thus far this season. But this team simply isn't very good, though they may win 25-30 games this year. In years past, the Michael Jordan storyline used to be fun, but it doesn't really matter much at this point. Jordan has moved on, and the best thing he can do is hope his team's name change boosts merchandise sales...next season.
The Bobcats Don't Have Any Scoring
It really pains me to see Ben Gordon sitting on the bench this year because the Bobcats don't have any scoring or any shooting. Al Jefferson was a big free agent signing, a typical baffling signing by a GM looking to improve overnight that causes him to get in a bidding war with himself for a player no one else really wants at that price. Jefferson is only 28, though it seems like he's been in the league forever, so he will have a shot to chase a title if things don't work out in Charlotte, as he's only signed for 3 seasons.
Naturally, Jefferson's shooting percentage and scoring are in the gutter so far this season, as Jefferson is shooting just 40% from the field and averaging only 15 points per contest. Jefferson is a well-known black hole, though he did torch the Bulls last season for 32 points.
I don't expect him to get it started tonight against the Bulls, and Jefferson's black hole tendencies tend to disrupt offensive movement and other players' interest in the game. No one wants to play with a guy like this, even in the NBA.
Kemba Walker is essentially a thinner BG who can pass, but his numbers are down across the board this season, as he is shooting a hideous 34% from the field and not distributing like he did last season. The Bobcats offensive was actually a little more run 'n gun last year with Walker, Ramon Sessions, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, and Gerald Henderson getting out on the break.
This season, Basketball Reference rates the Bobcats as the slowest offensive in the league (thank you Al Jefferson). The Bulls may not always have the best half-court offensive, but the team's half-court defense is unmatched. The Bobcats are playing right into the Bulls' strength.
The Bulls will DOMINATE on the Boards
Al Jefferson may be averaging nearly 9 rebounds per game, but the rest of the Bobcats team just doesn't rebound at all. Sometimes starting center Bismack Biyombo (I always read that name in Marv Albert's voice) is a good rebounder, but he might be the worst offensive player in the NBA.
Therefore, the Bobcats will rely on Josh McRoberts (4.6 RPG) and MKG (5.9 RPG) to pickup the slack. Noah and/or Boozer might go off for 20 rebounds tonight. The Bulls will punish this team with several second chance opportunities.
The Bulls are the far superior team, and I don't have any question that the team will win easily tonight. I'd like to see a huge game out of Carlos Boozer, and it might be the perfect time to let Jimmy Butler rebuild his confidence. Gerald Henderson and MKG are decent defenders, but both will have their hands full trying to help their big men in the post.
The Final Score: Bulls 102 Bobcats 75
And I think that's a generous 75 points. I do not expect a letdown game after the big win versus the Pacers, but rather a continuation of beautiful Bulls basketball.
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Enough about a guy who probably won't play. The Bobcats aren't as terrible as usual thus far this season. But this team simply isn't very good, though they may win 25-30 games this year. In years past, the Michael Jordan storyline used to be fun, but it doesn't really matter much at this point. Jordan has moved on, and the best thing he can do is hope his team's name change boosts merchandise sales...next season.
The Bobcats Don't Have Any Scoring
It really pains me to see Ben Gordon sitting on the bench this year because the Bobcats don't have any scoring or any shooting. Al Jefferson was a big free agent signing, a typical baffling signing by a GM looking to improve overnight that causes him to get in a bidding war with himself for a player no one else really wants at that price. Jefferson is only 28, though it seems like he's been in the league forever, so he will have a shot to chase a title if things don't work out in Charlotte, as he's only signed for 3 seasons.
Naturally, Jefferson's shooting percentage and scoring are in the gutter so far this season, as Jefferson is shooting just 40% from the field and averaging only 15 points per contest. Jefferson is a well-known black hole, though he did torch the Bulls last season for 32 points.
I don't expect him to get it started tonight against the Bulls, and Jefferson's black hole tendencies tend to disrupt offensive movement and other players' interest in the game. No one wants to play with a guy like this, even in the NBA.
Kemba Walker is essentially a thinner BG who can pass, but his numbers are down across the board this season, as he is shooting a hideous 34% from the field and not distributing like he did last season. The Bobcats offensive was actually a little more run 'n gun last year with Walker, Ramon Sessions, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, and Gerald Henderson getting out on the break.
This season, Basketball Reference rates the Bobcats as the slowest offensive in the league (thank you Al Jefferson). The Bulls may not always have the best half-court offensive, but the team's half-court defense is unmatched. The Bobcats are playing right into the Bulls' strength.
The Bulls will DOMINATE on the Boards
Al Jefferson may be averaging nearly 9 rebounds per game, but the rest of the Bobcats team just doesn't rebound at all. Sometimes starting center Bismack Biyombo (I always read that name in Marv Albert's voice) is a good rebounder, but he might be the worst offensive player in the NBA.
Therefore, the Bobcats will rely on Josh McRoberts (4.6 RPG) and MKG (5.9 RPG) to pickup the slack. Noah and/or Boozer might go off for 20 rebounds tonight. The Bulls will punish this team with several second chance opportunities.
The Bulls are the far superior team, and I don't have any question that the team will win easily tonight. I'd like to see a huge game out of Carlos Boozer, and it might be the perfect time to let Jimmy Butler rebuild his confidence. Gerald Henderson and MKG are decent defenders, but both will have their hands full trying to help their big men in the post.
The Final Score: Bulls 102 Bobcats 75
And I think that's a generous 75 points. I do not expect a letdown game after the big win versus the Pacers, but rather a continuation of beautiful Bulls basketball.
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Bulls Passion Bull of the Day: Ben Gordon
A super jacked, 6'2 shooting guard out of UConn who would absolutely shoot lights out some nights, and other nights, look like a marginal NBA player at best. These words describe one of my all-time favorite Chicago Bulls, Ben Gordon.
Gordon will be perpetually underrated by Bulls fans because he happened to peak at the beginning of the Derrick Rose era. However, if you're a fan of the NBA, then you'll remember his legendary performance against the Boston Celtics in the 2009 playoffs. Gordon poured in absolutely amazing scoring numbers, particularly in his memorable 42 point outbreak in the Game 2 duel with Ray Allen, and his 33 points in a disappointing Game 7 loss.
Because of his spectacular performance, Gordon should hold a special place in every Bulls fan's heart. I know he does in mine. In fact, I went to see the Charlotte Bobcats last season because I wanted to see BG come off the bench for a few minutes. When he entered and received a flurry of boos, I became sick to my stomach. How could fans forget how important Ben Gordon was?!?!?
I suspect fans dislike Gordon for his decision to turn down a contract offer from GarPax early in the season, and his decision to bolt to the Detroit Pistons, where he was a terrible fit from the get-go. I suspect fans are toeing the company line from management that Gordon should be chastised for turning down an offer from one of the more arrogant management teams in basketball, but I believe BG did what he thought was best for him and his family.
Currently, Gordon sits in basketball purgatory for the future Hornets. He's only played in a single game this season, and I don't know why. Last year, he would sporadically receive decent minutes and respond by pouring in 15-20 points, including a season high of 34.
I would love for the Bulls to acquire Gordon on the cheap after this season, but I think that might be a pipe dream.
Gordon will be perpetually underrated by Bulls fans because he happened to peak at the beginning of the Derrick Rose era. However, if you're a fan of the NBA, then you'll remember his legendary performance against the Boston Celtics in the 2009 playoffs. Gordon poured in absolutely amazing scoring numbers, particularly in his memorable 42 point outbreak in the Game 2 duel with Ray Allen, and his 33 points in a disappointing Game 7 loss.
Because of his spectacular performance, Gordon should hold a special place in every Bulls fan's heart. I know he does in mine. In fact, I went to see the Charlotte Bobcats last season because I wanted to see BG come off the bench for a few minutes. When he entered and received a flurry of boos, I became sick to my stomach. How could fans forget how important Ben Gordon was?!?!?
I suspect fans dislike Gordon for his decision to turn down a contract offer from GarPax early in the season, and his decision to bolt to the Detroit Pistons, where he was a terrible fit from the get-go. I suspect fans are toeing the company line from management that Gordon should be chastised for turning down an offer from one of the more arrogant management teams in basketball, but I believe BG did what he thought was best for him and his family.
Currently, Gordon sits in basketball purgatory for the future Hornets. He's only played in a single game this season, and I don't know why. Last year, he would sporadically receive decent minutes and respond by pouring in 15-20 points, including a season high of 34.
I would love for the Bulls to acquire Gordon on the cheap after this season, but I think that might be a pipe dream.
Sunday, November 17, 2013
The Bulls End the Pacers' Undefeated Season
What a beautiful win for the Bulls! The Bulls played their best basketball of the season, dominating the Indiana Pacers in every facet of the game. The 110-94 final score really doesn't explain what a blowout this game was truly was.
Defensive Dominance
You didn't have to watch the game very closely to see how defensively dominant the Bulls were, particularly during the first three quarters of the game. Kirk Hinrich, Derrick Rose, Luol Deng -- you name a player, and he played fantastic defense last night. I was particularly impressed to see Rose lockdown George Hill and Deng hold Paul George to 12 points on 3-14 shooting from the floor.
The Bulls looked like a team that was pissed off after losing to the Pacers earlier this year, and I did not see any of the sloppy rotations or lack of hustle that has been evident for most of the season. Pacers not named Chris Copeland connected on just 1-12 threes during the the game. The Pacers' bench contributed little outside of some garbage time buckets.
D. Rose Goes Deep
Derrick Rose electrified the United Center last night, burying 6-11 three pointers en route to 20 points. Rose laughed any time the Pacers played the drive, and if not for a moving screen by Taj Gibson, Rose would have hit 7-12 attempts. He clearly has his legs back, and he finally got fantastic arc on his shots.
Though Rose's three point shooting was amazing, I'm worried he may be afraid to drive the lane. Rose only attempted 5 FGs, and he looked extremely scared to drive the ball into the lane. Rose is a dynamic offensive weapon, and though I would love if he becomes a 42% three point shooter, I do not want to see him abandon driving. Other offensive players (I'm look at you Dunleavy) can't create their own shots, thus the Rose drive 'n kick is essential to long-term success.
Bench Mob
The Bulls' core bench players played orgasmically. I haven't seen Hinrich so tenacious on both sides of the ball since his first run with the Bulls, and I'm unbelievably impressed with how confident he looked on offense.
Taj Gibson was similarly fantastic, extending plays with 4 offensive boards and chipping in for 15 points. Mike Dunleavy nailed both of his three point attempts and poured in 10 points in just 22 minutes. If the top 8 of the rotation can play like this for the rest of the season, then Bulls fans are in for a splendid regular season performance.
This was undoubtedly the most impressive game of the season. The Bulls played like hungry champions, and I haven't seen the team look this since the 2011-12 season. For real. I'm feeling extremely pumped.
Defensive Dominance
You didn't have to watch the game very closely to see how defensively dominant the Bulls were, particularly during the first three quarters of the game. Kirk Hinrich, Derrick Rose, Luol Deng -- you name a player, and he played fantastic defense last night. I was particularly impressed to see Rose lockdown George Hill and Deng hold Paul George to 12 points on 3-14 shooting from the floor.
The Bulls looked like a team that was pissed off after losing to the Pacers earlier this year, and I did not see any of the sloppy rotations or lack of hustle that has been evident for most of the season. Pacers not named Chris Copeland connected on just 1-12 threes during the the game. The Pacers' bench contributed little outside of some garbage time buckets.
D. Rose Goes Deep
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| A rare drive last night |
Derrick Rose electrified the United Center last night, burying 6-11 three pointers en route to 20 points. Rose laughed any time the Pacers played the drive, and if not for a moving screen by Taj Gibson, Rose would have hit 7-12 attempts. He clearly has his legs back, and he finally got fantastic arc on his shots.
Though Rose's three point shooting was amazing, I'm worried he may be afraid to drive the lane. Rose only attempted 5 FGs, and he looked extremely scared to drive the ball into the lane. Rose is a dynamic offensive weapon, and though I would love if he becomes a 42% three point shooter, I do not want to see him abandon driving. Other offensive players (I'm look at you Dunleavy) can't create their own shots, thus the Rose drive 'n kick is essential to long-term success.
Bench Mob
The Bulls' core bench players played orgasmically. I haven't seen Hinrich so tenacious on both sides of the ball since his first run with the Bulls, and I'm unbelievably impressed with how confident he looked on offense.
Taj Gibson was similarly fantastic, extending plays with 4 offensive boards and chipping in for 15 points. Mike Dunleavy nailed both of his three point attempts and poured in 10 points in just 22 minutes. If the top 8 of the rotation can play like this for the rest of the season, then Bulls fans are in for a splendid regular season performance.
This was undoubtedly the most impressive game of the season. The Bulls played like hungry champions, and I haven't seen the team look this since the 2011-12 season. For real. I'm feeling extremely pumped.
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Chicago Bulls (4-3) Vs Indiana Pacers (9-0)
The Indiana Pacers are dismantling the NBA and making a mockery out of the rest of the league. Paul George's troops are thus far undefeated, and I've yet to see a team really threaten them. Admittedly, it's only been 9 games, but Paul George looks like the frontrunner for this year's MVP. The team plays an ugly offensive game, but so do the Bulls.
I really really do not buy the Indiana Pacers as an NBA champion, but with George and Roy Hibbert making the leap, it may be time for me to capitulate.
The Bulls played well last night against the Raptors, but the Pacers blew out the Milwaukee Bucks, 104-77.
Quick Stat Lines:
Paul George: 24.6 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.6 SPG, 48.7% FG%
Roy Hibbert: 11.4 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 4.8 BLOCKS PER GAME
Hibbert is the best rim protector in the game, and the Bulls are going to have a very difficult scoring inside. As hard as Joakim Noah tries, he is simply not a real threat offensively, particularly against a strong defender like Hibbert. I assume Hibbert will matchup with Boozer most of the time, so hopefully Boozer lingers outside of the paint to open up the lane for Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose (if he plays).
Key Matchup: Derrick Rose Vs George Hill
The Bulls did a masterful job containing Paul George last time these two teams played. Thus, I'm not concerned about stopping him. Rather, I want Derrick Rose to abuse point guard George Hill.
CJ Watson started the last time, and Rose owned him every time he asserted himself. However, those moments were few and far between. Hill can't guard Rose--well, no one can guard Derrick Rose--so if he plays and is healthy, he NEEDS to exploit this matchup for the Bulls to win. Boozer will be largely contained, so Rose needs to drive to score and create open shots for his teammates.
My Prediction... Do I break my addiction and go against the Bulls?
No, I can't do that, even against the Pacers.
Final Score: Bulls 92 Pacers 89
I really really do not buy the Indiana Pacers as an NBA champion, but with George and Roy Hibbert making the leap, it may be time for me to capitulate.
The Bulls played well last night against the Raptors, but the Pacers blew out the Milwaukee Bucks, 104-77.
Quick Stat Lines:
Paul George: 24.6 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.6 SPG, 48.7% FG%
Roy Hibbert: 11.4 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 4.8 BLOCKS PER GAME
Hibbert is the best rim protector in the game, and the Bulls are going to have a very difficult scoring inside. As hard as Joakim Noah tries, he is simply not a real threat offensively, particularly against a strong defender like Hibbert. I assume Hibbert will matchup with Boozer most of the time, so hopefully Boozer lingers outside of the paint to open up the lane for Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose (if he plays).
Key Matchup: Derrick Rose Vs George Hill
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| George Hill and GF |
The Bulls did a masterful job containing Paul George last time these two teams played. Thus, I'm not concerned about stopping him. Rather, I want Derrick Rose to abuse point guard George Hill.
CJ Watson started the last time, and Rose owned him every time he asserted himself. However, those moments were few and far between. Hill can't guard Rose--well, no one can guard Derrick Rose--so if he plays and is healthy, he NEEDS to exploit this matchup for the Bulls to win. Boozer will be largely contained, so Rose needs to drive to score and create open shots for his teammates.
My Prediction... Do I break my addiction and go against the Bulls?
No, I can't do that, even against the Pacers.
Final Score: Bulls 92 Pacers 89
Game Recap: Bulls send the Raptors to Jurrasic Park
I'm not really sure if that title makes a lick of sense, but either way, the Chicago Bulls easily defeated the Toronto Raptors last night, 96-80. With Derrick Rose out with his injured hamstring, the Bulls received a great all-around performance from the starting lineup, as every starter notched double figures in scoring.
DeMar DeRozan exploded for 37 points, but the Raptors couldn't buy a bucket outside of him and Rudy Gay. The Bulls rotated extremely well defensively, interrupting all of the Raptors' outside attempts.
Taj Gibson Impressed
Taj Gibson continues to impress me this season. He was off last year, perhaps due to the pressure of a new contract, and some injuries. Whatever the reason, it looked like letting Omer Asik walk was a terrible decision, and I completely hated the decision at the time.
Flash forward to 2013, and Gibson looks like the player who impressed during his first three years in the league. While he hasn't added the 3-point shot he's talked about since his rookie season, Taj has looked explosive and done a fantastic job defensively, less a weak performance against David West. Last night Taj played just 21 minutes, but managed to chip in 6 points, 6 boards, and 2 blocks. Plus, Taj does a great job closing out and altering shots in the Bulls' rotation heavy defense.
Deng is so good
Though Rudy Gay was a little more efficient that I predicted, scoring 20 points on 7-15 shooting, Luol Deng did a masterful job grabbing rebounds and scoring an efficient 19 points. Deng never does anything flashy, and he still isn't a great ball handler, but the Bulls were +24 with him on the court. He doesn't necessarily fill up a stat sheet like you'd think an all-star would, but make no doubt about it, Deng is an elite small forward. He's going to get paid in the offseason.
Strong Three Point Shooting
The Bulls were 7-16 from the three point line last night, and I was encouraged to see Jimmy Butler nail a pair of triples. Hinrich missed 5 threes, many of which were wide open, but overall, he did an admirable job filing in for Derrick Rose.
This is a short recap, but my beloved Blue Demons played today, and I've got to knock out a preview for tonight's huge matchup.
Let's go Bulls.
DeMar DeRozan exploded for 37 points, but the Raptors couldn't buy a bucket outside of him and Rudy Gay. The Bulls rotated extremely well defensively, interrupting all of the Raptors' outside attempts.
Taj Gibson Impressed
Taj Gibson continues to impress me this season. He was off last year, perhaps due to the pressure of a new contract, and some injuries. Whatever the reason, it looked like letting Omer Asik walk was a terrible decision, and I completely hated the decision at the time.
Flash forward to 2013, and Gibson looks like the player who impressed during his first three years in the league. While he hasn't added the 3-point shot he's talked about since his rookie season, Taj has looked explosive and done a fantastic job defensively, less a weak performance against David West. Last night Taj played just 21 minutes, but managed to chip in 6 points, 6 boards, and 2 blocks. Plus, Taj does a great job closing out and altering shots in the Bulls' rotation heavy defense.
Deng is so good
Though Rudy Gay was a little more efficient that I predicted, scoring 20 points on 7-15 shooting, Luol Deng did a masterful job grabbing rebounds and scoring an efficient 19 points. Deng never does anything flashy, and he still isn't a great ball handler, but the Bulls were +24 with him on the court. He doesn't necessarily fill up a stat sheet like you'd think an all-star would, but make no doubt about it, Deng is an elite small forward. He's going to get paid in the offseason.
Strong Three Point Shooting
The Bulls were 7-16 from the three point line last night, and I was encouraged to see Jimmy Butler nail a pair of triples. Hinrich missed 5 threes, many of which were wide open, but overall, he did an admirable job filing in for Derrick Rose.
This is a short recap, but my beloved Blue Demons played today, and I've got to knock out a preview for tonight's huge matchup.
Let's go Bulls.
Friday, November 15, 2013
Bulls Passion Preview: Chicago Bulls (3-3) vs Tornoto Raptors (4-5)
There are few things I love more than Friday night basketball. You're not stressed from worrying about your job, the weekend possibilities seem endless, and I get to force my girlfriend to watch the game with me. There's no excuse on a Friday night.
Tonight, your Chicago Bulls take on the Toronto Raptors. Back in the days of half-man, half-amazing Vince Carter, I would be unbelievably hyped about this game. Now, I'm excited to see a mix-matched bunch of great athletes who can kind of play basketball.
Derrick Rose out tonight?
There's a very good chance Derrick Rose doesn't play tonight. I've seen people speculate on Twitter that he definitely won't play, but I'm not sure of that.
If he doesn't play, be prepared for an ugly offense tonight. The Bulls look very stagnant, and they often work the shot-clock to under 8 seconds, often settling for bad shots when Rose isn't on the court. Toronto is only allowing 94.9 points per game, good for 5th in the NBA, so Bulls fans should be worried about a sneaky loss tonight.
Know thy Opponent:
Rudy Gay
Rudy Gay has always been a prolific chucker, and this season is no different. Gay's taking 19 shots again, shooting just 36.5% from the floor and averaging 19.7 points per game. At least gay is playing decent defense and averaging 7 boards per game, while also chipping in with 2 steals.
As a Bulls fan, you want the opposing team's best scorer to be a wing. Look for Luol to shut him down. Gay will get his 20 points, but he may shoot under 30% with the defensive presence of Luol Deng. With Gay unable to score (but still attempting to score), expect the Raptors offense to become stagnant and uninterested.
DeMar DeRozan: Rudy Gay Part 2
DeMar DeRozan has a great name and gets paid a lot of money, as he just started his 4 year, $38 million contract extension. Unfortunately for Raptors fans, he's essentially the same player as Rudy Gay. DeRozan is a high volume, inefficient scorer who is also poor at three pointers (shooting just 30% this year) and likes to isolate to score. DeRozan is accounting for 18 points per game on 37.7% shooting, but he doesn't do much else.
Jimmy Butler, though he refuses to stop pump faking, should be able to hold DeRozan to another poor night of shooting. Gay and DeRozan are basically the only real scorers on the Raptors, so if the Bulls are able to shut them down, then it will be a competitive game.
Tonight will be a close game, and I'm not feeling great about the Bulls' odds of winning. With the Raptors allowing just 94.9 points per game, and the Bulls potentially missing Derrick Rose, Carlos Boozer will need to step it up offensively. Raptors' power forward Amir Johnson is a hardhat and lunch pal kinda guy, but he won't be able to stop Boozer's vast array of post moves.
Defensively, the Bulls match up incredible well against the Raptors, especially because Raptors' point guard Kyle Lowry has struggled mightily this year. Plus, Kirk Hinrich is a tenacious defender, and he will do his best to stop Lowry from making plays.
The Raptors' "best" bench player is probably Tyler Hansbrough. Yes, that's a real statement.
Poor three point shooting, a weak offense sans wing players, and few offensive options off the bench characterize the Raptors this season.
While I simply do not feel good about the game, I'm picking the Bulls to win.
Bulls 89 Raptors 82
It's Friday, so you should spend the afternoon reading:
Tonight, your Chicago Bulls take on the Toronto Raptors. Back in the days of half-man, half-amazing Vince Carter, I would be unbelievably hyped about this game. Now, I'm excited to see a mix-matched bunch of great athletes who can kind of play basketball.
Derrick Rose out tonight?
There's a very good chance Derrick Rose doesn't play tonight. I've seen people speculate on Twitter that he definitely won't play, but I'm not sure of that.
If he doesn't play, be prepared for an ugly offense tonight. The Bulls look very stagnant, and they often work the shot-clock to under 8 seconds, often settling for bad shots when Rose isn't on the court. Toronto is only allowing 94.9 points per game, good for 5th in the NBA, so Bulls fans should be worried about a sneaky loss tonight.
Know thy Opponent:
Rudy Gay
Rudy Gay has always been a prolific chucker, and this season is no different. Gay's taking 19 shots again, shooting just 36.5% from the floor and averaging 19.7 points per game. At least gay is playing decent defense and averaging 7 boards per game, while also chipping in with 2 steals.
As a Bulls fan, you want the opposing team's best scorer to be a wing. Look for Luol to shut him down. Gay will get his 20 points, but he may shoot under 30% with the defensive presence of Luol Deng. With Gay unable to score (but still attempting to score), expect the Raptors offense to become stagnant and uninterested.
DeMar DeRozan: Rudy Gay Part 2
DeMar DeRozan has a great name and gets paid a lot of money, as he just started his 4 year, $38 million contract extension. Unfortunately for Raptors fans, he's essentially the same player as Rudy Gay. DeRozan is a high volume, inefficient scorer who is also poor at three pointers (shooting just 30% this year) and likes to isolate to score. DeRozan is accounting for 18 points per game on 37.7% shooting, but he doesn't do much else.
Jimmy Butler, though he refuses to stop pump faking, should be able to hold DeRozan to another poor night of shooting. Gay and DeRozan are basically the only real scorers on the Raptors, so if the Bulls are able to shut them down, then it will be a competitive game.
Tonight will be a close game, and I'm not feeling great about the Bulls' odds of winning. With the Raptors allowing just 94.9 points per game, and the Bulls potentially missing Derrick Rose, Carlos Boozer will need to step it up offensively. Raptors' power forward Amir Johnson is a hardhat and lunch pal kinda guy, but he won't be able to stop Boozer's vast array of post moves.
Defensively, the Bulls match up incredible well against the Raptors, especially because Raptors' point guard Kyle Lowry has struggled mightily this year. Plus, Kirk Hinrich is a tenacious defender, and he will do his best to stop Lowry from making plays.
The Raptors' "best" bench player is probably Tyler Hansbrough. Yes, that's a real statement.
Poor three point shooting, a weak offense sans wing players, and few offensive options off the bench characterize the Raptors this season.
While I simply do not feel good about the game, I'm picking the Bulls to win.
Bulls 89 Raptors 82
It's Friday, so you should spend the afternoon reading:
Bulls Passion: The Best NBA Stories And a Bad One
Or figuring out:
What's Going on with Derrick Rose?
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Bulls Passion: The Best NBA Stories And a Bad One
When there's not much to say about the Bulls, there is nothing better than reading about random stories throughout the NBA.
Know Thy Opponents
The Growing Legend of Lance Stephenson
From Zach Lowe over at Grantland, this story covers the improvement of Pacers' guard Lance Stephenson. Thankfully, the Pacers may reach the "Harden point" where the team won't be able to keep one of its best players due to the salary cap. That's great news for the Bulls.
Parker, Randle, and Wiggins
If you missed it, Tuesday was full of some of the finest freshman talent in college basketball competing in Chicago. Personally, I thought Jabari Parker stood out as the best player, though I was impressed by how Julius Randle loves to play with his back to the basket. Those guys are rare in the NBA making them all the more valuable. Andrew Wiggins was pretty solid, and he certainly looks the part. However, I did not see the same versatile skill set that Parker demonstrated. Still, I'll wait to see them all in action some more before making a judgement.
ESPN Writer Who Doesn't Understand Culture
I'm amazed that ESPN allowed this story to run. The author clearly has NO clue about how certain words are used at popular culture. I take it she's never heard a rap song.
Know Thy Opponents
The Growing Legend of Lance Stephenson
From Zach Lowe over at Grantland, this story covers the improvement of Pacers' guard Lance Stephenson. Thankfully, the Pacers may reach the "Harden point" where the team won't be able to keep one of its best players due to the salary cap. That's great news for the Bulls.
Parker, Randle, and Wiggins
If you missed it, Tuesday was full of some of the finest freshman talent in college basketball competing in Chicago. Personally, I thought Jabari Parker stood out as the best player, though I was impressed by how Julius Randle loves to play with his back to the basket. Those guys are rare in the NBA making them all the more valuable. Andrew Wiggins was pretty solid, and he certainly looks the part. However, I did not see the same versatile skill set that Parker demonstrated. Still, I'll wait to see them all in action some more before making a judgement.
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| Best NBA body since Dwight Howard |
ESPN Writer Who Doesn't Understand Culture
I'm amazed that ESPN allowed this story to run. The author clearly has NO clue about how certain words are used at popular culture. I take it she's never heard a rap song.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
NBA Blogs You Need to Read
While few doubt I am the best Bulls blogger east of the Mississippi (I kid), there are some awesome NBA stories that are posted daily. Here are the one's you need to read.
Beverly Hills
This is a great story on path of Houston Rockets' starting point guard and Chicago native Patrick Beverly to the NBA, written by Bulls reported Aggrey Sam. I love Patrick Beverly, and the worst part of this story is hearing about how much the Bulls front-office jerked him around. There's a very obvious reason why I don't trust GarPax, and this story explains it.
The Kirk Hinrich Accessories Timeline
I found this story via the footwear forum NikeTalk, and it's absolutely hilarious. Very lighthearted, but fun for any long-time Bulls fan.
3 Reasons Why: Kevin Love is the NBA's Early MVP
Another member of the NBA's stacked 2008 draft class, Kevin Love looks incredible for the Minnesota Timberwolves so far this season. His numbers are insane: 26 points per game, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists!
If you're listening GarPax, I'll never talk bad about you again if you find a way to get this man in a Bulls' jersey.
Beverly Hills
This is a great story on path of Houston Rockets' starting point guard and Chicago native Patrick Beverly to the NBA, written by Bulls reported Aggrey Sam. I love Patrick Beverly, and the worst part of this story is hearing about how much the Bulls front-office jerked him around. There's a very obvious reason why I don't trust GarPax, and this story explains it.
The Kirk Hinrich Accessories Timeline
I found this story via the footwear forum NikeTalk, and it's absolutely hilarious. Very lighthearted, but fun for any long-time Bulls fan.
3 Reasons Why: Kevin Love is the NBA's Early MVP
Another member of the NBA's stacked 2008 draft class, Kevin Love looks incredible for the Minnesota Timberwolves so far this season. His numbers are insane: 26 points per game, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists!
If you're listening GarPax, I'll never talk bad about you again if you find a way to get this man in a Bulls' jersey.
Why Won't LeBron Wear his New Shoes?
On occasion, Stormin Normin likes to share his opinions on fun issues that are loosely related to what matters in the NBA.
Performance footwear is a strange hobby of mine, so whenever a footwear topic becomes a hot button issue in the NBA, I simply can't help but comment.
The performance footwear blogosphere (yes that does exist) has been buzzing because LeBron James has only worn his flagship Nike LeBron XI shoe for a handful of quarters this year, opting instead for the previous version of his shoe. Nightwing2303, the premier performance footwear reviewer, in my opinion, considers the LeBron XI the best iteration of the line.
I can't walk right now, so I can't comment, but the shoes look awesome, and the technical specs suggest the shoe will play extremely well.
So why aren't they good enough for LeBron and his terrible feet?
Obviously James wear tested the shoe, so I cannot imagine this is the first time LeBron's ever worn the shoe. However, the nature of the materials dictates a fairly long break-in time, so LeBron's preference for a fresh pair every game may not provide him with the break-in time adequate for the shoe to fit comfortably.
Nike is paying LeBron a lot of money to be playing advertisement for this $200 basketball shoe, so I imagine Beaverton is none too pleased with James' current selection. Guaranteed Nike engineers are working on anything possible to get the shoe up to snuff for LeBron.
While I doubt sales of the fashion-driven men's version of the shoe will suffer, kids across the country may not want their parents to shell out $200 for a shoe LeBron isn't even playing in. Derrick Rose's last adidas shoe is still sitting on shelves, largely because he never played an NBA game in them.
What does this have to do with the Bulls?
Footwear is important to any basketball player. No, the LeBron XI won't add 5 inches to my vertical, but I will be comfortable and not have to worry about the shoe while I'm playing. The same cannot be said about playing in Chuck Taylors or Air Force 1s or any really old shoe. Being comfortable while you're playing basketball is paramount to success, particularly over a long, grueling season.
So you can imagine just how happy I am that Joakim Noah quit wearing tennis shoes, opting for Adidas basketball sneakers this season. Noah has struggled with foot problems, and I think the major reason was his Le Coq Sportif shoes.
Essentially, I hope James, and to a greater extent Noah, help stress the importance of footwear on the court. The last thing I want to see happen is a Bulls injury because a player gets another $50k a year from an unknown brand instead of sticking with the tried and true Nike, adidas, and Under Armour.
Performance footwear is a strange hobby of mine, so whenever a footwear topic becomes a hot button issue in the NBA, I simply can't help but comment.
The performance footwear blogosphere (yes that does exist) has been buzzing because LeBron James has only worn his flagship Nike LeBron XI shoe for a handful of quarters this year, opting instead for the previous version of his shoe. Nightwing2303, the premier performance footwear reviewer, in my opinion, considers the LeBron XI the best iteration of the line.
I can't walk right now, so I can't comment, but the shoes look awesome, and the technical specs suggest the shoe will play extremely well.
So why aren't they good enough for LeBron and his terrible feet?
Obviously James wear tested the shoe, so I cannot imagine this is the first time LeBron's ever worn the shoe. However, the nature of the materials dictates a fairly long break-in time, so LeBron's preference for a fresh pair every game may not provide him with the break-in time adequate for the shoe to fit comfortably.
Nike is paying LeBron a lot of money to be playing advertisement for this $200 basketball shoe, so I imagine Beaverton is none too pleased with James' current selection. Guaranteed Nike engineers are working on anything possible to get the shoe up to snuff for LeBron.
While I doubt sales of the fashion-driven men's version of the shoe will suffer, kids across the country may not want their parents to shell out $200 for a shoe LeBron isn't even playing in. Derrick Rose's last adidas shoe is still sitting on shelves, largely because he never played an NBA game in them.
What does this have to do with the Bulls?
Footwear is important to any basketball player. No, the LeBron XI won't add 5 inches to my vertical, but I will be comfortable and not have to worry about the shoe while I'm playing. The same cannot be said about playing in Chuck Taylors or Air Force 1s or any really old shoe. Being comfortable while you're playing basketball is paramount to success, particularly over a long, grueling season.
So you can imagine just how happy I am that Joakim Noah quit wearing tennis shoes, opting for Adidas basketball sneakers this season. Noah has struggled with foot problems, and I think the major reason was his Le Coq Sportif shoes.
 |
| I would never wear these on (or off) the court. |
Essentially, I hope James, and to a greater extent Noah, help stress the importance of footwear on the court. The last thing I want to see happen is a Bulls injury because a player gets another $50k a year from an unknown brand instead of sticking with the tried and true Nike, adidas, and Under Armour.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Derrick Rose Shows Some Real Progress while Dominating the Cavs
#TheReturn hashtag may have come a year too early, but I can finally tell you with confidence that #TheReturn is in full swing. Derrick Rose and the Bulls easily disposed of the Kyrie Irving-led Cavaliers, winning the game 96-81.
Without question, the highlight of the game was Rose, who finally looked like an all-star. I can't emphasize that he looked like an all-star enough--not the last MVP not named LeBron James, not a future Hall of Famer, but an all-star.
After a slow first half, Rose destroyed Irving offensively with his trademark explosive drives and acrobatic finishes. Rose also made some fantastic passes, some so excellent that the receiving player didn't see them coming (I'm looking at you, Taj).
While at times Rose looked lost defensively, a fast break drive by Irving where Rose was literally facing the wrong direction comes to mind, he did a great job locking down one of the league's best scoring point guards.
Rose only shot 8/21 from the field, but he had 16 points and 7 assists, and in his defense, the officials missed a few calls that would have sent Rose to the line. DRose did leave with a hamstring injury that occurred at an unknown time, but I doubt it will be anything serious. SB Nation posted a painful GIF of Rose limping. Every game like this is a major stride for the Bulls' MVP caliber point guard.
Boozer: Mr Efficient
Carlos Boozer played another wonderful game on Monday night, shooting 7/11 from the floor with 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. Boozer bullied Tristan Thompson in the post as expected, and he even demonstrated his excellent passing skills, highlighted by a beautiful dish to Joakim Noah in the post for an easy layup.
Boozer continues to keep his feet flat defensively. It becomes frustrating seeing such a powerful, athletic guy look unable to stop any decent offensive player. Still, Boozer wasn't signed to be a great defender, and his efficient scoring this season makes up for any defensive short coming.
Jimmy Shoots...No He Doesn't
Jimmy Butler played well defensively. Dion Waiters made some crazy shots, but still scored just 13 points and was a non-factor in the final outcome. I love Jimmy defensively. He's quickly becoming an elite perimeter defender.
Unfortunately, his confidence is not there, and it's painfully obvious. Butler received some great passes that gave him wide open three point looks, but instead, Butler pump faked, took 2 steps forward, and missed mid-range jumpers. Essentially, Butler trades higher expected value shots for lower expected value shots, and the reason is clearly confidence.
Butler has always had a flat shot, but last season it looked like he had made strides, connecting on 38% of his attempts. This year, he's down to just 25%. Hopefully Butler spends this large inter-game gap focusing on his shot because the Bulls desperately need his offense to get going.
Mike Dontleaveme
Mike Dunleavy earned his pay check last night, scoring 15 points in just 24 minutes, connecting on 2/3 threes and all 5 of his free throw attempts. Admittedly, 3 of those free throws came on an absolutely terrible call, but Dunleavy still looked like a very capable scoring 6th man. I'd like to work out those long 2 pointers out of his repertoire, but I don't believe the Bulls organization supports sabermetrics, so that's just a dream.
Overall, you should be very encouraged. No, Cleveland is not a very good team at all. They have loads of potential, but the Cavs still largely go as far as Kyrie Irving takes them--which wasn't very far last night.
Still, Rose played a great second half of basketball, Boozer remained efficient, and Dunleavy showed confidence in his deadly three point shot. The Bulls get another shot at Indiana this Saturday after facing the lowly Raptors on Friday.
I'll be back with previews and some features throughout the week, and, as they say in France, Let's Go Bulls.
Without question, the highlight of the game was Rose, who finally looked like an all-star. I can't emphasize that he looked like an all-star enough--not the last MVP not named LeBron James, not a future Hall of Famer, but an all-star.
After a slow first half, Rose destroyed Irving offensively with his trademark explosive drives and acrobatic finishes. Rose also made some fantastic passes, some so excellent that the receiving player didn't see them coming (I'm looking at you, Taj).
While at times Rose looked lost defensively, a fast break drive by Irving where Rose was literally facing the wrong direction comes to mind, he did a great job locking down one of the league's best scoring point guards.
Rose only shot 8/21 from the field, but he had 16 points and 7 assists, and in his defense, the officials missed a few calls that would have sent Rose to the line. DRose did leave with a hamstring injury that occurred at an unknown time, but I doubt it will be anything serious. SB Nation posted a painful GIF of Rose limping. Every game like this is a major stride for the Bulls' MVP caliber point guard.
Boozer: Mr Efficient
Carlos Boozer played another wonderful game on Monday night, shooting 7/11 from the floor with 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. Boozer bullied Tristan Thompson in the post as expected, and he even demonstrated his excellent passing skills, highlighted by a beautiful dish to Joakim Noah in the post for an easy layup.
Boozer continues to keep his feet flat defensively. It becomes frustrating seeing such a powerful, athletic guy look unable to stop any decent offensive player. Still, Boozer wasn't signed to be a great defender, and his efficient scoring this season makes up for any defensive short coming.
Jimmy Shoots...No He Doesn't
Jimmy Butler played well defensively. Dion Waiters made some crazy shots, but still scored just 13 points and was a non-factor in the final outcome. I love Jimmy defensively. He's quickly becoming an elite perimeter defender.
Unfortunately, his confidence is not there, and it's painfully obvious. Butler received some great passes that gave him wide open three point looks, but instead, Butler pump faked, took 2 steps forward, and missed mid-range jumpers. Essentially, Butler trades higher expected value shots for lower expected value shots, and the reason is clearly confidence.
Butler has always had a flat shot, but last season it looked like he had made strides, connecting on 38% of his attempts. This year, he's down to just 25%. Hopefully Butler spends this large inter-game gap focusing on his shot because the Bulls desperately need his offense to get going.
Mike Dontleaveme
Mike Dunleavy earned his pay check last night, scoring 15 points in just 24 minutes, connecting on 2/3 threes and all 5 of his free throw attempts. Admittedly, 3 of those free throws came on an absolutely terrible call, but Dunleavy still looked like a very capable scoring 6th man. I'd like to work out those long 2 pointers out of his repertoire, but I don't believe the Bulls organization supports sabermetrics, so that's just a dream.
Overall, you should be very encouraged. No, Cleveland is not a very good team at all. They have loads of potential, but the Cavs still largely go as far as Kyrie Irving takes them--which wasn't very far last night.
Still, Rose played a great second half of basketball, Boozer remained efficient, and Dunleavy showed confidence in his deadly three point shot. The Bulls get another shot at Indiana this Saturday after facing the lowly Raptors on Friday.
I'll be back with previews and some features throughout the week, and, as they say in France, Let's Go Bulls.
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