Chicago Bulls Thread

[erudain]

Good win, what I liked most was that every time the Nets tried to make a run we stopped it...ok they got within 3 in the 4th but just for a couple seconds.

It was obvious it was going to be a T to both Jimmy and Jonhson...that’s great league, that’s a beautiful message you’re sending "you got elbowed, you got called names, you got a hand in your face....and you reacted so you get a T"
I hope he keeps doing it....he can´t get pushed around by pseudo-wanna-be-stars like Joe Johnshon...in fact when Jo took him apart I hope he told Jimmy "great kid, great kid....next time go straight for his neck".

We were playing with a 5 man rotation last night.....DJ and Dunleavy might as well been charged the admission.
Good thing DJ is dropping his market value.

Erudain

[erudain]

Great win last night...we're almost there to the 3rd spot in the east.
We are still suffering for those long shooting droughts that erase our leads, specially when the bench comes in.
- Jo is creating a new position, the point center.
- Jimmy was amazing all night long, doing eveything..and that final block on DeRozan, shit got me screaming like a madman (my neighbours surely loved it)
- DJ going back at the team who waived him....only thing kid, you don't need to wait until the 4th, do it earlier lol
- Taj had an awful game, how many times he fell for DeRozan pump fake? He's been great lately so hopefully it was just a bad night.
- Snell needs to pick up his game, and fast...we cannot ride Jimmy 44mins every night. Dunleavy also needs to get it together, yeah he had 11 boards last night, but they didn't bring you here to grab boards.

One final couple lines for that idiot Hansbrough (or however it's spelled)....are we totally sure the guy doesn't have some mental issues?
Last night ony: he got into a fight with Nazr (ok was Nazr foul), pushed Jimmy on his back while he was diving for a loose ball, he ended in the 1st round of seats (should have been his 2nd T), tackled Dunelavy like he was sacking a quarterback (also should have been his 2nd T....but they called it a double foul o.O) and finally he hit DJ in the face.
I mean you can be a hustler and high energy guy...but he's just dangerous to everyone out there...that's not hustle, that's just been a psycho.

Erudain

[Stress Fracture]

Hansbrough is called Psycho T for nothing.

[erudain]

Weird game, for moments it seemed both Bulls and Hawks were competing in a "who play worst" show.
It's amazing how the lack of JB affects us in defense, sometimes it felt like watching the Clippers defense.

Still a win is a win and adds 1 in the right column.

Oh also, Jo fouled that Hawks player in the first clutch stop.....would had been 2 FTs and Bulls were up 3, so no tie and Bulls would had the ball....but still was a gross mistake by the refs.
As I hate/complain when the refs screw us, it would be hypocrite not to call them out when they screw someone else.

Erudain

[Andrew]

Didn't catch that one, but I did watch the game against the Nuggets last week. Needless to say, I hated seeing Butler become the latest casualty of the Bulls Injury Curse, but it was a fun game to watch apart from that. When this team can top 60 points in the first half, things are definitely going well for them.

Meanwhile, they're putting together another fairly respectable season, given the circumstances. Four games above .500, good for fourth in a decimated Eastern Conference. It's not what we were hoping for coming into the season, but like I've said before, I like their pride and competitiveness in the face of all the adversity.

[NovU]

Seeing Loul Deng and Cavs continuing to struggle like scrubs, this should make some Bulls fans feel somewhat eased about not signing him to a fat extension.

At this rate, I am even going to start to wonder if he will be able to land a contract the Bulls offered.

[SoF'nAwesome]

Bulls just beat the Warriors by 20. Didn't know any team was capable of doing that to the Warriors anymore.

[Andrew]

While I don't enjoy seeing Deng struggle per se - I like him and appreciate what he did during his time in Chicago - it is relieving at the same time. It suggests that moving on was the right decision and while it would've been nice if they got more for him in the way of a decent pick that they'd actually receive, they've made the right call in not breaking the bank to retain him.

Great win over the Warriors and a relief to see Jimmy Butler back in the lineup.

[erudain]

Amazing win last night....Kirk shows why he's probably the best defensive PG in the league.
Jimmy started the game doubting, his shot was awfully short and he coudn't finish at the rim...his ribs was most likely still bothering him....but as the game went on, got into rythm and adrenaline kicked in, he could shake it.

"The moment" of the night was when UC started chanting "MVP, MVP!!" to Jo.

As we were discussing with friends last night, this is his team now, he might have been the emotional leader all this past years, but now he is THE leader and Rose better accept it and perhaps even play the role of sidekick...don't try to make it "your team" from day 1....

[Andrew]

What role would you have Rose play, then? I mean, if he does come back at full strength at long last - similar to the form he was showing in the pre-season - then the team has to utilise his strengths.

[NovU]

while it would've been nice if they got more for him in the way of a decent pick that they'd actually receive.

I think the Bulls did well for a weird season that this is.

I mean look at other decent assets like what Evan Turner was turned into. They traded him for Granger who just walked away leaving them with nothing, literally nothing at all (not to mention Lavoy Allen in the trade). Then there's Spencer Hawes who was traded for Henry Sims(D-league worthy), Earl Clark, and 2 second round picks.

[Andrew]

The Bulls traded Deng for Bynum (who was bought out), a couple of second round picks and a first round pick they won't be getting due its protection. That's about the same as those other deals.

[NovU]

Looking at it now, it kinda is similar to Hawes trade unless first round pick is conveyed.

[Andrew]

With the Kings' record, that's not happening. I would've liked that deal a lot more had the pick not been protected, but as it stands, moving on from Deng does not strike me as a bad decision, all things considered. At the very least, trimming the payroll will hopefully make it feasible to keep/acquire key role players.

[Moz]

Tied now for the 3rd seed and the streak carries on... Butler has been offensively aggressive (love the post plays he seems perfecting these days) since he came back though he needs to nail those free throws (I reckon he needs adjustments on his free throw routine since it's seems like he shoots them too quick)... and also Fredette is a shoe in in contrary to Thibs earlier statement that they'll add a "veteran"...

[Andrew]

I don't have high expectations for that signing, but let's see how he pans out. It's not as though they'll be counting on him to lead them, nor will he be getting a huge contract, so no harm in giving him a shot.

[air gordon]

this is his team now, he might have been the emotional leader all this past years, but now he is THE leader and Rose better accept it and perhaps even play the role of sidekick...don't try to make it "your team" from day 1....

While I don't enjoy seeing Deng struggle per se - I like him and appreciate what he did during his time in Chicago - it is relieving at the same time. It suggests that moving on was the right decision and while it would've been nice if they got more for him in the way of a decent pick that they'd actually receive, they've made the right call in not breaking the bank to retain him.

What role would you have Rose play, then? I mean, if he does come back at full strength at long last -similar to the form he was showing in the pre-season - then the team has to utilise his strengths.

seeing how this team has 'succeeded" without both Deng & Rose, is this a negative reflection on those 2? it's just a short stretch for Deng sans the bulls system but the bulls have a better record since trading him. the bulls remain a top defensive unit and the scoring still remains mediocre. And then there's Augustin. obviously not the talent of a Rose yet he's able to contribute immediately on offense.

perhaps it is Noah who is the most valuable player to the "core". with the bulls pick and roll/drive and kick scheme, what kind of player would you place a premium on?? the bulls have gotten by with minimum/average paid players on the perimeter

[Andrew]

At the end of the day, I'd say not. When those guys were around and healthy, they fared a lot better in 2011. I'd also say if Rose hadn't been struck by misfortune in Portland and played himself back into rhythm, they'd be doing better than they currently are. That's not to take anything away from the efforts of the current squad or downplay Noah's importance to the team, but they still did better with Rose and Deng, when everyone was healthy and in form.

[benji]

[air gordon]

it goes without saying, the bulls are a better team with those 2 on board (lol)

factoring in the salary cap situation and aspirations of becoming a legit title contender, you have to question what player is a premium in the bulls system?? and what kind of players are worth investing in to put the bulls over the top?

or do you think the current roster has it in it them to be that legit title contender?

[Andrew]

I know it was stating the obvious, but I feel that's basically what it comes down to when we're considering whether or not the Bulls' current performance without Rose and Deng reflects negatively on them. At the end of the day, I don't think it does.

As far as the current roster being legitimate title contenders...well, Rudy Tomjanovich once said "Never underestimate the heart of a champion", and this Bulls team definitely has heart, but Rudy T also had Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler in their prime. If Rose was healthy and in 2011 form then they might be a little closer to being one, a possible dark horse candidate. As it stands though, I'll say no, they're not.

Noah is absolutely a premium player and at this point, I'd still give Rose the benefit of the doubt and say he's one too. Gibson on the other hand isn't, even though his contract is approaching that level. That said, it's not too bad by NBA standards and he's turning out to be pretty solid at the four spot.

Moving forward, I think they need to have a versatile scorer on the wing. Basically, what Deng was meant to be and kind of was, but with more potency. Defense isn't a problem for these Bulls, but getting the ball in the basket can be, so that's the kind of player I feel they should invest in as they reshape the roster around Noah and Rose.

[NovU]

Noah with triple double. This old kid's versatility is amazing. The team needed a passer so he suddenly became one of the best passing centers in recent history. LoL

[Moz]

The team needed a passer so he suddenly became one...

He's trying his best to be the next Brad Miller (notice his 18 footers lately?)... Finally DJ got out of his shooting slump and from what I saw, Fridette will not get his chance on this team to increase his market value unless Kirk goes down... reports says that Derrick is able to run now so, I reckon, there's still a possibility that he'll comeback this year if the Bulls get deeper into the playoffs...

[shadowgrin]

reports says that Derrick is able to run now so, I reckon, there's still a possibility that he'll comeback this year if the Bulls get deeper into the playoffs...

lol not this again, same story last year.

[SoF'nAwesome]

Derrick Froze. He ain't catching fire no mo.