Chicago Bulls Thread

[Andrew]

MC-Dub out longer than expected.

It turns out that Michael Carter-Williams' injury is indeed worse than expected.

While it had been initially reported that Carter-Williams would return by mid-December at the latest, the third-year point guard saw a hand specialist over recent days. The Chicago Bulls are now announcing that the former Rookie of the Year will miss four-to-six more weeks

[Moz]

They weren't though, Butler never even tried to get open as he went straight over to screen (inbounder is usually the most dangerous option too, missed opportunity there I reckon), Wade was single covered in the high post on the catch, they didn't even try to go double him...and well, Kerr shoots close to 50% from 3 while Canaan barely breaks 31% this year. Now if it was a drive and kick cause there was no room in the paint I would be fine with it, but only down two and their favored option is a fallaway 3 from a decent bench scorer who has been sitting on the bench cold as ice? Yikes.

No reason to not even test the defense by attacking the rim like the Nuggets did the previous possession. Plenty of time, a three point play would win it, a two or free throws would send it to OT. I just don't get it.

Not saying that Canaan was a Steve Kerr reincarnate what I meant was it's a decoy play to get a 3 since that's what they seem want to take (as I've said the players looked tired on that one and perhaps everyone's in agreement on that instead of extending the game). Afterall, it's still a wide open shot so nothing's wrong there I reckon.

Rondo has been playing very well the past games. He's not taking contested jumpshots and has been great facilitating especially on the boards. On the other hand, Mirotic and the rest of the bench are still stinking... They badly need Doug and MCW back. Perhaps try to put in the ex-Celtics guy or re-sign Dimwiddie and send Portis or Valentine to the d-league. Lopez is still having the Boozer treatment is it not bad to consider trading him to someone they can use in any situation?

[Andrew]

Mirotic did have an uncharacteristically good defensive play in crunch time against the Cavs. Some good performances all round there, very enjoyable win.

[Valor]

Mirotic did have an uncharacteristically good defensive play in crunch time against the Cavs. Some good performances all round there, very enjoyable win.

A pleasant surprise for sure, good win.

Not saying that Canaan was a Steve Kerr reincarnate what I meant was it's a decoy play to get a 3 since that's what they seem want to take (as I've said the players looked tired on that one and perhaps everyone's in agreement on that instead of extending the game). Afterall, it's still a wide open shot so nothing's wrong there I reckon.

Yeah nah I get what you mean there but there's a reason why the best players nearly always gets the ball in those chances. Butler in particular had just hit one clutch 3, why not even give him a chance to get the ball? After all the inbounding man is often the most dangerous, sending him out to do a screen is just.....I don't know man

[Valor]

...and after that Cavs win we are now getting trounced by the 3-15 Mavs. Why am I not surprised

[Andrew]

It is a frustratingly familiar tale of inconsistency: a fine performance and good win followed by an embarrassing loss. Even though it can happen to any team, and there are plenty of examples that prove that any team is capable of beating any other on any given night, night and day performances like that have become one of the Bulls' hallmarks. Or so it feels, anyway.

[Moz]

So it begins...

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/sports/B ... 90766.html

Chicago Bulls guard Rajon Rondo has been suspended for one game for "conduct detrimental to the team," the Bulls announced Monday.
The Bulls said Rondo will serve the one-game suspension Monday night as Chicago hosts the Portland Trail Blazers.

or perhaps it's just that he got upset because he saw Rick Carlisle

[Valor]

Didn't even take 20 games for his shit to come up (again). Not surprised tbh

[Andrew]

Not the first time Rondo's temper has been an issue. 20 games into a stint with a new team might be a record for him.

[Valor]

Not the first time Rondo's temper has been an issue. 20 games into a stint with a new team might be a record for him.

Apparently it was for a vociferous sideline exchange directed primarily at top assistant coach Jim Boylen.

Gotta give it to Yahoo, they always manage to find situations where they can use big words

[Andrew]

Great word. I'll have to see if I can work it into an article as well, now.

[air gordon]

badly need Doug and MCW back...Lopez is still having the Boozer treatment is it not bad to consider trading him to someone they can use in any situation?

This. It's not the any given Sunday theory. It's poor bench play and poor interior defense. Grants awesome game against Portland seems like months ago and hasn't had a good one since. portis has been brutal. Niko maybe even worse. Think I'm at the point of trading portis so Hoiberg has to play felecio.

24-0 run by Denver and then losing to lakers?! Good game plan on butler by Walton btw

[Andrew]

Three game skid now. That promising start feels like a distant memory.

[Moz]

Think I'm at the point of trading portis so Hoiberg has to play felecio.

As I've said earlier, I'm not really comfy with Felicio as the main back-up bigman for Taj and Lopez. Get another bigman if they'll trade. I don't know what will be the price of getting Richaun Holmes from the 76ers (that is if they do value him) or perhaps try Alan WIlliams from the Suns. Perhaps they'll come cheap since they're the Felicio of their teams if you know what I mean.

[air gordon]

I'm not sold either but the way Portis is playing I'll take anything over that hot garbage. Felecio doesn't have the "potential" like Portis but he definitely has better defensive instincts, footwork, and hops.

His recent play has earned him more minutes

Bulls are 19 of their last 90 3pt shot attempts smh

[Andrew]

Solid win over the Spurs. Looks like Rondo's wearing a headband again...guess that rule has been abolished for some time now? Or was that only rumoured, that there was a team rule against them?

[Valor]

Solid win over the Spurs. Looks like Rondo's wearing a headband again...guess that rule has been abolished for some time now? Or was that only rumoured, that there was a team rule against them?

I believe Paxson was the one who instituted the ban in 2004 cause somebody (forgot who) was wearing it around their neck and he thought it was a choking hazard.

[Andrew]

Eddie Robinson, perhaps?

[Valor]

Eddie Robinson, perhaps?

Ah yes, that was probably him. Bigger incidents involved the $60 million disgrace though. (Yep, I refuse to utter that name)

[Andrew]

That's right, he did wear a headband during his unfortunate tenure with the Bulls.

[air gordon]

When MCW returns the Rondo soap opera should get good

Much anticipated return of thibs to the UC. I hope Reinsdorf remains classy and does a short video tribute as he did for Rose and Noah.

Bulls have been defying the odds with their 3pt shooting falling off and inconsistent bench play.

Kudos to Hoiberg for giving Lopez more minutes, cutting Portis and now Canaan out of the rotation.

[Andrew]

I hope Reinsdorf remains classy and does a short video tribute as he did for Rose and Noah.

Yeah, here's hoping. Then again, this is the organisation that totally didn't fire Ray Clay for refusing to announce Michael Jordan like he was just any other opponent when the Wizards* first came to town, so you never know.

* I realise everyone has agreed that this era is non-canon, but for the purposes of criticising the pettiness of Bulls management at times, I'm breaking that rule.

[air gordon]

I suppose it more falls on garpax on this one. My $$ is on those 2 writing that crappy letter with Reinsdorfs name signed at the bottom

[Andrew]

I wouldn't be shocked if it were true. Maybe it was time to move on from Thibs, maybe it wasn't, and what's done is done, of course. Either way, he deserved better than that.

[Valor]

I hope Reinsdorf remains classy and fires GarPax before the game as a tribute to Thibs.

Edited