Chicago Bulls Thread

[Dan's Brain]

TYRUS THOMAS FOR MVP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Crazy finish to an awesome game! One of the better 4th quarters I've seen this year.

[Andrew]

What a finish indeed! I thought Iverson's layup would prove to be a dagger, especially as the ball was fumbled around in the final ten seconds but then Thomas snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. I thought the second half performance was a little shaky at times after the strong start to the third quarter, though Hinrich leaving the game to get those stitches did disrupt them a bit. At the end of the day, what could have been a heartbreaking loss turned out to be a remarkable victory.

A few other observations:

- Violet Palmer had some really weak calls. The technical after AI's shot counted despite the fact the foul had already been whistle away from the ball was a terrible sequence, firstly for the generous continuation and then the extremely quick technical foul, a practice that has been toned down after the flurry of weak technicals called in the early part of the 2006/2007 season. There were some other petty/questionable calls as well on fouls and travels. Even the Nuggets got screwed on what appeared to be a three pointer by Steve Blake. I'm amazed George Karl didn't get T'd up for arguing that one.

- The dunk by Gordon! I've never seen him attack the basket so aggressively. I'd like to see it more often.

- There's something about Adrian Griffin being given the ball and everyone else getting out of his way that just doesn't feel right.

Looks like Bulls/Pistons won't be shown on Fox Sports next week after all.

[Dan's Brain]

Even the Nuggets got screwed on what appeared to be a three pointer by Steve Blake.

Which, it turns out, would have sent the game to OT. Ah well. Such is life


My play of the game, (at least the first part of the play) was Tyrus' steal at halfcourt on Najera, then behind-the-back dribble and streak toward the basket. Najera's block on it was also, admittedly impressive. But it should have been a foul.

[Anthony15]

Yeah, the last 10 seconds, after the ball just jumped from hand to hand, I thought Nuggets had this one, but Najera just tripped without stealing it and tapped it out to Gordon I think, where the f*ck was Camby at all, no1 to help out Anthony to get the board and Tyrus wins it....Kleiza is an idiot...if u got .2 of a second u dont pass it inbounds, throw up an alley oop...

[Dan's Brain]

Steve Blake made the inbound didnt he? I saw Kleiza out near the 3pt line.

[btam2]

That was a super finish! Replay on the Blake's shot did show a 3-pointer and Red said "if this becomes a one-point game..." and man did it turn out to be that. Lucky break for us, but either way Tyrus was phenomenal with the tip in.

[Matthew]

Who thinks Pj brown fouled on the loose ball scramble?

[Andrew]

My play of the game, (at least the first part of the play) was Tyrus' steal at halfcourt on Najera, then behind-the-back dribble and streak toward the basket. Najera's block on it was also, admittedly impressive. But it should have been a foul.

That would have been something. I thought it looked like a foul at first too but the replay showed all ball. Just an awesome block by Najera, unfortunately for Tyrus.

Who thinks Pj brown fouled on the loose ball scramble?

I didn't see it myself but admittedly my point of view isn't exactly unbiased.

[Matthew]

He barrelled over two Nuggets when trying to keep the losseball alive. He was going for the ball, but a fouls a foul.

[The X]

He barrelled over two Nuggets when trying to keep the losseball alive. He was going for the ball, but a fouls a foul.

not if you're playing in Australian recreation leagues, they're not

but yeah, I saw the end of the game, entertaining....I wanted to see Nuggets get up, but wasn't upset to see Bulls win....to me, I don't think it should've been a foul call on PJ Brown....it's the end of the game, I was happy to see the ref's swallow the whistle & let the game play out....if they had of called a foul, I could understand that, as there was grounds for that....

[air gordon]

Brown's a veteran- so he should get the breaks. otherwise i have no idea why he's in there hehe

just to add to the nuggets game- it's encouraging to see Deng make some big baskets in the 4th. seems like most of the time Skiles calls Gordon or Hinrich's number for the clutch shots. does Skiles not have faith in Deng? it is because Deng isn't that adept in creating his own shot?



oh and i should give some credit to the LaMarcus Aldridge backers. i've watched a few Blazers games recently and he's looked solid- he's been mixing up his jumper with some post play & his finishing strong around the basket. that's a nice 1&2 punch the Blazers have in Roy and Aldridge

[Dan's Brain]

Aldridge played a pretty good game against the Bulls 20 and 8.
Tyrus Thomas on the other hand, shot 1-8. But also had 3 blocks.

I'm not really making any point there, as i dont think that Aldridge would be playing as well on a deeper team.

Luol Deng though... 18-25 for 38 points. Only 2 free throws though. That's something he really needs to work on. For someone shooting 52% this year, he should be more aggressive and getting to the line more.

[Andrew]

Deng does attack the basket a fair bit though, he just doesn't always get to the line. He was making strong moves to the hoop against the Blazers which resulted in buckets but it still didn't get him to the line until Webster's flagrant foul in the fourth quarter.

Great to see Gordon come up with another game winner against the Pacers yesterday as well. With these two wins they've guaranteed a finish better than .500, though suffice to say it will be a huge disappointment if they finished the season around that mark when they should finish hovering around the 60% mark.

[beau_boy04]

It is amazing how Deng is getting such a high % based on jumpshots.

Deng only missed the 50% once! check it out

Nov. .549
Dec. .532
Jan. .493
Feb. .517
Mar. .532 so far

[maes]

I was looking at the playoff seeding rules, and it looks like the Bulls could actually get the #2 seed if they overtake the Cavs, which is a definite possibility being only 1 game behind and Noc coming back.

I wonder what would be better tho, a #2 seed and playing Orlando/New Jersey/Washington, or staying as the #5 seed and playing Miami/Toronto. I think i'd almost want the #5 seed over the #2.

[Andrew]

I think Miami is a team the Bulls want to avoid in the first round if possible. As long as they have the better record they'll have homecourt advantage despite the seeding but I believe the Heat will be a deceptively challenging team come Playoff time especially if Wade can return and be effective. None of the likely opponents are pushovers but I like their chances against the Magic, Nets, Wizards or Raptors more than their chance against the Heat.

[Matt]

but if you play Miami in rnd 1Wade will be really rusty, or perhaps not even ready. I believe it would be the best of times to face Miami.

[maes]

I agree that Miami w/ a healthy Wade is something the Bulls should avoid at all costs, but i'm assuming Wade won't be even close to 100%? And Toronto suffered the loss of both Bargnani and Garbajosa.

I'm just thinking the injuries might make those teams soft playoff opponents, while the Magic/Nets/Wiz are full roster AFAIK.

[benji]

It is amazing how Deng is getting such a high % based on jumpshots.

Deng's shooting...
Jumpers: 42%
Inside: 67%

Although last year he was...
Jumpers: 38%
Inside: 63%

He's not a great jump shooter...and his shooting jumps look like the teamwide percentage leap I was talking about...

[Andrew]

I agree that Miami w/ a healthy Wade is something the Bulls should avoid at all costs, but i'm assuming Wade won't be even close to 100%? And Toronto suffered the loss of both Bargnani and Garbajosa.

I'm just thinking the injuries might make those teams soft playoff opponents, while the Magic/Nets/Wiz are full roster AFAIK.

The Raptors probably are the most desirable opponents given they're without a couple of key players and the Bulls have won two out of three against Toronto this season.

[Dan's Brain]

You never want to meet Shaq in the playoffs, especially when you dont have anyone for him to foul so he gets into foul trouble. However, Wade's slashing ability will be negated if his shoulder isnt 100%, so he'd need to be more of a facilitator, which Kirk would be able to handle defensively.

The Raptors: have one of the brightest futures out of all of the Eastern Conference teams. But inexperience and injuries will cost them.

The Magic: the Bulls can handle Dwight Howard. Ben Wallace plays him well. I dont think Orlando would threaten the Bulls in a 7 game series.

New Jersey: dark horses. Hard to control Carter and Jefferson without the extra help Nocioni would provide. I dont think i'd like seeing this as the Bulls' first round matchup.

Washington: The Wiz fall apart against good defensive teams. Get physical with Arenas and he's hamstrung.

I wonder what would be better tho, a #2 seed and playing Orlando/New Jersey/Washington

The Bulls road record suggests that they need the top 4 seed. Badly. It wouldnt matter who the opponent was.

[maes]

Hmm i dunno, both Magic games i watched the Bulls just got trounced. One game, both Darko & Dwight nabbed 16 boards each. It was just a lack of height when you have two very athletic 7 footers skying for the ball. Granted most teams don't have that, but the Magic do.

I think the Bulls can handle Washington, but they did beat us last year. Gil is streaky, obviously. But Caron is having a helluva a season and he's just as mentally & physically tough as any of the Bulls.

New Jersey is the ultimate "big guards" problem for the Bulls...i've also seen where they sic Carter to hassle the PG and let J Kidd guard the 2.

I would kinda like to see Miami or Toronto.

The Bulls road record suggests that they need the top 4 seed. Badly. It wouldnt matter who the opponent was.

Ha, good point. It's pretty nasty, isn't it?

[Dan's Brain]

Lucky scrape by the Bulls. Very lucky. Giving up the double-digit lead, but able to hold on.

Not many positives apart from the very solid double-double by Thomas and the defensive effort on Chauncey Billups.

But the Bulls should have been better against a Ripless, Webberless Pistons team.

[Andrew]

I watched the game, it wasn't too bad but it really was a lucky escape given Gordon and Hinrich combined to miss three of five free throw attempts in the final minute. The Bulls had some really good stretches and the first quarter effort was particularly strong but they really shouldn't have let that twelve point lead slip away. Still, they walked away with a victory after a game that was made very winnable by virtue of the Pistons missing Rip and C-Webb so for better or worse they got the job done. It wasn't pretty and it's a little troubling but I'm sure we'll all take it.

As far as a top four seed is concerned, obviously it's preferable but it won't matter too much in the first round at least since they'll still own homecourt by virtue of having a better record, assuming they remain top three in the East.

[Andrew]

Well, they had a chance to overtake the Cavaliers and they came up short. It's disappointing but a win against Atlanta tomorrow will keep them in striking distance.