2014 Playoffs: (4) Chicago vs. (5) Washington

[Moz]

The absence of Deng is just taking it's effects... It's like that particular quaaludes Leo DiCaprio took in Wolf of Wallstreet....

[SoF'nAwesome]

Wow. No #TheReturn this year, I guess.

Wizards VS Pacers, that one will be weird.

[Andrew]

The absence of Deng is just taking it's effects... It's like that particular quaaludes Leo DiCaprio took in Wolf of Wallstreet....

Right now, they're missing anyone who's capable of being anything close to money on offense, at least when it matters the most. Luol Deng, Derrick Rose, Jalen Rose...they need some help putting the ball in the basket. Credit where it's due to the Wizards' defense, but the Bulls don't exactly pose the biggest challenge to anyone's defense, night in and night out.

[Moz]

Jalen Rose...

? I reckon if Deng is still around they'll be at least have an answer to some of the matchup problems they're having right now... a finisher line-up of Noah-Gibson-Deng-Butler-Augustin/Hinrich will stand a better chance...

[Jeffx]

Andrew, the Bulls could use a scoring machine like Carmelo Anthony.

[Andrew]

As I've said before, I honestly wouldn't mind that, as I think it's a scenario that could actually work out for both sides. I'm not sure Phil Jackson will be keen to take on Carlos Boozer, though.

[_Steve_]

Thibs has a problem when it comes to have faith in (most) of his reserves. Butler playing 53 minutes is not a good sign at all...

[The X]

Bulls could've used Nate Robinson in this series.

Good to see Wall-Beal backcourt developing & everybody love Nene so hoping they advance to 2nd round but Bulls won't go easily, they never do.

[Andrew]

Thibs has a problem when it comes to have faith in (most) of his reserves. Butler playing 53 minutes is not a good sign at all...

It certainly makes moves like the late season pickup of Brewer seem pretty useless.

[Moz]

Bulls could've used Nate Robinson in this series.

Augustin is just as fast and streaky, a better shooter, and more consistent... he's not as hyper but Augustin is doing what Nate brought to the table last year... and of course they're not playing last year's dysfunctional Brooklyn team at the moment...

Thibs has a problem when it comes to have faith in (most) of his reserves. Butler playing 53 minutes is not a good sign at all...

It's all because of Dunleavy's ineffectiveness and being a defensive liability... as I've said earlier it'll be a different story if at least Deng is still around...

It certainly makes moves like the late season pickup of Brewer seem pretty useless.

but then again you can't count on him to be a reliever for the Bulls' offense... as he's supposed to be, I reckon he was signed so that he can fill in if ever Butler is in foul trouble/injured....

[Moz]

So far they're good at controlling the loose balls but they got too many turnovers and Thibs should reconsider his plan sticking with the same formula... although Boozer got 2 fouls already, why did he not play him at the 2nd since he's having a great start so far...

EDIT

It seems that the situation (Nene out, Gibson is obviously gasping for air, starting to have scoring drought) is begging for Thibs to put Boozer back on the court and he's seems reluctant to do so...

[Andrew]

Well, the Bulls escaped with that one. Very fortunate to get the win there, some clutch free throw shooting down the stretch (Gibson's miss aside) and a big night for Dunleavy. Terrible foul by Snell at the end there though.

[Moz]

a big night for Dunleavy...

It almost gone to waste with those 2 terrible inbound passes late in the 4th... wow what an irritating 4th quarter....

[Andrew]

Indeed, but they got the job done in the end. Still need to play better to get right back into the series.

[Kevin]

They actually looked like a new wed couple
http://www.nba.com/2014/news/04/25/nene ... ref:nbahpt
Forehead to forehead <3

[Moz]

What irked me the most is that Thibs didn't gave Boozer a chance to be a finisher this time(as I've said everything is begging for him to do so)... he's finally playing aggressively on offense, attacking the basket, and doing great getting rebounds...

[Alpha_]

Finally, a win. 3 more to go Chicago.

[NovU]

I hope Nene gets suspended for a game.

[Andrew]

I expect he will. Jalen Rose and Bill Simmons were campaigning for him not to be suspended during the halftime show of the Rockets/Blazers game, on the principle that it already cost the Wizards the game. While it may well have cost them the game, that's still a pretty weak argument. He well and truly crossed the line when he grabbed Butler by the throat, hence why he was ejected and Butler wasn't. According to the NBA's rules and precedents set by previous incidents, a one game suspension would not be inappropriate.

[[Q]]

Holy missed free throws

[NovU]

I expect he will. Jalen Rose and Bill Simmons were campaigning for him not to be suspended during the halftime show of the Rockets/Blazers game, on the principle that it already cost the Wizards the game. While it may well have cost them the game, that's still a pretty weak argument. He well and truly crossed the line when he grabbed Butler by the throat, hence why he was ejected and Butler wasn't. According to the NBA's rules and precedents set by previous incidents, a one game suspension would not be inappropriate.

He was indeed the aggressor and instigator. I can understand Bill and Rose wanting to see both teams at full strength but I don't think this incident should go unpunished.

[The X]

Unfortunately a full series showing the best of Nene was impossible. He either had to get injured or do something stupid which is a shame. Hopefully Wiz can overcome this and win 2 more.

[koberulz]

I expect he will. Jalen Rose and Bill Simmons were campaigning for him not to be suspended during the halftime show of the Rockets/Blazers game, on the principle that it already cost the Wizards the game. While it may well have cost them the game, that's still a pretty weak argument.

If the NBA lets that argument fly, how long until an underdog team goes with the strategy of swinging chairs/hammers/baseball bats at the opposing team's stars, then making sure they don't win that game? Everyone on the better team is out injured for the rest of the series, but the team with the bats lost that game, so their players would presumably be allowed back. 4-1 series victory, easy!

[air gordon]

a must win and the bulls got it!

you can't fault Thibbs for his playing rotations. overall the team is a solid defensive unit but a few individuals are poor defensive players- Augustin, Boozer, Dunleavy.

Thibbs is forced to play Augustin because he's the only one that can create shots. Those other 2 are useless when they are not hitting their shots. Butler has to play all those minutes. Who's going to fill in his minutes? there's no one else sitting on the bench that is reliable. Brewer? he's been picking splinters out of his ass for the last 2 season. Seriously? c'mon, Andrew!

their offense is so hard to watch lol. i think 85% they are putting up contested shots with 5 seconds or less in the shot

here's hoping the bulls continue to win. i 'd very much like to delay the carmelo anthony to the bulls speculation as long as possible.

[Moz]

There you go...
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball- ... gALnJNbK5_

Washington Wizard’s forward-center Nene has been suspended one game without pay for head-butting and grabbing guard-forward Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls around the neck with both hands and attempting to throw him down, it was announced today by Rod Thorn, President, Basketball Operations.