Chicago Bulls Thread

[Andrew]

And then that happens. 2 losses to the Cats in the space of a week. Rose playing a lone hand but in the end it just wasn't enough. 6 more blocks from Taj was useful, but those sorts of offensive performances from Deng and Korver won't help anyone.

No doubt. Here's hoping they've got it together tomorrow against the Mavericks, who have Dirk back and are fresh off a win over the Lakers.

[Dan's Brain]

AAARGH

Seriously, just let it fucking die. Joakim Noah should not be going anywhere, and they don't want Deng. Let that be the end of it.

[Andrew]

It is widely believed Denver has insisted center Joakim Noah be included in any Anthony deal, which the Bulls are reluctant to do.

Rightfully so. I don't see it happening, even if they have managed to keep winning games without Noah. I certainly wouldn't pull the trigger if I were in PaxMan's shoes, they have a greater need for what Noah brings to the table.

[Andrew]

Well, it certainly wasn't pretty, but they got the job done against the Mavericks. Not a great night shooting the basketball for Rose but the shots he was taking weren't too bad, they just weren't falling and he had few tough layups go awry. Getting nine assists in that game was an achievement in itself though, the shots just weren't falling for either team. Rose and Korver made them count in the clutch though, it looked like Terry was going to win it for the Mavs in the fourth but all in all the Bulls did a respectable job holding on for the win in the waning minutes. Kind of an ugly game, but a win's a win.

Aside from Rose flirting with another triple double, it was nice to see Kurt Thomas cleaning up on the boards; Deng did a good job there too, though 7 points on 3/13 shooting isn't going to cut it night and night out while Boozer is out. I still think Asik has the tools to be a really good backup centre behind Noah but he's going have to learn to keep the ball up when he catches, do a better job eluding and faking out the defense when he gathers himself and as Reggie Miller said, taking it up stronger as it cost him a couple of easy baskets. Hopefully that'll come in time, I like his potential but I'm glad Noah will be around and that they've got Thomas to fill in at the moment.

Next up they've got Cleveland and Milwaukee at home. Cleveland should be win number thirty - surely - but with the depleted front line, I'd expect that the Bucks game is going to be a tough one.

[puttincomputers]

the way you describe Asik is how Tyson Chandler was described.

[George7]

http://www.nba.com/2011/news/features/0 ... ef:nbahpt1

And Rose again first on the R2MVP list! He's just amazing this year,but again,the lack of help really concerns me.Hopefully Noah and Boozer will return soon...

[Andrew]

"They better get him some help," Terry said afterward as the visitors' dressing room cleared out. "Because he's doing everything out there. My hat's off to him, he's having an outstanding year. But if they don't get him some help ... it's a big load. Jordan couldn't do it [by himself]."

I'd say he already has that help. Unfortunately, said players are currently out with injury. Anyway, nice read.

[air gordon]

AAARGH

Seriously, just let it fucking die. Joakim Noah should not be going anywhere, and they don't want Deng. Let that be the end of it.

yeh pretty pathetic. since Joakim just signed that extension it would be pretty damn hard to trade him (byc)

lucky they faced dallas on the 2nd day of a back to back. Dirk was playing on one good leg.

Deng had a poor game but overall- i've been impressed. i must give him credit. i think he's finally dropping that soft label. finally he goes to the basket strong and can finish underneath on putbacks. and the added 3pt shot to his game. Please, Thibbs, cut down his minutes!!!

bulls have only had the lineup of noah-boozer-deng- insert bogans joke- rose for 9 games... and that was with Noah playing with a torn ligament in his thumb lol

[puttincomputers]

How cool is this! The bulls are only one Heat loss away from being tied for second place in the East! And Boston's bigs are falling like flies!
Chicago has a better home record than Miami as well!

[Andrew]

Fifth best record in the league as of this post.

[Dan's Brain]

bulls have only had the lineup of noah-boozer-deng- insert bogans joke- rose for 9 games... and that was with Noah playing with a torn ligament in his thumb lol

And Boozer probably took about 3 or 4 games to really find his feet as well. So in reality, they've only had that lineup for 5 or 6 games.

Anyway, another good (albeit not completely convincing) win over the Cavs. Boozer slotting effortlessly back in to the team and Deng again being awesome from the perimeter. Not a good shooting night for the team all around, but at least they held Cleveland to a much, much worse shooting night.

[Andrew]

Another win over the Bucks, with Kurt Thomas scoring a team high 22 points (on 10/16 shooting, no less) to go along with nine rebounds, five assists and a couple of blocks. Hands up if you saw that coming.

[air gordon]

... good catch there. Even Noah was talking about that when he was in the booth with King & Funk in the 3rd qtr

biggest news to come out of the Bulls vs Bucks game (aside from me winning another $25 from Jae) was Noah saying he plans to return before the all star break (feb.17th?!). even Funk & king sounded shocked. He's having the pin removed tomorrow (tues.). rotoworld said it normally takes about a month of rehab

[The X]

... good catch there. Even Noah was talking about that when he was in the booth with King & Funk in the 3rd qtr

biggest news to come out of the Bulls vs Bucks game (aside from me winning another $25 from Jae) was Noah saying he plans to return before the all star break (feb.17th?!). even Funk & king sounded shocked. He's having the pin removed tomorrow (tues.). rotoworld said it normally takes about a month of rehab

It's not even a contest. No Jennings & Bogut is playing with only one arm. Obviously this is standing bet from before season started since nobody would bet on Bucks once they got Maggots & Badden.

[air gordon]

hey i wasn't talking about surprises hehe. bogut had 13 rebs in 1 quarter i think lol

but let's not lose focus here. i don't want to hear this bogut is playing on one arm crap

the bet was clearly in the Bucks favor once Boozer apparently got a puncher's injury from tripping over a bag (lol). Bogut was ready for the season. the injury wasn't supposed to affect him- he shoots with his left hand anyway, right??? the team has tremendous depth with all these additions they made in the offseason. the great Corey Maggette will bring them to the promise land.. assuming he's used correctly

and the critics said the Bulls have no 3pt shooting. Rose is a chucker. lol if i can pull up all the quotes of lamrock ripping Rose, i'd have a bible sized stack.

But the bucks blew it. they should have built a lead while Boozer was out and take advantage of the bulls playing one of toughest schedules for the 1st month. and when Boozer came back, their "best" player Noah went on the IL 9 games later. and he's still out til probably until all star break

Bucks have had their injuries but they had their chance as well.

or you could look it at the other way and the bulls did a few things right

[The X]

My comment was more directed at the bet saying nobody would bet on Bucks to beat Bulls this season unless Jae had made a standing bet back last off-season.

As for Bogut, he should start shooting free throws left handed too, he'd probably have more success.

[air gordon]

k glad thats cleared up. thx haha

[Dan's Brain]

James Johnson will be getting a jolt of energy!

In the D-League that is.

With the Iowa Energy.

In their D-League team.

Fair enough, in my opinion. I've never understood why they haven't done it this year. He's young, he's not getting time with the real Bulls, it's the logical thing to do. But this is the first time Chicago has made use of the D-League since 07-08. I had a look at the Energy's roster and some of the numbers that they're posting, and I'm wondering if it might be worth, at some point, throwing a bone to Othyus Jeffers. He's averaging 21 points and almost 10 rebounds (as a 6'5 guard) to go with 2 steals per game. He's basically the anti-Bogans in D-League speak.

[Andrew]

Sounds like a good idea to me, better than him wasting away on the bench. As for calling up someone like Jeffers, it's definitely worth a shot but seems like nothing will convince Thibbs that it's time to demote Bogans.

[puttincomputers]

Don't look now, or do, the Bulls have a chance at going into the second seed position tonight if the Non Rhythmic Beat lose!

[Andrew]

They do indeed. They're already in second place on a tiebreaker, if they can beat the Magic and the Heat lose to the Pistons, they'd stand alone in second by a slight margin.

[Lamrock]

Non Rhythmic Beat

Haven't heard that one before.

[Andrew]

A typically beastly performance by Dwight Howard, but the Bulls still get the win to remain tied with Miami. Another tough night shooting the ball for Rose but a perfect night from the free throw line to go along with 12 assists and six boards. Good games from Boozer and Deng too.

[Dan's Brain]

Those are the kinds of games where Rose needs to be more of a facilitator than a scorer. Deng and Boozer were both firing, and he was playing hurt. He needs to be more deferential in those games. But no result arguing from me. Just a shame that the Pistons got so close but fell short in the end.

The Bulls really deserve a second All-Star, but it's hard to make a case for anyone in particular. When Boozer's been healthy, he's been the second best power forward in the East, behind only Amare. Who, in reality, has been more of a Centre anyway.

And Deng has been incredibly consistent, but his numbers aren't amazing enough. All-Defensive team? Absolutely. All-Star? Harder to say.

[Andrew]

Fine win to remain undefeated in the woeful Central Division, as they should be. It gave us this highlight as well:

phpBB [video]

Nasty.