Chicago Bulls Thread

[Moz]

The unsung hero in these past games is Brooks... he's been the go-to guy on those times that their offense needs a spark plug... oppositely, Dunleavy has been relegated to the bench this past few games... it seems Thibs is more inclined to play Moore instead of Snell and although Moore is playing OK, I hope Thibs will try Snell more since he's got the better potential on defense...

[shadowgrin]

Rose doing some pimp slapping: https://vine.co/v/OX39Pahthv0

[Kevin]

Rose doing some pimp slapping: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://vine.co/v/OX39Pahthv0">https://vine.co/v/OX39Pahthv0</a><!-- m -->

DAT ASSISTANT COACH SLAP THOUGH.HAHAHAH

[Andrew]

The unsung hero in these past games is Brooks... he's been the go-to guy on those times that their offense needs a spark plug... oppositely, Dunleavy has been relegated to the bench this past few games... it seems Thibs is more inclined to play Moore instead of Snell and although Moore is playing OK, I hope Thibs will try Snell more since he's got the better potential on defense...

I'm liking the acquisition of Brooks, too. Once again, the Bulls have lucked out with a point guard who can give them some good minutes off the bench.

Hopefully, whoever they pick up to fill that role next year will be just as good.

[air gordon]

Lol let's worry about next year next year

Back to back wins against the east upper tier teams. Yessir. Need a win against the underrated ATL squad and those vags in Americas favorite vacation destination, Cleveland

It's really saying a lot about snell when Moore is getting the nod over him. Lakers on Xmas day. Nice opportunity for the crew to shine on national tv. Plus it's boozers revenge game

[Andrew]

Lol let's worry about next year next year

For sure. It's just becoming a running gag with those backup point guard pick-ups.

In the meantime, let's absolutely enjoy that it's panning out again.

Given that statistic that benji posted regarding the Lakers being outscored by 13 points every 100 possessions that he's on the floor, I can only hope that he plays in the Christmas Day game, especially after what they did to the Warriors without him. In any event, I'll be watching. Thank you, League Pass Broadband!

[Moz]

Hopefully, whoever they pick up to fill that role next year will be just as good.

I hope the next lucky strike they have will be from the draft since rookies are cheap and can be useful for an extended amount of time... I'm still upset they didn't got Gorgui Dieng...

Given that statistic that benji posted regarding the Lakers being outscored by 13 points every 100 possessions that he's on the floor, I can only hope that he plays in the Christmas Day game, especially after what they did to the Warriors without him.

I saw that GS-LAL game and all I can say is that they're just too lucky that night... shots (mostly treys) that Price, Lin, and Ellington took goes in about 70-80% and Boozer's luckily at the right spot and time for offensive rebounds and putbacks (also shot 70% if I may recall)... the Warriors almost cameback but Kerr decided not to play his starters anymore even though they're just down by 10 and there's still time to make a run...

[Andrew]

Even so, by the numbers their offensive production has been better when he's off the floor. Either way, I'll be tuning in, and hoping to see a Bulls victory.

[Kevin]

Bulls destroyed the Lakers in rebounding tonight.

[Andrew]

Rose had some nice drives tonight. He was 2/6 from three point range, but he wasn't really settling that much for most of the game. I was hoping he'd be able to finish that steal and breakaway with a dunk, for kind of an "I'm back" type of moment, but hey, two points is two points, and he didn't injure himself on the landing or anything. I'll take it.

Really good games by Gasol and Butler, too. I hope Butler can keep developing that turnaround in the post. His emergence as a capable scorer is taking pressure of Rose, which will be vital even when Rose is right back in the swing of things. I know their defense isn't as good as we're used to, but it's nice to see them finding ways of putting the ball in the basket, when even scoring 80 in recent seasons has seemed like a struggle for them.

[air gordon]

Hopefully, whoever they pick up to fill that role next year will be just as good.

I hope the next lucky strike they have will be from the draft since rookies are cheap and can be useful for an extended amount of time... I'm still upset they didn't got Gorgui Dieng...

snell pick doesn't look so good right now, eh?

anyone else notice rose doesn't dunk off of one leg anymore?

and the nba needs to do something about the lakers on national tv. please. let the fans decide like fan night on nba tv. it is a letdown the bulls faced them instead of the Wizards or Raptors on xmas day.

[Andrew]

I suppose they figure Kobe is still a draw and LA is a huge market, but you're right. Still, a 20 point win over a team I don't particularly like is a decent Christmas present.

[Moz]

Hopefully, whoever they pick up to fill that role next year will be just as good.

I hope the next lucky strike they have will be from the draft since rookies are cheap and can be useful for an extended amount of time... I'm still upset they didn't got Gorgui Dieng...

snell pick doesn't look so good right now, eh?

It's just that at that time I'm expecting them to get a back-up for Noah and Taj... not helping is how Dieng has been playing in Minnesota nowadays...

anyone else notice rose doesn't dunk off of one leg anymore?

Seems like he heard you...

phpBB [video]

It looks like Thibs finally found his formula for their rotations... It seems he favors playing Mirotic instead of Gasol with Rose on the 2nd half (can't blame him since it gives space for Derrick to penetrate inside)... also I love seeing the defense' dilemma whenever Rose and Butler are doing pick n roll... Though I can say that I'm already anxious about Taj's future if they resign Butler...

[air gordon]

the dunk indeed was a most welcome surprise...

if I had to choose between the 2- I would choose Butler over Gibson. Butler has taken the next step as a legit scorer. he's the perimeter player Gar-Pax had so much trouble finding to pair with Rose.

Gibson has been solid and a great teammate. let's face it, he's going to be 30 and has peaked. nice contract and all but with Niko and Pau around, his loss would be easier to swallow vs Butler leaving.

I don't know what is up with Snell. there is a need for 10-15mpg role for a competent perimeter player on this team especially with Hinrich out. for whatever reason it's just not happening for him. With McBuckets coming back soon, he may fall even further back in the rotation.

eventually hinrich is going to move to the coaching side and probably brooks will play his way into a contract the bulls can't afford. snell still has a chance

[Moz]

Gibson has been solid and a great teammate. let's face it, he's going to be 30 and has peaked. nice contract and all but with Niko and Pau around, his loss would be easier to swallow vs Butler leaving.

He's gotta be the one since his name's always at the conversation whenever the Bulls are in trouble cap wise...

I don't know what is up with Snell. there is a need for 10-15mpg role for a competent perimeter player on this team especially with Hinrich out. for whatever reason it's just not happening for him. With McBuckets coming back soon, he may fall even further back in the rotation.

As of what I'm seeing so far he's not a good slasher and the Bulls are not in the "we'll stockpile shooters" phase anymore... he's also not that quick and his handles' mediocre... he can't be a low post player either with that frame of his... he still have a chance just be confident and less passive... Mirotic went on that phase and look at him now... the management picked up his contract's option perhaps because they'll gonna turn on him when they decide not to resign Butler but that's out of the window now with what Jimmy has become... produce or be with Dunleavy and Brooks elsewhere next year...

[air gordon]

that's the nba salary cap. it's make me feel bad for saying this- but the bulls would have to consider what kind of return Noah can get. Noah's contract is one year less than Gibson's making him perhaps more enticing and should garner more interest.

having productive players on rookie contracts is a big bonus. don't think Snell is one of those guys. at least that Moore guy is competent

[Moz]

that's the nba salary cap. it's make me feel bad for saying this- but the bulls would have to consider what kind of return Noah can get. Noah's contract is one year less than Gibson's making him perhaps more enticing and should garner more interest.

With Noah's knee issues? I guess they'll prefer Taj and he's younger also...

EDIT

Just saw that Jo and Taj is at the same age it's just that Taj was drafted later... but still Taj is preferable with what I've said earlier...

[air gordon]

yeah i was going to say something about their age.... noah's knee injury is not career threatening and he is the more accomplished player. maybe we'll never get to the point where they are have to decide between the 2...

[Andrew]

Snell seemed like a promising pick at the time, with a skillset that would allow him to fill that 10-15 mpg perimeter player role that you mentioned. I think I probably got my hopes up seeing what Butler could do once he started getting some playing time, figuring that Snell might be another late first round pick that turns out to be a diamond in the rough (though probably to a lesser extent). In all fairness, he's not getting a whole lot of court time to do much, but at this point, I don't really have any expectations of him.

[Andrew]

So close to a really, really bad loss to the Pacers there; that was one ugly fourth quarter performance. Some good hustle down the stretch, but man, they dodged a bullet with that mix-up that gave Watson a wide open look at the three. That rim was not being kind to Rose, but big shot from Butler to take the lead for good.

Not their best effort, but it's in the books, and I think we'll all take it nevertheless. That makes seven in a row.

[air gordon]

Indeed the wheels almost came off on that one. My goodness those rose shots were inside the rim. Vogel must know some voodoo.

I think George hill enjoys playing against rose. Rarely he is as aggressive as he is against other other teams.

[Moz]

It seems the Bulls didn't recover yet from that 4th quarter slump in Indiana and that Brooks ejection timed it perfectly... Joe Johnson did a good job bullying the Bulls' guards in the post... Rose settled again in the perimeter but I can't blame him this time with that Lopez-Plumlee combo clogging inside (perhaps same can be said for Butler)... on the bright side Snell shots are falling tonight but, along with Dunleavy, can't save them from this frustrating loss...

[Andrew]

Yeah, pretty dismal and disappointing performance, but it happens to everyone at some point. Hopefully they can shake it off before it becomes a full blown slump.

[Kevin]

9 blocks for Gasol!

[Moz]

I'm glad Jimmy's out of his slump and redeemed himself at this game... Derrick though is still struggling with his shots gladly he adjusted his range and hit some later... Neil Funk subliminally took a jab on his shot selections when he praised Jimmy and said "He knows that when his shots aren't falling, he'll drive and try to get freethrows..." Pau in the meantime continues inspiring the Lakers nation to lynch mob their front office...