Chicago Bulls Thread

[Moz]

Shitfest... It seems Thibs is clueless as to who should he put on the floor in this game... he's copying the Wizards' substitutions (when they put all starters, he sub in his starters, they put their 2nd unit he put his 2nd unit, they leave 1 starter he leave 1 starter)all through out and it cause that run in the 2nd quarter abruptly halted... I reckon he should've just sub out Mirotic and Moore then just pull Noah and Butler in for defense... also he should've played Snell more at this game since he seems to be one of those who doesn't have a "jetlag" on the bunch... I hope Gasol can get his rhythm back since for the past 2 games, he is Boozer-like defense-wise...

On the positive note, It seems Jimmy is locked

The Bulls fully expect to re-sign Jimmy Butler to a new maximum-salary deal in the summer, and they accept that the contract would put the club in position to pay the luxury tax, reports David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune. Bulls officials are planning a “proactive approach” to have Butler put pen to paper with them before he entertains offers from other clubs in restricted free agency, according to Haugh. Butler will be eligible for a starting salary worth about 25% of next season’s salary cap, unless he wins the MVP and triggers the Derrick Rose Rule, which would allow him about 30% of the cap. The latest league projection indicates that the 25% max will come in at $15.5MM, though that figure won’t be set in stone until July.

[air gordon]

I don't think it's a rotation problem. The bulls played poorly and couldn't match the wiz playoff type intensity

Nene maintained his bulls slayer title while gortat man handled them. Gortat is a great fit with wall.

Defense was terrible, especially against rasual butler. The guy is on a season long hot streak. He shouldn't be left open

Soft gasol on full display. Couldn't do anything on nene.
Thibs has to find a way to get him easier shots. Maybe some pick n roll or pair him with mirotic so the matchup is different.

Bulls had nothing going from the perimeter. They needed the Spaniard last nite

At least snell put in some good minutes. Maybe a confidence builder.

[I Hate Mondays]

At least snell put in some good minutes. Maybe a confidence builder.

Just in time for Doug McD's return

[Moz]

I don't think it's a rotation problem.

Yeh forgot to put it in full details but that 2nd quarter substitution is such a momentum killer... they're finally getting their rhythm and then suddenly Thibs sub out players that shouldn't be pulled off just like what he occasionally do whenever they're in such situation...

[air gordon]

Nothing like a visit from the bucks. Rotations and substitution issues can be brushed aside for now. The Spaniard was just remarkable gladiator style.

[Andrew]

Here's hoping that Rose's sore left knee isn't anything too serious. He's not being helped off the court or leaving the arena on crutches, so I guess it probably doesn't quite compare to the worst of what he's been through, but it's still not particularly encouraging to hear.

[air gordon]

Enough of the rose buzz kill talk lol

[Moz]

I reckon it's no biggie... perhaps they're just Kobe or Dwyane Wade-ing him...

[Moz]

phpBB [video]

PAU! PAU! PAU!

Now how can't you question Thibs' rotations/substitutions this time... he let Vucevic abuses Gasol all night when he can put Noah on him instead, should've just paired Gibson with either Noah or Gasol since their frontline is slow when both are on the floor, and he tire-out his starter in the 3rd quarter... also it seems Jimmy Butler is not getting enough touches for him to be effective... I hope next season they hire an assistant who's an offense specialist...they're missing Ron Adams' service...

[Andrew]

Brutal slam. Shame it had to come against Gasol and the Bulls, but you've gotta tip your hat to that one. Your proverbial "grown man move" right there.

I enjoyed Sam Smith's wry comments on Twitter that neither the Magic or Jazz are likely to make the Playoffs, so any championship aspirations are still very much alive.

[air gordon]

Dude I just know they didn't have an answer for oladipo and vucevic and the high screen n roll game. Orlando was in control all game

I thought rose had a bad floor game. Maybe a cause for Butler not getting more touches.

Angry Nene and co. Coming to the UC next. Very interested to see the adjustments that will be made from the last debacle

[Moz]

Gasol's defense reminds me of Michael Jordan at this game... I mean that one erected in front of the UC... What the hell happen to Butler? He doesn't post up anymore and if he does, he doesn't finish and pass it up...

[air gordon]

What the heck happened to this team since the win vs the rockets?

When it rains, it pours with gasol. Good and bad. The ISO doesn't work against nene and the ball movement is non existent as mentioned. Maybe he just can't do it anymore but I'd like to see plays where he gets the ball while in motion. Nene gets his feet set and its game over

Believe it or not- MJD is being missed. Snell can't hit 3s and has defensive lapses. Mcbuckets or mjd from this day forth.

[Andrew]

Apparently, they just need to play anywhere but the United Center to get back on track.

[King Ed]

Watching the Hawks game tonight live on NBATV? Anyone else?

[Andrew]

Rose with a near triple double, but it's the Hawks with the W. I was pretty much expecting that; the Bulls are still trying to get their rhythm back, Atlanta is just rolling right now. Not good enough, but could've been worse.

[Moz]

I reckon their defensive rotation is quite good most of the time at this game although they still have no answer for those high screen n rolls (and Kyle Korver of course)... Nate Rob is on the wire but E'Twuan Moore is looking like a good pick up for a while now... I'm intrigued about what Kenny Smith said about them adapting the triangle offense... It's too late though for that change...

[air gordon]

Gasol is bringing the shaq approach on defending those high screens. too bad Gibson had some lapses sagging too. Atlanta is indeed rolling. good balance and having those 2 big guys who can shoot makes them a tough defensive assignment.

it is disappointing to see the repeated defensive lapses- not switching on the Korver screens and missed defensive rotations.

happy for Rose getting more assertive on offense but i do not like those 3's early in the possession. Gasol on the move. keep it going.

I reckon their defensive rotation is quite good most of the time at this game although they still have no answer for those high screen n rolls (and Kyle Korver of course)... Nate Rob is on the wire but E'Twuan Moore is looking like a good pick up for a while now... I'm intrigued about what Kenny Smith said about them adapting the triangle offense... It's too late though for that change...

nate rob and brooks are basically the same player. i don't think it's a wise move

Moore was the first player off the bench last nite. how about that.

whoever asked about the bulls being contenders... thanks for the jinx

[allnickstaken]

These are the worst Bulls ever seen with Thib as coach. No passion, no good games, no shine. Why can't get easy victories? Most of them were so tight.
Why the lost games are so humiliating?
I hope a change but now they aren't in position to defeat noone at playoffs.

Go Bulls!

[Moz]

Don't know where to start... you can tell that Gasol is gassed out... they're settling too much on jump shots and whenever they post up their offense becomes stagnant...

[Andrew]

Six losses in the past eight games. Ugh.

[air gordon]

The schedule gets meatier too. MJD, Noah, and co need to come back already!

[Andrew]

Thoughts on Rose's comments after the game? Charles and Kenny criticised him for making those remarks to the media instead of keeping it in the locker room, while Shaq refuted the idea that that stuff doesn't happen on successful teams (offering himself up as an example).

[air gordon]

I don't really care either way. The team is going through a rough patch and I'm sure the frustration is boiling over

It is odd to see a Thibs coached team to have the consistent lapses and not being the "try hard/outwork the opposition" style we've grown accustomed to seeing

[Moz]

He doesn't have the right to complain about being not competitive when he himself is hesitant to drive inside and has been resorting on jacking up 3s instead mostly this season so far...

Pau doesn't hustle and is static on defense... How about starting Taj and put Pau on the bench when Noah get back?