The Chicago Bulls Season- Never Say Never

[bullsfan009]

Hello all this is bullsfan. My New Orleans Hornets dynasty is toast thanks to my screwing around with the game over the weekend. I was trying to install the ’95-’96 season patch & somehow I messed up the game to the point where I couldn’t play at all. I tried enabling and disabling Custom Art, I installed the most recent bug fix patch from EA, and I tried taking off the ’95-’96 roster I installed, but all to no avail.

So I uninstalled & reinstalled the game, and tried to save my rosters and my Hornets season in the process. The rosters are fine, but the Hornets dynasty crashed the game whenever I tried to load it, so I said forget it, and I deleted it once and for all.

I’ve been inspired my hometown Bulls' recent success, and their potential possessing the Knicks' #1 pick this year and all from the Eddy Curry trade (which should be really high), that I’m going to do a Chicago Bulls season. Sorry to be switching on you all like this. I'm not going to be doing any more tinkering with things I don't know about, so this one should last ok.

As far as the season goes- I won’t do any transactions of my own, I’ll just keep the rosters up-to-date according to the real NBA. So for those of you unfamiliar with the roster, here are the CHICAGO BULLS!




Malik Allen (6'10", 255, 5 years pro): SOLID MID-RANGE JUMPSHOT

Tyson Chandler (7'1", 235, 5 years pro): ATHLETIC YOUNG BIG MAN, GREAT REBOUNDER & SHOTBLOCKER, WEAK OFFENSIVELY

Luol DengLuol Deng (6'9", 220, 2 years pro): VERSATILE SWINGMAN, VERY GOOD JUMPSHOT, AVERAGE ATHLETICISM, HIGH BASKETBALL IQ, SOLID DEFENDER & REBOUNDER

Chris Duhon (6'1, 185, 2 years pro): VERY HIGH BASKETBALL IQ, GREAT DEFENDER, HIGH AST-TO RATIO, GOOD SPOT-UP SHOOTER OUT TO THE 3, CAN GUARD BIG SGs, FLOOR LEADER

Ben Gordon (6'3" (in high heels), 200, 2 years pro): EXPLOSIVE SCORER, PUTS UP POINTS IN BUNCHES, EXTREMELY QUICK, AVERAGE PLAYMAKER, REBOUNDER, DEFENDER

Orthella Harrington (6'9", 235, 10 years pro): CRAFTY VETERAN, GOOD INSIDE SCORER, SOLID REBOUNDER, AVERAGE ATHLETICISM, DEFENSE, POOR SHOTBLOCKER FOR A PF

Kirk Hinrich (6'3, 190, 3 years pro): THE BULLS' BEST OVERALL PLAYER, GREAT PLAYMAKER, DEADLY SHOOTER, TOUGH DEFENDER WHO CAN GUARD PGs or SGs, WEAK BODY STRENGTH, PLAYING OUT OF POSITION AT THE 2 BUT MAKING THE MOST OF IT

Andres Nocioni (6'7", 225, 2 years pro): A BEAST, NOT AFRAID TO GET PHYSICAL IN THE PAINT, REBOUNDS & DEFENDS VERY WELL, VERSATILE, SUPRISING ATHLETICISM, WILL THROW DOWN A TWO-HAND JAM IN TRAFFIC OR SWAT A BIGGER PF OR C IN THE LANE, HAS EXTENDED HIS RANGE ON HIS JUMPER, IS SHOOTING 46.5% FROM 3 THIS NBA SEASON, AVERAGE BALLHANDLER

Jannero Pargo (6'1, 175", 4 years pro): EXPLOSIVE SCORER IN THE BEN GORDON MOLD, MAKES THE MOST OF HIS OPPORTUNITIES, WHICH ARE FEW AS HE'S THE 3rd STRING PG, CLUTCH, CONFIDENT PLAYER, WEAK BODY STRENGTH

Eric Piatkowski (6'7", 215, 12 years pro): 3-POINT SPECIALIST, CAREER 40% SHOOTER FROM DEEP, DOESN'T DO MUCH ELSE

Darius Songaila (6’8”, 240, 3 years pro): PRODUCTIVE BIG MAN, GOOD JUMPSHOT WITH RANGE, SCORES DOWN LOW, REBOUNDS WELL, CREATIVE PASSER, 80%+ FTs, A SOLID PLAYER

Mike Sweetney (6’8”, 275, 3 years pro): VERY GOOD LOW-POST SCORER, WIDE LOAD IN THE PAINT, GREAT HANDS MAKE HIM AN EXCELLENT REBOUNDER, SLOW IN THE OPEN COURT, FOUL PRONE AT TIMES


I’ve also gotten better by playing lots of exhibition games, so I’m cranking up the difficulty level to SUPERSTAR.

[H Rock]

Too bad about your other dynasty. But good to see you back with your original team.

By the way, I hope you start this soon. I hate waiting.

[bullsfan009]

thanks Negative One, and I'll try to get some games up soon.

"Patience is a virtue"

[bullsfan009]

Game 1: Chicago Bulls (0-0) @ Milwaukee Bucks (0-0)

FINAL SCORE: MILWAUKEE 111, CHICAGO 90
Both teams started off the game on fire offensively, but the Bulls cooled off midway through the first quarter while the Bucks were unstoppable in building a 39-24 lead after 1. Michael Redd had 19 points on 9-for-10 shooting to lead the way. The Bulls, led especially by the solid play of Kirk Hinrich and Ben Gordon, climbed back to within 9 points in the opening minutes of the 4th quarter. But Milwaukee had another big run in them, and led by Redd's 12 fourth-quarter points, demolished the Bulls the rest of the way to post a big 21-point win.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Michael Redd (45 points, 5 rebounds, 21-for-27 FGs)

Highlights: Andres Nocioni blocks TJ Ford from behind on a fast break, and Michael Redd goes strong to the basket for 2 of his 45 points.


Bulls' Stats: http://bullsfan09.atspace.com/Gm01_CHI.txt
Bucks' Stats: http://bullsfan09.atspace.com/Gm01_MIL.txt
Team Stats: http://bullsfan09.atspace.com/Gm01_Teams.txt

BULLS' RECORD: 0-1

[H Rock]

Michael Redd was wow this game.

Do you have CPU Assisistance on?

And will you have gifs again?

[bullsfan009]

No, I don't think I have CPU Assistance on- I didn't touch it, and I think the default is OFF.

I actually made an animated GIF of the Nocioni block, but the file size was waaaay to big (there's a maximum file size of 400K to post off of Photobucket which is what I use for pics). For some reason the Live '04 screenshots are much bigger in file size than the Live '00, even after I convert them to GIFs. So to answer your question, no, I'm just going to be doing screenshots.

And Redd, yeah... Hinrich got burned.

My overall defense was pretty weak, though, and that may be because I was mostly playing on-the-ball D (guarding whoever had the ball). Is that what you Live 04 players out there do? Or do you play as your center maybe and "patrol the lane with bad intentions?"

[H Rock]

No, I don't think I have CPU Assistance on- I didn't touch it, and I think the default is OFF.

Well, it will make your games closer.

I actually made an animated GIF of the Nocioni block, but the file size was waaaay to big (there's a maximum file size of 400K to post off of Photobucket which is what I use for pics). For some reason the Live '04 screenshots are much bigger in file size than the Live '00, even after I convert them to GIFs. So to answer your question, no, I'm just going to be doing screenshots.

Why don't you just resize it? If you have IrfanView, you'll be able to do it fine.

My overall defense was pretty weak, though, and that may be because I was mostly playing on-the-ball D (guarding whoever had the ball). Is that what you Live 04 players out there do? Or do you play as your center maybe and "patrol the lane with bad intentions?"

Usually, I can't shut down a good dribbler on the perimeter in Superstar mode, so I usually let the CPU guard the other CPU player, while I just control my big man, and give some help when needed. But I can't control my big men all the time because it gets them tired out very quickly, and if your defenders let the CPU drive to the basket, they usually get a lot of fouls too.

[shadowgrin]

Eric Piatkowski (6'7", 215, 12 years pro): 3-POINT SPECIALIST, CAREER 40% SHOOTER FROM DEEP, DOESN'T DO MUCH ELSE
Now that's honesty.

do you play as your center maybe and "patrol the lane with bad intentions?"

That's what I always do in all versions of Live!

[bullsfan009]

Well, it will make your games closer.

I want to make my games closer by playing better, not by the computer helping me win

Why don't you just resize it? If you have IrfanView, you'll be able to do it fine.

good thinking there, I'll try that

Usually, I can't shut down a good dribbler on the perimeter in Superstar mode, so I usually let the CPU guard the other CPU player, while I just control my big man, and give some help when needed. But I can't control my big men all the time because it gets them tired out very quickly, and if your defenders let the CPU drive to the basket, they usually get a lot of fouls too.

alright...I'm thinking of using primarily Deng & Nocioni, who are versatile enough to guard the perimeter or contest shots & rebound underneath...

That's what I always do in all versions of Live!

Hmmm, I have a good shotblocker in Chandler, I'll have to try him too.

Thanks for the advice

[Diogo]

I'm back from my vacations today and it's good to see that now you is playing with the Bulls... Redd was in an awesome night... but looks like the FT shots was the diference for this game too... anyway, that was a tough loss... but I believe in your victory over the next team... good luck Bullsfan...

[DREeaZy06]

tough loss, but now fresh start with no crazy trades, yet lol, and ur playing with ur fav team so this one should be good, GL

btw i finally played a game, the season opener is up

[bullsfan009]

I'm back from my vacations today and it's good to see that now you is playing with the Bulls... Redd was in an awesome night... but looks like the FT shots was the diference for this game too... anyway, that was a tough loss... but I believe in your victory over the next team... good luck Bullsfan...

thanks Diogo, and you're right, the free throw story was big in that game, with them making 16 more FTs than me. Hopefully the Bulls will come out and get win #1 next game.

tough loss, but now fresh start with no crazy trades, yet lol, and ur playing with ur fav team so this one should be good, GL

btw i finally played a game, the season opener is up

thanks, and yeah, I saw your opening loss to Orlando & posted a comment. Hopefully your Knicks & my Bulls both make the playoffs at least...and I won't be doing any trading of my own in this season...I'm just going to follow what happens in the real NBA.

[bullsfan009]

Game 2: Toronto Raptors (2-1) @ Chicago Bulls (0-1)

FINAL SCORE: TORONTO 94, CHICAGO 91
The Bulls started the game strongly, building up a double-digit lead early in the first quarter. The lead was kept to a solid 8-10 points until the third quarter, when Toronto made their run with a 30 point effort in the period. The Bulls did no favors for themselves by shooting atrociously from the free throw line- they were 7-for-18 (38.9%) in the game. The Raptors, aided by a late Jalen Rose 3-pointer, closed out the Bulls in the United Center to improve to 3-1. The Bulls fell to 0-2 in this young season.
KEY PLAYERS: Starting PG Chris Duhon had a solid offensive night for the Bulls, leading the team with 24 points. Ben Gordon, Andres Nocioni, and Kirk Hinrich also contributed in double figures. Luol Deng was a disappointment with just 2 points in the game. For Toronto, Morris Peterson and Jalen Rose combined for 43 points, and rookie Charlie Villanueva was impressive as he hauled down 15 rebounds.

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Morris Peterson (22 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists)

HIGHLIGHTS

Kirk Hinrich leads Andres Nocioni on the break for the slam dunk!


Raptors rookie Joey Graham made an impact with 8 points and 8 rebounds.


Ben Gordon sinks a triple coming off a nice screen from Mike Sweetney.

STATS SECTION
Team Stats: http://bullsfan09.atspace.com/Gm2_Teams.txt
Bulls Stats: http://bullsfan09.atspace.com/Gm2_CHI.txt
Raptors Stats: http://bullsfan09.atspace.com/Gm2_TOR.txt

BULLS RECORD: 0-2

[H Rock]

Tough loss. Don't worry about the free throws. I have a lot of problems with them, too.

Ad, what GIF program did you use to make that GIF (nice GIF, by the way).

[bullsfan009]

Tough loss. Don't worry about the free throws. I have a lot of problems with them, too.

Ad, what GIF program did you use to make that GIF (nice GIF, by the way).

Yeah I don't know why the FTs are so hard Hopefully I'll adjust soon.

I use a freeware program called Microsoft GIF Animator to put together animated GIFs.

[bullsfan009]

Game 3: Dallas Mavericks (1-1) @ Chicago Bulls (0-2)

FINAL SCORE: MAVS 107, BULLS 100
The Bulls lost another tough game, this time at the hands of a very talented Dallas Mavericks team. Chicago led after the first quarter 29-25, but Dallas overtook them in the 2nd with a 9-0 run. The two teams see-sawed until the 4th, when the Mavericks went to their running game and the Bulls just couldn't keep up. Supersub Ben Gordon did all he could off the bench to give the Bulls a shot, but Jason Terry, Jerry Stackhouse, and Dirk Nowitzki were too much in the end.
KEY PLAYERS: For the Bulls, Luol Deng had his best game so far with 19 pts. Mike Sweetney also gave his best effort of the young season with 8 points and a game-high 15 rebs. Also, in just 24 minutes, Gordon had an impressive 27 pts. Finally, Kirk Hinrich had a double-double with 14 pts and 11 ast.
For Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki led the way. He scored 25 points in the game, taking advantage of smaller defenders like Nocioni and Sweetney. Jason Terry was very effective running the show, scoring 21 points while dishing out 6 assists. Erick Dampier had a solid game with 10 pts, 10 reb, and 3 blk, and veteran swingman Jerry Stackhouse contributed 20 points.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Dirk Nowitzki (25 pts, 14 rebs, 5 ast)

HIGHLIGHTS

Andres Nocioni knows how to finish in traffic. Noce finished with 15 pts, 6 reb, 3 ast, and 2 blocks


Jason Terry had a great game with 21 pts, 6 reb, 6 ast, and 3 stl. Here he delievers a facial over Ben Gordon.

STATS SECTION
Bulls: http://bullsfan09.atspace.com/Gm3_CHI.txt
Mavs: http://bullsfan09.atspace.com/Gm3_DAL.txt
Teams: http://bullsfan09.atspace.com/Gm3Teams.txt

BULLS RECORD: 0-3

[DREeaZy06]

tough close losses, except the milwaukee one, i like ur gifs, this one is already alot better than ur other one, keep it up

[H Rock]

And I suppose that you take those GIFs using the instant replay. If you do, then . That is really hard, I almost never have the patience to do that.

[shadowgrin]

Glancing at your stats, I'm guessing you have a problem with your perimeter defense.

[bullsfan009]

tough close losses, except the milwaukee one, i like ur gifs, this one is already alot better than ur other one, keep it up

thanks DREeaZy06, I'm trying, and I'm going to get that first win soon...

And I suppose that you take those GIFs using the instant replay. If you do, then . That is really hard, I almost never have the patience to do that.

yeah I use instant replay- that way I can choose the best camera angle, and take the screens at the right intervals. It doesn't take me very long, but I've done so many that I'm pretty fast...

Glancing at your stats, I'm guessing you have a problem with your perimeter defense.

Yeah, that's been a problem. But it's been me, not my players, because Duhon and Hinrich are both excellent defenders. So I've got to switch up who I'm playing as on D, and develop some sort of rhythm in my pressure, doubling, helping, and rotations. It'll get there

[skateballer]

I really like your dynasty, bullsfan BTW, nice pics

[Keo]

Hey bullsfan, sorry I haven't checked any of your Dynasties in a while...

Too bad about your Hornets but this looks as good as usual. I fail to understand the ratings though...Duhon is 81 and Nocioni 83?!

[H Rock]

Just noticed that in the Dallas game Jerry Stackhouse was 0-9 from the three-point line...And in the game against the Raptors, Morris Peterson was 1-12...

[bullsfan009]

I really like your dynasty, bullsfan BTW, nice pics

thanks skateballer

Hey bullsfan, sorry I haven't checked any of your Dynasties in a while...

Too bad about your Hornets but this looks as good as usual. I fail to understand the ratings though...Duhon is 81 and Nocioni 83?!

that's ok, welcome back...The reason why Duhon & Nocioni are rated like that is because of their great versatility.

Duhon- strong for a PG, quick, fast, very good handles, great passer, good spot-up 3-pt shooter, very high basketball IQ, good rebounder for a PG, very good steals, can dunk.

Nocioni- strong, pretty athletic, good rebounder, inside scorer, very good 3-pt shooter, high basketball IQ (esp. defense), good blocker, good dunker too

In the game the most versatile players are rated very high. I think Andre Iguodala is a 91. That doesn't mean he scores a lot, because he doesn't, it's just that he does almost everything well.

Just noticed that in the Dallas game Jerry Stackhouse was 0-9 from the three-point line...And in the game against the Raptors, Morris Peterson was 1-12...

Hinrich has been frustrating opposing 2s, I suppose. Also my rotations are getting much faster, and I'm just about always contesting 3s now.

[bullsfan009]

Game 4: Portland Trailblazers (1-2) @ Chicago Bulls (0-3)

FINAL SCORE: BULLS 109, BLAZERS 98 (O.T.) win #1!!!
The Bulls got their first win of the season in overtime over the Portland Trailblazers, but it wasn't easy as the final score may suggest. Chicago was down just 2 points at halftime, 42-40, but Portland outscored the Bulls 33-20 in the 3rd to take a 15 point lead into the 4th quarter, thanks to a brilliant combined performance by Sebastian Telfair (4-4 FGs) and Zach Randolph (6-11 FGs) in the period.
The Bulls didn't quit, though. They fought back in the 4th, playing suffocating defense and shooting at a 60% rate. Ben Gordon's tough baseline fadeaway jumper gave the Bulls their first lead in ages at 88-87, and another corner J by Ben made it 90-87. But Blazers rookie Martell Webster hit a big 3 to send the game into overtime.
In the extra period, the Bulls just dominated, scoring 19 points as they converted on their free throws in the clutch and kept Portland from getting hot. It was a great first win for the Bulls, one that will hopefully boost their confidence and spark some more victories.
Key Players: For the Bulls, Tyson Chandler had a double-double with 6 blocks, Ben Gordon had 18 pts and 9 ast off the bench, and Chris Duhon had 20 ps and 7 ast. Kirk Hinrich really struggled- 6 pts on 3-13 shooting, and Mike Sweetney also scored just 6 pts, on 3-12 shooting. For Portland, Zach Randolph had a huge game of 27 pts and 19 rebs. Telfair added 24, and Darius Miles chipped in 19 points.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Tyson Chandler (12 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 6 blocks )

HIGHLIGHTS

Luol Deng swishes in a corner jumper. He had a very good game of 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists.


Bulls coach Scott Skiles: "Tyson was very active tonight. I'm pleased with his peformance."

STATS SECTION
Bulls: http://bullsfan09.atspace.com/Gm4_CHI.txt
Blazers: http://bullsfan09.atspace.com/Gm4_POR.txt
Team Stats: http://bullsfan09.atspace.com/Gm4_TEAMS.txt

BULLS RECORD: 1-3