Chicago Bulls Thread

[Andrew]

And probably Wade will put someone in foul trouble too.

Spot on.

Good game despite the loss, a couple of blunders threw it away at the end. But that's the advantage of the Bulls making the playoffs these last couple of years, they're gaining experience in these situations.

[Fewrookies-From2kW/Love]

I think we have a chance. We only need one out of the 2 in miami. we proven we can compete with them just by the fact that we only lost by 5.

[Dean]

I thought the Bulls were going to steal that one when Gordon tied the game up at 87-87 or something like that. Chi-Town played well, Gordon lit them up, Nocioni was his usual playoff self, and despite a slow start, Hinrich finished well.

Speaking of Hinrich though, i thought he did an excellent job defending Wade, he always had a hand in his face and stuff like that.

Hopefully we can take Game 2

[Andrew]

Hinrich did play well despite a slow start with his shooting, but he was responsible for a couple of the key errors down the stretch. With the game being so close and competitive I agree they've got a chance (not necessarily a good one) in the series but inexperience will continue to come into play. At the very least, I don't think they'll disgrace themselves in this series.

[air gordon]

i don't think inexperience is a big factor here- they've been in many close games this year and Coach Skiles gets them to play hard on every possession. though i guess you could say Deng is somewhat inexperienced since that was his 1st playoff game. maybe he could have played more but i think Skiles was right when he mentioned that the lineups he had out there were playing well... that Deng was just the odd man out

i don't think Deng will be a victim of that again, especially since Haslem is out for game 2. i'm guessing we'll see Skiles employ a small lineup and try to get Deng more involved

IMO they are overmatched talent wise so when they make small mistakes, it's hurts them even more. Payton did a great job denying Gordon the ball at the end and Wade was awesome in the end

we'll see if the fatman can dominate again on 1 days rest...

[Andrew]

But they have dropped their fair share of close games this year. I still think inexperience at least plays a part in some of the small mistakes they make.

[Fewrookies-From2kW/Love]

Damn, but not to worry, NJ will get their and the bull's revenge!!!

[Fewrookies-From2kW/Love]

But they have dropped their fair share of close games this year. I still think inexperience at least plays a part in some of the small mistakes they make.

If it really was inexperience, they wouldn't comeback time and time again. They play like veteran team. Is just that they don't really have a big time scorer, or they atleast haven't extablish Gordon to be that yet, since Nocioni gets quite alot of the gaming winning opportunities.

[Andrew]

So when they're looking a bit panicked and making key errors down the stretch in a playoff game, what would you call it? Bad luck? A case of the Basketball Gods not smiling upon them? Considering the amount of close games they've lost, as well as big leads they've given up this year, I think saying they play like a veteran team is a bit of a stretch given the trouble they've had closing out games.

When they fail to find the open man with the hot hand on a crucial play or fire up a rushed shot way too early, they're not doing something an experienced club would do. Hence, I'd say that given a lot of their players are still fairly green, especially in playoff competition, I'd say that experience, or in this case the lack thereof, is still a slight handicap at this point.

I agree they do play much better than you would expect of such a young team, but they do have moments where they make mistakes a more experienced/wily, veteran team likely would not. I think part of the reason they panic and rushed down the stretch is because of their inexperience. It's not a huge issue because as you said they do keep coming back, but I think it remains part of their downfall in spots. But they're gaining experience so as the team continues to grow, mature and mesh those moments should become fewer.

[air gordon]

i believe that their inexperience plays a factor, I just don't agree with the amount you're implying, Andrew

as far as finding the 'hot hand', namely Gordon, Miami has a done a great job of denying him the ball, specifically Payton, who has been face guarding him and other Heat defenders don't leave him to give 'help side' on the Bulls pick and roll

Chicago has to start doubling Wade. Hinrich's a good defender but he can't stop him alone. and they should trap him immediately, not give help side or double him in the middle of his move.

geez if only Chandler was a competent player on offense

i'll be at game 3. i'm thinking of sporting the Goatee in honor of Nocioni

[Its_asdf]

I'd like to see the Bulls fan's take on Tyson Chandler. He's been given plenty of time to prove himself, and while he is a solid rebounder and shotblocker, I don't think he really gives anything else. His offence is still pretty raw and his strength is questionable. I wonder if he'll live up to the money he got.

[air gordon]

there are plenty of posts about that in this thread, its asdf

was supposed to be the next KG, then the next rasheed wallace, then the next Marcus Camby, and now... Adonal Foyle?

Chandler's biggest obstacle on offense is his confidence. if he makes a dumb play on defense or offense from the start, he plays like shit on offense.

and i agree- this guy has been in the league for 5yrs and hasn't developed one single move on offense unless you count "not catching the ball when wide open underneath the basket" a move

and it would help him a whole damn lot if he actually put some time working out/working on his game this offseason. i can't believe this prick did jack shit this past offseason. it's bogus that players use the excuse "i don't want to get hurt before i sign my big fat contract so i'll do nothing in offseason"

[Its_asdf]

Heh. I find it funny that Chicago had to decide between a lazy fat ass who can't rebound or a lazy, skinny prick who can't score. Both of them drafted in the same years and both of them basically have shown no improvement throughout their careers.

[Andrew]

i believe that their inexperience plays a factor, I just don't agree with the amount you're implying, Andrew

as far as finding the 'hot hand', namely Gordon, Miami has a done a great job of denying him the ball, specifically Payton, who has been face guarding him and other Heat defenders don't leave him to give 'help side' on the Bulls pick and roll

Perhaps I am exaggerating a bit, the Playoffs do magnify it somewhat. But as far as finding Gordon, I was talking about the play where Hinrich brought it back out, ignored Gordon who was open at the three point line and took an awkward shot himself. The Heat did a great job of denying him the ball on other plays at the end there, though Nocioni didn't even try to find him once they made the inbounds.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not totally against him taking threes because he's proven he can knock them down and I'm not calling for their heads and demanding they be run out of town, to me it just looked like they panicked a bit in crunch time - which is understandable - and I think inexperience had a little to do with that.

i'll be at game 3. i'm thinking of sporting the Goatee in honor of Nocioni

Way ahead of you, though mine was originally inspired by David Faustino.

As far as Chandler goes, I agree with AG. It's a shame, if you could take the best from Chandler and the best from Eddy Curry, you might have the big man the Bulls are lacking right now.

[Fewrookies-From2kW/Love]

I'm beginning to like Nocioni

[Drex]

I've always liked him, we have the same name

[BIG GREEN]

omg...Heinrich made a dagger 30 foot jumper... thats fuckin nuts. Lakers might beat pheonix in the first round..and now bulls might beat the heat. This year's playoffs in unreal.

[Fewrookies-From2kW/Love]

My boy Hinrich is taking over

Who would have thought that little O Hinrich would shine over D-wade while shutting him down.

But Chandler injury was not pretty. I think he is done for the season.
That greatly deminish over hopes

[Fenix]

Dayum, Hinrich is good and Wade is seriously overrated.

[BIG GREEN]

Yes...quite overrated cause he's played exceptional against every team but the bulls.

[Its_asdf]

I was never a big Bull fan, but wow, with all of the young players that they have I find it impressive they can play the way they do. I really hope they can pull the upset over the Heat, the most overrated team in the league.

[air gordon]

it's nice to see some people show some love for the Bulls... although before the Suns-Laker games that one network was showing a bunch of Miami highlights and just one Bulls highlight in Chicago's win today

[dada]

Dayum, Hinrich is good and Wade is seriously overrated.

I wouldnt say he is overrated. I'm not a big fan of his like I used to be but I must admit this guys pulls spectacular plays out of his ass time and time again. Its just the Bulls have a nice defensive approach geared towards him.

[air gordon]

omg...Heinrich made a dagger 30 foot jumper... thats fuckin nuts. ...and now bulls might beat the heat. This year's playoffs in unreal.

lol you figure with the kind of series he's having some people would start getting his name right

Geez, Wade by no means is overrated. He was fantastic in Games 1 & 2- made Hinrich look like he wasn't guarding him. Then these past 2 games, Hinrich and the rest of the Bulls team defense made some adjustments and have been successful in limiting him

[Axel]

Then these past 2 games, Hinrich and the rest of the Bulls team defense made some adjustments and have been successful in limiting him

That's easily explained.... Shaq has been in foul trouble, and when he and Posey are out, the Bulls can collapse on D-wade.

Just amazed that Shaq hasn't learned yet what he can/can't get away with as far as fouls. You'd think that after being in foul trouble nearly every game all season he'd try to avoid bowling over defenders, but nope.... *sigh*