Chicago Bulls Dynasty - [18-19] - 'Gordons 38'

[Chris_23]

Just a little screenshot editing through a batch process I made and am using. Basically it's just a simple contrast enhancement and exposure simulation with saturation tweaks (to get a bit less color, since while I love color in general I just prefer different look for screenshots).

[Cornerthree]

Adam Morrison 23 points in 16 minutes

Anyways, nice update... Amazing that Kwame was able to get 20 boards in such limited time...

[dada]

Wow. My brain's a bit buzzed about now. Very nice to see the kind of effort you put into this, keep it up.

[Chris_23]

Adam Morrison 23 points in 16 minutes

Anyways, nice update... Amazing that Kwame was able to get 20 boards in such limited time...

I was amazed as well, but Bulls A had really weak rebounding pair, it doesn't seem like Aldridge's C position automatically means rebounds. (and if anyone's interested, my offensive rebounds slider is 0).

And Morrison is quite effective and fits my offence. Just that he seems to be tremendously inconsistent. He has made me curse more times than any other player in the team, but he's a valuable player having good shooting all across the court (inside shooting included), good speed for a white player and has a presence on court. Just, definetly not a starter, having many exploitable weaknesses.

[Chris_23]

(23-11)@(16-18)

'T-Mac explodes'

Chicago Bulls were in the good mood after recent practise that seemingly was one of the key factors in recent increase in team chemistry as many players did not feel threatened by trades anymore.

Nevertheless, the Bulls were not the only team in a good mood. The Rockets started off the game strong by abusing Bulls players hard time guarding good guard players. McGrady was the most active with ten points while Sura supported with eight.


Rockets, Welcome to United Center

The battle between Yao and Ben Wallace was also evident from the moment the game started, with Yao taking control. While Big Ben scored six points by overplaying Yao who had trouble guarding him, it was Yao who actually dominated on court.

The Bulls had a terrible perfomance in the second quarter. Seems like the young Bulls have hard time finding consistency, and while they lost the first quarter by eight points, in the second quarter, with T-Macs three-pointer buzzer-beater nailing the loss to twenty two points. Bulls failed to find the rythm and had hard time with ball possession, gathering up turnovers.

Tracy McGrady had gathered no less than thirty four points by the halftime.


Dunk of the day. The week. The month!

It is quite amazing that Rockets managed to score thirty eight in the quarter. Being the most-scoring team in the league definetly showed the Bulls that there's truth to the stat sheets.

Third quarter was one where the Bulls tried to stop the bleeding yet were not able to do so. While their shot selection improved it seemed as if the spirit had left the United Center. Thankfully it returned by the fourth quarter, even though alot of it was played against Rockets bench.

Bulls matched Rockets 38 points scored earlier, in final quarter. The game was more loose by that point and players found many open shots and all it took was a steady shot to take advantage. While definetly lifting the Bulls and it's fans spirits, the loss was a bitter one.


Kirk Hinrich starting Bulls fourth quarter run

89-112, the Bulls lose yet again.

It is interesting to note that Rockets seems to be the team that deals with Bulls no matter whom they put on court, the first matchup between the two in this season also ended with 110-128 loss.

Looking at the statistics it is hard to see how it happened. Scott Skiles really needs to focus on players defence, it has become obvious that the Bulls, while having one of the best shooting backcourt, they fail at defence. Kirk Hinrich has trouble against strong guards and Ben Gordon is at height disadvantage. The Bulls perfomance in the game was such that every player played a part in it who stepped on the court.

Kirk Hinrich perhaps tried the most. Pulling off nine assists is his best last five games. Offensively it seems that Kirk is finding what some time ago seemed lost, confidence and willingness to take over when it's needed. But against Rockets you can't win just by willpower.

Hinrich was on the court the whole game, scoring seventeen points and three long-range threepointers, but had hard time handling the ball as his sharp passes that previously have ended up with Bulls forwards, were cut short by Rockets defence. Ben Gordon is one of the players who again failed to find his strong perfomance in the first half, and while he did score all of his points in the second, it was far too late.

Nocioni was the fighter in the night and while the Bulls struggled, at times it seemed that he was so frustrated that his team was struggling that he forced shots. Amazingly, he scored seven times out of his eleven attempts, giving hope to Bulls fans with his better three point perfomance in a while.

Fans hoped that Kwame Brown will be able to be the key required to unlock Rockets defence, since it was known Yao and Ben will be at each other throats the whole night. But his perfomance was lower than was expected. Out of three bench players used by Skiles today, the most effective was Adam Morrison. But that's not saying he was effective in the game in large scale, scoring merely .333 from the floor.

Rockets had a dominant perfomance. Tracy McGrady's forty five points will be remembered by Bulls fans every single time T-Mac returns to United Center probably for a few, if not many more years.

Yao Ming scored 12 points with good .750 shooting and grabbed game high fourteen rebounds. Notable perfomance was also pulled off by Bob Sura who took advantage of Kirk Hinrich in the first half who had hard time adjusting to Sura's decisive offence.



Tracy McGrady
45PTS 4REB 1AST 3STL

BOX SCORES






(16-19)@(12-21)


Ben Wallace and Michael Ruffin
Kwame Brown and Antawn Jamison
Andres Nocioni and Matt Harpring
Ben Gordon and Caron Butler
Kirk Hinrich and Jarvis Hayes
matchup of the game

Unquestionably a matchup between two talented, yet struggling teams. Nevertheless the Wizards have an excuse, Gilbert Arenas has missed all but the first nine games of the season and Wizards have struggled since. Their backup point guard Shammond Williams is also out with an injury.

The Bulls however are missing just one talented young forward Marvin Williams and that hardly is the cause for recent Bulls struggles. Inconsistency however, is the main reason. Bulls, when finding chemistry on court and grab the initiative are a team no one (but Rockets probably) would like to face.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT WASHINGTON WIZARDS
Wizards are missing both point guards, including franchise star Gilbert Arenas. Upcoming game might be the last game Arenas misses as he is close to recovering and being ready for game time again.
Wizards are 6-9 at home.

AROUND THE LEAGUE
Miami Heat's Jason Williams is out for next ten weeks with a broken finger.

[Marquis]

Oh huge loss. T-Mac was unstoppable tonight, his 5/5 three pointers looks great.

Should be easy next game considering the fact, that both their PGs will miss the game. Good luck!

[Cornerthree]

God, so many points in such shooting percentage... He's a beast(T-Mac)...

I agree with Marquis... You should win against Wizards for sure...

[hova-]

Tough loss, T-Mac was feelin it ... I think that is exactly the same thing I wrote yesterday in Pursuer´s thread
Wizards should be a win, definitely.

[Chris_23]

(16-19)@(12-21)

'Solid team perfomance'

The game at Washington brought in many Wizards fans despite their problems this season. A struggle between two teams started off in the very first minutes in the game, both teams showing at times skills to outplay their opponent. But both teams also pushed the issue at times, forcing shots that could have found a better use of their offense.


Wizards were most effective in the first quarter, finding open shots

Wizards had Thomas and Butler running the guard position, and as has been the case with Bulls defense, Gordon and Hinrich had trouble containing them. Butler was especially effective. Antawn Jamison was quiet in the first quarter, compared to Kwame Brown who grabbed three rebounds and scored four points, but more importantly was a presence on the court.

Bulls guards were not quiet either, Hinrich ended up with eight points and Morrison and Gordon combined for eight as well.


Strong support perfomance by Wallace

In second quarter it became evident that the Wizards miss a point guard - any point guard. Butler found his shots missing over and over again and Jamison was merely a shadow of his previous perfomances. The Bulls held Wizards to eight points in the second quarter and took an eighteen point lead by the half with Hinrich leading the way scoring fourteen points and having three assists.

At that point, the Bulls never let go. While Antawn Jamison tried to take entire game into his own hands and pulled off two amazing baskets in the third quarter, entire team by his side failed. After Jamison missed a clear dunk Steve Kerr commented the Wizards offense being one of the worst perfomances he has ever seen. The Bulls led by thirty eight points by the end of third quarter and saw the Bulls forward Nocioni score ten points in the quarter.


Ridnour in his active fourth quarter perfomance

In the fourth quarter the Bulls substituted in many of it's bench players. Young Jeffrey Jordan missed handful of shots but did score four points with a rebound and an assist. Similar struggle was noticable in Ridnours perfomance, however Ridnour was very active and performed the best in the last quarter.

Bulls ended up with a thirty point victory, 94-64.

Bulls displayed again a team perfomance and had five players with points in double digits. Kirk Hinrich was the leader of the group, ending up with twenty one points, five assists and a steal.

Wizards best perfomance was surprisingly by Matt Harpring who scored sixteen points and two threepointers. Jamison was effective at boards and scored many in the final quarter, but such perfomance was barely worth a notice against bench of Bulls team. It was obvious that Wizards missed a point guard, as a player in point guard position, Jarvis Hayes, was in foul trouble and forced many shots ending up with merely 2 of 12 shooting.




Kirk Hinrich
21PTS 3REB 5AST 1STL

BOX SCORES






(12-22)@(17-19)


Ben Wallace and Jason Collins
Kwame Brown and Mikki Moore
Andres Nocioni and Richard Jefferson
Ben Gordon and Vince Carter
Kirk Hinrich and Jason Kidd
matchup of the game

New Jersey has been 1-1 since their last matchup with Chicago Bulls just some time ago. This time the Nets come to United Center and hope for a payback through teamwork, since they do need strong perfomance in the post. The Bulls proved that even if Carter and Kidd dominate the court, they are able to handle them.

Kidd's 45 points against Hinrich last time they played is something of a concern to many of Bulls fans. However Hinrich is regaining his December form and might repeat his great perfomance against the Nets once more - Hinrich scored 26 points with 5 to 8 threepointers, seven assists and four steals last time they met.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT NEW JERSEY NETS
The Nets are a better perfomance playing on the road than they are at home, with 5-8 result so far, as opposed to 7-14 they have in New Jersey.
Vince Carter is rumoured to be unhappy with Nets management and coaching decisions so far this season.

AROUND THE LEAGUE
San Antionio Spurs have increased their two-game winning streak to fascinating nine games, including a win against the Cavs who are currently second in the league.

[Cornerthree]

Not bad, look to win a few more games and maybe make a winning streak...

[Chris_23]

Winning streak is a possibility if I manage to pull it off without losing consistency against Nets and Grizzlies. But the rest of the month has some tough matchups, Spurs, Jazz, Michael Redd, Dallas, Heat.. I think i'll be happy if I manage to pull off a .500, but I have to improve by seasons half. I'm hoping for increased chemistry in the team, PJ Browns trade hit me quite hard, he held lineup synergy at near-maximum and whenever my starting lineup was on the court the team perfomed really well. Kwame has a way to go to fill those shoes.

I also updated the original monthly reports with newer art, and added shedules for those who are interested.

[Chris_23]

(12-22)@(17-19)

'Gordons 38'

The Nets against Bulls game started off with a fast-paced offense from both sides. Kidd managed to outplay Hinrich again, but Bulls guard got his players involved with the game and had Ben Gordon match Kidd's first quarter perfomance. Scott Skiles was seemingly wondering whether to try another matchup in defense against Kidd, with Nocioni being a potential stopper, yet Skiles started the second quarter with Hinrich against Kidd again.


Vince Carter was artistry to behold yet again in the matchup

Carter and Kidd continued their amazing teamwork in the second quarter and the game moved with initiative changing from one team to another. Bulls had their hilights with couple beautiful open threepointers, but so did the Nets. Chicago led by halftime with five points, Kidd and Ben Wallace with his great post-work being best players at the half.


Kwame Brown grabbing high up the missed threepointer and scoring strong

The third quarter showed the competition getting even more intense. Kidd and Carter were getting in the game that seemingly favored them, until Kirk Hinrich and Ben Gordon found teamwork they had been chasing and aiming for the whole season. Hinrich showed fabulous vision of the court and ended up with six assists in the quarter while Ben Gordon scored seventeen points as the quarter ended with ten points Bulls lead.


Sergeant Hinrich leading his team to victory

Fourth quarter saw Kirk Hinrich sit down and grab a rest while Ridnour was sent on the court to handle the offense. Nets made a strong run while Ridnour was on court with Kidd outplaying the young pointguard all across the floor. But it did not matter that much since the Bulls managed to hold the charging Nets back and take a sweet home victory. Ben Gordon pulled off more or less a repeat of his recent perfomance against Nets, but outdid himself by one point, ending up with 38.

Chicago Bulls win 109-102

There was alot good in the game for the Bulls, and this must be the single most impressive perfomance by the post-trade Bulls to date. While Ben Wallace was the player of the game for dominating at boards, dishing out four assists and ending up with 16 points, Bulls had two other player-of-the-game perfomances on the court.

Ben Gordon ended up with thirty eight points and while his games recently have been inconsistent at times, he had the touch today scoring four threepointers and hit 17 shots out of 31 attempts. Gordon has scored 75 points against the Nets in last two matchups.

The third player-of-the-game perfomance was rolled by Kirk Hinrich who was only a bit below Ben Wallaces perfomance thanks to struggling shooting perfomance on the court. Hinrich ended up with fourteen points and season-high seventeen assists, along with five rebounds.

New Jersey Nets backcourt performed amazingly yet again with Kidd on 37 points, Carter on 30 and Jefferson with 21. Carter however missed a few key plays in the fourth and failed to bring his team back from behind. Kidd also pulled off fourteen assists, confirming that the key matchup in the game was between the two potential all-star pointguards.



Ben Wallace
16PTS 19REB 4AST 2STL

BOX SCORES






(17-19)@(18-19)


Ben Wallace and Stromile Swift
Kwame Brown and Pau Gasol
Andres Nocioni and Rodney Carney
Ben Gordon and Mike Miller
Kirk Hinrich and Damon Stoudamire
matchup of the game

Two teams with very similar result this season so far, but Memphis has struggled very hard lately and has failed to find the rythm. Pau Gasol is trying hard to make the team a success but so far this season the team has been merely average.

Chicago Bulls however play another game at home after taking two wins against such average teams. Bulls have been inconsistent this season, yet last game saw the Bulls have three very dangerous players on the court, and Nocioni-Carney matchup might shut down Memphis' rookies perfomance in the game as well.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
Stoudamire is not 100% for the game as he is still recovering from a leg injury suffered earlier in the season.
Memphis Grizzlies is leagues leader with turnovers, with Carney having one hundred of them so far.
Rodney Carney was Decembers West Rookie of the Month and his 14 points per game are invaluable for Memphis.
Memphis has lost last four games, and all of them at home.


AROUND THE LEAGUE
Kobe Bryant scored 39 points against Orlando Magic on 12th.



Thus ends my weekend, might be slow in updates during workdays but will try to post something from time to time.

[Marquis]

Good win, Ben Wallace exploded and Gordon had a great shooting night. Kinda surprised that Nets are playing pretty poor if they have such a record.

[Chris_23]

Here's an edited image of Jeffrey Jordan, had an idea in mind and wanted to pull this off and ended up with this one. While I doubt anyone would be interested, but here it is:



Larger version:
http://kristovaher.pri.ee/nbalive/jeffrey_jordan_picture.jpg

[hova-]

Nice win over the (weak?) Nets, but J-Kidd again putting up big numbers ...
The pic looks really nice, you did cut quite carefully, I´m usually lacking of patience for those things, maybe I will add this in my dynasty more often

[Chris_23]

Nice win over the (weak?) Nets, but J-Kidd again putting up big numbers ...
The pic looks really nice, you did cut quite carefully, I´m usually lacking of patience for those things, maybe I will add this in my dynasty more often

Heh, thanks. And no I did not cut but the end result was quite the same I love spicing up my gaming experience with such non-matchup things from time to time and grabbed such a sweet simple dribble move of Jeffrey that I just -had- to take and edit it.

And Nets seem to be easy to handle for me. I have problems guarding both guard positions.. Hinrich and Gordon are really not that much of a force against stronger guards out there, but when I have control in the post, even if I don't score points there myself, I can handle the game flow quite well. And this helpes my lineup to strike down the opposition, it's rare if I have less than two three-point shooters on court at all times, and Big Ben loves it with those passes to open shooters.

[JohnA20]

Wow, great dynasty, everything is so clear and the picture look so good. Having Jordan is also tweaking my curiosity. Keep it up

[Chris_23]

Well, sadly I have to give up. Since I added Jeffrey Jordan midpoint of the season, it seems now it creates a players.dbf error and I have no idea how to fix it. I tweaked everything possible in appearance.dbf, players.dbf and teams.dbf and it's still messed up. Something to do with player training since assistant's duty menu also does not work.

*sighs*

[hova-]

Do you think you will return with a new dynasty, this one was pretty exciting.

[Chris_23]

Do you think you will return with a new dynasty, this one was pretty exciting.

Sadly this did not really get anywhere. The crash was a result of Jeffrey Jordans midseason custom dbf editing. And it did not even show right away, only few ingame months later which was quite a shock. I don't think I have enough motivation to devote so much time into another one, and busy with exams right now anyway so not really in a position to predict the future. We'll see though, but thanks for the subtle compliment.

[Aircam]

Yeah yeah yeah Gordon show what he got Great game by him...nice...wallpaper?