Game Thread #25: Bulls vs. Los Angeles Lakers

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Dec 19, 2006 6:42 PM CST in News

I think the Daily Herald said it best in today's headline: "Winning's nice, but can Bulls beat a good team?"

The wins are stacking up and the Bulls are considered a force again (click that link and look for the shout-out!). But as I told Kurt at ForumBlueandGold (one of the best blogs in the NBA sub-sphere), I've never been so unenthused over 11 wins out of 12 games before. I will say that I (and likely everyone here) would've been pretty depressed over losing any games in this stretch, the schedule was that soft and the Bulls should be beating bad teams.

Not that the Lakers are bad by any means, but this game is also winnable. The Lakers have a good record and point differential, but have only had a total of 7 road games all season before tonight. And they are now missing their second-best player, Lamar Odom. Here's Kurt's take on how that affects their team (and more):

The Lakers really miss Odom. Yes, his scoring is part of that, but what they've missed more was his defensive versatility and his rebounding. Vladamir Radmanovic found his shot last game and his figuring out the spaces where he is comfortable in the triangle offense, but he is a massive defensive drop off from Odom. The Laker defense since Odom went down has been off. Another thing missed is Odom used to grab defensive rebounds and then push the ball and run the break himself, ala Magic Johnson. Now, the Lakers are missing that pace, that presence, and that second offensive option when other teams go with "The Kobe Rules." Nobody else is stepping up, at least consistently, Kobe is shouldering the load.

VladRad has been starting games, but your boy [Former Illini! -Matt] Cook has been finishing them. In the last three games Cook has been on the plus side of the plus/minus numbers and Vlad on the minus side each time. Cook hit the key three to send the game to overtime against Washington. You may get to see a fair amount of him tonight.

The Lakers tend to struggle against quick guards that can get in the lane (see Arenas, Gilbert: 60 points). Been that way for a couple of years because Smush is long and creates steals but does not stay in front of guys well (Jordan Farmar is better but makes rookie errors, although he and Smush are about even in minutes now most nights). The difference really is how into the game the centers are. Last game against the Bulls Andrew Bynum was up and focused to take on Ben Wallace, he had some early blocks and established presence inside. Kwame Brown did the same thing off the bench. But the last few games that has not been the case, they have been slow to rotate if at all. I have no idea which version of Bynum is going to show up night to night, neither does Phil. That's why Kwame starts, he's not as dynamic but he's far more consistent.

So look for Deng and Nocioni to have good games in Odom's absence, as well as the rejuvenated (or feasting on the East?) Ben Wallace to be more of a factor.

But despite a deficiency at the point, the Lakers still have Kobe Bryant, who is a matchup nightmare for Kirk Hinrich (and most everyone...as he is the best player in the NBA). Am I the only one who'd rather just sacrifice Duhon's fouls and have him guard Kobe in the opening minutes? Last game Kirk got into foul trouble quick and was a complete dud for the rest of the game.

Whether it's against beatable teams or not, the Bulls are improving and winning. There are few statement games in December anyway, although I'd be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to 12/30 against Cleveland. But this Lakers squad is a step up in class from the dregs of the Eastern Conference, and will be a good test to see if the Bulls can maintain their winning ways.

This is an open game thread, so it is your time to reminisce over the '00-'01 Illini squad that was a #1 seed and fell one game short of the Final 4...

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Comments

Kobe interview

Listen to 'local' radio doofus Sean Salisbury slobber all over Kobe Bryant. Apparently the NBA has quarterbacks, and Gilbert Arenas scoring a bunch of points means he isn't a 'team' guy. All sorts of icky in this podcast.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Dec 19, 2006 7:37 PM CST reply actions

oops, wrong link

http://espnrad.vo.llnwd.net/o10/espnradio/salisbury/sals061219.mp3

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Dec 19, 2006 7:38 PM CST up reply actions

uh....

why do you care what Sean Salisbury says, about anything (except battlebots)?

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Dec 19, 2006 7:41 PM CST up reply actions

I heard about

the interview earlier today regarding Kobe saying he was so close to being a Bull he was looking at homes and schools in Chicagoland. The icky Salisbury stuff was too overpowering not to mention. I probably should have just stuck to the semi-interesting Bulls part.

I still think the Battlebot producers were speeding up the tape of the show to make it watchable, but I was smoking a lot of pot back then.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Dec 19, 2006 7:49 PM CST up reply actions

paxjax

you smoke? you seem pretty tense on the boards...haha

by milesgmsu on Dec 20, 2006 3:39 PM CST up reply actions

A-Drain

(just wanted to keep the ball rolling on that nickname) Interesting choice of putting Griffin in after Noc got two quick fouls. I guess the Lakers had a small frontcourt themselves (kwame-vlad-walton) so it's passable. And how about Skiles putting Duhon on Kobe!!

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Dec 19, 2006 7:59 PM CST reply actions

Yeesh

I kind of feel like this thread being D.O.A. is my fault. The T.V. boys aren't half bad tonight. Talking about the triangle is right up Stace's wheelhouse.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Dec 19, 2006 8:16 PM CST reply actions

Nocioni's

game is MIA. He needs to find it quick. The Bulls need to protect the ball better too. Jeesh!!

Thabo....the accent is sweet!!

by sue369 on Dec 19, 2006 8:40 PM CST reply actions

::angry face::

10 TOs

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Dec 19, 2006 8:42 PM CST up reply actions

Sweetney's shoes are officially

on my Christmas list. If he can dunk in them...

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Dec 19, 2006 9:21 PM CST reply actions

Sweetney may be

the best 12th man of all time.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Dec 19, 2006 9:29 PM CST reply actions

I think him and Duhon

are having secret practice sessions together. They had some great screen/rolls on several posessions there.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Dec 19, 2006 9:33 PM CST up reply actions

khryapa

seems to be our twelfth man now a days. I do feel bad for him.

by Sambossanova on Dec 19, 2006 10:37 PM CST up reply actions

What's Kirk been doing?

I've only been able to follow online.

by Bullschicago on Dec 19, 2006 9:56 PM CST reply actions

foul trouble

and he just had a bad game overall. Even Smush Parker was abusing him tonight.

Nocioni also barely saw the floor in the 4th

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Dec 19, 2006 10:02 PM CST up reply actions

I've decided

to officially embrace Red, Stace, and Tom forever.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Dec 19, 2006 10:26 PM CST up reply actions

whoops

Wrong comment. This is probably better off out of context anyway.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Dec 19, 2006 10:27 PM CST up reply actions

lol

You're gonna need longer arms.

by ChrisRobin on Dec 20, 2006 1:35 AM CST up reply actions

BIG WIN!

I didn't get to watch the game, but I saw the last quater and a half on ESPN gamecasts, but it looked like a solid win. THoughts from anyone who got to watch it?

Whenever you feel about complaining about the Bulls... just remember the days when Jabba the Krause ran the team... *vomits in mouth*

by SouthSideIrish @ Blog a Bull on Dec 19, 2006 9:59 PM CST reply actions

Duhon

I gotta give him credit tonight, especially in the second half. He was even shooting when he was open! Similar unexpected production from Thabo and Sweets.

Deng and Gordon carried most of the load, obviously, but those other guys were surprises.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Dec 19, 2006 10:05 PM CST reply actions

Matt's guy, Duhon, is improving

The tv guys have started calling him the calming influence, and I guess the "third year theory" rings true cuz Duhon has been much, much better this season. That start to the 4th was just basketball poetry between he and Sweets.

Fleece the Pig, Flog the Pony

by james@lifeinthecell on Dec 19, 2006 10:12 PM CST up reply actions

I'm digging

the T.V. crew. If they are going to annoy the fans of whoever the Bulls are playing, mission accomplished.

http://forums.lakersground.net/viewtopic.php?t=34001&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=675

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Dec 19, 2006 10:14 PM CST reply actions

NBATV had the comcast feed tonight

so a lot of fans were probably horrified with their awfulness.

That said, they were not a 'national' broadcast and didn't have to be unbiased.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Dec 19, 2006 10:20 PM CST up reply actions

Many Thoughts

Lakers played really solid D tonight. But they don't really have the defensive horses, and The Big Footwork was able to bring us back.

Nocioni had what might have been his worst game. Overplaying passing lanes at bad times, not boxing out (although that's not new), and just generally looking wild.

I swear the Lakers get more calls than anyone in the league. The one where two players hugged Sweets as he was shooting, yet no call, was especially annoying.

Stacey King was killing me tonight. I finally agree with the rest of you. He's gotta go. He comments between each Dore sentence. If he has nothing new to say, he just repeats either:
"The Bulls just need to execute."
"That's what the triangle allows you to do."
"Someone's got to step up."
Maybe he was just off tonight. At one point, he bothered me so much I had to change channels. Something About Mary was on and I heard: "We got a bleeder!" "He was masturbating!" "This kind of stuff never happened with Woogie." "He was masturbating!"

Sorry - I'm in a good mood. Big win for the Bulls, despite a generally sloppy game. Great work from Deng of course - he was the game's one constant. Duhon still had some shot selection problems, but played GREAT D on Kobe and made some really nice passes. Sweets stole the show in the early/mid 4th quarter.

Deng 4 MVP, 2008!

by corey williams corey benjamin on Dec 19, 2006 10:17 PM CST reply actions

About the Lakers

two points...

1) Smush Parker played a very good game. If that's par for the course for him, the Lakers have a very undervalued PG. His defense alone was pretty steady; his hands were everywhere.

2)They have a pretty decent center tandem in Kwame and Bynum. I thought Kwame was a bum, a nothing, until watching this game. He's improved in light years. He's got a big body, and when he got position Wallace was overmatched from time to time. Bynum, off the bench, is/will be a Kwame clone.

As a hoops fan, I like what the Lakers are building, and when Odom gets healthy, Phil has a Bulls copy.

Fleece the Pig, Flog the Pony

by james@lifeinthecell on Dec 20, 2006 7:35 AM CST up reply actions

King's really that bad?

Since I can't get League pass (curse Paul Allen and Charter!), I haven't seen him. I've heard him on Chicago radio the past couple of years talking about the team, and he sounded good.

Probably would be better without Mr. Dore.

by KT on Dec 19, 2006 10:25 PM CST reply actions

Stace

I think he's not bad in a studio or just discussing things. Right now, he can't seem to get any kind of flow going courtside - and he doesn't have much rapport w/ Red or Dore in my opinion. I still get a kick out of Red, though.

Deng 4 MVP, 2008!

by corey williams corey benjamin on Dec 19, 2006 11:30 PM CST up reply actions

"smiles"

by Option27 on Dec 20, 2006 10:46 AM CST up reply actions

Thoughts from the 300 level tonight

) Do refs understand what an illegal (moving) screen is?

Is it possible to cause an offensive foul by jump shooting a 3 pointer, as Ben Gordon did in the 2nd quarter?
Will Hinrich ever be treated better than a rookie?
Thabo getting called for a charge in the 4th while the defender was moving straight into him was flat out shit.
Kobe got his ass shut down for the second time this year by the Bulls.

Fuck it. I could go on about the terrible calls tonight, but it was a good win that we toughed out in the second half. At least The Rapist got his ass fouled out before he could sodomize anyone else. Go Bulls and God bless.

I love you Ben, you almost make me forget about...tacos.

by eddiew23 on Dec 19, 2006 11:13 PM CST reply actions

I was there too.

Man, Bulls fans really enjoy booing Kobe. I mean so do I, for lots of reasons, but the crowd was really fired up last night. It was a lot of fun actually.

I agree that Gordon offensive foul was pretty ridiculous (as well as the one right after when he was bringing the ball up court). Yes, Gordon probably initiated contact with his leg, but that's never called an offensive foul in the NBA. It's a no call at worst, if Kobe did it that would be a foul on the Bulls.

by Eddy Currys Broken Heart on Dec 20, 2006 8:57 AM CST up reply actions

i was in 307

and those were my exact thoughts....refs were atrocious.

We were able to watch the guys shoot around at like 4:30, and I had a couple observations.

You don't realize how truly big these men are on tv.

Kirk has one of the best looking shots I've ever seen.

I saw Kirk nail about 3 shouts out of 5 sitting on the bulls bench and shooting at the hoop...all nothing but net...pretty impressive

Tyrus shot doesn't look consistent...his elbow seems to end up at a different place everytime

by milesgmsu on Dec 20, 2006 3:41 PM CST up reply actions

Kirk

I think Hollinger was the first to mention it, it is disappointing that Hinrich has posted such poor FG percentages with such a good jump shot. Some of it is his inability to finish his drives, obviously. My hope is that his improved percentage this year is a result of having better teammates and not having to force so many shots. That would make the improvement more likely to stick.

by Eddy Currys Broken Heart on Dec 20, 2006 4:35 PM CST up reply actions

Gotta say

one of the announcers really butchered Vujacic's name, pronouncing the J and all. I thought it was funny.

Good to see the Bulls though. I rarely got to watch games before this season since I moved to the east coast.

by tal1286 on Dec 19, 2006 11:18 PM CST reply actions

Missed the Game

I have a final tomaro, but im gonna stay up and try to watch the game on the comcast rerun, if it even happens. I saw some of the clips, though i didnt want to, my brother told me who won by calling me at work, so i guess no reason for me to even bother not watching the highlights. I liked the sweets highlights, and was excited about the one sefalosha move when he did that crazy reverse up and over layup. I expect great things from sefelosha, and i take this as a sign. Sadly my boy hinrich wasnt in the highlight reels...damn.

im trying hard to become the next kirk hinrich, therefore im doing nothing more than being the next chris duhon.

by piccolomair on Dec 20, 2006 1:53 AM CST reply actions

I stayed up

through the 4th quarter. I watched the rest this morning. Sweetney and Duhon played very well. Gordon plays well in spurts. I hate when he rushes things. All I'm going to say about the ref's is I hope the Lakers took good care of them on their flight after the game. Horrible!!

I guess the announcers are growing on me. I think Stacey and Tom get along ok but I don't think Red and Stacey get along. Red makes jabs at Stacey every chance he gets. They are what they are and right now they are ours like it or not.

Why do the players take turns having good games? It's either Kirk and Deng or Kirk and Nocioni or it's Gordon and Nocioni or Gordon and Deng. What will happen when they all hit on the same night?

Thabo....the accent is sweet!!

by sue369 on Dec 20, 2006 1:12 PM CST reply actions