Game Thread #75: Bulls at Philadelphia 76ers

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 5, 2006 5:30 PM CDT in News

Ah yes, our new rivals, the Sixers.

I think they're terrible, and the Bulls can win these next couple games. The Bulls may not have Allen Iverson, but they have a far better coach, and actually play defense. Philly has the 23rd ranked defense in the league, in no small part because Chris Weber can't move one of his legs.

Both teams play fast-paced, so the key for the Bulls will be if they can avoid their trademark cold spells and score into the hundreds against Philly's soft defense. I'm pretty confident the Bulls can limit Iverson and Webber to the point where they won't be able to keep up. Remember, the Bulls absolutely ran them out of the gym in the last game before the all-star break.

Some other facts about the Sixers:

Before their draft, I torn between the Bulls taking either Andre Iguodala or Luol Deng. Iggy's a good defender and would be a nice 'true' 2, but still like Luol more. Maybe him AND Deng (and no Gordon)? Nah, that team would score 60 points a game. But if you watched the rookie/soph game this year, maybe AI and Webber are holding Iguodala's offensive game back.
Sam Dalembert parlayed a nice playoffs into a huge contract extension this offseason, setting the market for Tyson Chandler's contract. Thanks alot. While similar players, given their age and play the Bulls should get the better return on investment.
It's not rare to see the Sixers overpay. GM Billy King's cap wrecking crew include Aaron McKie, Kenny Thomas, Eric Snow, and Kyle Korver. Willie Green would have made that list if he didn't hurt his knee before signing it, saving the Sixers from themselves. Play for King and you'll get paid. And then traded for another contract some other team didn't want.
Stephen Hunter was almost given away at the trade deadline (for two 2nd rounders), but was returned as damaged goods by New Orleans. Now he's back in the rotation, go figure. Between him and Dalembert there could be many blocks to be had, but not so much rebounding.
Kevin Ollie is their starting point guard. Kevin Ollie! Ollie's claim to Bulls fame was being included in the Jalen Rose deal. At least for me it was.

Knickerblogger's expected wins standings says the Bulls should have more wins than the Sixers, based on their points for/against totals. The factor that gives the Sixers a better actual record may simply be having a 'closer' like Allen Iverson, but it could also be just some bad luck for the Bulls this season. The updated CoolStandings has the Bulls with a 71% chance of making the playoffs. The great blog Sixers Shots even thinks his team will be on the outside looking in when this season's over (reading that blog bash Mo Cheeks all season has been a guilty pleasure).

I guess it doesn't really matter if the Bulls come out and lay an egg. But I'm liking their chances.

Leave rivalry-tastic comments below!

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Forgot to mention

Duhon may be out tonight.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 5, 2006 5:31 PM CDT reply actions

Good win

Philly is one dumb team. It was over when they started jacking up unnecesary 3's with 7 minutes to go in the game. Webber is on his last legs, and Dalembert is a worse overpayment than Tyson.

Really nice flow for the Bulls tonight, although for a while it seemed they were dropping like flies in the first half with Kirk, Ben and Malik all going down with bruises.

Duhon, with the injury and all, had a nice game.

Considering both teams played last night, this was a pretty well played game.

Philly plays Boston before returning to Chicago on Saturday, so go Celtics.

Oh, and Philly's schedule is a little tougher than ours down the stretch with NJ twice and Miami still to play.

Best stretch of ball this season.

I love Grant Park in June!! Been there six times!!!

by james@lifeinthecell on Apr 5, 2006 8:42 PM CDT reply actions

philly's defence is obscene

I look at the schedules, and I think this is really just between Boston and Chicago. The schedule is maybe only a little bit easier for Boston, but both teams are about to play a handful of games against teams that will really be wanting to win down the stretch, and Philly's defence does not stand a chance. If the Bulls falter, the Celtics would be the ones to capitalize. When I look at the standings, Philly might as well be invisible.

The Bulls need to keep playing with this intensity, which is what everybody's been wanting so very much all along... and this is with Nocioni at the 4?? Chapu has gone loco.

by named9 on Apr 5, 2006 9:48 PM CDT reply actions

well Bulls are in and.....

I don't know what else to really say. So I'll say nothing.

by joejoeEnglish94bulls4ever on Apr 5, 2006 10:18 PM CDT reply actions

7 or 8?

So now the question is are we the 8th seed playing the Pistons or the 7th seed playing the Heat (unless something crazy happens and NJ overtakes the Heat for the 2 seed)?

by preverbal on Apr 6, 2006 10:03 AM CDT reply actions