Open Game Thread # 13: Bulls vs Atlanta Hawks

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 27, 2007 5:41 PM CST in News Comment 88 comments

This is a must-win game for Skiles, you'd have to think. Or hope. There's a case to be made (and Paxson likely thinks this way) that Skiles has enough built-up cred to last the whole season regardless.

But losing tonight to the Hawks (who aren't that bad, but still the Hawks) at home would be another new low to this season.

Degenerate gamblers think this is the bounce-back game. I'm not saying that if they do look good tonight it'll mean anything, but it'll make me temporarily feel better. Especially since I'll be at the game.

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Remember

Recall that Chicago was for the past few seasons among the NBA leaders in opponents FG%. If Chicago cannot limit the Atlanta Hawks to sub 42% shooting with such lights out shooters like Josh Smith, Shelden Williams, and Josh Childress, you might find me touting the defensive days of Kornell David guarding Kobe Bryant.

by NBA Observer on Nov 27, 2007 5:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I put a hundred down that the Bulls will win -6

I feel the same about the "bounce back" game

by Option27 on Nov 27, 2007 5:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Good bet!

We should win via a blowout. If that doesn't happen I will go into serious research mode studying centers for the draft.

by chgobr on Nov 27, 2007 6:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

research mode studying centers for the draft

Worst part about this is the mere fact that we're even talking about the draft - and that it's only late November....

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Nov 27, 2007 7:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Umm....you still owe me a beer....

:-)

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Nov 27, 2007 7:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Next time

you're in Los Angeles, hit me up . . . I'm a man of my word

by Option27 on Nov 28, 2007 10:05 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

centers?

well go check out deandre jordan.

next dwight howard.

by M DOG 24 on Nov 27, 2007 6:15 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

He seems exactly the type of player

that would provide hope. He might not become great but he has the chance to be something special. Thanks for the suggestion.

by chgobr on Nov 27, 2007 6:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Jared Jordan is out there

If you want a PG that distributes and can be signed RIGHT NOW, Jared Jordan could be picked up.

How about some competition for Hinrich?

by NBA Observer on Nov 27, 2007 6:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

This is a must-win game for Skiles

I think not. Come on, we're 12 games into the season. Put the pitchforks and torches away.

For the love of God, rebound the ball.

by Jack Cobra on Nov 27, 2007 7:50 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

4 points halfway through the 1st Q

and down 13-4...

The torch is burning brightly

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Nov 27, 2007 7:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

0 FTA and 3-15 from the floor....

Skiles fault?

For the love of God, rebound the ball.

by Jack Cobra on Nov 27, 2007 7:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Anybody else thinking lottery?

by chgobr on Nov 27, 2007 7:51 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

The game is not televised in IA

Is it that ugly already? Who is on the floor?

TMD- Boiler Up!

by TMD on Nov 27, 2007 7:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

same starting line up

but Thabo is in for Kirk right now

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Nov 27, 2007 7:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I see

Is Kirk in foul trouble already? Or is it general sucky play?

TMD- Boiler Up!

by TMD on Nov 27, 2007 7:57 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

We are 4-17 FG

by chgobr on Nov 27, 2007 8:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Or is it general sucky play?

Well I don't remember seeing Kirk score...

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Nov 27, 2007 8:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

anybody have a feed?

Lottery Bound Horribulls. the bulls are tanking: http://www.blogabull.com/story/2007/11/19/31557/687

by hongydraw on Nov 27, 2007 8:00 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

don't read too much into the score

1st Q:
13-17 bulls down by 4

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Nov 27, 2007 8:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Bulls are shortarming everything. They need

to eat some spinach.

by philosoball on Nov 27, 2007 8:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I am...what I am...

- Popeye

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Nov 27, 2007 8:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

They are who we thought they were.

Dennis Green

by philosoball on Nov 27, 2007 8:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Bwahaha!

Exactly

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Nov 27, 2007 8:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Man, we are offensively challenged.

But the end of the half was much better - outscored 4-13 over the first 6 minutes, came back 9-4 over the next 6.

Weird end with that foul.

"I believe. I believe. It's silly, but I believe." (Miracle on 34th Street)

by wjb1492 on Nov 27, 2007 8:09 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

the end of the half was much better

You DO mean QUARTER, yes?

Just checkin'..... :-)

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Nov 27, 2007 8:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, darnit.

Although some of these bad quarters seem like a half...

"I believe. I believe. It's silly, but I believe." (Miracle on 34th Street)

by wjb1492 on Nov 27, 2007 8:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

True dat

I'm fighting to stay awake here...
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Nov 27, 2007 8:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

26% shooting for the Bulls

40% for the Hawks

Nothing different...

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Nov 27, 2007 8:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

on the subject of the draft

whoever compared deandre jordan to dwight howard is drunk. im on the michael beasley watch. that kid is a FREAK. a frontcourt of him tyrus and noah would be nasty.

and maybe we could trade hinrich for, ya know, tyronn lue?

by Mike C on Nov 27, 2007 8:16 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

don't

forget aaron gray. i can see him getting 10-20 minutes in the future if there is a lumbering center who can score on the post. Noah is too skinny/narrow. Everyone on this team is flawed...except adrian griffin and duhon...oh wait he is a party animal.

by Sambossanova on Nov 27, 2007 8:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hinrich and Thomas are playing terrible

Hinrich's confidence is shot. He must be benched, his game is awful.

by danger mouse on Nov 27, 2007 8:17 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

3 fouls on Kirk already

halfway through the 2nd Q...

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Nov 27, 2007 8:22 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Something good -

Noah seems to be holding his own.

by chgobr on Nov 27, 2007 8:22 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Remember when Arenas made that comment

about not wanting to play the Bulls because of the pace? Maybe he was just looking into the future at the time. I'm not sure I've seen a 21-21 tie at this point in a game since high school.

"I believe. I believe. It's silly, but I believe." (Miracle on 34th Street)

by wjb1492 on Nov 27, 2007 8:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

record

what is the nba record for least points in a season by a team (since 24 second shot clock. And what is the bulls? I think we have a chance to set some new records.

by Sambossanova on Nov 27, 2007 8:25 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

hinrich sucks

nice foul

by tomcat on Nov 27, 2007 8:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, but my bad

Kirk only has 2 fouls....
That's what I get for listening to Dummy Dore and Kerr-her-herrrr....

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Nov 27, 2007 8:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

gamecast

is this game as ugly as gamecast is making it seem to be?

by Sambossanova on Nov 27, 2007 8:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Oh My God!

Kirk and Noah wtf!

by SRQman on Nov 27, 2007 8:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

judging by this line that just came on my screen

"Wallace makes 2-pt layup (K. Hinrich assists)"
id say yes

by Mike C on Nov 27, 2007 8:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

here come the boo's

by tomcat on Nov 27, 2007 8:30 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

skiles

should keep hinrich in and let him foul out in the first half. Its a nicer way to have him on the bench. be aggresive kirk...continue fouling.

by Sambossanova on Nov 27, 2007 8:30 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

noah

is really badding at tipping shots and finish after those offensive rebounds isnt he?

by Sambossanova on Nov 27, 2007 8:32 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

i will give the first person to reply to this

a dollar if the bulls win more than 40 games, and 3 dollars if they make the playoffs.

guys, ink it: LOTTERY BOUND HORRIBULLS. too bad deng, gordon, and wallace will be on other teams next year. I really am not looking forward to the hinrich/duhon starting backcourt agian. Pew.

Lottery Bound Horribulls. the bulls are tanking: http://www.blogabull.com/story/2007/11/19/31557/687

by hongydraw on Nov 27, 2007 8:33 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

You're on buds

Haiku strike is OVER. Crystal ball foresees 44-38 record, with a strong January to right the ship.

by preverbal on Nov 28, 2007 12:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

noah

looks very good so far

by tomcat on Nov 27, 2007 8:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

did skiles

really just put thabo, big ben, duhon, noah and nocioni in all at the same time?

by Sambossanova on Nov 27, 2007 8:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Noah looks like Tyson Chandler out there.

by philosoball on Nov 27, 2007 8:41 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

with biger hands

Ita est, ergo ita sit.

by alec on Nov 27, 2007 8:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Beggars can't be choosers

At least there are some positives to the first half:

Bulls are up by 4
Bulls held Atlanta to 13 points in the 2nd
Bulls scored more than 13 in the 2nd
Bulls are shooting better than Atlanta
Bulls have a 35-16 rebound edge

No one burst my bubble - I'm sticking to the positives!

"I believe. I believe. It's silly, but I believe." (Miracle on 34th Street)

by wjb1492 on Nov 27, 2007 8:45 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

This game is ugly

by bleargh on Nov 27, 2007 8:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Very boring game

OK we're up by 4,but bulls are not good.
The only positive is Noah playing pretty good,active.

by Azabullsfan on Nov 27, 2007 8:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

What I REALLY have a hard time with

is the FT lopsided-ness...
Bulls - 2/2
Hawks - 13/16

Whatever happened to "home court"?

That the refs aren't showing the Bulls respect regarding fouls this year is a rather large statement in itself...

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Nov 27, 2007 8:57 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Or bulls not

trying go to the bucket very often.

by Azabullsfan on Nov 27, 2007 9:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

And I feel like

Bulls got me to emotional meltdown.Even if we win tonight(and we should)I'm not happy at all.
We need changes.

by Azabullsfan on Nov 27, 2007 8:57 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

4th foul on Kirk

early in 4th Q....

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Nov 27, 2007 8:58 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

or rather 3rd Q...

sorry

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Nov 27, 2007 9:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

TT!!!

TT!Thts wfat we need!

by Azabullsfan on Nov 27, 2007 9:02 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I mean

that nice dunk.Wanna see some Passion!

by Azabullsfan on Nov 27, 2007 9:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Despite the run

It's hard to get too excited. Seems as much a result of Hawks incompetence as Bulls competence.

by bleargh on Nov 27, 2007 9:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Agree

Hawks play awful tonight.

by Azabullsfan on Nov 27, 2007 9:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

This evening

getting better.Mostly because Bulls are finding
some rhitm(up by 15) but some beer helps also :-)

by Azabullsfan on Nov 27, 2007 9:15 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Hinrich needs benched.

He needs to "get the message" or something.

Let us prepare for glory! --Michael Redd

by tyger1147 on Nov 27, 2007 9:31 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Coincidence?

Heinrich is on the bench...
The Bulls are winning...

???

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Nov 27, 2007 9:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I haven't been able to watch...has Duhon

outplayed Kirk tonight?

Ita est, ergo ita sit.

by alec on Nov 27, 2007 9:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

The team is, anyway.

+/- Hinrich -8; Duhon +15

Duhon's outperforming in stats, too.

Let us prepare for glory! --Michael Redd

by tyger1147 on Nov 27, 2007 10:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It looks like Hirich's minutes

have been cut.

Ita est, ergo ita sit.

by alec on Nov 27, 2007 9:37 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

They needed this

This game should really help the Bulls confidence. Losing this game could have been a killer with fans probably booing the Bulls out of the NBA. Now lets see if they can build on this with a dominant streak and some attitude. Noah should help with the latter.

by goldengod on Nov 27, 2007 9:38 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Still

have to get to the FT line A LOT more though. They should start making an effort to do so because even if they do get to the playoffs they'll be toast. Deng has to man up and take it to the hole just for the sake of getting some fouls against the other teams' bigs.

by goldengod on Nov 27, 2007 9:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hinrich

looks good,aplauding from the bench.

by Azabullsfan on Nov 27, 2007 9:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Potty time now

4 FT's and 4 jump shots in a row missed...

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Nov 27, 2007 9:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Win is a win

even if it's over Atlanta.We needed that.

by Azabullsfan on Nov 27, 2007 10:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Scary

that Du actually ran the O better than Kirk did and even LOOKED better...

And I cannot believe I'm actually saying that...

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Nov 27, 2007 10:08 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

It might be a mirage

Atlanta might just be that bad. All the rebounds gave the bulls enough shots to actually score. Bulls still shot 39% even with Hinrich out most of the second half, which is an indictment of everybody but Deng.

Then again, maybe they are back....

Nocioni-Khryapa in '08

by bullshooter on Nov 27, 2007 10:14 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Then again, maybe they are back

Not with 39% shooting! LOL

This win is definately bitter sweet.

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Nov 27, 2007 10:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Fail

we've all heard of moral victories.

this win is a moral defeat. when will they turn it around? they played like buttwipe tonight.

Lottery Bound Horribulls. the bulls are tanking: http://www.blogabull.com/story/2007/11/19/31557/687

by hongydraw on Nov 27, 2007 10:25 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

The execution game failed

how did Hongydraw slip through the cracks?

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 27, 2007 10:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

although in fairness to myself

we were hongy-free for 7 days, so it was easy to forget his new whiny 'prediction' stance.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 27, 2007 10:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

maybe the bulls slump

has reached the interwebs?

Nocioni-Khryapa in '08

by bullshooter on Nov 27, 2007 10:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hinrich

What the hell is wrong with Hinrich? Despite the lack of height, I'm ready to start a Duhon/Gordon backcourt. Hinrich's just been awful this season.

by nas on Nov 27, 2007 10:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

All I need is one mic ...

Hinrich has one of the lowest confidence levels of any player in the NBA today. And that play just killed him for at least another week you would think. We'll all be talking about THAT PLAY for a long time now. Thank god we didn't lose by 2 or 1. Jesus.

I can't believe I'm saying this but Skiles, go ahead and start Duhon. If we can get away with it against Joe Johnson, we can get away with it JRich and the Mavs 2-guard (I'm looking down the schedule here).

by Orange Juice on Nov 27, 2007 11:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

why is it that matt is anti-me?

Lottery Bound Horribulls. the bulls are tanking: http://www.blogabull.com/story/2007/11/19/31557/687

by hongydraw on Nov 27, 2007 10:57 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Just a guess,

but it might be the tanking theory and lottery predictions a mere 13 games into the season - and particularly on a night they actually get the win.

"I believe. I believe. It's silly, but I believe." (Miracle on 34th Street)

by wjb1492 on Nov 27, 2007 11:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

right. It's freaking pathetic

just to get it out there that you think the Bulls are going to the lottery. Because if they did, we'd surely give a shit whether you said it and when.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 27, 2007 11:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Everyone seems to be

praising Duhon as PG, and while he had a nice game, Gordon did originate many of the sets in the 2nd half with Du out there. The lob to Deng being most memorable, of course.

by marionette on Nov 28, 2007 12:12 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Duhon did well

Duhon got a respectable number of assists, didn't force his shot, and moved the ball around well. In other words, he played better than Hinrich was. He didn't have a break out game, but all we really need there is was good game and he delivered on that. I think the reason people are focusing on Duhon is that we are so frustrated with Hinrich.

by cranscape on Nov 28, 2007 8:20 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Duhon played decent

and the main thing is, if Kirk is not producing on offense, or playing well on defense, he might as well not play because Du doesn't turn it over or foul as much as Kirk (even last night Du played 10 more minutes, 1 fewer foul and 1 fewer turnover).

Believe me, I'm not a Du lover at all but if Kirk's strengths over Du are nulled (since he's playing so bad), Du is better. Also, I don't see how Kirk keeps starting because he has been by far the weakest on the team and somehow everyone (Tyrus "not sprinting the floor", anyone?) else gets benched before him.

by Jaina on Nov 28, 2007 1:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs