Slightly more analysis than 'they all sucked'. Slightly.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 6, 2007 9:14 PM CDT in News

It's tough to believe this Bulls team has a ton of weapons and can survive off nights from some of them. Maybe they can against some squads but not against a team like the Pistons. If Ben Gordon puts in a few more stinkers they're toast.

The start of the game was just as bad as it could've gone. Chauncey Billups on 3 straight possessions hit 2 shots and drew a foul on Gordon. Moments later Gordon picked up an unnecessary foul going after a loose (lost) ball. But it wasn't just the foul trouble, Ben didn't play well even when he was in the game, and when playing nearly the whole 2nd quarter only attempted 2 shots (and got to the line once). Lindsay Hunter did a nice job on him during for most of that stint, but that's a matchup that Ben has to dominate, or at least get some shots for himself.

The problem with the early foul trouble to Gordon and PJ Brown was only exacerbated by the horrendous performance by the bench. Nocioni was aggressively awful. In three and a half minutes he had 2 turnovers and 2 missed shots (one was a joke of an attempt that got thrown back into his face by 'sheed), and during that time the Bulls also managed to give up 3 offensive rebounds. Duhon was predictably bad, and the rookies played as such. But while this may just be bias towards the lure of potential, I'd rather see Tyrus and Thabo make rookie mistakes than Noc and Duhon just looking too undersized to do much at all. Playing the rooks didn't work out on Saturday either, but it's a risk I still think will be worth taking, especially with the size Detroit possesses. I don't think Saturday was a referendum on their poise, they just didn't play well and they had plenty of company in that department. I don't anticipate either leaping up a spot in the rotation to start the next game though. You'll have to fill me in if during the 4th quarter they showed anything to possibly change that, because by then I was watching the fight.

(One aside on the rotations, which isn't worth harping on when everyone plays poorly: I found it strange that during Thabo's entire ten-minute stint in the 2nd quarter he was always playing the three. Just didn't seem like that's the best way to use him as it diminishes his strengths as a big guard. That small lineup (Kirk/Ben/Thabo/Luol/Wallace) is more likeable than with Duhon as the third guard, but they were getting manhandled on the boards regardless)

I thought Hinrich played well, and Luol didn't play great but he was attacking the basket more than usual (including a dribble-drive-dunk, which is rare for him) which bodes well for the series. That's it for the positives. Another one is that there's little wait between games, so the Bulls don't have to let this humiliation linger much longer. Monday night is another chance to steal a game, and doing that can erase that team-wide suckfest that was game one.

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Comments

turnovers

This is probably stating the obvious, but the thing that annoyed me the most was that the Bulls had the ball poked and slapped away so many times. Maybe they got used to Miami's lame defense. If drive/kick is going to work, they have to be a lot sharper. Doug Collins pointed out that at least 3 times the Pistons big guys just got beat of the dribble but just poked the ball out from behind the Bulls player.

I'm still intrigued by Thabo guarding Billups for at least a stretch of time. Just to mix it up. The length migh bother Billups.

by jai on May 6, 2007 9:39 PM CDT reply actions

Hopefully the gameplan

is Gordon driving and putting the Pistons' guards in foul trouble. Like right away too.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on May 6, 2007 10:12 PM CDT reply actions

Gordon will definitely be the main topic

of conversation. Sam Smith questions Gordon's ability to be a starter. I can see Smith's point, but much like the Sun-Times annoiting Gordon last week, I think it's a little too early to start questioning Gordon after one game. He deserves the chance to respond to a poor game.

by bullshooter on May 6, 2007 10:16 PM CDT up reply actions

He deserves a little more protection

on defense too. I'm all for Ben trying not to foul as much, but it would be awesome if Skiles shitcans Duhon for(ever) the series. Sam threw out a Gordon guarding Webber Nellieball strategy, mentioning Webber not being able to blow it up for 25 or 30, but the reality is Gordon can easily outscore either Pistons' guard. I'd suggest letting Gordon coast a little on defense, and Thabo playing 20-30 minutes backing up Hinrich and Gordon. Screw the fouls, let Chauncey shoot jumpers (.489 career eFG%).

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on May 6, 2007 10:37 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't know about that

The Bulls defensive philosophy is not to double. Gordon needs to score plain and simple, and the rest will take of itself. If he doesn't score, he's a liability.

by bullshooter on May 6, 2007 10:51 PM CDT up reply actions

The Bulls could just play better

and win game 2, but if shit starts going wrong an adjustment in strategy is in order before Duhon and Nocioni don't save the day. I liked it when Othella Harrington would replace a totally gassed Eddy Curry, or Piatkowski would replace a cold shooter, but Skiles can't keep throwing his trusted bench guys in and crossing his fingers.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on May 6, 2007 11:51 PM CDT up reply actions

adjustment in strategy

Well it won't be switching Gordon to guard Hamilton.

Given Hamilton's relentless running and the number of screens set for him, switching Gordon onto him would force the Bulls guard to expend more energy defensively and could affect him offensively.

It's why Hinrich will remain on Hamilton--for now--and why rookie Thabo Sefolosha could see a bigger role as the series goes on.

Weeeeeeeeeee'll see on that one, I anticipate the return of Duh as first guard up. If Skiles didn't punt him after game one of the Miami series I don't see it happening now.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 7, 2007 12:15 AM CDT up reply actions

everything went wrong

and, so, we will be better.
didn't say we'd win, just better.
that's all the analysis I can offer for this game
it's just too painfull

FYI: this blogger does not take kindly to criticism and will dismantle your retort by way of my remarkable mental acuity, which is unrivaled at blogabull.

by NocChapu on May 6, 2007 10:38 PM CDT reply actions

Spurs

Looks like the Spurs will win the title this year proving again that young talent wins games but veteran talent wins championships. If they draw the Pistons in the finals, it will be a delicious sweep. Spurs are about two times better and they don't have a heinous 'Sheed-bitch to ruin games.

After the Bulls lose this series, they should strongly consider going after Jermaine O'neal. A front line with Wallace (7pts, 11 rebs, 2 blocks) and O'Neal (20pts, 10rebs, 3 blocks) is just what they need to slaughter the East and compete with the top West team. Sure, they will most likely have to trade Deng or Gordon, but why not? Indiana was lethargic this year, and Gordon is just who they need to get some offense going. O'Neal needs a new setting because he is too frustrated from the Artest saga to really have much of an impact any more. It's a win-win situation. Maybe this upcoming series loss is the reality check that Pax needs to really go after O'Neal. I say no Gasol: he is soft and weak. No Garnett: he is old, fragile, and perimiter oreinted. O'Neal= best post up in the East. More polished and finesse than Dwight Howard, much more powerful than Deng.

by vlad001 on May 6, 2007 11:20 PM CDT reply actions

get your own blog

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on May 6, 2007 11:22 PM CDT up reply actions

And yes, reality check

the Bulls will lose this series. Sure, the game might be fun to watch, but not that fun, since we all know the eventual outcome. It's like driving a convertible with a 1/4 tank of gas to a place you need a 1/2 tank to get. You just drive, whatever. Enjoy the scenery or something. You already know what is ineviteble.

by vlad001 on May 6, 2007 11:24 PM CDT up reply actions

you heard it here first

vlad, your predictions are a real downer, and consistently so...

oh, and annoying.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 7, 2007 12:10 AM CDT up reply actions

Or....

you stop and get some gas. In the form of a change in the rotation and Skiles slapping every single player upside the head to wake them up.

Hinrich: The second coming of Stockton, minus the short shorts.

by Chalkwhite on May 7, 2007 2:08 AM CDT up reply actions

Holy Crap!

Vlad is going out on a limb and picking a 1-seed to beat a 4-seed. Somebody call Delphi, we have an oracle on our hands!

by Petor on May 7, 2007 9:24 AM CDT up reply actions

Oneal

Have you seen him play lately? He is a great shot blocker and good defender but is not really very tough inside on the offensive game. He has fallen in love with the jumper. And he shot less than %44 from the field...that is damn weak for a big man.

by Sambossanova on May 6, 2007 11:27 PM CDT up reply actions

Jermaine O'Neal

O'Neal is more fragile than Garnett. He is by far one of the "softest" PF in the NBA right now.

Besides, O'Neal should not be traded to a team within your own division/conference. He's a guy that's destined for the west coast.

by Boney @ Blog a Bull on May 7, 2007 7:50 AM CDT up reply actions

Shitcanned

If anyone needs to be shitcanned for the series it needs to be Tyrus. He should get another chance but I doubt Skiles will have too much patience. Now is not the time for him to be learning on the job. He might possibly be the most scared rookie still in the playoffs. Nocioni was awful but I doubt he will be that awful again and he is nowhere near Tyrus awfulness.

by Sambossanova on May 6, 2007 11:29 PM CDT reply actions

scurred

most scared rookies in the playoffs, I demand a top ten list. Try and post an accompanying picture of them looking frightened. He played ok in the final four if I remember correctly. So, uh, maybe it's the actual game he's struggling with, not the 'pressure'. sheesh.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 7, 2007 12:06 AM CDT up reply actions

before this series

my prediction was Pistons in six, with the Bulls winning the first two United Center games, basically same formula as last year's Miami series. I have the following reasons:

Home court is huge when teams are very equal.
Playoff experience (and winning playoff experience) is huge when teams are very equal.
The Pistons want to beat Ben Wallace, and seemed leading up to the series to want it way more than the Bulls.

Now, if the Bulls win game two in Detroit, I predict Bulls in six or Pistons in seven.

DEE-TROIT, PREPARE FOR THE STAMPEDE! IT'S THE BULLS, BEWARE OF THE NEW BREED!!!

by hongydraw on May 6, 2007 11:40 PM CDT reply actions

Dont worry guys

Terrible game on sat night!! Absolutely terrible!! As we have seen before with this team after terrible shooting nights is that they respond well. Skiles will have their attention in Game 2. The Bulls will come back home with a split, we will win Game 2!!

by babybulls on May 7, 2007 12:05 AM CDT reply actions

If they can get this game tomorrow

I will be pumped up big time. Cleveland winning really upset me.

well what have we learned? You don't win a championship by beating Maimi in the playoffs. Please Please show up Monday night!

by joejoeEnglish94bulls4ever on May 7, 2007 12:12 AM CDT reply actions

i would MUCH

rather have Lebron and the Cavaliers if the Bulls somehow pull off this upset than having to battle Vince Carter, Jason Kidd, Mikki Moore, Richard Jefferson, and the Nets.

C-WEBB, PREPARE FOR THE STAMPEDE!!! IT'S THE BULLS, BEWARE OF THE NEW BREED!!!! DOWN WITH DETROIT, END THE PISTONS! LETS GO BULLS!!!

by hongydraw on May 7, 2007 12:43 AM CDT up reply actions

I want pay back.

I'd want the Nets.

Breathe Tyrus! Breathe!

by joejoeEnglish94bulls4ever on May 7, 2007 12:52 AM CDT up reply actions

Plus I don't want anymore LBJ is the next

MJ bs so if he's out of the playoffs all the better.

Breathe Tyrus! Breathe!

by joejoeEnglish94bulls4ever on May 7, 2007 12:53 AM CDT up reply actions

Amen

Let him go down as the next Penny or McGrady :-)

by California Al on May 7, 2007 1:05 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm not

going to say they will win tonight but I think the Bulls will play a much better game. It's going to take a great game by everyone to win.

Skiles admitted their last two practices were not very good. Isn't it his job to get his team ready? Hopefully he has them ready for tonights game.

My team has no "super star". It has players who have desire, determination and heart making them a "super team". GO BULLS!!!

by sue369 on May 7, 2007 7:15 AM CDT reply actions

I hope so

I hope as I watch my friends play text book tennis during Statistics class because the teacher did not show up.

by SRQman on May 7, 2007 7:41 AM CDT up reply actions

I noticed that most of the stat geeks on ESPN

picked the Bulls.

Even those that didn't have the series going seven.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2007/news/story?page=Smackdown07#predictions

Maybe they see something, though their first round predictions weren't too admirable.

As for Gordon, I wonder if he is simply too short. Too short to play effective defensive against longer players and too short to create his own shot against longer defenders. He seemed really bothered by the Pistons' length on both end of the floor. I know that is a very simplistic analysis, but I don't know what else to say after that performance on Saturday. Hopefully he bounces back.

by 1958ChiTown on May 7, 2007 8:45 AM CDT reply actions

During regular

season BG had two great games and two less than stellar games against the Pistons. By those accounts looks like he's due for a great game tonight.

My team has no "super star". It has players who have desire, determination and heart making them a "super team". GO BULLS!!!

by sue369 on May 7, 2007 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions

He has played pretty good against

the Pistons for this season. He played well the last time he got real burn against them. Hopefully he plays good tonight

"They beat us. They beat us, period." - Pat Riley

by NittanyBull on May 7, 2007 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions

Bigs will be more in the gameplan tonight

the Game 1 adjustments should lead to more focus on the guards for DET, which should expose the post defense for CHI.

Jason Maxiell, not just a baby eater, a baby BULL eater

by Boney @ Blog a Bull on May 7, 2007 9:25 AM CDT reply actions

Thank you Carnac.

My team has no "super star". It has players who have desire, determination and heart making them a "super team". GO BULLS!!!

by sue369 on May 7, 2007 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions

go to your own blog

let us analyze our team w/o you dirty pistons fans coming on here. And after we beat you guys tonight, please tell your fellow piston fans to stay off the court and not to throw anything at our players! We all know how dirty the piston fan base can be at the palace!! You will see how that Game 1 was a fluke. Im not about to say the Bulls will get dominated this series because of one lousy effort by the Bulls. We still got this series and it starts tonight!

by babybulls on May 7, 2007 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions

Thanks for dropping knowledge.

We all needed it. Damn we're so lucky to have you here!

-- Blog-A-Bull community

"They beat us. They beat us, period." - Pat Riley

by NittanyBull on May 7, 2007 11:08 AM CDT up reply actions

ouch

Just needed to vent, sorry!!!

by babybulls on May 7, 2007 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions

Heh, I was being sarcastic

"They beat us. They beat us, period." - Pat Riley

by NittanyBull on May 7, 2007 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions

there you go

I think I've been the most positive Bulls backer on this board since saturday and I get disrespected.

I guess that's what happens when you lose by almost 30 to a team most of you were sure you'd run over.

Jason Maxiell, not just a baby eater, a baby BULL eater

by Boney @ Blog a Bull on May 7, 2007 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions

wow piston fans are so intelligent

Never said the Bulls would run over the pistons but I dont understand how you think one terrible game that the Bulls didnt even show up to thinks that you have this series so easily? Boney, you should know of all people that a series isnt one game, after all you guys did win a championship didnt you guys (or are you still in shock from the fact the Lakers handed that championship to you guys?)? Lets just see if Mr Maxiel can hit those 18ft jumpshots again!

by babybulls on May 7, 2007 11:56 AM CDT up reply actions

You get "disrespected"

because you make dumbass "predictions" for the series and then pat yourself on the back for it, without having any statistical evidence-- or any evidence for that matter-- only backing it up with your feelings. Shit this gets old, man.

Most importantly, why are you even back here when you said you'd leave(I thought we don't talk about basketball)? To be a semi-homer with your so-called analysis when the Pistons win while also giving slight hits on the Bulls? Class act brother

"They beat us. They beat us, period." - Pat Riley

by NittanyBull on May 7, 2007 12:08 PM CDT up reply actions

your stats

totally went out the window in Game 1. My thoughts on how the game would go stood strong in the face of all the numbers being thrown around on here.

Jason Maxiell, not just a baby eater, a baby BULL eater

by Boney @ Blog a Bull on May 7, 2007 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions

game ONE

now that's a trend!

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 7, 2007 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions

You're a joke.

"To just come out and say that the Bulls will sweep because Detroit's big men are soft shows absolutely nothing other than you basically repeating what guys like Stephen A. Smith say... At least throw up a statistic showing that Detroit's big men are soft other than rebounding totals during the season."

-Boner on 'trends'

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on May 7, 2007 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions

'soft' percentage index

this dude is off the charts.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 7, 2007 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions

lol

My team has no "super star". It has players who have desire, determination and heart making them a "super team". GO BULLS!!!

by sue369 on May 7, 2007 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions

You are like

an irritating itch that disappears for a few days and then comes comes back time and time again. ::sigh::

My team has no "super star". It has players who have desire, determination and heart making them a "super team". GO BULLS!!!

by sue369 on May 7, 2007 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions

dude

If you didn't seem so arrogant about your 'predictions' maybe you'd get a better reception, but I don't see how you could genuinely be surprised that you're getting 'dissed' in a sea of Bulls fans.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 7, 2007 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions

you're no chgobr.

by bullshooter on May 7, 2007 3:43 PM CDT up reply actions

Some interesting (and less than hopeful!) quotes

from Scott Skiles:

On the series generally:

"It's a difficult team for us to match up with because they're bigger than us at every position on the floor and at some positions, they're more athletic also,'' Chicago's coach said Sunday morning. "That's why we have to play our effort, energy game, because sometimes those things can neutralize that.''

On Ben Gordon:

"We're having a hard time finding somebody he can guard in the starting lineup,'' Skiles said. "He's got to address that and be able to guard somebody so that he doesn't get in foul trouble.''

On Gordon and Tyrus:

"Ben Gordon can't guard Chauncey Billups or Richard Hamilton, Skiles said, and rookie Tyrus Thomas is struggling mentally to grasp defensive concepts."

On Tyrus:

"We've got a certain way we're trying to cover things that he has a hard time figuring out,'' Skiles said. "He's a young kid trying to learn his way and unfortunately, he's in a big-time environment trying to do it.''

Damn, those are depressing thoughts.

Maybe his is trying to motivate his team by criicizing them. I'm reaching for any thread of hope here.

http://www.nba.com/games/20070507/CHIDET/preview.html

by 1958ChiTown on May 7, 2007 11:04 AM CDT reply actions

skiles only shits on the good players

no point in saying Duh can't guard either player either, because he's trying his gosh darndest.

Well anyway that's why they're called matchups. If Ben's on nobody on the Pistons can guard him either.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 7, 2007 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions

If Ben's on

noone can guard him, that's how good he is.

Jason Maxiell, not just a baby eater, a baby BULL eater

by Boney @ Blog a Bull on May 7, 2007 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions

When I watched the replay...

I could tell Ben was really bothered by Hamilton, who had a great defensive game. Maybe BenG will try to take the ball to the rim more often tonight.

I thought Thabo had a decent defensive game on Saturday. Perhaps he will play in place of Duhon.

by 1958ChiTown on May 7, 2007 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions

I would rather

play in place of Duhon. That's how bad he is.

My team has no "super star". It has players who have desire, determination and heart making them a "super team". GO BULLS!!!

by sue369 on May 7, 2007 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions

re: shits on the good players

Ben can't guard anyone, Tyrus doesn't know what he's doing, and Nocioni just tried too goddamn hard. Scott "WTF" Skiles.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on May 7, 2007 11:17 AM CDT up reply actions

What lineup do you suggest?

If Gordon starts playing like he did last game, I'd like to see Hinrich/Sefo/Deng/Brown/Wallace

"They beat us. They beat us, period." - Pat Riley

by NittanyBull on May 7, 2007 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm not suggesting anything...

well, actually I already said more Sefolosha, but my comment was in regards to Skiles being down on the good players in the media, but Nocioni was given a pass for having a chemical imbalance.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on May 7, 2007 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions

I know you weren't Boss

I was just wondering what you'd like to see on the court.

"They beat us. They beat us, period." - Pat Riley

by NittanyBull on May 7, 2007 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions

the starters

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on May 7, 2007 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions

I really think

Skiles just expects more out of Ben and knows he can push him to be better. Nocioni is what he is, and trashing your 'energy player' (or whatever he is) in the media doesn't help anybody...he's better off just playing him less as punishment if that's what he wants to do.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 7, 2007 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions

Sefo has a tough matchup

whoever he's going to guard. Hamilton will run him, Prince will post him, Billups will muscle him... same like Gordon

Jason Maxiell, not just a baby eater, a baby BULL eater

by Boney @ Blog a Bull on May 7, 2007 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions

wrong

I think Thabo would have better success against rip or billups for the simple fact that he is bigger than Gordon/Du. Its a tough match up for gordon but I do think Thabo will give some problems to both of detroits guards.

by babybulls on May 7, 2007 11:59 AM CDT up reply actions

What about this crazy thought?

Sefolosha on Billups, whenever Big Ben is out (because we can't have two offensive non-factors on the court simultaneously). If he can guard Wade one out of four games, he can guard Billups at least two out of four. Plus, he's got six fouls just sitting there to frustrate the Pistons with.

Or, we just stick with what has worked all season, which is to let the players who had a bad game come back and prove themselves. I mean, the whole Heat series seemed to be a rebound from the Nets loss.

by Craig Hodges Explosion 3000 on May 7, 2007 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions

Thabo on Cweb.

Breathe Tyrus! Breathe!

by joejoeEnglish94bulls4ever on May 7, 2007 12:09 PM CDT reply actions

no

Hinrich on Billups
Deng on Rip
Sefo on Prince
Tyrus on Cweb?
Wallace on Wallace

Breathe Tyrus! Breathe!

by joejoeEnglish94bulls4ever on May 7, 2007 12:10 PM CDT reply actions

Gordon on Hunter.

Breathe Tyrus! Breathe!

by joejoeEnglish94bulls4ever on May 7, 2007 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions

No

Rogaine on Sheed!

by Craig Hodges Explosion 3000 on May 7, 2007 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions

ha!

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 7, 2007 12:49 PM CDT up reply actions

So who's got ESPN Insider?

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2007/insider/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&id=28 62552&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnba%2fplayoffs2007%2finsid er%2fcolumns%2fstory%3fcolumnist%3dhollinger_john%26id%3d2862552

And can post a snip or two about the Bulls.

by tyger1147 on May 7, 2007 12:37 PM CDT reply actions

Here is what it is

And after crunching all the numbers, here's how the remaining playoff teams rate, from worst to first (the number in parentheses is the team's theoretical victory margin against an average opponent based on this method): 5. Chicago (+5.4) -- This might mildly surprise some folks who fell hard for the Bulls after their sweep of Miami but, as I've argued all week, that series said a lot more about the Heat than it did about Chicago. (Incidentally, the rating doesn't include Chicago's Game 1 implosion against Detroit, or any other second-round games). The Bulls' Game 1 whipping against Detroit at least slowed the torrent of passengers climbing aboard the Chicago bandwagon. It also gives us a fine opportunity to drag out the Pau Gasol horse for another beating. As good as Luol Deng was in Round 1, I'm still amazed that the Bulls didn't throw their chips into the pot and go for it while they had the chance. P.J. Brown's expiring contract won't be around to facilitate a trade this summer or next year, and if the Pistons vanquish the Bulls they may end up pondering this non-move for a long time.

by SRQman on May 7, 2007 12:39 PM CDT up reply actions

Who were his top 4?

And I really don't see how Pau Gasol would have rescued us on Saturday.

by 1958ChiTown on May 7, 2007 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions

Here you go

4- Pistons 3- Suns 2- Golden State 1- Spurs

by SRQman on May 7, 2007 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions

Gasol non-trade

It wasn't just Deng-for-Gasol (which even by itself isn't a clear-cut winner...ok maybe it is), it was likely Deng as well as Brown and Thabo or Tyrus. If it was Thabo (as rumored) and with Nocioni out they'd have nothing at the 3 for the stretch run.

The Bulls aren't toast yet on a Gasol deal for this summer, Pax just needs to send the new Griz GM tapes of Nocioni abusing Antoine Walker.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 7, 2007 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions

What if the Grizz get the #1 pick in the draft

and take Oden?

You would think that they would want some outside scoring to provide balance.

What if the Bulls traded Gordon (+ one other) to Memphis for Gasol?

The line-up would be Hinrich, Thabo, Deng, Gasol, and Wallace.

I am just throwing that out there. I don't really want Gasol. I doubt he's the key to a championship run.

by 1958ChiTown on May 7, 2007 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions

if that's the case

why not just keep Gasol and Oden? They'd probably complement eachother just fine.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 7, 2007 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions

I wouldn't be all that against

the Bulls searching to see what they can get for their probable 9th pick with a player or two added in the mix.

"They beat us. They beat us, period." - Pat Riley

by NittanyBull on May 7, 2007 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions

9th pick + Duhon (expiring) + Nocioni (sign/trade)

should get a halfway decent frontcourt player. That's my hope, anyway. Oh man now I'm thinking about the offseason already, stupid game1 beatdown...

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 7, 2007 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Acie Law would look good in a Bulls' uni

but you'd have to trade down to mid-teens, he doesn't have lottery value

Jason Maxiell, not just a baby eater, a baby BULL eater

by Boney @ Blog a Bull on May 7, 2007 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions

looks good

because he's another small guard?

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 7, 2007 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions

his measurements show

that he's in the same body type as Billups (6'3 195lbs).

I know the Bulls don't need another young guard, but he should be a tough pro.

Jason Maxiell, not just a baby eater, a baby BULL eater

by Boney @ Blog a Bull on May 7, 2007 1:48 PM CDT up reply actions

fair enough

but the offseason strategy should be one big move, not filling around the edges. There not close enough to do that.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 7, 2007 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions

that's not the same body type

6'3" 195 is skinny, Chauncey is not skinny.

by bullshooter on May 7, 2007 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions

umm it is the same body type

Chauncey is 6'3 202lbs. 10lbs could be a lot, but Acie is just a kid. Billups used to be small also.

Jason Maxiell, not just a baby eater, a baby BULL eater

by Boney @ Blog a Bull on May 7, 2007 3:12 PM CDT up reply actions

I will be saddened if and when

this team is dismantled.

I've watched BenG and Hinrich and Deng and Nocioni mature and grow together over the years. I have fond memories of each. I even feel some pride in the way that Thabo and Tyrus have developed over the course of one season. I'd like to have the chance to see them fulfill their potential. Overall, I would really love to witness this homegrown bunch of Bulls ascend to the top of the league.

But a break-up of some sort seems inevitable if the Bulls don't give Detroit a very competitive series.

by 1958ChiTown on May 7, 2007 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions

this is only the 3rd year of Hinrich-Deng-Gordon

and they're playing with house money right now.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on May 7, 2007 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions

are you in vlad's gas-less car?

I don't think so. Maybe if they got destroyed by Miami, but losing in this series is nothing too awful, and the braintrust will probably figure with another season under their belts (and minor roster adjustments) they can be much better.

(oh, but Nocioni can go.)

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 7, 2007 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Don't you think that if we

lose in four or five without being really competitive, the management will move one player out of the Deng-Hinrich-Gordon-Nocioni group?

I have no real evidence of that, it's just speculation on my part, but Paxson and Skiles seem to have limited patience for the sort of result we saw on Saturday.

Of course, everything could change on May 22.

I totally hope that you are right, BTW.

by 1958ChiTown on May 7, 2007 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions

Nocioni's not in 'the group'

So yeah, I could see him gone. Maybe Gordon if he completely washes out this series, but lets hope it doesn't come to that.

Tough to say, Pax gets an unfair rap for supposedly being conservative, I think if he sees a clear upgrade out there he'll go and get it.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 7, 2007 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions

Obviously

all this talk about trading and breaking up the 'core' is because of a very, very bad performance this team showed saturday night. After watching them play all season long and kill the Heat, I seriously doubt this team will "lose in four or five without being really competitive". You, as well as everybody here, knows that this team is very competitive. They are not gonna sit on their hands and wait to get smacked around.
Even Billups is aware of this: "There won't be another game like (Game 1); we won't win another game like that. That team is too good. It's going to be a tough, long series." http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070507/SPORTS0102/705070305/1004/SPORTS
-
It's ONE game. the first game. And they're not playing the Heat or the Cavs or the Nets. They are playing a tough experienced team. And they are going to exploit the Bull's weaknesses. That doesn't mean that the Bulls are not going to compete. Even id they lose in four, the only player I see gone this summer is Noc, because Skiles loves Duh too much, but not any of the other guys.

From Champs to Chumps!

by Goostafer on May 7, 2007 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Agree about the competitiveness issue.

I will be shocked if the teams plays so poorly again.

by 1958ChiTown on May 7, 2007 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions

as long as you dont

think like the Cavs did and not improve your team at all (except this year, Sasha is playing).

no matter what you guys think of me, you've got a great nucleus. You don't necessarily need a dominant big man, but you need to balance out the offense more than this "drive and kick" stuff that is run now.

Jason Maxiell, not just a baby eater, a baby BULL eater

by Boney @ Blog a Bull on May 7, 2007 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions

'you'

If you don't want us to behave like homers, it'd help to cut out the 'you' and 'we' stuff.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 7, 2007 2:07 PM CDT up reply actions

Eh, I guess it could happen.

All three-- Deng, Gordon, Hinrich-- of them are improving stat-wise, and experience-wise methinks. It could happen, but eh, who really knows. I'm just hoping it doesn't.

I was thinking more along the lines of Matts' idea, with Duhon, Nocioni(what you said) or even Colt .44 being sent away in a deal. There's also alot of players coming off the books this summer(Allen, Brown, The Giant, Sweetney, Nocioni), so it should be a somewhat interesting summer to see who will be the role players next season.

"They beat us. They beat us, period." - Pat Riley

by NittanyBull on May 7, 2007 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions

This miffed me too

Chris Sheridan:

Skiles seemed perplexed by the preponderance of mental mistakes, including five or six instances where the ball went to Ben Wallace while he was tightly guarded in the low post with less than six seconds left on the shot clock when guards were standing open on the perimeter.

That's a Duhon (and Gordon) special.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 7, 2007 1:25 PM CDT reply actions

Big Ben needs to take shots

Ben Wallace has to be aggressive offensively, but I don't mean Nocioni aggressive. Detroit is not going to let him wait and find open players. He has to catch it and go to the basket right away to beat Detroit. If he catches wide open within ten feet of the rim, he has to take that little jumper of his. A Wallace miss is better than him holding the ball in this series. Him holding the ball leads to turnovers in the backcourt. If he takes shots in the offensive flow then the Bulls can keep the pace up. It will also create offensive rebounding opportunities.

by Scotter on May 7, 2007 1:52 PM CDT reply actions

congrats

You just made the funny pages.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on May 7, 2007 3:17 PM CDT up reply actions

and our favorite poster

is the first commenter. Maybe he's found a home.

by bullshooter on May 7, 2007 3:41 PM CDT up reply actions

I'll accept my fate

if the Bulls prove my "Round 2 Matchups" diary wrong.

I thought that post was kinda cute...you know, like in a "kitten who can't quite jump up on the bed yet but keeps trying" kinda way...

Jason Maxiell, not just a baby eater, a baby BULL eater

by Boney @ Blog a Bull on May 7, 2007 3:46 PM CDT up reply actions

nobody cares if you're wrong or right, dude

I think it's more, like, how the Bulls do.

Boner, find a home where your ideas can be 'respected' for once!

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 7, 2007 3:53 PM CDT up reply actions

i really like being nice to people, and i want to

be liked. I feel bad saying this, but my honest opinion is this right here:

I think Blogabull would be better without Boney.

C-WEBB, PREPARE FOR THE STAMPEDE!!! IT'S THE BULLS, BEWARE OF THE NEW BREED!!!! DOWN WITH DETROIT, END THE PISTONS! LETS GO BULLS!!!

by hongydraw on May 7, 2007 3:54 PM CDT up reply actions

I love how Boney

is nice and tries to make amends over here, but when he's in a more familiar environment(ie not here), he starts to show some true colors

Quote!

When I read that post about maybe Ben should score more I almost fell out of my chair laughing, but then again, it's been almost 7 years since the Bulls have had moderate succes in the playoffs... after I looked at it that way, I thought it was kinda cute

Wow, you might be the first person that I don't even know, but still genuinely not like. Didn't know that was possible. If you talk trash about him, you might as well say it on this site where he'll undoubtedly see it, Chief.

Or better yet, just leave.

"They beat us. They beat us, period." - Pat Riley

by NittanyBull on May 7, 2007 3:49 PM CDT up reply actions

We're supposed to be somewhat homerriffic

I don't mind having a Pistons fan mulling around, but Boner is a bit too arrogant about his analysis and has tried to turn this series into a verdict on his basketball smarts, of which nobody cares about in relation to, uh, how the Bulls and the Pistons fare.

That and using the whole 'you guys' vernacular trying to turn himself into an enemy, while simultaneously wondering why he's becoming an enemy.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 7, 2007 3:59 PM CDT up reply actions

I just want him to stop talking.

"They beat us. They beat us, period." - Pat Riley

by NittanyBull on May 7, 2007 4:00 PM CDT up reply actions

It's easier just to dislike everyone ;)

The sentiment coming from Detroit fans who use the internet (i.e. not from or in Detroit) that Bulls fans don't know what a 'winner' looks like is both confusing and hilarious. You'd think the commenters at DBB currently sucking on a raging nostalgia hard-on would you know, remember the 1990s.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on May 7, 2007 4:01 PM CDT up reply actions

This is too much

for me to handle.

It was one game yall.

The only Yi Jianlian fan here

by Option27 on May 7, 2007 2:08 PM CDT reply actions

Correct

If they lose that badly again, it will fly in the face of everything we know about this team.

by Craig Hodges Explosion 3000 on May 7, 2007 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions

More evidence of a conspiracy?

Who do you think the Sun-Times left out when they recapped the shoddy performances in Game 1?

I really don't get this.

by bullshooter on May 7, 2007 2:52 PM CDT reply actions

I don't get your comment

f'real, who did they miss? that's the whole bench.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 7, 2007 3:02 PM CDT up reply actions

How about

the guy who got 2 early fouls and went 2-9 from the field.

by bullshooter on May 7, 2007 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions

It looks

to me like that article was about the bench players. There really wasn't any mention of the starters.

Be sure and tune in after the game tonight for our telethon to raise money for a new home for Boney.

by sue369 on May 7, 2007 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions

Still

that was the reason the bench guys came in. Then the Chauncey-Gordon matchup is mentioned at the end like an afterthought? It's the crux of the problem.

by bullshooter on May 7, 2007 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions

I forgive you for missing this bad wordplay

"Sub-par efforts ruined Game 1"

hehehehehe

There were full articles about Gordon in the papers as well.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 7, 2007 3:50 PM CDT up reply actions

Not in the Sun-Times

But I did miss the word play.

by bullshooter on May 7, 2007 3:54 PM CDT up reply actions

he got the brunt of the game story

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/basketball/bulls/373123,CST-SPT-bull06.article

just an FYI, I'm not saying it's adequate blame or whatever.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 7, 2007 4:01 PM CDT up reply actions

that's what you call

burying the lede.

by bullshooter on May 7, 2007 4:16 PM CDT up reply actions

no conspiracy here

if there was one, it would probably be in favor of the Bulls since they have a much bigger national fan base than the Pistons. but the Warriors beat the Mavericks, so I dont think the NBA is going the 'fix the series' routes this year.

C-WEBB, PREPARE FOR THE STAMPEDE!!! IT'S THE BULLS, BEWARE OF THE NEW BREED!!!! DOWN WITH DETROIT, END THE PISTONS! LETS GO BULLS!!!

by hongydraw on May 7, 2007 3:53 PM CDT up reply actions

different conspiracy

by bullshooter on May 7, 2007 3:54 PM CDT up reply actions

heh

I don't bother with community guidelines (I prefer random whims of justice) but if I did one of them would be never to speak of 'NBA conspiracies'.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 7, 2007 4:05 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't think you can get a conspiracy

out of an article focused specifically on the bench which doesn't mention any starters.

What I did find interesting (not conspiracy-level-intersting, just interesting) after the frequent articles slamming Kirk last week in the Sun-Times and Daily Southtown was that Kirk is once again the subject of a negative article in the Daily Southtown. I realize he didn't have a great game - I spent most of my time yelling at the TV for him to shoot since he hit just about every shot he did take. But with all the lousy games of everyone else I found it odd that the only Bull highlighted (lowlighted?) in the Southtown following Game 1 was Kirk -
Game 1 Not So Hot for Hinrich

"We're in trouble if we lose at home. If we lose at home, you come back and talk to me and I'll tell you: 'You know what? We're in trouble.'" Alonzo Mourning

by wjb1492 on May 7, 2007 3:56 PM CDT up reply actions

the Southtown

is a Sun-Times paper, I believe. Rip Hinrich on one hand, pump (or ignore Gordon's bad play) on the other. It's troubling, because Hinrich played at least a decent game 1.

by bullshooter on May 7, 2007 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Which is especially frustrating

after the "Gordon is a star" article last week, which focused as much on slamming Kirk as on building up Ben.

"We're in trouble if we lose at home. If we lose at home, you come back and talk to me and I'll tell you: 'You know what? We're in trouble.'" Alonzo Mourning

by wjb1492 on May 7, 2007 4:57 PM CDT up reply actions

That wasn't very

flattering was it? CSN had a segment on the Bulls practice from yesterday. They talked with some of the players. They had one with Kirk and he has a mark on his neck. He either has a hickey or got scratched during practice. It looks like a hickey though. I burst out laughing when I saw it.

Be sure and tune in after the game tonight for our telethon to raise money for a new home for Boney.

by sue369 on May 7, 2007 4:16 PM CDT up reply actions