Open Game Thread #36: Bulls at Orlando Magic
The official mail-it-in preview:
Hinrich/Gordon have to play better, Deng has to be healthy, Tyrus/Noah have to play more, Wallace has to play less, some joke about whatever the players are voting on today, blah blah blah.
blogging with the enemy:
Third Quarter Collapse
Believing in Magic
343 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Short lead, longer comments
3 games out of the 7th seed. 5.5 games out of the 4th seed. Just win baby.
Ben Wallace putting a Magic player on his ass one time tonight buys the Body one more week with me.
I believe I had that one
by NBA Observer on Jan 16, 2008 12:44 AM CST up reply actions
Look on the bright side
"Ok, now FREEZE IT!"
ha
(Note: If BW actaully is eaten tonight, do you think Dwight is going to spit out the fro?)
Dwight's eating for two
by NBA Observer on Jan 15, 2008 6:06 PM CST up reply actions
think Dwight is going to spit out the fro?)
He'll SHIT it out.
funny thing
No Hinrich
They're starting Duhon and Thabo?
so they're going to not have
I've set this game to record, but we'll see if it gets watched.
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 15, 2008 6:01 PM CST up reply actions
GO BULLS!!!
A win would help a lot of things with this team.
He's starting alongside duh
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 15, 2008 6:03 PM CST up reply actions
historically
by Rusty LaRue on Jan 15, 2008 6:57 PM CST up reply actions
Paxson is the problem
-he let the players take over and run Skiles out of town. Skiles is a good coach and deserved better than that.
-he signed Wallace to a salary cap crippling contract which Wallace did not deserve. He is a terrible player with zero basketball fundementals who got franchise player money. Unexcusable.
-he waited too long on trade pieces like Hinrich, Gordon, and Deng, and draft picks. He overvalued them and now they are untradable because the secret is out: these players just aren't very good.
-he failed to aquire a center. He failed to aquire any low post scorer.
-he resigned Hinrich and Nocioni before he resigned Gordon and Deng. Hinrich and Nocioni are not very talented and they are inconsistent. Gordon and Deng at least are above average but Hinrich and Nocioni are, to put it bluntly, crappy NBA players.
-he took Noah and then expected him to all of a sudden accepept being role player, a 12th man. Unreasonable expectations from a player like Noah. Also, there was better talent available.
-he took Tyrus Thomas for no apparent reason other than "he's athletic let's draft him." Aldridge is twice the player now that Thomas will ever be.
by Triad88 on Jan 15, 2008 6:16 PM CST reply actions
He also traded Chandler for PJ Brown
by Triad88 on Jan 15, 2008 6:20 PM CST up reply actions
I'll have to listen to this one
Here comes Aaron Gray to guard Dwight Howard
Well - at least Wallace is FORCED to sit now
So help me God, I can't tolerate it if
I take it Hinrich is hurt?
With this line up and Thabo starting
I actually feel like the Bulls are gonna win
Maybe it's because the "starter's" are either out or already sitting in foul trouble.
It would be just like the "kids" to step up and show once again why they should get more minutes.
But anyone know why Noah is still out?
Noah is on the inactive list again?
well
I rarely agree with the harsh criticism
I'm getting Orlando's guys
That's Gray's second foul
Current line
BG
Noc
Noah
Gray
Oh....boy...
AND a block on Turk one on one!
Bulls up by 3 after 1st Q
Duhon might play the whole game
BULLS WIN!!!!
Evidently, Boylan's new plan is to utilize line ups that no team could possibly prepare for. Look for JamesOn to get parachuted in for the fourth quarter.
Note to Noah
Ah, the beloved second quarter.
The Bulls can't guard the three point lne for
Game after game this season.
Make a damn adjustment, Boylan.
I didn't see the beginning of the 2nd Q
Any coincidence?
not to nitpick
Did anyone just notice
Cook did hit some insane 3s, but the offense is just frozen with Big Ben in....
by ajbullz on Jan 15, 2008 6:46 PM CST reply actions
And not to be out done by Noah
Sam Smith has spoken (again)
I'd heard Ben Wallace wanted it that way or he was going to suspend me. I'm expecting that when the Bulls return home later this week, Ben will have made it clear he's suspending fans who boo or chant for Kobe.
He's starting to remind me of the Castro-like rebel from the great Woody Allen "Bananas" movie. They are the people's army until they overthrow the dictator and the rebel chief goes power mad. He demands everyone change their underwear four times a day. To make sure they do, he demands everyone wear their underwear on the outside.
For a guy who hates blogs and bloggers, he's actually pretty good at at.
Liked this part at the end
Joe Smith - 1 for 5 FT's tonight so far
Is it the scheme, or are the Bulls' players so
Ben Gordon leads the league in
This is pretty frightening
I didn't expect to win tonight, but how about just
I wonder
Getting close
Wallace should be replaced with Noah.
Ben Wallace is SO F-ING slooooowww
He's standing around while everyone ELSE is pulling down rebounds...He's got TWO so far....
And his knee-high stockings "fashion statement" fits right in with his girly man image...
Anyone remember "Buckwheat"?
Thabo's starting to heat up
Tonight would be great for a drinking game
One for every BG TO
One for every BW hook shoot or fallaway
One for every time Noc shoots on his first touch
Tonight, add one for every Joe Smith missed FT
And for those who don't drink...
Yeah, what's up with THAT again??
The camera panned to him and he was sitting there with a glazed-over disinterested look on his face with his finger in his mouth....
And then to A-drain
Although you had to think Noah would get the PT tonight after the 2-game benching thing. And since it's apparently against some sort of rule to play them both...
The bulls play a lot better
I wasn't even necessarily meaning
Duhon & Wallace end of Quarter screen rolll
Since Thabo is playing so well, does this mean
(I'm kidding.)
(Sort of.)
I only said Hinrich because
If you'd rather trade Gordon, that's fine too.
or if Duhon pulled a groin
Well, the way he's playing tonight
He's certainly a nice change from Kirk.
I'd like to see
Maybe we'll get there yet
Although, since he's apparently going to play a lot tonight, I'm thrilled to see Du hitting his shots.
Is Duhon even bench material?
Check out his stats this year!
hopefully
I lov e the Wallace pump fake
Noah played fairly well.
All this Tyrus talk is making me very
The game is not televised in Iowa
Yes it is
My cable provider
Mediacom does.
Maybe you should make that your sig line
I'll think about it
I used to have that problem, too
NBA is a weird place this year.
And those Celtic-killer Wiz are losing by 16 to the Knicks half way through the second.
If
by Rusty LaRue on Jan 15, 2008 7:26 PM CST reply actions
I'll second that
I SO wish Wallace would pick up more fouls
F.
And then Wallace holds the ball
And just like that the Bulls are down 19 with only 5 minutes gone in the 3rd.
That was such a shit possession
Please put Noah in.
Fucking Ben Wallace
Totally agree.
Got to love those
by RogersPark Kris on Jan 15, 2008 7:34 PM CST reply actions
I agree
Night after night of 20 point
The same mistaked repeated over and over.
This is intolerable.
Trade someone, fire someone, play the youth, do something.
And can someone please tell me why the team can't guard the three?
Because
by Rusty LaRue on Jan 15, 2008 7:37 PM CST up reply actions
These are the same players
They got slower?
The same mistaked repeated over and over
I seriously F-ing HATE Wallace.
He SUCKS.
I see we getting blew out in the 2nd half
Are you
Nah, in the dc area
by Ibleedbullsred on Jan 15, 2008 8:04 PM CST up reply actions
wow
by Rusty LaRue on Jan 15, 2008 7:39 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah
by Rusty LaRue on Jan 15, 2008 7:43 PM CST up reply actions
The 5th
by Rusty LaRue on Jan 15, 2008 7:52 PM CST up reply actions
that last camera shot of Boylan's face
Skiles is probably laughing his ass off right now.
Ugh.
No field goals in the second half.
by RogersPark Kris on Jan 15, 2008 7:40 PM CST reply actions
What a difference it makes
by Rusty LaRue on Jan 15, 2008 7:41 PM CST reply actions
There it was, the patented BG drive...
I give it a 7.9.
patented BG drive
founding.
LOL!! Thomas just sucking his thumb on the bench
Geez...
Anyone tell him there are some things he outta NOT do while playing on public tv?
ha
Yikes
Usually, it helps to bring the young guys in
Boylan has yet to figure that one out yet.
nah
by Rusty LaRue on Jan 15, 2008 7:50 PM CST up reply actions
Looks like
So with all that's wrong tonight
F-ing Boylan.
Do you see how
by Rusty LaRue on Jan 15, 2008 7:49 PM CST reply actions
Did you see him get blocks and
Oh yeah
by Rusty LaRue on Jan 15, 2008 7:54 PM CST up reply actions
I change my mind.
Maybe he'll learn by being out there
It
I really have to question Boylan's intelligence
question Boylan's intelligence
Skiles got fired because he was getting tired of playing the line ups that PAX wanted and was bitching about it.
And now Boylan IS playing who Pax wants.
But it's only a matter of time before HE starts giving Pax enough shit to get fired too.
Crazy?
yes.
Possible?
Who knows?
Ooh, I want to play, too
Or maybe Isiah put a curse on the team after Big-Mac-gate last year - he's always looked a little evil, you know.
UNANIMOUS
by piccolomair on Jan 15, 2008 10:49 PM CST up reply actions
At this point it is all on Pax
You think they voted unanamously
There goes that damn candy wrapper
by RogersPark Kris on Jan 15, 2008 7:51 PM CST reply actions
Who will we see first?
I loved that shot
Bulls trivia: How many consecutive
The back-to-back blowouts at
If the Gray, Noah, Tyrus lineup
Fortunately he got a shot off
Don't spread the court at the end of the half ...
Viktor!
Now THAT'S hillarious!
I seriously wonder if Boylan has lost it.
these veterans sure got the job done tonight
I don't know how Wallace can sleep at night
What an asshole.
I know how he sleeps
May the gods make it
Sleep well Wallace...on nickels and dimes. Ahhahha
by NBA Observer on Jan 15, 2008 11:06 PM CST up reply actions
Victor is in
Has a franchise ever fired two coaches in a
i like where your head's at ...
by Orange Juice on Jan 16, 2008 12:40 AM CST up reply actions
that's another story
He found out
by NBA Observer on Jan 15, 2008 11:06 PM CST up reply actions
You must be wrong
Maybe JJ Redick will get some PT
Maybe JJ Redick will get some PT
He just checked in.
Noc with a hip bruise.
Although if he's out tomorrow
Hope that game is one national tv
ESPN. PURRRRRFECT!
by NBA Observer on Jan 15, 2008 11:07 PM CST up reply actions
Time to bring on the vets...
Unbelievabull
No Leadership
No Coaching
No Effort
Your 2007-2008 Chicago Bulls!
by Orlando Woolridge on Jan 15, 2008 8:11 PM CST reply actions
This is as bad as the first few years after MJ
At least
by goldengod on Jan 15, 2008 8:15 PM CST up reply actions
One thing is clear - at least tonight:
They make Wallace and Smith look like grandpas out there.
Noah shines again, statisticallly.
double double
Words cannot express
Hey, look who's got a double double...
It's that no footwork havin', non-shootin' skinny bastard named Noah.
Oh my god
20 and 10 every night.
by Rusty LaRue on Jan 15, 2008 8:36 PM CST up reply actions
No, let's stick with the veteran
That's a fucking brilliant plan.
I'm pretty sure he can get 4 and 3 . . .
I'm coming up with new names for Noah
by NBA Observer on Jan 15, 2008 11:10 PM CST up reply actions
The Iowa Energy
by Orlando Woolridge on Jan 15, 2008 8:16 PM CST reply actions
Lerrivee just said that
What a surprise.
by RogersPark Kris on Jan 15, 2008 8:17 PM CST reply actions
Give
by Rusty LaRue on Jan 15, 2008 8:39 PM CST up reply actions
Really, what would happen if the Bulls just
Sure, it would be a public admission that Paxson was wrong, but who cares? Things can't get worse than this.
It would never happen
by RogersPark Kris on Jan 15, 2008 8:21 PM CST up reply actions
that would symbolize accountabilty
It might be buyout time
it just ain't working out
Wallace doesn't want to be a Bull anymore, and is playing shitty on purpose in hopes that he can take a powder puff like Tim Thomas did.
But Pax is pissed, so he is MAKING him play regardless.
Problem is that EVERYONE loses.
And we fans have to watch it fester night after night.
That's be a double admission
LOL, maybe he'll call up Skiles and invite him back a la Billy Martin.
Aren't these games enough of a public
Wallace - 3 Reb's
Nice dunk by the non-post move havin'
Trade Ben Wallace & Start Jokim
We sure
less than Marbury, Randolph, and Curry
by NBA Observer on Jan 15, 2008 11:16 PM CST up reply actions
I like Noah.
Bench the vets, play the youth.
We can't play the young players, because we might
If the last two games haven't put the lie to that argument, I don't know what will.
Box score only shows the Bulls losing by 14
by RogersPark Kris on Jan 15, 2008 8:26 PM CST reply actions
Ben Wallace stopped caring at
Ben Wallace stopped caring
I don't like to bitch and moan
Silver lining
I'm really digging here.
welcome to the piss party
by NBA Observer on Jan 15, 2008 11:17 PM CST up reply actions
VeRy SaD!!!!
Good Call
I think you missed Sue's point
The only reason to continue to watch the games
There is nothing else left.
Paxson and Boylan MUST now realize that the tightened rotation is a disaster.
You are in my head.
Your "blogging my frustrations time"
When I first started following the Bulls,
Ditto
by piccolomair on Jan 15, 2008 11:21 PM CST up reply actions
Think how bad they will be
by Orlando Woolridge on Jan 15, 2008 8:31 PM CST reply actions
Bench Wallace Now
Duhon also lit it up tonight, shooting 33% from the floor, with 5 assists and 4 turnovers.
A winning NBA team cannot start players with these kinds of stats. This team is not winning anything unless a big trade comes through. Therefore, these games are completely pointless. Play Thabo, Noah, Tyrus and Gray big minutes every game and let's see what we have. We already know what we have in our starters (i.e., losers).
I wonder if
Sue - sometimes I feel we care more than the team
so when does the next venting thread start?
With all these eggs being laid
I'm having a Denver omelette. Mmmmmmmmmmmmm Green peppers.
Victor
...or maybe it just means we'll see more of AG.
Noah played good, but ...
I missed the first~half of the third quarter [started watching, and we were down 28], luckily. Extremely luckily.
Thabo played good, which is ... good? ... Joakim played ... Tyrus can sink the jumpshot. It looks pretty.
...
I'm sure something will happen to fix this. Eventually.
bad noah play
by NBA Observer on Jan 15, 2008 11:24 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah, but still,
It's not about what it did to the team in this game, because they were down by 20 with around 5 minutes to go. It's about what it could do if he does the same thing in another game.
anytime
It's hard to watch anymore...the effort is completely disgusting
by ScottieCartwright on Jan 15, 2008 9:26 PM CST reply actions
Putrid
by Freethefro on Jan 15, 2008 9:57 PM CST reply actions
This was Matt's "mail-it-in preview"
Wow
Apparently it led to a dispute in the locker room as rookie Joakim Noah complained about the attitude on the bench and argued with veteran Ben Wallace. One witness said Luol Deng had to step between them to ease the tension.
What a fucked-up team. Noah is 100% correct, though.
The more Noah talks
If no one will lead, take the lead rookie! Go out there alone if you have to.
by NBA Observer on Jan 16, 2008 12:02 AM CST up reply actions
Seriously.
Team: "Hahaha! The other team is ahead by 30. Oh, that's rich."
Noah: "You *** **, we're supposed to actually be WINNING THE GAME! PLAY *** BASKETBALL!"
Team: "You're cursing. 3 game suspension now!"
...
Veterans: "We're old hands at the NBA, we don't care if we win or lose! As long as we get paid ..."
Let's have them vote what happens to the team for the rest of the year. We can go 14-68, get the first or second pick.
oh man, too tired for that gem
For those interested, watched up until the first half of the 3rd quarter. Then fast forwarded until Noah came in, slowed a bit and then stopped when Tyrus came in for that one play where he took a dumb jump-shot (but eh, I would too after sitting through that garbage)
Then saw he was out to start the 4th and shut it off. I hope Veektor proved his mettle. Bulls fever!
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 16, 2008 12:21 AM CST up reply actions
and special mention
(except for Rusty, his contribution tonight is a check-minus. He's new though. To computers and casual interpersonal interaction.)
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 16, 2008 12:24 AM CST up reply actions
You missed the laughing part
I dunno
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 16, 2008 12:28 AM CST up reply actions
It would be one thing if it was just one game
Comcast?
Anyway...I missed the laughing part...I must've been washing dishes at the time, seriously.
But like you said, I never heard Larrivee or Red Kerr make mention of it.
by ScottieCartwright on Jan 16, 2008 7:53 AM CST up reply actions
TV Broadcast
I think WCIU gets about 8-10 games per season.
by NBA Observer on Jan 16, 2008 8:14 AM CST up reply actions
Gordon's comments
WHAT IF the Bulls didn't renew Gordon's rights this suummer (whatever that's called) because to do so would cost them $6+ million. Then Gordon would automatically be an UFA. That would be hilarious!!
McGraw says halftime
Sam's article seemed to suggest the separation of Wallace and Noah occurred at the end of the game. McGraw says it happened AT HALF TIME.
I thought I remembered the Wallace and Smith jokeshow in the 3rd quarter.
by NBA Observer on Jan 16, 2008 12:48 AM CST up reply actions
That doesn't make much sense
On the other hand . . .
Wallace and Noah
by NBA Observer on Jan 16, 2008 1:04 AM CST up reply actions
Not surprised
Noah makes people on here ...
Noah also brings out the crazy. Some columnist has lost his mind by writing a Godfather IV column about Wallace and Noah (check today's Tribune if you dare). But I did enjoy Sam Smith's latest mailbag because of the questions. Did some of you submit them?
Wow this thing is ready to blow
by bullsfaninla on Jan 16, 2008 12:40 AM CST reply actions
national TV
But who is of interest around the league?
Roman Modrowski saw the laughing
He almost misses covering the Bulls.
Buy out Ben
by messwiththebull on Jan 16, 2008 7:53 AM CST reply actions
even when you buy out a guy
by KT on Jan 16, 2008 8:15 AM CST up reply actions
Yep
You buy out players to gain the available roster spot and acknowledge you cannot trade the contract.
I think Chicago can deal the Ben Wallace contract. Michael Jordan might make a deal.
by NBA Observer on Jan 16, 2008 8:17 AM CST up reply actions
I agree, someone will take him
The way I see it, the Bulls need to say yes to anything that
- doesn't make their cap position any worse in the long run. We potentially have a lot of room when Wade/Lebron/etc become FAs, so we might as well keep that slim chance alive. At the very least, it's not worth foreclosing on that chance just to be rid of Ben Wallace.
- Look for guys who might help off the court, because you aren't going to get guys who help on the court. Examples: Malik Rose, Eric Snow.
- I don't know if MJ has the contracts to give back to take Wallace. I'm looking and I think any trade with the Bobcats would force us to take back guys with long contracts (Nazr and Matt Carroll) which I don't think I'm wiling to do. Actually Carroll's is front loaded, so I could live with that, but Nazr's is a no-go.
Bobcats
I think the Bobcats really like Matt Carroll. He went from D-League to a really healthy contract. Azibuke is well on his way to a similar deal the way he is playing for Golden State.
Wallace's deal is front loaded. He gets 500,000 cheaper each season. That may help a handful of teams to get under the cap, but at 14.5 and 14 mil it is a real longshot.
by NBA Observer on Jan 16, 2008 8:56 AM CST up reply actions
I agree with the buyout
Don't buy him out...
I cant hear it because I'm at work
a short this and that interview
"I love the coach(Boylan although Noah never uses the name Boylan at all)."
paraphrasing..."I don't really miss Skiles, but he taught me things."
The real juice is the last minute of the interview. North asks Noah if Deng had to step in between him and Wallace in the locker room. Noah laughs it off, but he doesn't actually deny that it happened.
by NBA Observer on Jan 16, 2008 8:59 AM CST up reply actions

by 













