The Knicks quickly picked up the system, scoring 106.9 points per game in the preseason, and were even better in the opener.

The Knick played the Heat.

Besides, I thought the Bulls ‘O’ was pretty good against a better defensive team in the Bucks.

by RogersPark Kris on Oct 30, 2008 11:15 AM CDT reply actions

The Bulls offense looked pretty good in the first game

and the managed to give up less than 70 points in the second half. Really… 70 points? If anything, this loss says more about the Heat than the Knicks.

by DangerMouse on Oct 30, 2008 11:49 AM CDT reply actions

Please look at the Miami Heat roster

Outside of Wade, Beasley (who is still a rookie), Marion, and Haslem you would never, ever, ever take a flier on anyone on that roster. Their bench is pathetic, their PGs are Mario Chalmers, Shaun Livingston, and Chris Quinn. Even if Wade churns out another superstar year, Marion does his usual thing, and Beasley does whatever, they still have no depth.

"I’m gonna rise up, gonna kick a little ass. Gonna kick some ass in the USA. Gonna climb a mountain, gonna sew a flag, gonna fly on an eagle. I’m gonna kick some butt, gonna drive a big truck. I’m gonna rule this world. I’m gonna kick some ass. I’m gonna rise up, gonna kick a little ass. Rock, flag, and eagle!"

by Ozzie Montana on Oct 30, 2008 12:15 PM CDT reply actions

Can't be skill-set

Our players are every bit as talented as or more talented than the Knick players.

I think coaching does have something to do with it. D’Antoni HAS coached before so maybe it’s just “same day, new players” type of thing to him. VDN is going to struggle through this just like the rest of his team.

But I also think it’s chemistry. Most of our players have been injured during camp, it’s hard to get a feel for each other right away, even if they have played with each other before. I don’t think the Knicks had too many injuries during their camp, other than Curry and Jeffries. They were able to get a feel with almost all of their guys.

by NormVanBeer on Oct 30, 2008 12:26 PM CDT reply actions

But if you look at how that Knicks roster was constructed,

it was a bunch of scorers and individual talents. The notable exceptions to this are hustle players David Lee, who is probably the most sought after Knick in terms of trade value, and Malik Rose, who is on the downside of his career.

So to have a competent offensive coach demand offense from this group is not a stretch, especially one who has management’s support to rein in problem children like Marbury and Curry.

The Chicago roster was put together in the entirely opposite way—management here has stressed things like work ethic, attitude, success in the NCAA tournament/international play, willingness to play defense, grittiness/toughness, and gym-rat-ness. So to some extent it fits that our offense would not be as “high octane”.

What is more amazing is that D’Antoni has this team playing pretty good defense (at least according to some reports).

"It’d be ridiculous to hate someone for simply what they say in a sports blog. But I greatly dislike every syllable of your angst-filled, smarmy, nondescript, half-assed, elitist-garbage responses." –Rogerspark Kris

by bullhockey on Oct 30, 2008 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions

eh

The Chicago roster was put together in the entirely opposite way—management here has stressed things like work ethic, attitude, success in the NCAA tournament/international play, willingness to play defense, grittiness/toughness, and gym-rat-ness. So to some extent it fits that our offense would not be as "high octane".

That’s a stretch don’t ya think? Just because of their personalities, that means that can’t run a high octane offense?

by NormVanBeer on Oct 30, 2008 2:47 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes, there probably is some overstating going on in my post, to be sure.

"It’d be ridiculous to hate someone for simply what they say in a sports blog. But I greatly dislike every syllable of your angst-filled, smarmy, nondescript, half-assed, elitist-garbage responses." –Rogerspark Kris

by bullhockey on Oct 30, 2008 4:00 PM CDT up reply actions

Uh, that was one game

When I watch NBA games I often call the fouls before the referees do. Sometimes it’s a gift. Most of the time it's troublesome. - NBA Observer

by Illini15 on Oct 30, 2008 1:04 PM CDT reply actions

and crawford isn't going to get 29 points in every game.

by Jaina on Oct 30, 2008 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions

He will average over 20 though

But, whatever. If Marbury isn’t hogging the ball, the wealth is going to be shared somehow. D’Antoni will still weep to his shrink in Manhattan every time Rose is on SportsCenter.

"I’m gonna rise up, gonna kick a little ass. Gonna kick some ass in the USA. Gonna climb a mountain, gonna sew a flag, gonna fly on an eagle. I’m gonna kick some butt, gonna drive a big truck. I’m gonna rule this world. I’m gonna kick some ass. I’m gonna rise up, gonna kick a little ass. Rock, flag, and eagle!"

by Ozzie Montana on Oct 30, 2008 1:41 PM CDT up reply actions

With Crawford

it is not the point total that counts. It is the number of attempts he has to take to get there.

He shot the ball well last night.

by NBA Observer on Oct 30, 2008 5:06 PM CDT up reply actions

Despite the fact that the Bulls like to run...

they still actually play defense. When you play tough defense it will naturally slow the game down. This leads to less time for Bull offensive opportunities. Plus I highly doubt Paxson would let VDN use the 7 seconds or less tactic, and I’m pretty sure D’Antoni is still using it. Not to mention Miami has no defense and also likes to run, unlike the Bucks which are setup to grind it out in a half court offensive scheme.

"Rest satisified with doing well and leave others to talk of you as they please"

by Bigred15 on Oct 30, 2008 2:13 PM CDT reply actions

F*k da knicks

"You’re caught up in basketball. Get caught up in life" - Starbury "The Great"

by Belize on Oct 30, 2008 3:08 PM CDT reply actions

Miami's not stopping anyone

They should get hot and out score opponents for wins, but that’s hard against the D’Antoni teams because that’s all they know how to do. Score points.

by NBA Observer on Oct 30, 2008 5:08 PM CDT reply actions

I agree

Miami is going to be terrible defensively.

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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Oct 30, 2008 10:29 PM CDT up reply actions

Wait

So having a frontcourt of Beasley and Haslem isn’t a recipe for success?

"I’m gonna rise up, gonna kick a little ass. Gonna kick some ass in the USA. Gonna climb a mountain, gonna sew a flag, gonna fly on an eagle. I’m gonna kick some butt, gonna drive a big truck. I’m gonna rule this world. I’m gonna kick some ass. I’m gonna rise up, gonna kick a little ass. Rock, flag, and eagle!"

by Ozzie Montana on Oct 31, 2008 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions

I do think the Bulls

roster as is would pick up the D’Antoni model pretty quickly as well. We have much better players at the PG and SF positions that are so critical to the fun’n’gun.

by NBA Observer on Oct 30, 2008 5:09 PM CDT reply actions