stand to benefit more than any other players by the addition of Derrick Rose, but it hasn’t happened yet. There are a few reasons why, but two stand out in my mind. The first is that Luol isn’t playing to his strengths. He isn’t the one-on-one player in the NBA that he is at the international level, and he hasn’t realized that. Too often he’s standing around the perimeter, watching, and when he gets it, it’s the ultimate slow down game. He fakes. The ball is held. He fakes. Seconds pass.

This is dreadful offense, and worse to watch. If Luol thinks he has the kind of athleticism to be a one on one player, he’s sorely mistaken. He was given 72 million to be a slasher, rebounder, highly efficient shooter, and willing defender. He can still do those things; but he has to accept his role first.

It’s Derrick’s team now, Lu. Move on.

In terms of Gordon, he’s just not on the floor with Rose that much. They’re discombobulated together, Gordon isn’t in game shape, and on the whole, everybody’s still feeling each other out. That will change with time.

I’m pretty keen on the beginning to this year. They’re 2-1, Rose is far better than anybody thought, and Tyrus is getting run. The fact that he’s still making these bonehead plays after two year is both a testament to how raw he was and the shit-job Boylan and Skiles did developing him.

has anyway else thought “Fuck you, Boylan!” during a game? I think it whenever there’s a substitution I don’t agree with. It must have become reflexive.

After last night’s game…..I don’t think it’s that close.

He was having an impact on the team, leading the team, setting the tone. He took charge of the team in the third quarter with those drives to the basket.

Unbelievable player.

I’m glad we don’t have Beasley. If we had him, Beasley would put up some good numbers 15-20 points a game however, I don’t think he would try as hard as Rose. You put guys like Hinrich, Gordon, Deng around Beasley and it spells doom. If they’re missing wide-open shots with Rose, what makes you think that Beasley would get them good looks? And plus, Beasley wouldn’t try as hard with these group of guys, he’s not a leader, he would quit just like the rest of the Bulls team when they fall behind.

Rose, however, is becoming an example for this team. He is LEADING them. That’s the difference right there.

for no other reason then his pre-game talk with Rose “They were backing off, and I know I can shoot,” Rose said. “So I was just shooting more. Before the game, [Del Negro] told me he didn’t care if I shot 100 shots. Just do whatever it takes to win.” If we still had Skiles he would have Rose playing 15min and be talking about “earned playing time”. I can live with whatever rotation he wants as long as Rose is playing. It’s just shuffling the other mediocre players around anyway.

where we stand now.. We’ll improve but need to get tested.
Cleveland is not a good team, they just have a super strong talented guy in Lebron,

Bulls and many NBA teams just don’t have a single player who is a LJ stopper. Yet, great team defense and not allowing him to get the ball in his favorite spots to drive would help. Force him to take jump shots all night.

If we try to play him man-2-man only with Deng , Noc or Thomas we will get killed.
With Thomas and Noc fouling out and Deng’s slow ankles broken continuelly.

If LJ tries to brings the ball up court, have Thabo pressure full court and force the ball out of his hands to reduce clock time for their half court sets.

Now or never for Thabo to start to be noted for defensive play and put pressure on one of the best in the NBA and disrupt his rythmn. In the half court sets Thabo would get killed if he plays him tight, but in the open court he could frustrate LJ with his long arms and lateral movement.

In half court zone defense sag off to give LJ the jump shot, but they(deng,tyrus,kirk,thabo,gooden) can’t be wimpy by being afraid to take a LJ charge.

DRose will be ROY.
Hinrich may be the frontrunner for the 6th Man of the Year Award.
If Bulls trade Nocioni away, Bulls fans will hate Nocioni even more, especially when he comes back and messes up with Luol and Tyrus’ minds (and games) and then hits a game-winning three.
Gray may suck but he sure does try.
Gooden is basketball’s Jekyll and Hyde. The next time he gets 20rebs again may be the next time Bulls play the Grizz.
Gordon looks like he’s playing for a contract.
Thabo is Bruce Bowen playing like Michael Redd.
Noah needs to understand the difference between activity and accomplishment.
Luol is still the same player he was before…with the contract of a much better player.

I love the “I’m gonna tell it like it is with regard to every Bull in one line” post. [TRUTH ABOUT ROSE]. Next paragraph. [TRUTH ABOUT HINRICH]. Next paragraph. This has gotta be one of the classic forms of sports blogging.

Every one of them is pretty much spot-on, too – except the last one. Luol hasn’t been the same player. He’s trying to be the first-option Luol everyone wanted him to be, including myself.

…needs to shot attempting so many jump shots. what the hell is going on??!! and noah needs to start. rose is amazing, the rest are terrible so far, though I think Lu and Noah will be good as the year progresses.

I hoped to see them run more, but I cannot see them hitting the century mark again for the 3rd straight days because the offense just doesn’t flow right now.