Game Preview #16 - Chicago Bulls at San Antonio Spurs

by Ayeljay54 on Nov 26, 2008 10:32 AM CST Comment 69 comments

[Thanks to Ayeljay for today's game preview -ed.]

Gametime: 7:30pm
Channel: Comcast SportsNet
Bulls: 7-8 (2-3 on current west coast swing)
Spurs: 7-6 (4-2 @ home)

The Spurs are still missing Tony Parker, while Manu is back from injury. As always with the Bulls, the question is will our frontcourt come to play? If they can limit the Spurs second chance points, I believe the Bulls should be able to get out and run. Look for D. Rose to really push the tempo tonight....depending on Tyrus, Drew and Joakim cleaning the glass.

Before I launch into a rant, I'm actually predicting a Bulls win tonight:

Bulls 111
Spurs 104

Random Thoughts:

Can Tyrus learn fundamentals from Duncan by virtue of Osmosis?

Who will win the battle of South American floppers; Manu or Noc?

Can Bowen stick his foot under Hughes' foot when he shoots a J, and take him out of commission for a few weeks? (errr....just joking)

Seriously...

When discussing the Spurs, the obvious focus is on the Big Fundamental himself, Tim Duncan. Secondary focus is placed on two great complimetary parts, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. This franchise has been arguably the model franchise for the past 10 years. The Bulls...well....they haven't even been an average franchise over the last 10 years. Actually, there's been a few years in which an argument could be made that they didn't field a franchise at all.

The Spurs have a great piece to build around in Tim Duncan. We believe the Bulls have stumbled upon a great piece as well in D.Rose. Now here comes the primary difference between the two franchises as I see it:

Who do you place more faith in to build a team around a star: The team of Pop and R.C. Buford or the Paxson's?

Now granted, the Spurs did stumble across Tim Duncan by virtue of David Robinson getting hurt the previous season, and then tanking the season to increase their chances of landing the #1 pick. Even so, Pop and Buford have done a great job of putting the correct pieces in place to complement Duncan, especially during the 2003, 2005, and 2007 championship runs.

Do you really trust the Paxson's (John, Jim, Lil Marine Ryan or even Grandpa Paxson) to find the right pieces to place around Mr. Rose. Pax has drafted solid players, don't get me wrong: Deng, Gordon, Hinrich, as well as potential solid players in Noah and Thomas....and maybe Sefolosha. Solid, but not spectacular.

Meanwhile, the Spurs have drafted Tony Parker, Manu, Luis Scola and even Leandro Barbosa...with very late first round or second round picks. They even seem to have landed a steal this year with the choice of George Hill out of IUPUI.

Hell, even Crumbs Krause drafted "Scott" Pippen out of Central Arkansas, Ho. Grant, B.J. Armstrong, Toni Kukoc from the other side of the world, Ron Artest, Tyson Chandler and Elton Brand.

Point is...Do you really trust Paxson to put the pieces in place(as Dave Wannstedt would say)?

Bloggin' with the Enemy: Pounding the Rock, 48 Minutes of Hell

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Damn..

I didn’t mean to publish this without previewing it. Pardon the typos.

by Ayeljay54 on Nov 26, 2008 10:35 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

U can still edit your own posts after u publish

by Option27 on Nov 26, 2008 2:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

What's your point?

Do you think we should give Derrick to the Spurs so that they can build a championship team around him, because Pop isn’t coming to Chicago. And Krause didn’t draft Pippen, he traded for him.

by Unrealcity on Nov 26, 2008 10:44 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

d-rose was a gift with the number 1 pick.. Trading him for anyone but michael in his prime would be ridicilous and stupid. He is what a championship team is built around. Look at CP3 and deron williams. Championship contenders start with a versitle and dynamic guard.

by lcohn89 on Nov 26, 2008 4:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

exactly...

We should give Derrick Rose to the Spurs.

by Ayeljay54 on Nov 26, 2008 10:52 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

For Parker and Duncan, sure!

by RogersPark Kris on Nov 26, 2008 10:53 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

pretty strange game preview

(I thought you were kidding about the launching into a “rant” part)…

…anyway, doesn’t Noc usually have dinner with Manu and his family when they play the Spurs? It seems like I remember reading that somewhere. Or maybe it was the other way around?

Hopefully he can fill up on a traditional tasty dish and fist-pump his way to a good game tonight.

by NormVanBeer on Nov 26, 2008 11:05 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Said it before

but I’m really looking forward to the Noce – Manu flopathon. The performances should be epic tonight, like Pacino and DeNiro together in Heat.

by drew gooden's facial growth on Nov 26, 2008 11:42 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Noc is getting so good at the 'Art of the Flop'

That play in the Utah game where they called a foul on Milsap even though Noc was grabbing his arm the entire time was fucking textbook.

by RogersPark Kris on Nov 26, 2008 11:44 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I remember that flop

and couldn’t help but shake my head in admiration.

by drew gooden's facial growth on Nov 26, 2008 4:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I certainly hope so.

Noce has not played near the levels that he played at two years ago.

by PatBull on Nov 26, 2008 12:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

and what level was that?

by yetti on Nov 26, 2008 3:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

16.1 PER

in the regular season and a 21.2 PER in the playoffs is acceptable.

In a trust with Vinny Del Negro.

by NBA Observer on Nov 26, 2008 4:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Noce really is a pretty good player

It isn’t his fault Pax overpaid him. Besides, as much as anybody here may hate him, they would hate him a lot more if he was doing the things that he does now in another uniform against the Bulls. He reminds me of a gentler yet more intense version of Bill Laimbeer who actually has some talent. He isn’t an all star and never will be, but I would hate to see us have to play against him.

"I can accept failure, but I can't accept not trying." -- Michael Jordan

by bennythebull on Nov 26, 2008 7:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hear hear.

Still, as one of his die-hard fans, I am extremely disappointed with the way he has been playing. Im not sure if its the foot, the Olympics or the system but he doesn’t even play like a reliable 7th man off the bench anymore.

He’s like the “loose cannon” 10th man.

by PatBull on Nov 26, 2008 11:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

And now...

he has been sucking. A lot. Sucking to the point of costing us games. He never did that in his 2nd and 3rd years with the bulls.

by PatBull on Nov 26, 2008 11:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

(Proable)Starters

Rose, Gordon, Deng, Hughes, Gooden…

According to the Trib

Thabo Sefolosha: His last name sounds like a disease, and his ballgame IS one.

by chibullsfan03 on Nov 26, 2008 11:17 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

listen

you can’t not start Larry Hughes. You just can’t.

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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 26, 2008 11:20 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

(though I won't believe this trib report just yet, just getting in my shots now)

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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 26, 2008 11:20 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i dont want to believe it either,

it has Hughes matching up against Timmy.

Blech

Thabo Sefolosha: His last name sounds like a disease, and his ballgame IS one.

by chibullsfan03 on Nov 26, 2008 11:23 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hughes on Duncan?

Not even Vinny’s that dumb. It’ll be either Deng or Gooden.

Asked what kind of player he expects to be in the next five years, he said: "Not a star, but like, a superstar. Something around, like, Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, something like that."

by BigBenign on Nov 26, 2008 11:24 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'd guess Deng on Fab

with Gooden ~~fouling~~ guarding Duncan

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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 26, 2008 11:27 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Might be hughes on Fab.

by PatBull on Nov 26, 2008 12:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Why would hughes guard one of their bigs?

are you guys dense? he’s playing small forward.

by BigBenign on Nov 26, 2008 1:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Uhm...ever heard of sarcasm?

by PatBull on Nov 26, 2008 1:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah. There's just been an influx of stupid commenting,

and I don’t know what to take seriously anymore.

by BigBenign on Nov 26, 2008 2:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Ok, sorry.

My mistake then

by PatBull on Nov 26, 2008 11:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Or maybe Noah

He didn’t play bad against Utah. At least until he got tired… 5 minutes later the game started (LOL). Even TT played well… But I can’t say the same about Deng. He shouldn’t even played on that game…

So, I’m not sold on this Trib report

http://comunidadebulleana.blogspot.com/ - Comunidade Bulleana (O blog dos Bulls em Portugal)

by bull83 on Nov 26, 2008 3:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

But it does give us a potential look at Deng at the 4

and some of us are moderately curious to see how he would fare in such a situation, on both ends of the court.

But yes, there seems to be this mandate to start Hughes and perhaps it is to showcase him to some insane team like the Clips perhaps.

by messwiththebull on Nov 26, 2008 7:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Thats just a weird/shit lineup.

But I must say, Deng at the 4 is intriguing. Not against Duncan though. I was thinking, like, against anyone else.

by BigBenign on Nov 26, 2008 11:23 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

it's not intriuguing

why is it such a rush to move one of the few guys who has a real position just so we can hamfist other guys who stink into the lineup?

Unless Deng has completely forgotten how to play basketball (looks like it now, but I’m guessing it won’t last), just keep him in a spot that got him $71m in the first place.

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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 26, 2008 11:27 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Fair.

I’m really just hoping for pick and pops with Deng, and if in the minds of the coaching staff that requires him playing the four, I’m all for experimenting.

by BigBenign on Nov 26, 2008 1:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

They'll just screw it up

Gooden will end up setting the screens and Gordon, Deng, and Hughes will be setting up campsites beyond the arc.

I want Deng setting those screens if we’re going to force him to the 4, but then that means playing Drew Gooden off the ball. Yikes.

In a trust with Vinny Del Negro.

by NBA Observer on Nov 26, 2008 2:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Deng is not strong enough to play the 4.

I think he hurt his back last year trying to guard 4s and attempting to post up more frequently (my guess).

by KentuckyBullsFan on Nov 26, 2008 6:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

High screens for pick and pops

If the back cannot sustain this punishment we can give him the night off with some low post freebies.

In a trust with Vinny Del Negro.

by NBA Observer on Nov 26, 2008 6:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Neither is Tyrus

by messwiththebull on Nov 26, 2008 7:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

My god

When Hinrich comes back, does VDN implement the four guard line-up?

by drew gooden's facial growth on Nov 26, 2008 11:47 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

someone better get traded before hinrich comes back

thats plenty of time for pax

It aint easy bein' Piatkowski

by Yibs on Nov 26, 2008 12:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Come on Bruce Bowen

We need you and your crew of cheapshots.

In a trust with Vinny Del Negro.

by NBA Observer on Nov 26, 2008 2:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Stop encouraging that

You realize he’ll probaby be guarding Rose, don’t you? Who else would they lock him on?

by messwiththebull on Nov 26, 2008 7:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Although,

I’d like to see Deng at the four. Just not…well, you all know.

The poster formerly known as Freethefro.

by MPG on Nov 26, 2008 12:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

you know....

If Vinny finishes this road trip with at least 3 wins…I’ll get off his back somewhat. The best Skiles ever finished on this road trip was with 3 wins as well.

by Ayeljay54 on Nov 26, 2008 11:27 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

VDN's got a ways to go before he can reach Skiles coaching acumen.

but the lastgame was a nice start.

by PatBull on Nov 26, 2008 12:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

yep

he already has the screwy lineups down pat!

by NormVanBeer on Nov 26, 2008 12:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

But our offense looks better, though

Or maybe is just Rose’s fault

http://comunidadebulleana.blogspot.com/ - Comunidade Bulleana (O blog dos Bulls em Portugal)

by bull83 on Nov 26, 2008 3:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

But he's got a head full of hair.

He’s gonna need some time to “bald” it down.

by PatBull on Nov 26, 2008 12:31 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Hughes lucky once in a lifetime buzzer beater may have sealed the Bulls fate.

Larry Legend (in his own mind) was quoted today in the SunTimes saying:
"’’I definitely feel like I can make plays, and making game-winning shots and game-winning passes is something I want to do.’’ (and I want to be LeBron James) The scary thing is unless VDN takes the blinders off, he may be given a chance.

Great idea, lets keep the ball out of Rose’s hands at crunch time for this bloviated, pompous non- playmaker.

Larry does have some justification for his cockiness. He has already racked up 6 assists in 7 games. 0 0 0 2 4 0 0. Eat your heart out Steve Nash (15 assists last night). Should it also be noted that was the FIRST and likely last game winning shot of his medioric (not meteoric) career.

Unless the Bulls can pull off a miracle trade, I’m afraid his sporadic defensive displays, slashes to the rim, and those ill advised jumpers with everyone out of postion before anyone is set, will continue to haunt my nightmares and on a positive note, almost assure the Bulls of another lottery pick this season.

If you can't answer a man's arguments, all is not lost. You can still call him vile names.
Elbert Hubbard

by Tyrusmancrush on Nov 26, 2008 2:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

That play was drawn up

Rose clank one perfectly off the rim so it’s a pass to wide open Larry Almost Legend Hughes for the jump shot prayer.

Hallelujah! The legend is born.

In a trust with Vinny Del Negro.

by NBA Observer on Nov 26, 2008 2:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

and Rose clanked it towards just the right spot

where he knew Hughes would be drifting since Hughes wasn’t actually going towards the rim when the shot went up.

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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 26, 2008 3:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

lol @ "game-winning passes"

by drew gooden's facial growth on Nov 26, 2008 2:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Think you got the wrong Larry.

He’s Larry Hughes, not Larry Bird.

Things could be worse.

by stupidgenius on Nov 26, 2008 4:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Vinny is getting to me

Putting players out of position and experimenting as if the team was a collection of unknowns. If you play small as much as he does, he disses defense. They are giving up 110 points/game in this trip. No rebounds and you get to see BG look at players balls as they bust inside like a 50 cent hooker. This is not NBA basketball. Reindolf did not want to hire D’Antoni because he did not emphasize defense and rebounding. Now we are stuck with the 2-bit version of D’antoni without the experience. Sometimes, it makes me me sick to watch this team.

by Fastbreak on Nov 26, 2008 2:53 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Play Deng at PF

Play Tyrus at SF. On offense Deng is playing the 4 so he sets the screens. Thomas plays the 3 and makes the cuts. Defensively they switch.

What’s the big deal Vinny? Just do it already.

In a trust with Vinny Del Negro.

by NBA Observer on Nov 26, 2008 3:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It can't be worse than Darth Chucker at the 3.

Things could be worse.

by stupidgenius on Nov 26, 2008 3:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hughes and Gray

For as much deserved crap as Hghes takes on this board, he’s played two solid games at the 3. His defense has been good and he’s gotten some big rebounds. He also seems less likely to launch indiscriminate shots without ball handling responsibilities.

Gray has also played two good games. He’s too slow to chase Okur outside, but at least he has the possibility of scoring inside. He’s also finally setting good picks. A few defenders actually got knocked down. Thomas and Noah are just two thin. Everyone else is too eager to slip to the hoop.

I’d like to see better defense at the end of games, but Thomas and Noah get pushed around too easily, and the opponents get offensive boards.

by El Toro de Goro on Nov 26, 2008 3:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Sadly, Hughes has put together a bigger streak of "good" games then Tyrus.

But as far as Gray,

He’s too slow to chase ~~Okur~~ grandma outside

/fixed that for you.

by KentuckyBullsFan on Nov 26, 2008 6:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

ESPN accuscore predictions

I noticed that accuscore on espn, and i think cbs too, gives the Spurs an 81% chance of winning with the bulls conversely having a 19 % chance. (duh)

Does anyone have any opinions about accuscore? I know some people on this board seem to know a lot about stats, do you guys have an opinion about accuscore?

I have never seen one more lopsided. Why could that be? And the thing doesn’t even have Tony Parker.

Spurs are 1 game over. Bulls are 1 game under. How does that equate to bulls having less than a 1/5 chance of winning?

by robinhood on Nov 26, 2008 4:50 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

We only beat the Jazz by 1

and they were missing Boozer and Williams. I’ll take the win, but that was embarassing.

"I can accept failure, but I can't accept not trying." -- Michael Jordan

by bennythebull on Nov 26, 2008 7:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

any win in utah is a good win

and their replacements for boozer and williams, millsap and cj miles, are pretty damn good. There was a reason they were 6-0 at home.

by lampnasty on Nov 26, 2008 7:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

HAHA

funny… i thought i saw a predicted win.

by bulls*hit on Nov 26, 2008 5:22 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I'll be on pounding the rock talking pants

Will be really interesting to see how D.rose goes vs george hill. I know you’ll all guffaw mightily but Hills had 3 straight 20 Point plus games and is a very nice Defender, hell of a pick at #26.

If tyrus was ever going to have a good game tonights the night. Spurs rebounding has been horrible this year.

Good luck hippies!

" Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes, that way when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes. "

by Bushka on Nov 26, 2008 6:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs