Season Starts for Real

by robinhood on Nov 28, 2008 6:54 PM CST Comment 9 comments

We're about 20% through the season. Considering the three day break, I believe now is a good time to look back and reevaluate the Bulls hopes for the remainder of the season.

The Bulls are 7-9. The 6th place East team, New Jersey Nets, is 7-7. I think Bulls are in a pretty good situation, meaning they should make the playoffs, considering two things indicated we should have started slower: 1. Rookie VDN and 2. Rookie Rose. It seems rational to expect that those two will improve. Now it is likely that at some point Rose will get tired. But VDN is a grown man and a coach so he should improve. This is a Bulls team that should grow together and consequently become stronger.

I expect to see that exact thing happen...NOW. With 16 games and 3 days off under their belts the rookieness (sorry for lack of a better word) of VDN and Rose should no longer be an excuse. It shouldn't even be a factor. I expect to see the Bulls win 8 of their next 10, losing only on the Road to Philly and Boston. Look at the schedule, that is not unrealistic. Should the Bulls go, say, 5-5 something is wrong with the team.

If that happens I will point my finger at VDN and to the man responsible for VDN. By now VDN should know his personnel; he has seen them on the road and at home. He has tried many different rosters and tactics. He should be able to evaluate their effectiveness.

After 16 games and after seeing what this team can do (7-9 with two losses to CLE, and 1 to BOS, ORL, LAL, POR, SA, DEN, ATL is a good start. The worst team, record wise, that we have lost to is San Antonio at 8-6. Finally, the Bulls have not lost to a team with a worse record.) it will be time to hold VDN to a higher standard.

The season starts for real on Sunday.

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As pathetic as we have looked

Rose apparently makes us good enough all by himself to beat the teams that we should beat. Which still means that the best that we can hope for this season is about a .500 record, maybe a few games over since we play more games against the east than we do the west.

We would still probably be better off not making the playoffs this year and next, and getting a shot at another miracle ping pong ball. So far this years ping pong ball drawing, and for once making the right call, has been Paxson’s best move as a GM.

by BigWay on Nov 29, 2008 3:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I've debated it as well

My conclusion is playoffs would be amazing for Rose and pretty much make him a lock for ROY.

But ping pong balls means another valuable trading chip and a possible miracle.

With that being said, I have no conclusion

by Option27 on Nov 29, 2008 4:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

While walking around with a rod

hoping that lightning will strike twice would be awesome, I’m content playing it out. By no means should we “try” to get into the lottery. If we play our best and that is our lot this season, so be it. However, I think the playoffs is achievable – so even “getting swept in the first round” is valuable experience for Rose et al.

--Torch

by torch on Nov 29, 2008 5:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

We'll be stuck right in the middle

Either a crappy playoff team, or a good lottery team.

by Hoopster on Nov 30, 2008 5:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm ok with middle this year

I agree that a horrible place to be in the NBA is the 7th, 8th, or 9th seed with no shot of advancing in the playoffs or getting a high lottery pick. But this year when we are clearing the roster for 2010 why not let Derrick get the experience of a playoff series against a Boston or Cleveland. He may steal a game or even if he gets swept he’ll see what it takes to win playoff series. I also don’t want anymore youth on this roster so except for Blake Griffin I wouldn’t even want a shot at the lottery.

by Jscho316 on Dec 1, 2008 6:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed, no more "projects",

what the Bulls need is a strong big man who can rebound, defend and has a nasty streak – no more uncontested layups.

by Granny Waiters on Dec 1, 2008 9:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

rooting for the lottery is annoying

USE THE SOFTWARE. Actions-> Rec/Flag. Reply to comments with the reply button. Rec good fanposts/fanshots so the crud gets pushed down.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Dec 1, 2008 12:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The bulls next ten games...

could be against the old SICA East and Sica South…..and I still wouldn’t label it a disappointment if they dont win at least 8 out of their next ten. Team is still growing together, if they hang around once they reach 40-45 games….then they will be fine. But there will still be a few clunkers here and there.

by Ayeljay54 on Nov 29, 2008 5:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs