Game #4 Preview: Chicago Bulls @ Orlando Magic

by Calogero on Nov 3, 2008 3:11 PM CST Comment 69 comments

[This is the first of our BaB community game previews, which hopefully will both help my laziness as well as get some different voices in on each upcoming game. These will be up the afternoon of the game, and then the official gamethread will be posted right at gametime. Thanks to Calogero for today's preview -ed.]

As Matt alluded to earlier, there isn't a whole lot we can take from the 3 games we've seen so far, although it is nice to not look completely inept out of the gate like the Bulls did last season. Chicago looked pretty good in wins over Memphis and Milwaukee-- although those slow first halves are a tad disconcerting-- and got waxed by the Celtics in a situation where the Bulls legitimately didn't have much of a chance (young team, first road game, new offense, playing the reigning NBA champions and a great defensive team, etc.). On the Chicago side, the storylines tonight are nothing new or exciting; how will the minutes be handled, will Derrick Rose walk on water, will Drew Gooden take a shot from inside 20 feet, and will BaB's prodigal son Tyrus Thomas break his cover-your-eyes bad 2 for 22 shooting slump?

On the bright side tonight, the Magic have been less than impressive so far this season, going 1-2 against a schedule that isn't exactly intimidating. They were thumped 99-85 on opening night at home to Atlanta, and fell on the road 86-84 to Memphis before finally getting an 18 point home win over the lowly Kings. Also, to say that the Bulls hold a considerable talent advantage on the bench redefines the word "understatement." A quick glance at Orlando's roster reveals that after the starters of Nelson/Pietrus/R. Lewis/Hedo/Howard, that leaves a bench of Anthony Johnson, J.J. Redick, Keith Bogans, Marcin Gortat, Brian Cook, Adonal Foyle, and Courtney Lee. Yikes.

However, unlike Chicago, Orlando actually insists upon starting their best players, and with it appearing that the Bulls should be able to make up some ground against Orlando's second unit, the big question remaining is how will they handle the Magic's starters, especially Dwight Howard? Likely nobody in the frontcourt can handle him themselves, and doubling him will create open looks for their myriad of three point shooters. With Chicago holding an advantage in depth, the keys to this game will be the Bulls holding their own against Orlando's first team and getting out and running whenever possible.

The tip is at 6 central on Comcast Sports Chicago (or Sun Sports for any Floridians in the house), and for all other out of market fans, my sources tell me that the League Pass free preview continues tonight (and that this will be the last Bulls game we can catch on it without shelling out 170 bucks). For anything else Magic-related, head on over to Third Quarter Collapse, and may all their threes resemble Larry Hughes' tonight.

FanPosts are user-created posts from the BlogABull community, and are to be treated as the opinions and views of that particular user, not that of the blogger or blog community as a whole.

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I was watching the Knicks-Bucks game last night (don't ask why) and

Quentin Richardson had a really good game going. I know that is the exception rather than the rule given injury problems and other factors, but I couldn’t help but think that we’d probably be better off with that guy at SF than Deng. Anyone else agree with that or am I just way too down on Luol right now? His play and mopey attitude on the court is really bothering me.

by Juiceboxjerry on Nov 3, 2008 3:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

failure in thread-relevance

content isn’t much better.

I’d rather you create a fanshot every time you see a SF hit a few three-pointers.

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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 3, 2008 3:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That would be the worst fanshot ever.

I thought these pregame threads were supposed to basically be an open forum for all types of comments? What’s wrong with the content? It’s hardly a “few three pointers” by the way. The guy has a track record, you make him sound like Anthony Parker.

by Juiceboxjerry on Nov 3, 2008 3:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

sorry I was being a bit nitpicky

technically the game threads are the ‘open’ ones….I just liked how there’s this nice new game preview, and the first comment is about Luol being a mope.

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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 3, 2008 3:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Noted

by Juiceboxjerry on Nov 3, 2008 3:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

::updating resume::

once wrote a “nice new game preview.”

and let’s all calm down on Luol here; everyone stunk against Boston, and he was solid against Milwaukee. Yes he was bad against Memphis, but give the guy a break, the season isn’t even a week old.

by Calogero on Nov 3, 2008 3:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Good thing

Luol has sucked so far this year. And if there was a game where I would be worried about Luol getting little and giving up a lot it would be against Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu. Oh, cookies. Mmm.

I like the first post. High five!

In a trust with Vinny Del Negro.

by NBA Observer on Nov 3, 2008 3:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Seriously, are you on the same drugs as our dawg Mortimer from BE?

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 Nov 3, 2008 4:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

lol

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

by Belize on Nov 3, 2008 5:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

c'mon

any time a SF plays well are we going to hear these ridiculous trades/comparisons? Richardson barely got off the bench for the last 3 years. He hits a couple 3s on an awful team and all of the sudden we should go get him.

by DangerMouse on Nov 3, 2008 3:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It wasn't a trade idea!

I was merely trying to point out how down on Luol I am, and that at this point Q Rich (or a similar player) looks like a better option. I didn’t write anything about a trade, although I wouldn’t be apposed to one. Did anyone else see that Grizzlies game?!! Luol was completely outclassed by a 2nd year player that is not exactly a superstar just yet (not saying he won’t be). Meanwhile, he’s the one with the 70 mil. contract

by Juiceboxjerry on Nov 3, 2008 4:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

have you seen the last 3 years of Richardsons career?

and notice i wrote “trade / comparison.” the amount of overreaction to two bad games is a bit ridiculous. it is just getting annoying having people jump on and off each player’s bandwagons at such alarming rates.

First off, Deng is like the 15th highest paid Small forward in the league. So I wish people would stop throwing his contract in the air as if by signing that contract, he was suppose to become some type of new player.

Second, Gay 8-19, 20pts, 5 reb, 1ast. Deng 4-13, 11pts, 7 reb, 1ast. I don’t if that qualifies as being completely out-classed. Gay is a better player than Deng, but it wasn’t like he went out and had 50 while Deng scored 5 pts. And it is not like Q Richardson would play better, despite having hit some big 3’s in that 12 pt loss to the Bucks in which the Knicks gave up.

by DangerMouse on Nov 3, 2008 4:43 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

I expect Deng to be better than last year, at least

If he doesn’t show some improvement, what was the point to offer him that money, when we could offer a little bit more to BG?

Please Pax, don't trade Hughes! Just make sure that he stays injured until... 2010!!!

by bull83 on Nov 3, 2008 4:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i expect deng to improve as well

its only the 3rd game of the season though. They have 79 more.

by DangerMouse on Nov 3, 2008 4:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I have the impression that...

with VDN, Deng is not playing at his best. He’s not making that on purpose, but… I don’t know. I have that feeling that he doesn’t fit well on our new offense or that something is missing… He just seems to be always in the same level and can’t reach the next one

Please Pax, don't trade Hughes! Just make sure that he stays injured until... 2010!!!

by bull83 on Nov 3, 2008 4:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i'm not sure how Deng fits into VDN's offense

but he and Gordon start slowly each season. I don’t know why, but they do. I think Deng will get it going. Right now I see him trying to go one on one too much, which isn’t his game. He is a lot like a big Rip Hamilton, he needs to move off the ball to be effective. It seems like he is getting the ball in the wing a lot this year and trying to put it on the ground instead of raising up for a shot or passing it back out and cutting.

by DangerMouse on Nov 3, 2008 4:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I said outclassed not outscored, very different.

What I meant was, despite stat lines, it was clear;y apparent to anyone viewing the game who the superior player was. And I am not overreacting after three games. I can’t speak for everyone, but I have personally never liked Deng’s game at all. Now, since the Bulls are my team I will root like hell for the guy to suceed and correct what I think are huge weaknesses in his game, but you can’t lump everyone into the same boat as “overreacting”.

by Juiceboxjerry on Nov 3, 2008 4:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Gay will likely get a better contract when eligible.

will that be ok then?

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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 3, 2008 4:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't care about how much money the guy is getting.

What I do care about, is that the player making the money and subsequently taking from our cap space and ability to add talent is worthy it, and in this case, I don’t think he is.

by Juiceboxjerry on Nov 3, 2008 5:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

okay my apologies.

the new class rankings haven’t come out yet. When you put them out, I’ll be able to compare players better. maybe you and Ozzie Montana can compare notes. He and you seem to have different ideas about classes and which players belong to which.

And when you are clamoring for Q RIchardson after he scores well in a 12 pt loss to Milwaukee (who Deng also played well against) I think I can put you with the overreacting crowd. In fact, you asked if you were overreacting (“am I just way too down on Luol right now?”) in your original post.

by DangerMouse on Nov 3, 2008 5:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

My "overreaction" question was more about liking Richardson, which apparently you think I was.

by Juiceboxjerry on Nov 3, 2008 5:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well Q looked his best with D'Antoni as his coach

Maybe this is his resurgent year. Still, Q is pretty much a spot-up shooter. Despite how angry Deng makes you with his 898 pump fakes, he’s a far superior player on both ends of the floor.

"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 Nov 3, 2008 5:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I thought it was pretty stupid when I posted it,

but it bugs me that, at times Derrick Rose is on the floor without one player with legit 3 pt. range.

by Juiceboxjerry on Nov 3, 2008 5:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Gay didn't outclass Deng, not if you watched the whole game

Gay had a nice 1st half, but Lu played some great D on him in the 2nd half, he was non-existent for the last 2 quarters.

And don’t you worry, someone will overpay for Rudy Gay in 2 seasons as well. There’s nothing NBA front offices love more than talented small forwards with athleticism.

by Ozzie Montana on Nov 3, 2008 4:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

"Wait,

you’re allowed to start your best players? Why didn’t anyone tell me?"
-VDN

"Worker bees can leave.
Even drones can fly away.
The Queen is their slave."

by jpchi on Nov 3, 2008 3:32 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I found it funny

Magic beat reporter (and mustache enthusiast) Brian Schmitz marvels at the talent coming off the Bulls bench, and uses Red Kerr’s go-to stat, bench points.

I’m pretty sure his point is more about the Magic bench not being very good (and that should be a valid concern), but I’ve yet to see how bench scoring is an actually important statistic.

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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 3, 2008 3:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Is there bench metric you do like?

In a trust with Vinny Del Negro.

by NBA Observer on Nov 3, 2008 4:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

minutes?

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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 3, 2008 4:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

He probably marvels at the bench

because he sees a backcourt coming off our bench that is a gillion times better than the guys masquerading as NBA starters in the Magic backcourt.

by messwiththebull on Nov 3, 2008 4:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It's more like he ogles at the bench

specifically at that mountain of a man Aaron Gray whom Red would love to spend his retirement with eating candy and trading stories about banging in the post.

We have every right to dream heroic dreams. Those who say that we're in a time when there are no heroes, they just don't know where to look.
Ronald Reagan

by snley on Nov 3, 2008 4:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

::Keanu Reeves:: (B&T or Matrix, u decide)

whoa.

You miss 100% of the shots you never take...

-something i heard, probably basketball related

by The Mattador on Nov 3, 2008 6:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

According to Smith's blog post

VDN’s going with the same lineup tonight

Del Negro said he’ll stick with his same starting lineup, which could provide an intriguing comparison. The Magic has a total of 39 points from all its reserves in three games. The Bulls reserve average 38 per game. Without each team’s starters, the Bulls dominate this one. But there’s this Howard guy…

http://bullsblogs.typepad.com/chicago_bulls_blog/2008/11/iverson-in-tran.html

by Tobo on Nov 3, 2008 3:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

The one clink in Howard's armor is free throw shooting.

The Bull should use most of the 18 fouls between Gooden, Gray and Noah tonight to slow him down. The return of the three headed monster.

Another interesting thing to watch tonight will be how well Derrick Rose reacts to facing a shotblocker in the lane…the Bulls shooters need to knock down some open shots, because Rose will penetrate and run into Howard.

"The whole leverage thing, it's a difficult thing to gauge" -Paxson

by Dionysus2.0 on Nov 3, 2008 3:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Rose is better

but only when the man Howard will leave to weak side block is smart enough to get into the best position to receive Rose’s pass.

In a trust with Vinny Del Negro.

by NBA Observer on Nov 3, 2008 3:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Not even Dwight Howard

will keep DRose out of the paint. As a matter of fact, he should drive and hopefully draw some fouls.
We shouldn’t worry about fouling Howard….We should put him in foul trouble and get him to sit.
I hope the refs give the rook his calls.

by scottie33 on Nov 3, 2008 4:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

that's what I'm hoping for as well.

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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 3, 2008 4:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry,

but I haven’t had to use the league pass free preview before tonight…how do you sign up?

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 3, 2008 4:13 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

It's available through your cable/dish provider

You only need to access the channel the game is on.

We have every right to dream heroic dreams. Those who say that we're in a time when there are no heroes, they just don't know where to look.
Ronald Reagan

by snley on Nov 3, 2008 4:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

it can be a pain to find

for instance it was buried deep in the 1900s of my digital cable

by Calogero on Nov 3, 2008 4:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Tonights game

is on CSN+ for those who get CSN.

by sue369 on Nov 3, 2008 4:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

do you mean CLTV?

by Tobo on Nov 3, 2008 4:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I have DirecTV so

for me it’s CSN+ channel 666.

by sue369 on Nov 3, 2008 4:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, I didn't realize it was a seperate station as well

Crazy cable/dish

by Tobo on Nov 3, 2008 4:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

it's also in HD

on that MOJO channel (174 if you’re in the cit-ay)

(at least that’s what CSN+ told me last time…hopefully it wasn’t just for that game)

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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 3, 2008 4:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I meant if you have Comcast

if you don’t…well, you’re lucky.

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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 3, 2008 4:36 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

This game preview was awesome.

And this thread, after a slow start, got pretty exciting. However, it’s started to fizzle around the end. Let’s pick it up guys!

by tyger1147 on Nov 3, 2008 4:32 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Nice preview, glad to have some non-lazy contributors on this site!

The key tonight is to get Howard in foul trouble, not let him wreak havoc on our thin frontcourt. Tyrus, Rose, and Deng need to be attacking the basket constantly in hopes of drawing fouls. The Magic have an abysmal bench, let’s make them use it.

I’m really hoping Tyrus can bounce back tonight against a smaller PF in Lewis.

by Ozzie Montana on Nov 3, 2008 4:46 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

smaller than most PFs

still bigger than him though

by CJOliveira on Nov 3, 2008 4:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Not like he uses his size

Lewis is a perimeter player

by Ozzie Montana on Nov 3, 2008 5:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

true

by CJOliveira on Nov 3, 2008 5:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I have a lot of work to do tonight

but I’m still hoping to find a stream so I can waste some time. Here’s to blogabull as the ultimate time-waster!

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 Nov 3, 2008 4:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Amen...

Take it to ‘em. Who cares if Howard is a 50% FT shooter or whatever…We should worry about getting him to foul us not the other way around.
I’m looking for a bounce backfrom TT also. And I hope the last 2 games arent stuck in TT’s head. I don’t care if he has just an OK game, as long as it’s nor horrible like the last two.

by scottie33 on Nov 3, 2008 4:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

my bad

was reply to Ozzie

by scottie33 on Nov 3, 2008 4:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Offensive explosion with starting shooting guards?

Both Pietus and Thabo, noted as defensive specialists will pull out all defensive tricks to attempt to stop the others offensive powerhouse of scoring weapons!

Or will both get a easy night off? I imagine it will be interesting to see how each coach adjust the matchups related to these two to gain an advantage.

by exult463 on Nov 3, 2008 5:18 PM CST reply actions 0 recs