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Open Game Thread #63: Bulls at Detroit Pistons

Chicago_bulls_logo_tiny by chgobr on

[ed. note: Thanks to chgobr for today's game preview. -Matt]

Angles to today's Detroit game.

1- You cannot ignore the shocking possibility of the Bull's sweeping the 2007-08 Detroit series with a win tonight.  The Bulls have won 5 straight regular season games against a Detroit team that is 23-5 at home.
2- Motivational bounce-back from the ESPN tongue-lashing.  During the Boston game the ESPN announcers repetitively pointed out how we are a pathetic, defensively weak, lifeless, non-hustling, jump-shooting, shitty team.  Despite some of us agreeing it seemed a bit harsh.  
3- Our Boylan frustration is highlighted by his cliché coaching after the Boston game.  

We had some looks; they just weren't going down. We looked a little fatigued. We just didn't seem to have an answer for them.'
4- TT and Thabo should return today.
5- Watch Deng and Gordon play.  Are they playing poorly or just not as good as we thought?  Today's game contributes to the summer salary negotiations melodrama which heats up in July.
6- Will Noah continue his stellar play?  He may be the steal of the 2007 draft. Who now would take Ji, Hawes or Corey Brewer over Noah?
7- The half-full entry - Despite Boylan's ineptitude I am happier today after moving the Corpse for Hughes and Gooden.  
8- We are ½-game behind NJ and 1 behind Atlanta for the 8th spot

There isn't much we don't know about this Detroit team. Rasheed Wallace sat out the last game with a sore ankle. I think they just wanted to rest him against the pathetic Knicks and I expect him to play tonight. I do not know of any Detroit injuries that would keep them from playing tonight.  The only thing in the Detoit papers a bit interesting is McDyess's recent poor play

Pistons forward Antonio McDyess hasn't been quite the same steady factor over the last four games. After having eight double-digit rebounding performances in February, McDyess hasn't cracked six boards in four games. He also averaged just 3.25 points in that span.

As usual - I hope our Bulls play well and we can enjoy a rare surprise win.

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Poor Thabo
will have to earn his starting spot back. That should be what 2-3 games if ever? Anyway I will be happy just to see him on the floor again. Hope TT just comes out and kicks ass today too.

If they lose tonight you can blame me as I'm wearing my Bulls shirt today.

by sue369 on Mar 9, 2008 10:17 AM CDT   0 recs

I wouldn't mind a lazy Detroit today
I have no faith in Boylan to get the team going after a bad loss like the last one.  It's up to guys like Joakim to come out and set an example with strong play.  Get Sheed in foul trouble, and for the love of God Deng please don't just take that damn pet jumper against Tayshaun Prince all game long.  
Dickey Simpkins>Ben Wallace

by Ozzie Montana on Mar 9, 2008 11:46 AM CDT   0 recs

We're better off, right?
If I'm convinced our lineup is better without Wallace and the Bulls already have success against Detroit with Wallace, then tonight should be no problem, right?

I'm not sure what to expect. I'm actually slightly worried.

by ForWhomTheBullTolls on Mar 9, 2008 1:10 PM CDT   0 recs

I'm better off
just from not having to hear about Wallace and his old buddies.  If I never hear another story about broken dinner plans I can die happy.
Maybe I'll take up hockey.

by wjb1492 on Mar 9, 2008 5:24 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm curious to see
how Noah can do on Wallace.  He has the foot-speed to stay with him on the perimeter and the length to at least bother Rasheed in the post.  As we saw against the Celtics, Joakim fares better against long, rangy players (Garnett) than he does against the brute strength type (Perkins), so this might be a good matchup.  He's a good player now, but he can be an excellent one when he adds strength (not necessarily weight) and a shot.  

by Freethefro on Mar 9, 2008 2:14 PM CDT   0 recs

AHHH
No Jon Barry... I'm smiling already!

by ForWhomTheBullTolls on Mar 9, 2008 7:09 PM CDT   0 recs

No offense but
i hate women broadcasters.

by eross226 on Mar 9, 2008 7:11 PM CDT   0 recs

Gee, why would anyone take offense
to a lovely blanket statement like that.
Maybe I'll take up hockey.

by wjb1492 on Mar 9, 2008 7:15 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I love women.
LSU 38 OHIO STATE 24 - LSU IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION AND I AM THE KING OF BOURBON STREET!!

by 1958ChiTown on Mar 9, 2008 7:18 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't know who they are
but I'd take this team any day over Jon "I wasted 16 years of my life not contributing to a championship team" Barry.

by ForWhomTheBullTolls on Mar 9, 2008 7:23 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I hate this broadcaster
Ben Gordon's not a pure shooter. He's a pure scorer.

WTF?

Let us prepare for glory! --Michael Redd

by tyger1147 on Mar 9, 2008 8:04 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

i like her
she's cool

by ihatenoce on Mar 9, 2008 8:43 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Great start by Gooden.
Not.
LSU 38 OHIO STATE 24 - LSU IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION AND I AM THE KING OF BOURBON STREET!!

by 1958ChiTown on Mar 9, 2008 7:19 PM CDT   0 recs

Haha
I love not jokes.

by YaoPau on Mar 9, 2008 7:20 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

So Duhon isn't playing
Shannon Brown is in instead.

by Big D on Mar 9, 2008 7:19 PM CDT   0 recs

Assuming the broadcast crew was correct
when they said Du would dress but not play, does it seem completely ridiculous to call his punishment a fine instead of a suspension?  I think he should be suspended anyway, personally.
Maybe I'll take up hockey.

by wjb1492 on Mar 9, 2008 7:23 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Are these refs
planning on having Chauncey Billups love-child?  Wtf?

by Freethefro on Mar 9, 2008 7:21 PM CDT   0 recs

Noah is my reason for watching.
Now if they would just sit Gooden.
LSU 38 OHIO STATE 24 - LSU IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION AND I AM THE KING OF BOURBON STREET!!

by 1958ChiTown on Mar 9, 2008 7:26 PM CDT   0 recs

Noah gets pushed
right in front of the "ref"

by gobulls1124 on Mar 9, 2008 7:26 PM CDT   0 recs

It's unbelievable
that was so blatant.  The NBA sucks.  Not just the Bulls.  This league wide coddling of "stars", so clearly with economic origins, is handmaiden to the crap product that the NBA puts out nightly.  I'm starting to enjoy college basketball more, despite its inferior athletes, shooting percentages, moments.

by Freethefro on Mar 9, 2008 7:31 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

good point
but I don't think they got handed the Cal game.

by Freethefro on Mar 9, 2008 7:49 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Full confession:
I'm a KU fan, and it pisses me off that the "experts" seem to be so impressed by UCLA barely squeaking those games out with some help from the refs - yeah, it counts as a W, but no, I don't find it so incredible to barely beat Cal in a home game.

Anyway, I think the behind the backboard rule is stupid, so that doesn't bother me much, but when the bench is yelling at the UCLA players to foul and the Cal guy is getting mugged on the rebound before that last possession, I find it ridiculous they didn't call the foul.

But I'll quit with the NCAA talk before Matt Joe-Joe's me to blog Siberia.

Maybe I'll take up hockey.

by wjb1492 on Mar 9, 2008 7:56 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Boylan TO speech...
OK, boys, I am the coach here. Me. I. J-I-M B-O-Y-L-A-N. The Jimmeister. JImmy Jim Jim. Big Jim. This is my timeout. I own every second. Tyrus, you're suspended for the length of this TO. Make it two TO's. We are going to a five guard lineup. Call Jameson up from the D-League, then suspend him for ten minutes, then play him.
LSU 38 OHIO STATE 24 - LSU IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION AND I AM THE KING OF BOURBON STREET!!

by 1958ChiTown on Mar 9, 2008 7:30 PM CDT   0 recs

I think it is safe to say
that the honeymoon between the bulls and hughes is over.  His shot selection sucks.
Baby Bulls II?

by bullshooter on Mar 9, 2008 7:33 PM CDT   0 recs

Hughes and Gooden got traded because they
are trash.

Just like Wallace was.

A different sort of trash with a unique stench, but trash nonetheless.

LSU 38 OHIO STATE 24 - LSU IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION AND I AM THE KING OF BOURBON STREET!!

by 1958ChiTown on Mar 9, 2008 7:35 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I have actually been happily surprised
by Gooden, he seems servicable (probably because his contract is up next year.)  Hughes obviously doesn't give a shit and is going to jack up bad shots to make up for lost time.
Baby Bulls II?

by bullshooter on Mar 9, 2008 7:38 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

"his shot selection sucks"
drew gooden

by BULLSHIT on Mar 9, 2008 7:49 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

there never was a honeymoon
you're kidding right?

by BULLSHIT on Mar 9, 2008 7:36 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yes...
Like throwing a post entry pass into the front row after dribbling the length of the court by himself.

by Khalid El-Amin on Mar 9, 2008 7:45 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It was a bad pass, but he didn't dribble the
length of the court himself by choice.

Noce hadn't passed midcourt, got doubled, and dropped it off to Tyrus. He had to get it over the time line.

Then he should have dropped it to Kirk.

LSU 38 OHIO STATE 24 - LSU IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION AND I AM THE KING OF BOURBON STREET!!

by 1958ChiTown on Mar 9, 2008 7:47 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Exactly...
"he should have dropped it off to Kirk".

Not to beat a dead horse but that's the kind of thing you learn from practice, and the kind of mistake a rookie makes.

Same old Tyrus.

If Gooden had done that this board would have jumped all over him.

by Khalid El-Amin on Mar 9, 2008 7:49 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Gooden has been in the league five years.
He has no real upside.

He isn't going to improve by playing.

TT will.

And so far, this game, Gooden has thrown up a couple of airballs and played shit defense. Last game, he got thrown out. Useless bearded clam.

LSU 38 OHIO STATE 24 - LSU IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION AND I AM THE KING OF BOURBON STREET!!

by 1958ChiTown on Mar 9, 2008 7:51 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Are you talking about Tyrus?
On one other play, he cleared out the side, then beat hsi man off the dribble and got fouled. That's a positive play.

On another play, he got the ball from Luol as he was cutting down the lane, went up and got hammered. No call. But not a bad play by Tyrus.

On another play, Tyrus threw a nice pass over the top of two defenders to Luol, who cut in, got blocked, then had Noah clean up the miss.

Those are the only other offensive plays that Tyrus had, so far as I can recall.

LSU 38 OHIO STATE 24 - LSU IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION AND I AM THE KING OF BOURBON STREET!!

by 1958ChiTown on Mar 9, 2008 7:55 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

after he waved three guys off
that's a kobe play
Baby Bulls II?

by bullshooter on Mar 9, 2008 8:03 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

everybody trying to do things their own way
is why the bulls are 10 games under .500.
Baby Bulls II?

by bullshooter on Mar 9, 2008 8:04 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

That was
just silly. Kirk clapped his hands to get Tyrus to give him the ball and the Tyrus throws it away.

by sue369 on Mar 9, 2008 8:23 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I try not to complain about the refs...
but the last two games have just been difficult to tolerate.
LSU 38 OHIO STATE 24 - LSU IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION AND I AM THE KING OF BOURBON STREET!!

by 1958ChiTown on Mar 9, 2008 7:47 PM CDT   0 recs

Once again
the announcers cannot contain their awe at how hard we blow.  oy.  

by Freethefro on Mar 9, 2008 7:48 PM CDT   0 recs

Is our bench(with Gordon)
better then theirs???Wow
"YES,WE CAN!"-B.OBAMA.

by Azabullsfan on Mar 9, 2008 7:52 PM CDT   0 recs

YES
WE CAN!

by ForWhomTheBullTolls on Mar 9, 2008 7:53 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I can't wait till he's gone
and tyler handsboroughgough is in. so long, streakiness :)

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Mar 9, 2008 7:55 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I used to think BG was inconsistent
and infuriating.

Then I saw Larry Hughes.

LSU 38 OHIO STATE 24 - LSU IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION AND I AM THE KING OF BOURBON STREET!!

by 1958ChiTown on Mar 9, 2008 7:57 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

BG is inconsistent
hence the debate about whether to keep him or not.  Hughes is completely consistent and consequently, there is no debate...
Baby Bulls II?

by bullshooter on Mar 9, 2008 8:00 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

agree
And if only Deng will play like 10 mil/year player.
"YES,WE CAN!"-B.OBAMA.

by Azabullsfan on Mar 9, 2008 8:00 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Gordon gets abused in the past by Detroit...
Reminds me of last year's playoffs.
LSU 38 OHIO STATE 24 - LSU IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION AND I AM THE KING OF BOURBON STREET!!

by 1958ChiTown on Mar 9, 2008 7:58 PM CDT   0 recs

LOL. Yes, post.
LSU 38 OHIO STATE 24 - LSU IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION AND I AM THE KING OF BOURBON STREET!!

by 1958ChiTown on Mar 9, 2008 8:00 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Bulls getting killed on the offensive glass
but is Tyrus Thomas learning a lesson? that's all I ask.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Mar 9, 2008 7:58 PM CDT   0 recs

Noah...
must be short for no-calls

by Khalid El-Amin on Mar 9, 2008 7:59 PM CDT   0 recs

These call are terribe.
I'm not normally one to complain about calls, but it seems like we're so bad we don't get any respect at all now.

by BoxingHideout on Mar 9, 2008 8:00 PM CDT   0 recs

Boylan is
like that cool uncle that buys you beer when you're 16

by Orlando Woolridge on Mar 9, 2008 8:01 PM CDT   0 recs

Then later gets arrested for
being a pedarast.
LSU 38 OHIO STATE 24 - LSU IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION AND I AM THE KING OF BOURBON STREET!!

by 1958ChiTown on Mar 9, 2008 8:02 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

hahahaha
yeah, i was thinking "and lives in the basement", but pederast will do

by Orlando Woolridge on Mar 9, 2008 8:33 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Or...
That weird guy that owned the bicycle shop who tried to molest Dudley.

by Khalid El-Amin on Mar 9, 2008 8:03 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah and when he doesnt want to
buy it for you anymore, they call you a punkass uncle and start disrespecting you.

by violentdiarrhea on Mar 9, 2008 8:04 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Why can't Deng
make this F..... layup????????!!!!
Noah saved his ass once by tiping.
"YES,WE CAN!"-B.OBAMA.

by Azabullsfan on Mar 9, 2008 8:03 PM CDT   0 recs

Why does Luol miss so many
close shots?
LSU 38 OHIO STATE 24 - LSU IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION AND I AM THE KING OF BOURBON STREET!!

by 1958ChiTown on Mar 9, 2008 8:03 PM CDT   0 recs

Because the Pistons...
Are one of the most physical teams in the East... The Bulls are hearing footsteps.

by Khalid El-Amin on Mar 9, 2008 8:04 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Well, err, he also had trouble against
Cleveland.
LSU 38 OHIO STATE 24 - LSU IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION AND I AM THE KING OF BOURBON STREET!!

by 1958ChiTown on Mar 9, 2008 8:07 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Who else is phisycal
in that team other than LBJ?
Delonte West?;)
"YES,WE CAN!"-B.OBAMA.

by Azabullsfan on Mar 9, 2008 8:25 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Physical on Cleveland....
Ben "The Body" Wallace (LMAO) I hate that guy these days, but there is no denying he is physical!!!  Also Varejao and Devin Brown are pretty physical guys (that is when Varejao isn't flopping).

But seeing as though LeBron matches up with Luol Deng, that in and of itself is a problem for him.

by lexdiamonds0730 on Mar 9, 2008 8:29 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Can I say again about Deng....
... that this man struggles mightily against teams with superior athletes.  Especially when his jump shot isn't falling.  He is not what you'd call "explosive".  So when he goes to the basket he can easily be impeded by those "explosive" guys.  He is not capable of creating a lot of offense on his own.  I wish so badly he'd develop a post up game.  If he did that then he'd take the leap from average player to elite player because then i don't think there would be any stopping him at all.  That lil 19' jumper and cuttin' to the basket waiting for others to create for him ain't gonna cut it.

by lexdiamonds0730 on Mar 9, 2008 8:26 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I know...
you want him to be a superstar. BELIEVE YOU, you do.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Mar 9, 2008 8:26 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Matt...
You are right.  I am VERY hard on Luol Deng and have stronger opinions pertaining to him than most others.  But I believe it's fair.  I guess I just feel like everyone is settling for him being alright instead of demanding better of him.  If I didn't think he had the tools to be great then I wouldn't harp on him like I do.  But he does have to tools, but will he ever realize his potential?  I don't know, but I've started to think not.  I think he may be a constant 19pts 7rbds guy.  That's fine, but with all the money we pay Noc, Hinrich and now Hughes, we may not be able to pay a guy big money who is only putting up those modest numbers.

I look at Deng and I see his game could be like past players like Adrian Dantley, Bernard King and Mark Aguirre.  Neither of those guys were great athletes and were overmatched in that category nearly every night, but they all had a back to the basket game that allowed them to dominate.

I attached a little stat comparison chart for fun.  Shows Dantley and King in year one of their careers (Aguirre in year two because he was hurt in year one and Deng in year three because that has been his best season).

http://www.basketball-reference.com/fc/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=0&p1=dantlad01&y1=19 77&p2=aguirma01&y2=1983&p3=kingbe01&y3=1978&p4=denglu01&y4=2007

by lexdiamonds0730 on Mar 9, 2008 8:58 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

you guys beat me to the punch
by saying that lu sucks and can not finish...what happened to the guy that was not tradable

by bullzfan148 on Mar 9, 2008 8:04 PM CDT   0 recs

don't know
who was that guy? it wasn't Deng...

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Mar 9, 2008 8:07 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Wow...
Billups, wide open 3.

by Khalid El-Amin on Mar 9, 2008 8:06 PM CDT   0 recs

Wow...
Billups, wide open 3.

by Khalid El-Amin on Mar 9, 2008 8:07 PM CDT   0 recs

Good thing Luol can't finish.
Why are so many here so stupid?
Let us prepare for glory! --Michael Redd

by tyger1147 on Mar 9, 2008 8:08 PM CDT   0 recs

Dude, I don't know if it is a
lingering injury or what, but Luol has had a lot of trouble finishing around the rim over the last ten games or so.
LSU 38 OHIO STATE 24 - LSU IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION AND I AM THE KING OF BOURBON STREET!!

by 1958ChiTown on Mar 9, 2008 8:09 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Sort of.
But it's not that bad. The stats say there's a drop off from 66% eFG to 60% eFG on inside shots. He's also doing worse on his jump shots, though. I guess if you're talking about shots getting blocked, though, that's been a lot worse, from 10% to 14%.
Let us prepare for glory! --Michael Redd

by tyger1147 on Mar 9, 2008 8:16 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

that'd be a bad idea
because he seems to have forgotten the plays after skipping just one.
Baby Bulls II?

by bullshooter on Mar 9, 2008 8:14 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Forgotten?
You assume he knew the plays in the first place.

by Khalid El-Amin on Mar 9, 2008 8:14 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

If only Boylan would play Gooden more,
the Bulls would be winnning by 10.

Oh, wait...

LSU 38 OHIO STATE 24 - LSU IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION AND I AM THE KING OF BOURBON STREET!!

by 1958ChiTown on Mar 9, 2008 8:17 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

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