Game Preview #37: Bulls vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
[Thanks to chgobr for today's game preview. Last night proved that the Bulls can look alright against no defense whatsoever -ed.]
Last night Bulls recap: You had to smile a bit watching the game last night. Good ball movement, 29 assists on 38 field goals, decent defense despite being against the terrible Wizards. With that said, Tyrus Thomas' 16 points, 2 steals, 2 blocks (he should of had 3 but Violet blew a call), 2 assists and 10 rebounds was almost overshadowed by his steady, smart basketball. He played around the hoop. I can remember only one jump shot and most important, he didn't play stupid. He had only 1 TO. You have to like Drew Gooden. I realize signing him is a challenge given our cap issues but we appear to be a better team when he is playing. He is playing for a contract; he can be lax on defense; he can sleep-walk through some games; but his 16 points, 1 block, 1 steal 2 assists and 11 rebounds impacted last night's game. We have won two in a row with him back, but more importantly we seem to play better as a team with him on the floor. Can we get him at the mid-level exemption for next year? He probably will be able to sign more than a one year deal making it hard for us to keep him. He is making $7.1 mil this year. Despite his flaws who else can we get at a reasonable price who does better than Gooden?
Last night's other recap: Boston falls to 3rd in the East. Is this the sign of the end for the Celtic run? James is a beast and I don't see anyone stopping him. Beast #2 is in Orlando. Orlando's 121 - 87 massacre of Atlanta last night doesn't do justice to how lopsided the game was. Orlando was up by 50 before Gortat took over. It makes me feel a bit better (only a bit) about being victimized by Orlando 10 days ago. Yahoo reports that Darius Miles has been signed by Memphis to a 10-day contract probably costing Portland $18 mil. Portland's inappropriate threat to sue teams if they play Darius 2 games, documented in the Yahoo article is just plain weird.
Tonight's game: Knowing I was doing tonight's game preview I watched as the Thunder almost beat Houston last night. The final was 98-96 Houston. Westbrook looks like the real deal ( at least when I watched). He is lightening quick, made big shots down the stretch and seemed to out-play Durant at crunch-time. Durant blamed himself for last night's loss. His two turnovers and missed open shots at the end of the game did seal the deal for Houston. Durant's 27 was on 11-22 shooting. He got them back from a 13 point half-time deficit before his end of game collapse. Jeff Green also looks like a player that they can build around. You remember Joe Smith, now with the Thunder, he made a huge block on Yao with about 1 minute in the game left that gave them an opportunity to win. I felt the Thunder looked better than Washington last night. I wouldn't get too cocky against this team. We have not won three in a row since April 15, 2007. We beat the Wizards April 15 2007 101-68 after consecutive wins against the Knicks and Bobcats. We feasted on the lower echelon teams in 2006-7. Three in a row still would be nice. Can we ever beat a good NBA team? Another opportunity presents itself Monday against Portland.
Blogging with the enemy: Unbelievable as it is Kelly Dwyer reviewed the Oklahoma City Blogs for me September 14 2008. There is the Oklahoma City Thunder News, Oklahoma City BBall and the Bend it Like Bennett site. These sites do seem to express the uniqueness of Oklahoma culture making me very happy I live in Chicagoland. [ed. note: Since then, a few good OKC blogs have popped up, namely The Thunderworld and Thunderguru]
TV/radio: 7:30 p.m. Saturday; WGN-Ch. 9, WMVP-AM 1000.
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Milwaukee bucks
man, they have me scared about our playoff hopes. They are 18-20 and I think they are for real.
by knickknack7450 on Jan 10, 2009 10:37 AM CST reply actions
Yeah Skiles philophies will probably work even better
Since they have a stronger offensive group than we did to me. But I do think he was a big reason to our turn around at the beginning of the new year or half of the season
LOL at "the uniqueness of Oklahoma culture"
Good preview. One interesting question; any thoughts on why there is never a “how to get Durant when he gets tired of OKC” thread? Seems like this blog has conjured up scenarios for every player in the league, including a few about Eddy Curry! Glad to hear that Westbrook is making the grade. He was an exciting player for my beloved Bruins.
I like a big man rotation of noah, tyrus, and gooden only
We don’t really need gray that much. You want guys to be able to get into a rhythm out there especially tyrus and noah. Tyrus is looking pretty good. playing under control, making nice simple passes, and defending the rim. I emailed sam smith and he told me Paxson likely ordered del negro to play tyrus 30+ minutes. Also good D by Tyrus on Jamison a very underrated player, with good all round scoring.
if that's true
other than the 3 he hit in Phoenix, that may be the coolest thing Pax has done.
Suit up the MJ Statue! It should be able to give us the interior defense we've been lacking! Get on it Pax!
by chibullsfan03 on Jan 10, 2009 12:06 PM CST up reply actions
I did smile during last night game,
when Hughes got booed, and deservedly might I add.
Yeah the Magic are dangerous they have great matchups
and of course Howard is the best big man in the game right now. (probably will be for the rest of his career) But they have some versatile forwards and are way better defensively now.
I really can't wait to see what Pooh does to Westbrook
Anyone else remember what he did to him in the Tourney last year against the Bruins?
It was dominant to a point
Remember how he did against Charlotte a few weeks ago?
Yeah, I won’t bank on anything. I just want him to play well, not try and dominate everyone.
Vinny Del Negro interviewed for the job today. I mean come on! Nobody else thinks this is nuts?
by Juiceboxjerry on Jun 6, 2008 4:21 PM CDT actions actions 0 recs
by Ozzie Montana on Jan 10, 2009 4:47 PM CST up reply actions
DRose's hops
must be second to TT’s, awesome dunk last night from Thabo! I can’t wait for tonight’s game!
Rose seems like hes more motivated agianst the real elite like Kidd-Harris and Williams
Guys he beat back in the NCAA seem to come to play but I am hoping he busts out with a great all around game.
Glad to finally see you (and others)...
recognizing that Gooden is a big asset. It would be ignorant to trade him, as he will be even better and more valuable when (or should I say if?) the team develops.
by badnewsintennisshoes on Jan 10, 2009 5:02 PM CST reply actions
i agree
Gooden has been a consistent player for us this year. He is lightyears ahead of hughes and noc in terms of selfishness, sure he likes to take the 18 footer but when he is hitting it he is very dangerous. Add that to his great rebounding and offensively he is a great asset. Look for Rose’s assist numbers to continue to increase as Gooden hits that pick and pop 18 footer more as the year continues.
disagree
I didn’t think he was that good last night. He’s the ‘quick shot’ player Paxson talked about.
Basically, he looks good because the alternatives are Gray and Noah. And he’s not even that much better, just better at different things. I like that he can shoot outside and rebound defensively, but he thinks he can do so much more on offense when he can’t. And on defense he sucks.
If someone could be blinded enough consider this ‘selling high’, Pax should be all over it.
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 Jan 10, 2009 6:02 PM CST up reply actions
he always seemed
to have all the tools but never quite got it together. he disrupts plays and i think that’s the main reason they got rid of him in cleveland. he plays a good game when not guarded well, like last night, but plays horribly against stronger players / defenses, seems to never recognize or read the game well.
if the bulls trade him they’ll probably suffer in the short term, but i wouldn’t be totally against it. he’s expiring, has size for the position, and plays decent, he’s a good chip to trade. problem is, the bulls mostly need frontcourt help, so unless they package him and somebody else for a good big it won’t really help us.
Heh, another mirage game tonight
Good enough to keep them semi in the game, but oh man such poor defense. And those easy shots inside got him thinking “hey this is too easy I need to shoot fadeaways from 20 feet!!”
Vinny Del Negro interviewed for the job today. I mean come on! Nobody else thinks this is nuts?
by Juiceboxjerry on Jun 6, 2008 4:21 PM CDT actions actions 0 recs
by Ozzie Montana on Jan 10, 2009 10:36 PM CST up reply actions
Go Bulls!
::sighs
"If there’s any haters in here right now that don’t have nobody to hate on, feel free to hate on me." - A.P.N.S.
Gooden
He can be a good rebounder, but I wish he would try to play at least average defense. Dude is inconsistent offensively too,
He is alright but let’s not overvalue him
Does anyone else think Lindsey Hunter could coach this team better than Vinny right now?
Why resort to name calling?
-Dionysus2.0
because I wish to insult you personally
-your friendly BullsBlogger
Yes, that too...
But no Thabo, is boo in itself… ;)

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