Game Preview #7: Bulls vs. Denver Nuggets

by Ozzie Montana on Nov 10, 2009 12:22 AM CST Comment 78 comments

[Thanks to Ozzie Montana for today's game preview. I'll be live-tweeting from the UC 300 level -ed.]

So the Bulls go 3-1 last week after getting embarrassed by the Celtics. That must mean everything is rounding into form, and things are going to be smooth sailing right? Oh wait, Tyrus Thomas is out for 4-6 weeks, Derrick Rose still looks hobbled (maybe mentally and physically), and the Bulls are now starting their 26th pick at PF. The offense continues to look disjointed, but after 6 games against some methodical, plodding teams, they now get a chance to get out and run a little at home against the Nuggets.

Denver started the season on fire before having very forgettable back-to-back losses to Miami and Atlanta. Injuries forced George Karl to shuffle his lineup against the Hawks, starting Joey Graham and Renaldo Balkman in place of Kenyon Martin and Anthony Carter. Not sure if K-Mart is still hurt, but his absence would be huge considering Gibson had more than his share of trouble with Boris Diaw. Carmelo Anthony continues to show why he's an elite talent. Averaging 31 points and 6 rebounds with a PER of 29.6, Luol Deng is going to have his hands full yet again guarding one of the game's best. Everyone already knows about Chauncey Billups, but Ty Lawson could be the steal of the draft. He's posting a 21.4 PER, averaging 18 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals per 36 minutes. Again, another potential matchup nightmare for Derrick and his ankle. In the frontcourt, Nene continues to beast in the paint (18 PER, 60 eFG%), and Birdman Anderson continues to be a very ugly energy player. He's always reminded me of Tyrus Thomas with less offensive skill and more tattoos.

For our Bulls, the key to this game is all about the offense. The Nuggets have been pretty poor on defense thus far (22nd in D. Eff), but they're 6th in pace and have the 2nd best offense in the league. Taj had a terrible rebounding game on Saturday, it's huge for him to help Noah and Brad out on the boards and key some fast breaks. Deng's been playing fantastic defense, but if Melo comes out on fire it could mean foul trouble. A win isn't as important as just getting Rose back on track, because the season ultimately means little without a healthy and confident Derrick Rose.

Nuggets vs Bulls coverage

Denver Stiffs

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.

2 recs | Comment 78 comments | Add comment | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Key matchup will be Lu vs Melo

if somehow he can contain Melo, and Martin is indeed injured, we have a nice chance to win this game because the matchups are pretty even. Noah and Nene, Salmons and Smith, Rose/Hinrich and Billups, plus Miller vs Birdman.

D ROSE D WADE DESTINY DYNASTY

by Juan dela Cruz on Nov 10, 2009 9:21 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I agree even though I don't think Deng will be able to slow Melo down

Noah is gonna have a serious test with the aggressive play of Nene. J.R Smith is back too so he vs Salmons is another key matchup!

by Mr Rhythm on Nov 10, 2009 6:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Melo at the 4 and this lineup

Im excited to see the Bulls counter the Nuggets going small with Noah, Deng, Salmons, Kirk, and Rose.

ShipTileDirect.com - Why pay expensive retail prices? When you can ShipTileDirect at a fraction of the cost.

by Jesse07 on Nov 10, 2009 7:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

This is going to be a tough game for the Bulls

Old man Billups probably isn’t quick enough to give Rose too many problems, but if Ty Lawson gets in the game early and often, it could spell trouble for us. I’m concerned that not only are we prolonging Rose’s ankle recovery, but we’re actually making it a little worse. Kind of like what happened with Deng last year. With Tyrus out, this is a tougher decision to make, but I’m all for sitting Rose a couple games to rest that ankle and let it fully recover. The last thing we need is for this injury to linger all season and possibly even end his season prematurely.

"This is not Vietnam, Smokey, there are rules here." - Walter Sobchak

by Rose Colored Goggles on Nov 10, 2009 10:10 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Billups will create problems for Rose.

He will do some of the following a) Free himself for open 3 pointers. b) Out-physical Derrick, likely going to the low blocks a little bit c) Get Derrick into foul trouble, as Derrick still isn’t disciplined enough on defense. Billups is still good enough and smart enough to play well against an uber-athletic point guard like Derrick. I don’t like our chances tonight.

Metal sharpens metal.

And this guy right here understands and knows what leadership is all about: The coach, the hall of famer......... Dick Butka! George Ryan

by dakoose on Nov 10, 2009 12:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i dont know about the physical part, but yeah, i dont see that matchup working well for chicago.

"What is going on up here?"
"I never know, man."

by TheMoon on Nov 10, 2009 1:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Derrick is strong, and displays physical superiority on offense,

but he’s timid physically on defense. He doesn’t muscle up smaller guards and use his body to his advantage, so I can see Billups backing him down and either hitting mid-range jumpers or pump faking him into foul trouble. At least that’s what I’d do if I was Bu-Bu-Bu-Billups.

Metal sharpens metal.

And this guy right here understands and knows what leadership is all about: The coach, the hall of famer......... Dick Butka! George Ryan

by dakoose on Nov 10, 2009 2:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Those are all valid points

and now I’m sufficiently worried about Derrick’s chances to pull out of this slump of his. Should we sit him and let him get healthy? Is a rust/conditioning issue? We need him to be a 20 ppg scorer this year, and so far he’s been worse than last year…

"This is not Vietnam, Smokey, there are rules here." - Walter Sobchak

by Rose Colored Goggles on Nov 10, 2009 4:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I've never seen Rose in foul trouble

I doubt that’ll start tonight with Billups. Billups will get some 3s, but i’m not worried about him taking Derrick to the post. The bulls help too much for that to be an effective play. Besides, Rose can hold his own in the post. He’s strong enough to hold position.

I’m in the camp that’s more worried about lawson.

by runningman on Nov 10, 2009 3:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I wish I was going to this game. I went to the previous two nuggest games at UC.

They were for some reason both the best games of the year from a perspective of both teams shooting lights out.

by JockstrapNoah on Nov 10, 2009 12:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Previous Years

Bulls 116 Nugs 99(2009) and Bulls 135 Nugs 121(2008). JR Smith was 8 of 14 from 3pt land in the 2008 game, it was scary how hot he was down the stretch.

by JockstrapNoah on Nov 10, 2009 12:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The Nuggets are the team I follow the most besides the Bulls

I don’t know why, but I just like their team. Billups-Smith-Melo-Martin-Nene is just such an interesting starting five, and with Birdman and Lawson coming off the bench theirs always some crazy stuff going on in Nuggets games.

"This is not Vietnam, Smokey, there are rules here." - Walter Sobchak

by Rose Colored Goggles on Nov 10, 2009 1:39 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

I'm with ya

the Nuggets roster is very interesting.

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 Nov 10, 2009 2:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Anthony has been playing phenomenal

As well, they have a lot of players that play very well as a unit.

by NittanyCub on Nov 10, 2009 2:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm the same way.

I love the Nuggets, and from a pure basketball standpoint they are my favorite team in the league to watch. They have explosive players, several entertainers and play a very physical brand of basketball.

Metal sharpens metal.

And this guy right here understands and knows what leadership is all about: The coach, the hall of famer......... Dick Butka! George Ryan

by dakoose on Nov 10, 2009 2:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed with all three of you

I’ll watch anytime the Nuggets are playing.

"This is not Vietnam, Smokey, there are rules here." - Walter Sobchak

by Rose Colored Goggles on Nov 10, 2009 4:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I disagree

Go Rockets.
I dunno, the nuggets seem very bland to me – like the Lakers, but worse in every way. Well, except for center and PG.
Gasol-Bynum: Nene-Martin, Bryant and Anthony .. .Billups is better than whoever the Lakers are trotting out at the PG position [Fisher or Brown or Farmar].
If JR Smith can develop …

I support the Tornado Release ... and Young Bucks.

by Prevenge on Nov 10, 2009 8:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i love their identity- a really physical running team- its unique and fun to watch.

"What is going on up here?"
"I never know, man."

by TheMoon on Nov 11, 2009 2:34 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I was at that 135-121 game.

I thought Smith was going to single-handedly bring them back. I bet he goes off again tonight.

by penguin1 on Nov 10, 2009 2:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

here's a quote from smith:

"It’s a great arena. I look at it as one of the places that Michael Jordan put on a showcase his whole career," Smith said. "I’ve always wanted to play in Chicago. Every time I have the opportunity, I want to showcase my talent in Chicago because of the history there. Plus, they (the Bulls) traded me for nothing."

"They should. They better. I'm Vinny Del Negro!"

by Jaina on Nov 10, 2009 2:29 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs

Jeez.

by Stacey_Is_King on Nov 10, 2009 4:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Dang, he said that?

by Mr Rhythm on Nov 10, 2009 6:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It would have been awful to score 135 and lose.

Also, I believe the bulls only had 8 active players for each game because both games were either right before or right after the trade deadline.

by JockstrapNoah on Nov 10, 2009 3:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Ah! JR Smith and KMart both back for this game

Not good

by YaoPau on Nov 10, 2009 1:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

in the future for game previews

could you post the time and TV information? it would be a great help to people like me who don’t like the scarier parts of the internet

Lurking since 2006

by boyonthedock on Nov 10, 2009 2:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

7pm on NBATV

by mynameistyler on Nov 10, 2009 2:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The bulls schedule lists it as

CSN-Chicago

by JockstrapNoah on Nov 10, 2009 3:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

it's on NBATV fan night

so it’s on both.

"They should. They better. I'm Vinny Del Negro!"

by Jaina on Nov 10, 2009 4:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Awesome to see two games on Left Coast.

If the Bulls play well I hope to see more games out west.

VDN will have atight rotation 7 guys mostly as he tries to win on the road.

by Noe_Valley on Nov 10, 2009 5:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

thanks much to all who provided

Lurking since 2006

by boyonthedock on Nov 10, 2009 6:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Man

I hope Rose gets his health back…this would be a perfect matchup for him….

I also hope we swarm Melo with Salmons and Deng with a helping of Hinrich.

Vinny should just start Miller and Noah already, have Taj as a guy off the bench….

Man if we had Tyrus back…

Thurston Moore is a rock god

by majoyenrac on Nov 10, 2009 2:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Book it,

Taj will be on the wrong end of several posterizations. K-Mart, Birdman, Melo and Nene are all going to do some awful things to Maji(Thanks for the one Vescey!).

Metal sharpens metal.

And this guy right here understands and knows what leadership is all about: The coach, the hall of famer......... Dick Butka! George Ryan

by dakoose on Nov 10, 2009 2:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I've seen about 4 different spellings of Taj's middle name

isn’t it Jami?

"This is not Vietnam, Smokey, there are rules here." - Walter Sobchak

by Rose Colored Goggles on Nov 10, 2009 4:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

OR...

Jamiroquai?

"This is not Vietnam, Smokey, there are rules here." - Walter Sobchak

by Rose Colored Goggles on Nov 10, 2009 4:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Taj, Greg Oden, Lebron James, and Ty Lawson, lead the NBA's excessively old looking young guy team

by Mr Rhythm on Nov 10, 2009 6:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

They all have ginormous heads too. This must all add up to something...

Taj = LBJ? Let’s go ask his Facebook group.

Everything I post is speculation. I have no insider information nor ideas deemed concrete enough by those who are self-elected to regulate post content.

by cranscape on Nov 10, 2009 7:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

"No!!!"

“Taj is BETTER than LBJ!!!”
“Oh my god LBJ just doesn’t know how role in Cleveland”
“He definitely isn’t as humble!”

I support the Tornado Release ... and Young Bucks.

by Prevenge on Nov 10, 2009 8:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

for another win

the bullies have to hit their open shots. They cant get down big early and try to come back against the butt-nuggets, they are too good to allow that to happen. So what has to happen is both Lu and Salmons need to get off early and hit the open j’s…Rose will need to score atleast 20 and not be afraid to drive to the basket first, then find open guys second. Noah will get his 20 and 15 and if we get a solid game from Taj, we will def have a shot at another W……

Eat. Sleep. Pray. Watch chicago play.

P.S.

You've obviously mistaken me for someone who gives a shit about what you think.

by chi_till_eye_die on Nov 10, 2009 2:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I don't think...

20-15 is “his” yet….he had 1 game of 21-16…I’m hoping he gets his 12 and 10

by BooRad16 on Nov 10, 2009 3:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That won't be too difficult

Noah is such a great rebounder, I think 15-13 sounds reasonable.

by Stacey_Is_King on Nov 10, 2009 4:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Anything less than a 30-20 game

is unacceptable.

"This is not Vietnam, Smokey, there are rules here." - Walter Sobchak

by Rose Colored Goggles on Nov 10, 2009 4:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

noah = wilt 2.0

i'm hot for teacher

by DLRoth on Nov 10, 2009 4:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

noah/2 = wilt

by NittanyCub on Nov 10, 2009 4:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

50-25.

I support the Tornado Release ... and Young Bucks.

by Prevenge on Nov 10, 2009 8:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

agree...

sounds reasonable, but I don’t think we should be expecting games like the bobcats as the norm out of Noah obviously…he not only is a great rebounder but gets a great amount on the offensive end which give him great numbers..

by BooRad16 on Nov 10, 2009 5:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That is what my college roommate called the team.

the butt-nuggets

"Then you need a center so if the ball gets stuck between the rim and backboard he can reach up and knock it loose instead of having to spend 15 minutes trying to hit it with a broom stick." – Sam Smith

by Granny Waiters on Nov 10, 2009 6:55 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

lol!

I support the Tornado Release ... and Young Bucks.

by Prevenge on Nov 10, 2009 8:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

nice

Go Bulls!

"I think it’s safe to say Noah and Rose are the future."

by Belize on Nov 10, 2009 3:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

will there be a link to watch tonights game online?

Eat. Sleep. Pray. Watch chicago play.

P.S.

You've obviously mistaken me for someone who gives a shit about what you think.

by chi_till_eye_die on Nov 10, 2009 3:50 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Check back during the game thread...

There are usually three or four…

Why isn't your friendly Bulls Blogger friendly?

by Dionysus2.0 on Nov 10, 2009 4:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

ok, thanks

Eat. Sleep. Pray. Watch chicago play.

P.S.

You've obviously mistaken me for someone who gives a shit about what you think.

by chi_till_eye_die on Nov 10, 2009 4:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know what the big deal is about tyrus thomas.

The kids’ selfish, immature, and his game is mediocre at best.

I am nobody, so this is what I am

by IamClassic on Nov 10, 2009 4:12 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

How is Thomas selfish?

by Illini15 on Nov 10, 2009 4:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

So now that you are done talking about yourself

what are your thoughts on Tyrus?

Everything I post is speculation. I have no insider information nor ideas deemed concrete enough by those who are self-elected to regulate post content.

by cranscape on Nov 10, 2009 4:53 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs

This whole injury thing is a hoax

He just doesn’t want to play because he wasn’t “shown the money”. I don’t think any other team wants him anyway, so he mind as well go overseas or just retire.

I am nobody, so this is what I am

by IamClassic on Nov 10, 2009 4:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

So much of a hoax that the coaches and doctors are in on it? Good stuff.

The 2009 White Sox....like a 40 degree day.

by Ozzie Montana on Nov 10, 2009 4:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Claims require evidence.

Would you care to share yours?

by penguin1 on Nov 10, 2009 6:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Tyrus Thomas's game

Mediocre may be the norm, but at his best, he is awesome.

by ImLittleJon on Nov 10, 2009 5:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Also, with Dwayne Wade the Bulls are a worse team.

I support the Tornado Release ... and Young Bucks.

by Prevenge on Nov 10, 2009 8:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m leaning towards a positive game. Rose has a chance to rest with this 3 day break, Martin might be out, we’re at home and we’ve had recent success against this team (which is configured similar to last year’s team, as are we, post trade 2009).

This should be a decent test for Noah, banging inside with Nene, a pretty solid big man, though I suppose Miller could be guarding him a lot too.

by RyPac13 on Nov 10, 2009 4:18 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Denver Stiff?

What ever happened to my fav nugs blog “PickAxe and Roll”?

Why isn't your friendly Bulls Blogger friendly?

by Dionysus2.0 on Nov 10, 2009 4:21 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Apparently they merged

If you’re a reader of Denver Stiffs or Pickaxe and Roll and notice that things look very different today, it’s because we’re proud to announce that Denver Stiffs is now Pickaxe and Roll, and Pickaxe and Roll is now Denver Stiffs.

Or something like that.

Simply put, we’ve merged two of the top three most read Nuggets blogs into one to bring you – Nuggets fans everywhere – what we hope will be the most in-depth and comprehensive Nuggets fan site around.

by NittanyCub on Nov 10, 2009 4:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs