Game Preview #20 - Bulls at Atlanta Hawks
by Orange Juice on Dec 9, 2009 1:30 PM CST
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Print[Note by your friendly BullsBlogger, 12/09/09 3:20 PM CST: Hinrich may play tonight. ]
[Thanks to 'Orange Juice' for today's game preview -ed.]
I bought tickets to the game tonight when they went on sale in September, and now I'm trying to convince myself to still go. I also did not envision doing this game preview after a loss to the Nets. But it is what it is, and we're only one game out of the playoffs - not sure if this is a positive or a negative, I mean all we need are a few ping-pong balls..
Meanwhile, the Hawks have separated themselves from the rest of the East and are hanging out with the top three in the standings. They're coming off a three-day layoff after beating the Mavs in Dallas, so maybe they will be rusty and disinterested to start the game. And they know we lost to the Nets last night, so maybe that helps too?
That's all I got guys. Unless we follow the Knicks formula last week (get Josh Smith ejected, shoot 58%), I don't see the Bulls having any chance tonight. I think the question is whether or not we will get blown out.
We're gonna miss Tyrus and Hinrich even more this game ... "J-Smoove" is gonna dominate whoever matches up with him (Tyrus would've at least matched his athleticism) and Jamal Crawford is gonna score on anyone who matches up with him (Hinrich would've at least been able to play some defense). I think those two guys are the reasons why the Hawks have improved this year. Josh is playing smarter (he's only taken 3 three-point attempts this season) and is leading the league in blocks. The place just erupts every time he blocks or dunks it. And Jamal is providing that second scoring option (16 ppg off the bench) behind Joe Johnson.
Intriguing matchup between the two guys from Florida, Horford and Noah. Anything else worth looking forward to?
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Josh Smith is going to have a field day on Taj or Miller
Tyrus and Hinrich would really help defensively. Hinrich could make things tougher for Joe Johnson and as you said, Tyrus could match Smith’s athleticism. The Hawks have way too much firepower. I see another blowout loss tonight 115-90.
"It hurts, man. All losses hurt."-Joakim Noah
I predict 125-80, Hawks/Bulls.
"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 Dec 9, 2009 3:04 PM CST up reply actions
I was actually being optimistic lol
I think they’ll have a hard time cracking 90 points really.
"It hurts, man. All losses hurt."-Joakim Noah
No :(
"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 Dec 9, 2009 5:50 PM CST up reply actions
i had a fanpost
all written a couple weeks ago comparing tyrus’ numbers to josh smith. (i’ve often maintained he is tyrus’ closest “comp”. not amare or kemp.) but alas, i couldn’t make a stat table that was anywhere near attractive enough for this beautiful blog.
there were some funny lines i guess, but it wasn’t super-well written and the stats were basic (‘cause that’s what i always use). i don’t necessarily think that the b-a-b community missed out on brilliant post, but interested parties should really check out a statistical comparison between these two.
the name of the team is The DIAMONDBACKS
in case
someone with the knowledge of an easy way to make a stat table can’t read between the lines, i’d love some simple guidance. (i really wanted to post that stuff!)
the name of the team is The DIAMONDBACKS
maybe just use a google doc spreadsheet and link to it?
"...but the devil lives inside this kid, I swear it. It rises out of him in a mist, this baby-faced defiant wrathful version of Pat Kane, escapes his bodily confines to perform satanic miracles all over the offensive zone. The only thing more fearsome than that assist was the keep-in preceding it. The only thing more unholy than his face is his black magic." GMH
or you could always take a screen shot and post the pic
"...but the devil lives inside this kid, I swear it. It rises out of him in a mist, this baby-faced defiant wrathful version of Pat Kane, escapes his bodily confines to perform satanic miracles all over the offensive zone. The only thing more fearsome than that assist was the keep-in preceding it. The only thing more unholy than his face is his black magic." GMH
thx
i’ll prob “waste” much time trying now! (jk) maybe i’ll learn somethin’ today…
the name of the team is The DIAMONDBACKS
never saw
google docs before – it’s a good thing! it will take some time to learn well enough, my sheet doesn’t look so great right off the bat….
the name of the team is The DIAMONDBACKS
When I reading the post
I thought that Joe Johnson, Bibby, and Crawford would have a field day. But your argument works too. This is gonna be bad.
I'm cuckoo for Kukoc!!!
by Yibs on Dec 9, 2009 5:12 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Now the rest of the nation will witness the failure that is the Bulls season
"That play was ‘Give the ball to Michael and everyone else get the @##@#% out of the way."
--Chicago Bulls head coach Doug Collins, on "The Shot"
by D-WadeChicago on Dec 9, 2009 2:38 PM CST up reply actions
Now I'll be able to watch the #%%#@ing game
thanks ESPN
I support the Tornado Release ... and Young Bucks.
That's good
We need more national eyes on the people Gar Paxdorf puts on the Bulls bench.
I hope we have Van Gundy. There’s no late game on the ESPN schedule.
12/31: Fire Vinny Del Negro.
I expect the comentating on this game to be funny at least...
“What kind of play was that?”
“What are they doing?”
“Do they even care?”
lol, this is not gonna happen but it would be funny if it did.
"That play was ‘Give the ball to Michael and everyone else get the @##@#% out of the way."
--Chicago Bulls head coach Doug Collins, on "The Shot"
Hinrich to play in the ATL?
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/basketball/bulls/1928845,CST-SPT-bullnt09.article
We are the worlds dumbest city!- Dan Bernstein
maybe I'm reading too much into this, but I think Kurt might be pushing it
a few days ago he made it sound like he couldn’t dribble a basketball and now “Its better.”
It would be stupid of him to make his thumb worse in a game that we’re going to lose anyway.
by darksmokepuncher on Dec 9, 2009 3:39 PM CST up reply actions
I agree, if he can make it worse, he shouldn't push it
If it’s just a matter of playing through pain though, I suspect Kirk with a gunshot wound to the chest would be a better option than Lindsey.
by Sports2 on Dec 9, 2009 3:43 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
but if he re-injures or makes it worse
that would mean more hunter, long term.
the name of the team is The DIAMONDBACKS
i know we're in agreement
that always worries me! :-)
the far scarier thing is how the docs figure the players can’t do themselves further harm “playing with it”. it seems in conflict with how it’s natural to compensate and move differently when playing when hurt.
i think everyone was worried about this with derrick’s injury analysis, but it seems he’s made it through after last night. (?)
the name of the team is The DIAMONDBACKS
On the bright side,
Losing to the Hawks (being pretty darn good this year) on the second night of a back-to-back on the road is better than losing to the NETS at home.
Actually, that doesn’t cheer me up, much.
How about this…. one more loss that puts VDN closer to the edge of unemployment?
All your base are belong to Vinny.
look at this months opponents.. I think VDN will survive this.
@ ATL
vs GS
vs Boston
vs Lakers
vs NYC
vs ATL
vs Sac
@ NYC
vs NO
vs Indiana
@ Detroit
You could make a strong case for Vinny surviving this if they win tonight. They have some winnable games there and with Kirk and Tyrus coming back the Bulls might just hang their hats on this soft patch and two key players returning. But I assume if the lose more of these winnable games the public pressure might get to them. I guess we’ll see if the players have quit on him after this month because this is favorable.
We are the worlds dumbest city!- Dan Bernstein
Over the 11 games stretch posted,
I see the Bulls being between 1-10 and 3-8.
"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 Dec 9, 2009 3:23 PM CST up reply actions
well it depends to me if they get Tyrus and Hinrich back and if the can produce after being out so long.
Yeah I’d say the odds might be against VDN surviving if they continue to not play with energy.
We are the worlds dumbest city!- Dan Bernstein
i think tyrus still has about 2 weeks
this is a home game stretch wherein they were supposed to be able to make some hay after the circus.
the name of the team is The DIAMONDBACKS
Hey, at least we get to catch up with Jamal and Joe Smith
Speaking of Jamal, I heard him talking on the radio and he seemed like a pretty good guy who said all the right things. It always amazes me how some guys get vilified here. I remember way back when he was traded away and we signed up Gordon, I predicted that in a few years Gordon would leave in pretty much the same way.
Now, Gordon was a much superior player to Jamal, but I still feel pretty vindicated in thinking Jamal was was the template for how to scapegoat a single fairly decent player for the fact his teammates and organization were absolutely terrible.
you're too close to the scene man
from the other side of the country, crawford and gordon were two good players with a habit of “doing too much” in trying to win.
not the worst sin.
the name of the team is The DIAMONDBACKS
Crawford was too inconsistent and young.
His shot selection was awful.
We are the worlds dumbest city!- Dan Bernstein
It still is
I support the Tornado Release ... and Young Bucks.
I'd rather have Gordon
I support the Tornado Release ... and Young Bucks.
by Prevenge on Dec 9, 2009 4:30 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
inconsistent and young
there is a strong correlation there, bud. Consistency rises with age.
In the past 10 years, just four team owners have not paid a luxury tax and are not on pace to pay one this year: Donald Sterling, Jerry Reinsdorf, Chris Cohen (Golden State), Bob Johnson (Charlotte).
Two owners’ teams averaged an operating income of over +$10 million per year while their teams have lost over 60% of their games: Donald Sterling and Jerry Reinsdorf.
I think years of losing finally got to Jamal
that’s not to say that he wasn’t unjustly vilified here. instead, I think he’s become a much smarter player over the years (read: I haven’t seen him try that awkward, off the backboard dunk in a while)
by darksmokepuncher on Dec 9, 2009 3:36 PM CST up reply actions
This is a move though...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGqZnBmMkuc
We are the worlds dumbest city!- Dan Bernstein
I agree with that. He consistently tried to do more than he could
I just think that comes naturally when your teammates are Kendall Gill and Eddie Robinson
Dear Chicago Bulls,
I am in with you guys through the thick and thin, however, as of late, you guys are playing like regergetated macaroni and cheese, soooo bad that I believe i can suit up and not lose by as much as you, shape up soon. Let’s get some coffee sometime, because you guys need it, talkz to ya later.
PS: … Pargo is the worst basketball player known to man.
Sincerely,
Serbstream
The Swirsk
I just watched the preview on Bulls.com. I forgot — which Ninja Turtle is Chuck Swirsky anyway?
Donetello
He does machines.
I'm cuckoo for Kukoc!!!
by Yibs on Dec 9, 2009 5:17 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
eh ill finish it off
Michalangelo is a Party Dude!
On Behalf of Sue, Wjb, majoyenrac, Bullshooter and all the other Hinrich fans...Ill keep the Hinrich Hope coming...There will be light!
Yup, but people don't realize that
So stop wishing for the Bulls to lose, because Vinny is here to stay until his contract run out, no matter how bad the Bulls lose.
"You can't give up hope just because it's hopeless! You gotta hope even more, and cover your ears and go 'bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla!'"
Thats what I've been saying.
They can wish all they want (I want him gone too) but he’s not going anywhere.Until the end of the season.
Then wish 'em to lose to get a lottery pick.
Really. If Del Negro’s 3rd year is guaranteed, an especially bad year might still get him canned. But a mediocre season at 38 or 39 wins and the 8th seed would probably have the cheapos keep him
In the past 10 years, just four team owners have not paid a luxury tax and are not on pace to pay one this year: Donald Sterling, Jerry Reinsdorf, Chris Cohen (Golden State), Bob Johnson (Charlotte).
Two owners’ teams averaged an operating income of over +$10 million per year while their teams have lost over 60% of their games: Donald Sterling and Jerry Reinsdorf.
And attendance would drop, meaning Reinsdorf gets his shit together
The way I see it, a 40 win season is the worst possible outcome for fans longterm.
^this.
"This is not Vietnam, Smokey, there are rules here." - Walter Sobchak
by Rose Colored Goggles on Dec 9, 2009 6:01 PM CST up reply actions
With the way Bulls draft and how they treat their draft picks
I rather see them in the playoffs.
"You can't give up hope just because it's hopeless! You gotta hope even more, and cover your ears and go 'bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla!'"
if we're in the 5-10 range
how does patrick patterson sound?
"...but the devil lives inside this kid, I swear it. It rises out of him in a mist, this baby-faced defiant wrathful version of Pat Kane, escapes his bodily confines to perform satanic miracles all over the offensive zone. The only thing more fearsome than that assist was the keep-in preceding it. The only thing more unholy than his face is his black magic." GMH
No PF's.
They already have 33. Draft a SG. Then go after a PF in FA or re-sign Tyrus Thomas. If you sign Dwyane Wade and you have Evan Turner and Taj Gibson… meh. Deal with that later. It seems like the remotest possibility this summer, though, so I wouln’t draft with it in mind.
In the past 10 years, just four team owners have not paid a luxury tax and are not on pace to pay one this year: Donald Sterling, Jerry Reinsdorf, Chris Cohen (Golden State), Bob Johnson (Charlotte).
Two owners’ teams averaged an operating income of over +$10 million per year while their teams have lost over 60% of their games: Donald Sterling and Jerry Reinsdorf.
huh?
if you think the bulls have too many PFs to draft one, why should they go after one in FA?
"...but the devil lives inside this kid, I swear it. It rises out of him in a mist, this baby-faced defiant wrathful version of Pat Kane, escapes his bodily confines to perform satanic miracles all over the offensive zone. The only thing more fearsome than that assist was the keep-in preceding it. The only thing more unholy than his face is his black magic." GMH
Well, I think Thomas is good enough to re-sign...
…and they’ll have more depth there than at SG. They wo’nt even have one actual SG on the team next year (I guess they don’t this year, either).
They’d have to let THomas go to get a FA PF, so it would be an upgrade in quality, not quantity.
In the past 10 years, just four team owners have not paid a luxury tax and are not on pace to pay one this year: Donald Sterling, Jerry Reinsdorf, Chris Cohen (Golden State), Bob Johnson (Charlotte).
Two owners’ teams averaged an operating income of over +$10 million per year while their teams have lost over 60% of their games: Donald Sterling and Jerry Reinsdorf.
that's assuming
the bulls bring TT back and salmons opts out. Taj is the only PF under contract for next year, isn’t he? I’m not saying they shouldn’t look to add a shooting guard, I think they definitely should. I’d like to see a wade signing and drafting a pf like favors or patterson. Signing Bosh and drafting an SG also works for me
"...but the devil lives inside this kid, I swear it. It rises out of him in a mist, this baby-faced defiant wrathful version of Pat Kane, escapes his bodily confines to perform satanic miracles all over the offensive zone. The only thing more fearsome than that assist was the keep-in preceding it. The only thing more unholy than his face is his black magic." GMH
*not that its likely
but that would be my semi-realistic optimum 2010 off season
"...but the devil lives inside this kid, I swear it. It rises out of him in a mist, this baby-faced defiant wrathful version of Pat Kane, escapes his bodily confines to perform satanic miracles all over the offensive zone. The only thing more fearsome than that assist was the keep-in preceding it. The only thing more unholy than his face is his black magic." GMH
Well, that's why I put that in there about re-signing Thomas.
I guess I put more of what “I” would do than what I think the Bulls would do.
In the past 10 years, just four team owners have not paid a luxury tax and are not on pace to pay one this year: Donald Sterling, Jerry Reinsdorf, Chris Cohen (Golden State), Bob Johnson (Charlotte).
Two owners’ teams averaged an operating income of over +$10 million per year while their teams have lost over 60% of their games: Donald Sterling and Jerry Reinsdorf.
fair enough
"...but the devil lives inside this kid, I swear it. It rises out of him in a mist, this baby-faced defiant wrathful version of Pat Kane, escapes his bodily confines to perform satanic miracles all over the offensive zone. The only thing more fearsome than that assist was the keep-in preceding it. The only thing more unholy than his face is his black magic." GMH
Yeah but we don't have a good PF
I think this is a GREAT draft, especially if you’re looking for a guy with a post game. Who knows how these guys will look six months from now, but I like the fit of several guys at the top (Favors, Davis, Aminu, Aldrich, Patterson, Henson, Monroe, yada yada yada) with this Bulls roster.
I ust want a great complement in the backcourt to Rose.
They don’t have one outside shooter or lockdown perimeter defender, especially as Hinrich ages.
Plus, I think it takes longer for big guys to be good than outside guys. That doesn’t have to be true in specific cases, of course.
Plus, I think Thomas is a legitimate option at PF while no one is a legitimate SG option.
Plus, I think, assuming he’s healthy, Turner can come in and shoot 3’s and defend at 20 mpg right away. I think he could be a good all-around player in 3 years.
I’d be interested in this team if they got a good coach, Evan Turner and Chris Bosh or kept Tyrus Thomas. I can’t see being interested if they get Derrick Rose and any of those guys you mentioned… except maybe Aldrich. But even then, they have absolutely zero good SG’s and landing even Wade, Johnson or whomever, the PF won’t be ready for another 3-4 years and you’ve missed your FA’s prime.
As good as Gordon is at scoring, I could see Turner being better all-around in his 3rd year than Gordon was (which was about as good as he’s been). At that point, if they’ve re-signed Thomas and Noah, they’ll have a team of 23, 23, 28, 26, 28 that I think will be really good.
Now, if they have absolutely ZERO interest in re-signing Thomas (and that may well be the case regardless if they go for a MAX guy), I’d say, sure, get the inside guy.
And I’m not worried about the quantity of how many guys are good, only the quality. If one of those guys is better than Turner, fine. If Turner is the best, though, you take him.
In the past 10 years, just four team owners have not paid a luxury tax and are not on pace to pay one this year: Donald Sterling, Jerry Reinsdorf, Chris Cohen (Golden State), Bob Johnson (Charlotte).
Two owners’ teams averaged an operating income of over +$10 million per year while their teams have lost over 60% of their games: Donald Sterling and Jerry Reinsdorf.
didn't see this before i posted
i agree, i think take the best guy available out of an sg/pf and to fill the other spot accordingly through FA
"...but the devil lives inside this kid, I swear it. It rises out of him in a mist, this baby-faced defiant wrathful version of Pat Kane, escapes his bodily confines to perform satanic miracles all over the offensive zone. The only thing more fearsome than that assist was the keep-in preceding it. The only thing more unholy than his face is his black magic." GMH
Seriously does anybody even care anymore
Its one thing to be loyal to your team but this fucking travesty known as the bulls makes me question my own sanity. Look at what i just read
NEW YORK (AP)—The Los Angeles Lakers are the NBA’s most valuable team, and 12 others lost money in the 2008-09 season, according to Forbes magazine.
In its annual listing of the value of NBA teams, Forbes finds the Lakers to be worth $607 million, up 4 percent for the league champions. Second are the New York Knicks at $586 million, but that is a 4 percent drop. The Knicks led the rankings for the four previous seasons.
The Chicago Bulls ($511 million), Detroit Pistons ($479 million) and Cleveland Cavaliers ($476 million) round out the top five.
Am I the only one who wishes I hadnt bought tix vs Boston on sat?
Tyrus Thomas is really Stromile Swift with a retarded mask on..Think about it Same height, same school, same athletic ability, same sucky ass work ethic, same no real position having retarded statement making fucker. News flash retard. Sloan doesnt like lazy ass jump shooters who have 1 for 17 games. Fuck u stromile.
see i live in boston
and was contemplating getting tix here for the game… i couldn’t go to the last one, was coming to chicago for a family wedding, and then thought better of getting tix for the one in jan lol.
i’m gonna see if maybe i can go if i visit my parents in the spring.
"They should. They better. I'm Vinny Del Negro!"
You don't want to watch the Cows lose by 50?
We miss you, Ben Gordon!
by Granny Waiters on Dec 9, 2009 10:21 PM CST up reply actions
Did he say that they suck?
Tyrus Thomas is really Stromile Swift with a retarded mask on..Think about it Same height, same school, same athletic ability, same sucky ass work ethic, same no real position having retarded statement making fucker. News flash retard. Sloan doesnt like lazy ass jump shooters who have 1 for 17 games. Fuck u stromile.
I'm pretty sure VDN has pooped his pants at least 3 times during games this year already
I’m predicting tonight he goes for #4.
"This is not Vietnam, Smokey, there are rules here." - Walter Sobchak
by Rose Colored Goggles on Dec 9, 2009 6:08 PM CST reply actions
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