Bulls 107, Pistons 102: For Bulls past and future

are finally playing team defense.

what a difference

On a bit of a random note I wonder if Vinny and the gang are still thinking about that timeout by the Heat last game.

It was just a great overall game. Come from behind victory. Thomas/Noah putting in great performances, as well as Rose. Ben Gordon with the game winner on a four point play. Can’t really ask for much more out of a basketball game.

Then the Redd ceremony was great. Jordan with the resin. Obama on video message. It was a shame to see Kerr have to be in that stretcher thing. I was glad that he was able to speak, after having his son do the original speech.

As long as I’ve been watching the Bulls, Johnny Red Kerr has been part of the experience. I must say, that even though he was a little out of it during some of the games last season, and during those third quarter reports at the beginning of this year, the game’s just aren’t the same without him. (I wish we could get Larivee back as well). I know some people hated watching the Bulls broadcasts, but it was always good imo, to have one of the biggest Bulls fans commentating on the game. The way he got excited during the Bulls resurgence years was terrific, especially when Gordon was at his best making the big shots, and of course against Miami in the playoffs.

the bulls definitely earned that one, but a part of me also thinks that ‘Detwa’ blew that game at the end. that team is really missing Chauncey. i thought at the time that they would decline when they let Ben Wallace walk, that he was the heart and soul of a team that played great team defense. i’m really seeing now that Billups was the leader of that team.
(oh, and i took the ‘Wallace’ off the back of my Bulls jersey)
Tyrus’ performance tonight really makes me think about this potential trade. if it happens, Lu and Noah cannot be included. Tyrus is at his highest value at this moment as far as a trade is concerned. UUUUGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!! i don’t even wanna speculate anymore about it. i just wanna wake up next friday and find out what happened.

and i made sure to put the ‘Turbo-Lax’ into D-Wade’s coffee before he leaves miami, so he can’t get off the toilet for the next two days. Beat those Heat!!!

glad the bulls pulled it out for red!

Noah to a lesser extent, but both of them are really coming on lately. And this time, it doesn’t seem like a fluke. I still want Amar’e, but less and less with each great performance by our frontcourt.

i do not want to see our team blown up for amare, he is over-hyped and overvalued because of being a product of the d’antoni coaching (that offensive scheme that even makes duhon look like nash).. i think on a team that actually uses the shot clock a little bit more he will be a cancer. i mean at least ben wallace played defense. he is the complete opposite of wallace in my mind, he gives you offense with nothing else, so i consider him not worth what he will demand besides he is a very one dimensional player, that is going to have an injury riddled career. as much as i would hate to see tyrus go something about the thought of him on the weak side of shaq gives me wet dreams about his future value. i hope that tyrus has earned the right for his name to be pulled out of this trade

In other words, stops that lead to transitions that lead to attacking the rim that get you to the line. In the half court, again, attacking the rim at will to get to the line. Free throw attempts are the best way to get back into a game when you’re down late, but none of that matters if you can’t get stops.

While the Pistons are clearly an aging front line, they are still able rebounders at both ends. What they don’t have is any shot blocking presence in the paint. Their best option is weak side help from Prince or amazing man to man defense.

The Pistons really got hot from the field in the third and good passing through 9 assists will get you the best looks. The only thing we could do to stop that was shift to a zone to force the ball into Stuckey’s hands. Let him go to work turn it over.

1st – The out-of-timeout play where Rose hit the shot that made the score 102-101, Detroit. The ENTIRE play, Gordon was standing in the corner (the same corner where he hit the 3 later). He did not move one inch. Are people seeing this stuff? This is the stuff that our coaching staff is drawing up? It’s been said all season, but it has to be said again…why are you completely removing your leading scorer and best offensive threat from the play? Can a couple of screens be set for him at the very least?

2nd – The last play where Gordon hit the 3 and was fouled. AGAIN, he was confined to the same damn corner. IMO, the Rose shot on this possession was a force, which Sheed was able to block. Only by luck was he able to recover the ball and then he dished it out to Ben. It’s almost like the staff don’t want Gordon to have any chances to do anything at the end.

3rd – The offensive/defensive substitutions. This is now a farce. It makes no sense to take out Gordon and replace him with Kirk, all the while leaving in Rose and Noc. Gordon’s defense, while certainly far from great, is at this point in time head and shoulders above both Rose’s and Noc’s defense. So why leave those two in and continue to take Ben out? Gordon forced Hamilton into a couple of tough shots down the stretch. He did all he could to keep chasing him around and through the screens. Why not just leave him in? To continue to sub out Ben, but leave in Noc and Rose on defense is a joke. One possession in the 4th, Noc literally walked and invited Tayshaun Prince to the basket and later asked him “do you need any more help later?” This is the kind of stuff that gets overlooked.

Don’t get me wrong. It was an emotional win. An emotional night period. Great game.

But I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but I honestly don’t want Ben to return next season, IF they are going to continue treating him this way. Gordon has been nothing but professional, but to keep getting shown the disrespect that he does, it’s unbelieveable. All my years of watching basketball I’ve never seen a player of his caliber continue to keep getting yanked around like they do with him. Ben just continues to smile, play hard, and win games for the Bulls.

I got into a heated argument w/ my girlfriend’s roomate last night (she’s from Detroit) because after that I stood up and yelled “Goddammit you sonsofbitches! Detroit is a bunch of dirty motherfuckers!”

Yea she didn’t take that very well.

And this game ranks with all the other greats I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of. I was in Milwaukee when Redd had 50 points and Ben Gordon had 49 points. I saw MJ play his first home game (first game ever in the United Center) back after retirement. It was an awesome night.
Congrats to Red Kerr — he truly deserved the “red” carpet treatment. Sadly, I couldn’t help but feel all the speakers were delivering eulogies to their dear friend.

After watching TT, BG, and Noah play last last night, I am almost ready to jump in the camp of “don’t trade them for Amare”. Tyrus especially. He is worth the ticket price.

Maybe he should have used his court vision to see that screen from McDyess. Even half-woman Kyle Korver doesn’t cry if he runs into a screen.