Schedule in The Final Weeks

I say Bulls make it.

the bulls had 2 remaining games against the bobs.

its tied up at 19 a piece (as of 1pm on Mar. 22)

My calc: Bulls 32-37, Deng likely out entirely; Rose hopefully back; Noah hopefully back too but perhaps 2-3 games away from getting more wind and a 75-80% likelihood he’s out again….

Rockets: Win at 35% for us, Scola’s been a machine of late, and we’re kind of thin, Brooks is one of the few PG’s with the speed of Rose (Derrick’s better, but his effectiveness can be diminished if Brooks takes off), we need Noah back at 100% self to win, or see a great JJ, Law, Warrick surprise game, and Kirk to actually hit some shots. I’d vote L

Heat. I think we have a 51% chance of winning this one. Even with all the injuries, I’d argue we have more depth than the Heat, but they have D. Wade. Still if Rose is back, I’d give us the edge as JJ looked really good and Hinrich is always a good Wade diminisher when he’s not being ejected that is…. I’d vote W

Nets. My God I have a bad feeling about this one. We should win if Rose and Noah are back, we should. I still think we’ll split. Jersey’s not giving up because they don’t want to go down as the worst team in the history of the game, and when Rose was out and Noah, Deng were out they clearly were more talented (Lopez and Harris) than we are….plus Williams is getting some play. I hope we’d win this home game I’d say a W at 60%.

Pistons. They’ve totally mailed in it. It’s true BG wants to prove to us that he’s something, but he’s not gettign that much playing time of late as they try to showcase Rip and Prince because they need to trade and BG was hurt all year….I think we have a good 80% chance of a win here, with or without Rose. so far we’re at 3-1.

Suns. It’s true that we’ve played them well, beating them at their style more than anything, but without Deng I don’t think we can, esp with Amar’e on new contract watch. chance of a win 30%, I vote L 3-2

Wizards. Hey a team as bad as we’ve been of late….though Blatche has really come on, and well if Noah ain’t there, we’re a rebound waiting to happen for them. Foye is one of the worst distributors in the league though, as they seem to always forget Mike Miller can spread the court and it becomes a “I’ll shoot now” team too often which is partially why they are losing. I think they’d love to play spoilers, it’s on Noah’s health here…..but who knows I think * a 51% chance of a loss* 3-3.

Bobcats. They can cause matchup issues with us especially if Chandler has some healthy runt he court ankles/feet again. They are in the playoffs and will play tough….and Jackson is a handful (as is Wallace, though I’d hope JJ’s athleticism can bother him a bit). Tyrus might either really really help our chances—if he does too much—or really really kill us, so it’s on him. I expect a playoff atmosphere game, and a *55% chance of a lucky win here. * 4-3.

Bucks. Bogut is too much for us when combo’d with teh streaky Illyasova and Salmons….Hopefully Jennings can shoot away their win with his I have to beat D. Rose even though he’s quicker and stronger than me mentality, but I don’t see it happening. I think we have a 60% chance of a loss barring Deng’s healthy return…. 4-4.

Cavs. We can steal a game from the Cavs true as we proved our other guys can play well when they sit Lebron and don’t play Jamison much. But I think they were toiling with us sans Derrick. Who knows, Deng is a key piece here, and I think he’s out. Noah is better than Varejao but his effectiveness will suffer against a similar styled player. I think * 85% chance of a loss as I expect Luol’s still out* 4-5.

Nets. I picked us winning the first, I pick us losing the last, as we’ll split these somehow….infuriating as it seems. 4-6

Raptors. Just when you count us out we’ll win as the Raptors are quitting right now and bad as we’ve been with our top 3 out, we’ll have Rose back and we’ve been playing mostly hard, just not had enough. I think we’ll be a game in Toronto’s grasp at this point and will gut out a win. 5-6.

Celtics. Celtics will toil with us, and with KG even if they’re spot is proven and he’s not nearly as healthy/good as he’s been, they’ll win here. *5-7.

Charlotte. We won’t win both of these unless we’re 100% healthy. Bulls Lose 5-8

Bulls finish 37-45

Toronto far more briefly currently at 34-34, bulls own tiebreaker
1) Twolves W
2) Jazz another demoralizing L
3) Nuggets L
4) Heat L (Raps should win but won’t)
5) Bobcats L
6) Clipps L (dagger)
7) 76ers W (gutsy comeback) 2-5
8) Warriors. THis is their biggest game to make or break. They win 3-5
9) Cavs. Loss 3-6
10) Celtics L
11) Hawks L
12) Bulls L 3-9,
13) Pistons W
14) Knicks W 5-9

Raptors Finish: 39-43.

The Raptors really have little excuse to be this awful (I know they can’t defend) but they don’t ahve teh injury issues we’re having, which ultimately will seal the deal on Vinny…for better or worse….

The Bulls will have to pull off the amazing without our #2 player (Deng) and with our #2/#3 (Noah likely not 100%—or Taj 100%) and with everyone not named here playing for a contract or to stay with the team, it’s not likely we stand much of a chance.

Had we won one or two in the hard to win category last week, we’d stand a better fate, but it’ll take a miraculous 5-0 against winning teams on the road while shorthanded streak to make it.

if we do make it and finish .500 this year given the injuries, and this has been a sig year for injuries, I see no reason at all whatsoever to fire Vinny…with the exception of Phil Jackson or Mike Kysasdfatwegtweski coming back here (to draw the big time free agent).

If we just lose out I think you have to consider bringing him back too, as we kept coming back and playing hard even when all the chips were down.

I think Vinny the motivator is good for this club, and it’s the GM/strategy that’s hurt his effectiveness.

I was rather appalled at the constant call outs by Chuck and Bill on the radio, and think that’s a ridiculous way to add unnecessary fuel to the fire.

Tell me any coach that can win against the teams we just playing throwing:
Hinrich-Law-Johnson-Miller-Warrick-Murray-a hurt Taj-Richard-Pargo.

Hell add Rose to that.

Sure in 2-3 years if the young guys develop perhaps they steal one or two, but without many practices and with all these after thoughts, it’s hard to win….

We made ourselves very thin in the depth dept with the trades.

I think if healthy Warrick’s a great piece to have off your bench, where you can get a fairly effective scorer to play alongside 2 defenders in Deng/Noah, but without either, his lack of D is exposed…..

The fact that Vinny has gotten something out of Johnson this year (seems promising after looking horrendous and being out of shape) and well Law, a #11 pick who’s on his 4th team already in 3 years should say something…..

And the fact that if we do bounce back and defy the odds and get into the playoffs with all the crap we’ve had, should say a lot, even in the top heavy but otherwise very weak East….

When we’re healthy we can be reasonably good….when we’re hurt we traded any depth away to even remotely compete….and we weren’t dealt a great hand to begin with….