Bulls - Pacers Round One Preview: Leaning on others to focus on an unfair fight
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 14, 2011 8:19 PM CDT
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PrintAlright gang, we've reflected on a pretty neat regular season, but it's over. However, its legacy lives on in the form of this first-round matchup, as the Bulls get to entertain themselves with the lowest seed in the East, the 37-win Indiana Pacers.
As with any 37-win team (especially in contrast to the 62-win juggernaut they'll be opposing), the Pacers have their weaknesses. And it's mainly on the offensive end, as while they've had a defense ranked around where the Bulls offense is (slightly above average), they're one of the worst offenses in the league. And stopping teams is kinda the Bulls deal.
Some truly bright and dedicated bloggers have already put together immense and insightful previews, so I will shamelessly rely on them instead of reinventing the wheel. Lets go to the first dream-level with Pacers blog Eight Points, Nine Seconds and Tim Donahue's analysis of the 4-factors of each team. It all starts with this handy chart:
(courtesy of 8pts, 9secs. Go there now so I don't feel so bad lifting his graphic)
As you can see, it's tough to see many chances for the Pacers in any area. Before looking I'd think perhaps something could be made for the Bulls (and Rose) occasionally having high-turnover games, but that aspect of the Pacers defense turns out to be woeful.
Now what's interesting is that the midseason coaching change from Jim O'Brien to interim Frank Vogel did produce a statistical shift in how the Pacers play that may not be properly reflected in the full-season stats. As they note (and again, go there):
By focusing on the offensive backboard and by playing a more traditional lineup, the Pacers have become a top 10 rebounding team overall. They now grab over 51% of the rebounds available. This makes intuitive sense, given the personnel changes made (most notably, a lot more Hansbrough, no Granger at PF and no Posey at all). However, the Bulls have been the best rebounding team in the second half of the season, pulling down 54% of the available rebounds and rating 1st in DRB% and 2nd in ORB%. This match of strength on strength could be one of the most important areas for Indy in the series.
Indeed, while we've seen Joakim Noah's rebounding numbers tail off this season, as a team the Bulls are as dominant as ever on the glass (no doubt Noah is seeing some cannibalization of his boards). The Pacers have changed a bit for the better under Vogel, but likely not nearly enough.
Now on to dream-level 2 with friend of the program (and everyone's program, seemingly), Sebastian Pruiti of NBA Playbook. His comprehensive offensive and defensive breakdowns of how the Bulls and Pacers make their hay on each end of the court (as well as the opposite of 'making hay'...'burning hair'?) go into not just the what, but the how. With videos!
It's worth a full read on your end (again, I'm stressing this), with a couple things really standing out to me. Once again, it doesn't look like the Bulls could be hurt much by their own turnovers: while Pruiti mentions that the Bulls do have a slight weakness (as in, being merely average instead of awesome) in transition defense, the Pacers turn out to be awful relative to the league in converting transition opportunities.
And what should be most scary to Pacers fans, but potentially orgasmic to Bulls fans and casual YouTubers alike, is that the Pacers are apparently very poor at defending isolation. And the Bulls have the highest productivity from such sets in the league. Makes sense, they have Derrick Rose, and he gets the ball alone a lot. Obtaining Darren Collison preseason was a huge deal for the Pacers in their seemingly never-ending quest for a PG, and he had a nice season (15.6 PER) for them, but he's just overmatched physically against Rose, and we will likely be seeing a lot that mismatch on its own island.
Or maybe not, if the games are never that close in the first place to where the Bulls are relying that much on isolation (though there's always the end-of-quarters...). I'm perhaps most excited for this series because the Pacers may figure their best shot is to ramp up the pace as it's more 'their game' (and as I typed this, Indy Cornrows suggested doing just that), and embrace their new found Vogel-bility of crashing the offensive glass and getting to the line (i.e., the Hansbrough plan). But the Bulls should not only hold their own in the paint, they can likely feel free to get into a high-paced affair without the fear of turnovers hurting them too much. Could be a fun series aesthetically before we get to the grind-it-out affairs in the next couple rounds. So expect a lot of Rose dunking, and maybe even a little of McRoberts dunking off a backdoor cut while Boozer's head turned (and mouth open). It should be not only a demolition, but a fun one too.
Some other links to get you further lathered up for this series:
- Ball Don't Lie's Kelly Dwyer knows that the Bulls so rarely have off nights, it's hard to see the Pacers stealing one.
- More from Eight Points, Nine Seconds: I suppose this could be another dream-level?
- And yet more, though this is a bit of a stretch: why the Bulls possibly could not win. Granted it's a tough case to make in the first place, but still disappointing that it relies on 'inexperience' mumbo-jumbo. It just doesn't seem like a factor to me, especially in this round. And if the Bulls fall short in a later round it will be because they aren't good enough, not because they didn't have the chance to be good enough before. For what it's worth, here's the Bulls roster when it comes to playoff experience. And as dismissive as I've been, I do think it was helpful that the Bulls didn't entertain going to the lottery instead of those lower seeds the past two seasons. We can at least say it's not their first time in the high-pressure environment, which seems more significant than saying they've never won there.
- The always-spammy (yet the helpful kind) Coach Nick gives his video breakdown of the series.
- Indy Cornrows has some interesting stuff from Indie Rock Enthusiast and part-time beat reporter KC Johnson about the Bulls expecting a physical series from the Pacers. Maybe not something you'd think initially, but Hibbert, Hansbrough, Foster and company are kinda goon-y. Maybe they'll dust off former object of BaB ire James Posey for old times sake. In case you forgot about that bastard. (I did.)
- Because they're the best, a link to The Basketball Jones' picks.
- And natually, check SBNation.com's story-stream on the series. Tom Ziller does a 4-Factors breakdown of his own, and runs a projection that is, um, pretty favorable.
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Look at all the pretty colors..
Fuck Granger
Thibs got his team a chemistry set for Christmas
by livesinnoahsbasement on Apr 14, 2011 8:22 PM CDT reply actions 3 recs
was watching espn and nbatv all day and no one expects this series to go more than 5 games
i honestly dont expect us to even lose one game. i feel like the playoffs is the one thing a coach like thibs was built for. i cannot imagine the pacers will be able to run a single look at us that thibs hasnt already covered in his sessions with the team over the next few days
The quest for seven is on.
oh yeah and anyone else catch the espn sportscenter nba top plays of the year thing theyve been running all day?
i was pissed that they only had rose in one of the top 10 plays and it was the ronnie brewer alley oop that came in SEVENTH!!
i was pretty pissed about it until they got to number 1 and i realized dwight howard isnt even in it
The quest for seven is on.
bulletin board material!
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"Don't nag, flag!"
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 14, 2011 8:39 PM CDT up reply actions 3 recs
its better than that delonte picture i hear they have hanging on the heat bulletin board
The quest for seven is on.
Wow.
This is pretty impressive, even by your high standards!
I'm okay with losing one game to them
I just don’t want them winning the first game. I think when we took game 1 at Boston 2 years ago, it added a little more confidence for the Bulls. Crush them in the game 1 and the rest should be easy.
You always were second best! And in this business, Bub, second best don't *cut* it!
MJ always used to say that
“The first game is always the toughest, I don’t care what anybody else says.”
The graphics on the indiana blog are a lot better
they’re all lined up so you can see the preponderance of green on one side and red on the other.
I only post cotton candy. Because it's delicious.
even just needs to be on their game.
but everything is always easier said than done.
i hope boozer plays a little better defense, by that i mean just move his damn feet. (that’ll never happen)
See the most important parts are the ones that are unseen
See the wings don't make you fly and the crown don't make you king
He has shown more effort over the last few games on the season.
I think he’ll be fine.
"Did Michael Jordan join the Pistons when he couldn't beat them? No. He dug down deep and went out and kicked their fucking ass."
Well yeah. It's not like the guy has ever been focused on defense.
But I just like to see him put in some effort. There were games were guys would come in the lane and he would just scream at them. They would pull up and instead of putting a hand up he would just turn around.
Now he’s actually reacting to a man coming down the lane, so at least he’s giving something.
"Did Michael Jordan join the Pistons when he couldn't beat them? No. He dug down deep and went out and kicked their fucking ass."
EYYYYYYYY!!!!!! DASH2112 HELP ME OUT!!!!!!!!!!!
AND ONE!!!!!!!!!!
See the most important parts are the ones that are unseen
See the wings don't make you fly and the crown don't make you king
So, at what point do you change your name to "your friendly Bulls aggregator"?
I didn't want to type this sentence, the force from an Omer Asik dunk made my fingers do it.
by Juiceboxjerry on Apr 14, 2011 9:26 PM CDT reply actions 3 recs
Snap.
"Smith stripped. Smith stopped! Smith stopped again by Pippen!"
by ColonelFatheart on Apr 14, 2011 9:33 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
always was
I don’t know how I started doing recaps and other ‘primary’ stuff, sort of happened.
BaB on Twitter | BaB on Facebook
"Don't nag, flag!"
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 14, 2011 10:24 PM CDT up reply actions
and I'm still very into aggregation, just that a lot of it is represented on the sidebar thanks to you fine folks
(I realize you weren’t being entirely serious)
BaB on Twitter | BaB on Facebook
"Don't nag, flag!"
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 14, 2011 10:25 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, I was just messin around.
But in all seriousness, I thought you did do most of the previews a season or two ago, or am I just imagining things?
I didn't want to type this sentence, the force from an Omer Asik dunk made my fingers do it.
by Juiceboxjerry on Apr 14, 2011 11:06 PM CDT up reply actions
game previews?
I’ll likely do them myself for the playoffs, I did so last couple years (I think)
BaB on Twitter | BaB on Facebook
"Don't nag, flag!"
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 15, 2011 9:19 AM CDT up reply actions
Yeah game previews
I’m talking about regular season ones, though
I didn't want to type this sentence, the force from an Omer Asik dunk made my fingers do it.
by Juiceboxjerry on Apr 15, 2011 4:13 PM CDT up reply actions
shots fired
DAAAAAAAAAMN
"4 inches, baby!" --ripped off from Kush
1/27/11 - The day the nerdosphere and their stats jumped the shark, trying to use them to disprove the obvious.
by anorexorcist on Apr 15, 2011 9:47 AM CDT up reply actions
You guys are too funny
It’s like the Jerry Springer audience in here (just a joke)
I didn't want to type this sentence, the force from an Omer Asik dunk made my fingers do it.
by Juiceboxjerry on Apr 15, 2011 4:15 PM CDT up reply actions
Skeets from The Basketball Jones picked the Hawks over Orlando
I’m expecting a column from the Magic blog guy on how TBJ is overrated any minute now
I didn't want to type this sentence, the force from an Omer Asik dunk made my fingers do it.
The guy tha really freaks me out is Ryan Anderson
I think I heard he’s shooting some insane percentage from three over the past month or so. So that outburst we saw last weekend was not a fluke. He seems like a guy that’s could give us some serious problems
I didn't want to type this sentence, the force from an Omer Asik dunk made my fingers do it.
by Juiceboxjerry on Apr 15, 2011 1:09 AM CDT up reply actions
not likely unless noah plays the same shitty defense aka not closing out ever on him
and most likely with dwight in the mix he’ll be out there for very little time at the center position and most likely out there as a 4 next to dwight which works to our advantage if you ask me. if hes their 4 at any time you immediately take boozer and bully the shit outta him every time we have the ball
The quest for seven is on.
by sin on Apr 15, 2011 2:30 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
It's not so far fetched
Yeah, they’ve gotten blown out a bunch as of late but regardless, they match up well with Orlando and Hinrich is an upgrade over Bibby so I believe Atlanta can win as well
by Option27 on Apr 15, 2011 10:46 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
I don't see it at all. As much as I'd love to
The Hawks will have way too much trouble scoring to actually win the series
I didn't want to type this sentence, the force from an Omer Asik dunk made my fingers do it.
by Juiceboxjerry on Apr 15, 2011 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions
Some guy on ESPN picked the Hawks last night as well.
With the way they played the second half of the season it surprised me but I haven’t followed Atlanta all that well. I sure wouldn’t mind seeing Atlanta win, and if it goes 7 games at the least they beat up on each other.
"Fast Don't Lie"
by Sandberg's evil twin on Apr 15, 2011 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions
He was sticking with a pick he made weeks ago
before the Hawks continued their yearly “who cares” run and backing into the playoffs. They have the tools to beat the Magic, but I just don’t think there’s enough “give-a-shit” in them to do it.
by Thrustacular on Apr 15, 2011 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions
Everyone should really do themselves a favor and read the Pruiti stuff
I’m not sure I’ll be able to make it through every series, but if you want to really learn a lot about basketball and the NBA, you should read that stuff.
NBA Playbook is an amazing blog. Everyone who spends their waking moments bitching about Hollinger
Save your energy and devote your time to Pruiti’s stuff.
by Ozzie Montana on Apr 15, 2011 12:39 AM CDT up reply actions 5 recs
but bitching is more fun than learning
The quest for seven is on.
by sin on Apr 15, 2011 12:44 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
thats the beauty of nba playbook
unlike hollinger who admits to not watching games, pruiti analyzes the action on the court and illustrates the playcalling coming to life right before you. it’s a prospective coach’s wet dream and it breaks down the seemingly complex and intimidating methods of NBA coaching.
this is also why i want to get synergy next year; i’d like to take a stab at perhaps starting an NBA-playbook like blog for the bulls some day.
"4 inches, baby!" --ripped off from Kush
1/27/11 - The day the nerdosphere and their stats jumped the shark, trying to use them to disprove the obvious.
by anorexorcist on Apr 15, 2011 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions
or
i could just really beg yaopau to start one. holy crap, just saw his post below me. i love yaopau.
"4 inches, baby!" --ripped off from Kush
1/27/11 - The day the nerdosphere and their stats jumped the shark, trying to use them to disprove the obvious.
by anorexorcist on Apr 15, 2011 9:55 AM CDT up reply actions
careful now, don't become a nerd!
jackass.
BaB on Twitter | BaB on Facebook
"Don't nag, flag!"
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 15, 2011 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions
keep it classy
i guess you’ve decided you’re going to take personally my posts against hollinger et al when i’ve even gone out of my way to exclude you from criticism against them, and to praise your blog (otherwise why would i be here???)
"4 inches, baby!" --ripped off from Kush
1/27/11 - The day the nerdosphere and their stats jumped the shark, trying to use them to disprove the obvious.
by anorexorcist on Apr 15, 2011 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions
You're on his shit list
not much else you can do
by Stacey_Is_King on Apr 15, 2011 12:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Not especially, just anti anti-hollinger
BaB on Twitter | BaB on Facebook
"Don't nag, flag!"
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 15, 2011 12:25 PM CDT up reply actions
there are no bystanders in the war on critical thought!
BaB on Twitter | BaB on Facebook
"Don't nag, flag!"
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 15, 2011 12:24 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
i see the war has begun
bring your whole crew, foo
"4 inches, baby!" --ripped off from Kush
1/27/11 - The day the nerdosphere and their stats jumped the shark, trying to use them to disprove the obvious.
by anorexorcist on Apr 15, 2011 12:39 PM CDT up reply actions
Isn't Synergy like $8k a year?
I hope you aren’t going to be relying on ad revenue from your blog to pay for it.
nope, it's only $30
for one season.
the full version has high school and college and past seasons included as well; that’s the full priced 30K one. the $30 one includes every single game from the current season. it’s amazing that they offer it that cheap.
"4 inches, baby!" --ripped off from Kush
1/27/11 - The day the nerdosphere and their stats jumped the shark, trying to use them to disprove the obvious.
by anorexorcist on Apr 15, 2011 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Bulls Post-up game
One thing that surprised me was how bad the Bulls post-up game has been this season. I’m sure Boozer’s injuries have something to do with that, but Taj has been pretty bad most of the season.
It does seem though like he has gotten a little bit better lately. Seems like he is taking way fewer of those elbow jumpers too.
Can it be saturday already?
You always were second best! And in this business, Bub, second best don't *cut* it!
After reading all the stats stuff and Pruiti's breakdown, I'm even more confident than I was before
I’m going to be disappointed if the game on Saturday is close.
People say we can't find out much about the Bulls in this series because we should win no matter what
but I disagree. I think it’s kinda important to see the Bulls totally outclass the Pacers. If they’re gonna win a title, that team should be a walk in the park.
I didn't want to type this sentence, the force from an Omer Asik dunk made my fingers do it.
by Juiceboxjerry on Apr 15, 2011 1:11 AM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, thinking about a little more I agree with you.
It’s fine if they just squeeze out a win in the regular season, there are 82 games, and the team does get tired. But for the playoffs and especially the 1st round they have to impose their will on the other team. They can’t let them out hustle them, or even let the Pacers think they have a chance to keep it close. I’m confident that they know this and will come out with the proper energy. They’ll have ample time to game plan for the the team and days off so they won’t be playing back to backs.
OT: Fuck Chris Broussard. Heard him on Sporst Nation talking about how the heat won’t let the Rose beat them in the playoffs because they have 2 super stars and it’s only Rose. Guess he forgot there are another 4 players to account for.
Broussard is a star-fucker
He also think the Knicks are a real contender.
by JSB on Apr 15, 2011 8:40 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Not that I don't think the Heat can beat the Bulls
But, just saying they have 2 superstars and the Bulls only have 1, so they will win is lazy.
Bulls Bench Mob is better than the rest of Miami's starting unit and bench combined
Hell, I’m pretty sure before they got Bibby Pargo might have gotten burn on that team
"Word of advice, don’t join, Bears fans are crazy."--- D-Jackfan10
absolutely agree
i think thats the only thing that this series can show us.
and honestly if thibs was that anal about letting up or not putting a team away for good in the regular season AND in games that didnt really matter at the end, i cant imagine that a team would ever be able to get back into a game against us when we are clearly the superior team
The quest for seven is on.
i disagree, and not just because i remember how the celtics on their last title.
but also because the pacers are a very odd team, and while i very very seriously doubt the bulls will lose this series, there are many ways the bulls can win this series and none of them would surprise me too much. i agree that sweep is the most likely scenario, but if this series went 6 games for instance because the pacers got stupid hot with their shooting and their PF production, would that shock me? not really.
"if Jonny [Flynn] loved playin competeant basketball az much az he loves de movie Salt
he might be ok."
- MAYNHOLUP
*how the celtics won their last title
"if Jonny [Flynn] loved playin competeant basketball az much az he loves de movie Salt
he might be ok."
- MAYNHOLUP
YFBB:
Are we doing per game previews, or per series only?
Too slow, too jerky, too quirky, too Deng!
game previews too
Though maybe not much of one for game 1 since it’s fucking early and all.
BaB on Twitter | BaB on Facebook
"Don't nag, flag!"
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 15, 2011 9:21 AM CDT up reply actions
I was going to do a write-up, but this series is so lopsided there's no point
I went through a bunch of Pacers Synergy Sports clips and bv stuff, downloaded three Pacers games to see how they play. A few brief ideas to toss into the ring that I didn’t see emphasized in the other stuff:
(1) One of the Pacers’ strengths is their depth, but the new Pacers coach and the Bulls’ personnel will completely negate that strength. Jeff Foster is one of the best defenders+rebounders in the game, but he won’t change much by shutting down Kurt Thomas, and as good as he is at taking charges, he’s not getting position on Rose. Mike Dunleavy and Dahntay Jones are both really solid imo, but both have lost minutes to Paul George and Brandon Rush.
McRoberts is the perfect guy for Indiana to play against Boozer (much better post defender than Hansbrough, and McRoberts moves off the ball constantly on offense which should give Boozer problems defensively), but Hansbrough has been starting instead. Finally, the Pacers’ Collison-Dunleavy-Granger-McRoberts-Hibbert lineup has been one of the NBA’s best this season, better than any top Bulls lineup, but they don’t play together anymore, with George/Hansbrough starting over Dunleavy/McRoberts.
(2) Boozer should always play when Hansbrough plays. The Bulls without Boozer lost to the Pacers in March, as Thibs kept running out a Kurt/Noah lineup to defend Hansbrough/Hibbert. A big reason the Pacers won is Hansbrough was hitting everything from midrange, but even with a normal game, there’s no inside advantage there. A Hansbrough/Hibbert lineup is the Pacers’ worst lineup for interior defense, and Boozer is the only one who will exploit that. I’d get some rest for Boozer when McRoberts plays and play Taj/Deng at PF instead, with Noah at PF as another option.
(3) Offseason angle: Mike Dunleavy and Jeff Foster are legitimate MLE targets for the Bulls imo. Dunleavy is among the best players I’ve seen on Synergy at moving without the ball. He’s able to cut successfully and consistently despite being slow as shit, and he’s great at keeping the floor spaced. He can also handle, he’s a decent defender, and he made 40% of his threes. I’d guess he has another year or two in him. If the Bulls don’t re-sign Kurt, they’ll have zero good post defenders and Foster or Chuck Hayes are as good as it gets.
by YaoPau on Apr 15, 2011 2:40 AM CDT reply actions 9 recs
I'm on the east coast, but I woke up bright and early today. Gotta paper to write. Checked BaB to start my day.
by fundamentallysound on Apr 15, 2011 6:32 AM CDT up reply actions
as everyone should
BaB on Twitter | BaB on Facebook
"Don't nag, flag!"
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 15, 2011 9:22 AM CDT up reply actions 4 recs
It occurs for me
while I eat breakfast…so I’m gonna blame my weight gain on BaB, because I have to eat while I read and there’s so much to read…
"Word of advice, don’t join, Bears fans are crazy."--- D-Jackfan10
Pruiti kind of got into this when he suggested that Dunleavy
should be the Pacers’ primary offensive option, and also discussed how well he works with McRoberts.
I think Jeff Foster is consistently underrated. Here’s a perhaps premature tribute to him.
I don't think will re-sign Kurt
As I expect Houston/Dallas/NY to offer him a 35M 5-year contract
Top of the world
by JustAnotherFan on Apr 15, 2011 8:31 AM CDT up reply actions 6 recs
please
can you start a bulls blog next year along the lines of nba playbook? something to consider. you are hands down the best and most knowledgeable writer on this site.
"4 inches, baby!" --ripped off from Kush
1/27/11 - The day the nerdosphere and their stats jumped the shark, trying to use them to disprove the obvious.
by anorexorcist on Apr 15, 2011 9:56 AM CDT up reply actions
Thanks
I used to have a statsy blog, but this guy on the apbrmetrics forum made a post saying “all you people with blogs, why not just post on here where there are already so many readers, what’s the point?” I feel the same way with BlogaBull. Also, I have the vocabulary of an 8th grader.
OK
even if it’s on here, i’d still like to see someone do a regular xs and os breakdown of all the games (which i wouldn’t consider a “statsy” blog necessarily) with pretty pictures and what not, a la pruiti.
i’m assuming you have synergy; it would be great to see you do a season recap in that sort of style at the minimum.
"4 inches, baby!" --ripped off from Kush
1/27/11 - The day the nerdosphere and their stats jumped the shark, trying to use them to disprove the obvious.
by anorexorcist on Apr 15, 2011 12:51 PM CDT up reply actions
putting you head and shoulders over 99% of internet denizens
I have the vocabulary of an 8th grader.
by SidM on Apr 15, 2011 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions 3 recs
Great analysis
But can we please not spend the MLE (which may not exist anymore after this season, to say nothing of the damned 2011-12 season) on Mike “32 games per year” Dunleavy? I get it, efficient-y, space-y, etcetera-y…. but you can’t count on him to be in the game. Why work a guy into the roster that we’ll have to live without? The Bulls have enough injury question marks on the roster already.
I realize I’m saying this without knowing what other MLE candidates there are out there, but please, I call for sanity.
Check out Bulls coverage at SB Nation - Chicago or on twitter @rightfieldsucks
by Right_Field_Sucks on Apr 15, 2011 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions
Two things
(1) The Bulls will be in title contention for at least the next couple years, barring injury. For a team like that, I’d rather get a +2 guy who gives you 40 games than a +0 guy like Shannon Brown who gives you 80. At least Dunleavy would make the Bulls’ starting lineup better. The Bulls already have two really good options at SG/SF with Brewer/Korver, so if Dunleavy gets hurt it won’t matter so much, and if he’s healthy and doesn’t fall off hard like Mike Miller / James Posey did at the same age, it finally fills out the Bulls’ starting lineup with a two-way player.
(2) I’m not sure there any many better MLE candidates. I’d probably take Ray Allen over Dunleavy just cause he can take big shots even if he becomes old and creaky. JR Smith is a giant red flag that I can’t see Gar chancing, but he would give the Bulls a shot to win it all. Jason Richardson would be ideal, but he’d have to take a massive pay cut to take the MLE. He might. I’d put Dunleavy over the rest of the pool (Battier, Shannon Brown, Anthony Parker, Bogans, Stojakovic, Barbosa, Redd).
by YaoPau on Apr 15, 2011 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Restricted FA. I doubt the Bulls could get him via free agency
Nuggets would match an MLE offer.
by YaoPau on Apr 15, 2011 2:15 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I don't think so?
Kenyon Martin’s 16 mil is off the books. Just accounting for that their payroll should be lower next year.
Can't argue any of that.
Will Ferrell debate in Old School-level good.
I guess if that’s the pile to choose from, I choose the inexpensive draft pick. Especially after Ty Thomas, Gar Paxdorf will go for maturity over potential anyways. So in a meh draft where the Bulls have two late 1st rounders, why not just take the two best guards (or a wing… and some biscuits) and have them fight to the death for the rotation minutes? Or package them in a trade for a better pick or a decent vet.
If J-Rich took a pay cut I would urinate. I think he’d be perfect on the Bulls. Maybe if DRose sends him a text message…
The other thing is… sigh… I’d take Bogans back. Bogey’s underrated at this point, as Dr. Jack Ramsey himself told us this week, started shooting better towards the end of the year, and obviously fits in with the team concept. Plus Evil Genius Thibs likes him, he always plays and he obviously helps the Bulls win. Or at least he doesn’t hurt it too much.
I just think Dunleavy always has been fool’s gold. He does show well on tape, the same as he did when he was drafted third out of Duke. He’s a scout’s player. The MLE is there to be used but could always cause some cap issues down the line, so I hope it’s spent on a guy you actually want, not just who’s available that offseason.
Bogey stays, helps the new kid(s) along, Thibs gets to mold a few of his own. I vote that.
Check out Bulls coverage at SB Nation - Chicago or on twitter @rightfieldsucks
by Right_Field_Sucks on Apr 16, 2011 5:03 AM CDT up reply actions
If the Pacers' measure of success is keeping it close
and maybe winning one game, then the Bulls’ measure of success should be winning handily in a sweep. If it goes to five I’ll be mildly disappointed.
by Tim S. on Apr 15, 2011 6:16 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I'm surprised by how many sportswriters are picking the Bulls
for the finals and in more than a few cases even to win it all. I thought for sure the experience factor would make them hesitate, and if the Celtics hadn’t collapsed and the Lakers hadn’t just come off a five-game losing streak perhaps that would still be the case. Some are picking Miami, and in the Finals many are picking the Lakers. No one is picking Orlando to beat the Bulls.
Yeah, I think some experts are underselling how tough a matchup the Magic are for the Bulls.
Howard negates a lot Rose’s effectiveness on offense and as for his own offense, it will be difficult for the Bulls to slow him down. I would like to see a LOT of minutes for Omer in that series, though. He holds up much better than Joakim against Dwight from what I have seen. Dwight just flat out bullies Jo.
by fundamentallysound on Apr 15, 2011 6:38 AM CDT up reply actions
Also, Rose has trouble with Jameer Nelson.
And Ryan Anderson has been on a roll the last month. And there’s the whole Howard revenge factor.
I can’t help but be tempted to look past the Pacers.
I was thinking about what makes the playoffs different
And I dunno, maybe this is common thought, but the differences are (1) players are under more pressure, (2) defenses are more focused, (3) fouls are harder, (4) timeouts are longer, and (5) there is more rest between games.
And so teams with a dominant inside scoring presence should have an advantage. Big guys (1) take closer shots which should be less affected by pressure, (2) can generally still get post position regardless of how focused the defense is, while guards not named Wade/Iverson/Rose might have more trouble exposing open lanes, (3) can absorb fouls better, and actually are a threat to return a hard foul (4) can play more minutes at an elite level, and (5) again, can play more minutes at an elite level. I think generally guards are better conditioned than centers to play 40+ minutes, though that’s not always the case. Also, it’s easy to play defense under pressure, especially if you’re a big man who doesn’t have to worry about fighting through screens etc. If a lot of your value comes on the defensive end, good chance you’re showing up during the playoffs.
The Bulls have more talent, and they have probably 18 fouls to give, but Howard playing 42+ mpg is scary. Rose driving into Howard for 7 games is scary. The Bulls don’t really have a post player you can just feed to get easy buckets (Boozer is great as a cutter/garbage guy. Gets just 0.86 PPP in the post, 0.88 PPP in the pick and roll, 0.83 in isolation. Dwight Howard is at 0.93, 0.93, 1.44 respectively in a more limited sample size). Those numbers aren’t bad, but that’s not going to generate winning offense on its own. Rose is all the Bulls have for generating instant offense, and that’s assuming he can still do that with Howard defending the lane.
How the refs call the game will ultimately decide how far we go.
How much contact teams will be allowed on Rose.
How much Howard will be allowed to throw his elbows on offense.
Clinched HCA throughout the fricking playoffs! MN: 16
the key in any Magic-Bulls series is defending the 3 pt shot
which means Noah, Thomas and Asik are going to have to get minimal help in defending Howard. I’m not as worried about Rose v. Howard as some people. I suspect that Rose will be slowed by Howard, but I still think he has 3 or 4 good games in him in that series. Given the Bulls advantages overall, it seems it won’t take much more than that to win the series. The key imo, is defending the 3 pt shooters. If Deng, Bogans, Korver do a good job of that, the Bulls should be able to slow down Howard enough to win that series.
by Basketball Smurf on Apr 15, 2011 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Also, probably key to get some transition offense
Anytime you can score without having Howard waiting for you at the hoop is probably a good thing.
Overall, any confidence I have about a Bulls-Magic series doesn’t come from how we fared during the season, or certain matchups, it’s because I trust Thibs to prepare the guys, and give them a great game plan
I didn't want to type this sentence, the force from an Omer Asik dunk made my fingers do it.
by Juiceboxjerry on Apr 15, 2011 5:20 PM CDT up reply actions
I thought the biggest knock on howard
was that he didn’t have a revenge factor and would rather do impersonations
Oh, and so many pundits are picking Portland over Dallas
that it almost isn’t an upset pick any more.
Its incredible that Portland is as good as they are
With their two top building blocks (Roy and Oden) being injured…they’d be scary if they were healthy
"Word of advice, don’t join, Bears fans are crazy."--- D-Jackfan10
It is scary but I have to say at this point
Who really thinks Oden will ever be healthy for any length of time? Are Roy’s prospects any better?
"Fast Don't Lie"
by Sandberg's evil twin on Apr 15, 2011 9:41 AM CDT up reply actions
Nah for either...
I mean, maybe Oden might turn it around, but this many injuries at that point really make you wonder, and Roy, I think I read that his knees are basically shot and he’ll never be as good as he could have been, really unfortunate for both
"Word of advice, don’t join, Bears fans are crazy."--- D-Jackfan10
That's a sad story for Roy
I was always a huge fan of his, considered him the 3rd best SG after wade/kobe. The reason he never got as much media attention was because he was in Portland.
Half a sig that's ridic
by coke on Apr 15, 2011 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Yup I liked him too
He was a beast a few years ago
"Word of advice, don’t join, Bears fans are crazy."--- D-Jackfan10
I considered him fourth best [ride the Ginobli love]
but yeah, he was pretty awesome.
I only post cotton candy. Because it's delicious.
I kind of like Dallas in that series. Portland's guards should have their way
but whether or not Tyson can slow Aldridge will be big.
by Basketball Smurf on Apr 15, 2011 4:35 PM CDT up reply actions
is it selfish that I want the Bulls to lose just one game this series because I have playoff tickets to game 3 at UC and if they sweep, I wont be going lol
Well if it makes you feel any better
I bet there are some fans who would like to see them win the series on their home court. It’s also a danger sometimes to sweep and have rust building up waiting around to play the next opponent. That said I hope we sweep ’em, show we are focused and let Noah and Brewer heal a little.
"Fast Don't Lie"
by Sandberg's evil twin on Apr 15, 2011 9:14 AM CDT up reply actions
Series schedule
I looked in the shots and posts here and didn’t see the schedule listed, but saw it over at the 8pts9secs blog…so excuse me in advance if it’s already been posted here:
* Game 1 – Sat April 16, Indiana at Chicago, 1:00 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN3D
* Game 2 – Mon April 18, Indiana at Chicago, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
* Game 3 – Thu April 21, Chicago at Indiana, 7:00 p.m. ET, NBA TV
* Game 4 – Sat April 23, Chicago at Indiana, 2:30 p.m. ET, TNT
* Game 5 * Tue April 26, Indiana at Chicago, TBD, TBD
* Game 6 * Thu April 28, Chicago at Indiana, TBD, TBD
* Game 7 * Sat April 30, Indiana at Chicago, TBD, TNT
It has the 3 games after Saturday’s game, just thought some might be interested.
"Fast Don't Lie"
by Sandberg's evil twin on Apr 15, 2011 9:19 AM CDT reply actions
jumping the gun
Whoa, Lets not pump up the jam and jump the Gun. Everybody is Saying a Bulls sweep, or Pacers winning 1 game. Last time I checked the Pacers are 1-0 against the Bulls under new interim coach Frank Vogel. The Pacers are also over .500 team under Frank Vogel. You really have to cancel out, The Jim O’brien days of the Pacers, Because Jim O’Brien may be the worst coach in NBA History statistically. After Jim O’Brien left the Celtics they went on to win a championship. The Pacers have beat every team in the league this year and could easily upset the Bulls. Derrick Rose a X factor? Yes indeed. But he did score 42 points against the Pacers in their last meeting and the bulls still lost. Indiana has a much deeper bench and taller team. So what up with all this talk about how they don’t match up. No one matches up against Rose. At the other positions Indiana ‘s talent is equal if not better. I got it going 7 games, but I can’t call it, and don’t want to jinx it
lol
i’d choose noah, deng, and boozer over anyone on the pacers.
Look
I didn’t want to offend anyone by saying the "f" word or generalizing my statement to any particular sex by saying "gays" or lesbians" or "bi’s" so "homos" is the most "politically correct" term. I’m just trying to be more tact in a tactless blog.
by Hindut Patrol on Feb 15, 2011 2:51 PM EST
by Jaina on Apr 15, 2011 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Welcome.
You’re delusional.
The Chicago Bulls....have a young star, Derrick Rose, who must learn to live with the tearing down of his MVP candidacy as rapidly as he constructed it. - Woj
by chicity773 on Apr 15, 2011 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions 5 recs
I realize it's a Friday.. and you might be in the Eastern time zone
But even if you’re a college kid, it’s too early to be this drunk. Get it together man.
by Grinder in Training on Apr 15, 2011 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions
The Pacers are 20-18 under Frank Vogel
6-8 vs winning teams. The Bull are 62-20 and the best team in the NBA. I think a 4 or 5 game series is likely in favor of the Bulls.
No longer believes in the Bogans Prophecy
Ummm
This is just silly. The Pacers are 1-0 under their new coach. They are also 1-0 when playing the Bulls while they are on the second half of a back-to-back. The Bulls also lost to New Jersey and Charlotte on the second game of a back to back. This is not an issue in the playoffs.
At all other positions Indiana is better?
PG – Rose is better than Collison
SG – Bogans is not very good so Indy has advantage here
SF – Deng put up a 15.55 PER on 55% TS and is a top tier defender…Granger put up a 17.82 PER on 55% TS…Granger is the better offensive player but Granger scored 19 on 4-11, 19 on 6-14, and 22 on 8-23 against the Bulls this year. Deng scored 21 on 7-18, 19 on 6-13, 17 on 7-19, and 15 on 6-11. This matchup looks pretty even to me.
PF – Boozer v. any PF on the Pacers. Boozer put up an 18.89 PER this year. That is literally better than anyone on the Pacers. Foster is the only player with a better rebound rate than Boozer on the Pacers and he isn’t even getting 20mpg
C – Noah v. Hibbert – Noah is the better rebounder. Noah also has a better PER that every player on the Pacers.
So, Bulls have a huge advantage at PG and solid advantage at both post spots. Pacers have an advantage at SG and if you’d like a slight advantage at SF (although not huge). The Bulls bench unit has the best DRtg of any unit in the NBA. How is the Pacers bench better than the best (read that again if you struggle with those words, the best) defensive unit in basketball?
At least make a logical argument and one that is not so easily refuted next time. Oh, and I have flagged you for trolling you incompetent moron.
"Mental toughness is to physical as four is to one." - Bob Knight
by DRose01 on Apr 15, 2011 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
I was under the impression that PER is a dirty word(s?) around here now.
P.S. Fuck Hollinger.
by Thrustacular on Apr 15, 2011 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
no no no no no
BaB on Twitter | BaB on Facebook
"Don't nag, flag!"
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 15, 2011 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
yes yes yes yes yes
:)
"4 inches, baby!" --ripped off from Kush
1/27/11 - The day the nerdosphere and their stats jumped the shark, trying to use them to disprove the obvious.
by anorexorcist on Apr 15, 2011 12:38 PM CDT up reply actions
Did you forget we got DRose?
DRose doesn’t forget the teams the bulls lose to. Expect a total blowout….it’s payback time.
I almost responded to this...
but figured it would be more fun to sit back and watch the carnage. Anyone who thinks Derrick Rose is an X factor instead of the prime factor either is too young to know basketball or simply trolling. Probably both.
"Fast Don't Lie"
by Sandberg's evil twin on Apr 15, 2011 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions
back to back, boozer didn't play, end of a road trip
road game, overtime, rose was fouled out…
Top of the world
by JustAnotherFan on Apr 15, 2011 2:03 PM CDT up reply actions
and the fact that indiana even allowed the bulls to tie at the end of the game is a testament to the fact they suck.
they were just too tired once they got to overtime.
the bulls outscored them 29-13 in the fourth quarter to tie a game in which they barely participated for the first three quarters.
Look
I didn’t want to offend anyone by saying the "f" word or generalizing my statement to any particular sex by saying "gays" or lesbians" or "bi’s" so "homos" is the most "politically correct" term. I’m just trying to be more tact in a tactless blog.
by Hindut Patrol on Feb 15, 2011 2:51 PM EST
er, they were too tired, being the bulls
Look
I didn’t want to offend anyone by saying the "f" word or generalizing my statement to any particular sex by saying "gays" or lesbians" or "bi’s" so "homos" is the most "politically correct" term. I’m just trying to be more tact in a tactless blog.
by Hindut Patrol on Feb 15, 2011 2:51 PM EST
false
I was referring to the good teams, Chicago, Boston LA, Miami
spurs.
Look
I didn’t want to offend anyone by saying the "f" word or generalizing my statement to any particular sex by saying "gays" or lesbians" or "bi’s" so "homos" is the most "politically correct" term. I’m just trying to be more tact in a tactless blog.
by Hindut Patrol on Feb 15, 2011 2:51 PM EST
and, that's not what you said. so it's not false.
Look
I didn’t want to offend anyone by saying the "f" word or generalizing my statement to any particular sex by saying "gays" or lesbians" or "bi’s" so "homos" is the most "politically correct" term. I’m just trying to be more tact in a tactless blog.
by Hindut Patrol on Feb 15, 2011 2:51 PM EST
Boozer in awesome, I keep him, Tyler although might one day be better than him. Granger is light years better than Deng. Hibbert is slightly better than Noah and bigger.
You are misinformed and don't know how to use the reply button
Granger is actually worse than Deng, not light years better, please. Noah is also better than Hibbert even though he lose’s a couple of inches to him. While Tyler might someday become a perennial 20-10 All-Star that yells, he isn’t one today.
No longer believes in the Bogans Prophecy
by BananaReel on Apr 15, 2011 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions 4 recs
Granger is not light years ahead of Deng
He managed a PER only slightly higher than Deng as the teams top scorer while Deng is 2nd or 3rd banana. Hibbert is nowhere near Noah. Not even close. Hibbert is bigger, but still has a worse rebounding rate! What does that tell you! Probably nothing since you seem to be delusional or high.
"Mental toughness is to physical as four is to one." - Bob Knight
Hibbert is better than Noah.. at what?
Certainly not basketball.
by Grinder in Training on Apr 15, 2011 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions
Eating contests more than likely
No longer believes in the Bogans Prophecy
by BananaReel on Apr 15, 2011 10:43 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Also
Why would you at least not argue that the Pacers are better at SG. You are arguing about Boozer and Noah when both of them are better than every Pacer player. At least argue reasonably.
"Mental toughness is to physical as four is to one." - Bob Knight
Indy guy
Granger could be much better than Deng but he’s too lazy to do so. So as always Luol’s will be on his ass all game long and Granger will just fight for breath.
Granger is shooting 37%FG against the Bulls which – by the way – is worse than Luol’s 38% 3ptFG% against Indiana.
Top of the world
by JustAnotherFan on Apr 15, 2011 2:10 PM CDT up reply actions
~
I talk from stats not out my bottom like most. Has Deng ever made a All-Star team, better yet a Olympic team, Granger has. Granger is not the Pacers go to Guy. I wasn’t arguing that pacers are better at a certain position. I was saying they match up equally if not better at all positions except PG. Screw it, I will be honest. Derrick Rose has never led the bulls out the 1st round. Why should I be so confident that he will this year? Oh yeah maybe because they have the best record in the league. Oh wait. The Cavs had the best record in the league last year and were led by the league MVP and got demolished in the 2nd round, by a team that played team ball and didn’t rely on a superstar. People shut up and eat some Humble pie.
please use the reply button
so we know who should get first crack at mocking you
BaB on Twitter | BaB on Facebook
"Don't nag, flag!"
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 15, 2011 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions 9 recs
Take a look at the Synergy Stats link above.
Look especially at the Bulls defense vs. the Pacers offense.
Strangely i enjoy feeding trolls
With such has your Pacers team been to the playoffs since 2005-06…NOPE!
PS. Granger is your go to player, he is your Star, and he might not even start on our team. Go back to hiding under you bridge bro.
No longer believes in the Bogans Prophecy
by BananaReel on Apr 15, 2011 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
deng in fact will be on an olympic team
he’s not a US citizen. one could argue that the bulls deserved an all star as the only winning team without one the year they swept the defending champion heat, and that it would have been luol over BG.
of all the things you are arguing about “a team that played team ball”? have you never actually watched the bulls play? for one, that “team” that beat lebron had 4 all stars.
Look
I didn’t want to offend anyone by saying the "f" word or generalizing my statement to any particular sex by saying "gays" or lesbians" or "bi’s" so "homos" is the most "politically correct" term. I’m just trying to be more tact in a tactless blog.
by Hindut Patrol on Feb 15, 2011 2:51 PM EST
for two
you are dismissing the fact that this team used to be coached by vinny del negro.
Look
I didn’t want to offend anyone by saying the "f" word or generalizing my statement to any particular sex by saying "gays" or lesbians" or "bi’s" so "homos" is the most "politically correct" term. I’m just trying to be more tact in a tactless blog.
by Hindut Patrol on Feb 15, 2011 2:51 PM EST
Deng has the defense to completely shut down Granger, especially on the perimeter
What the Bulls have done the last two years is completely irrelevant…it’s not anywhere near the same team. The one thing you could say about the Bulls in the playoffs is that both Rose and Noah have been able to kick it up a notch.
I don’t know why I’m even responding to your ridiculous comment about all star games and Olympic appearances, but Deng has made an Olympic team, he’s one of the stars of England’s national team
by tuff-gong on Apr 15, 2011 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
i like how you say you talk from stats
Yet I see no numbers in this ridiculous argument
The quest for seven is on.
by sin on Apr 15, 2011 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions 4 recs
I remember that time when All-Star Danny Granger led the Pacers out of the first round
You always were second best! And in this business, Bub, second best don't *cut* it!
by Yibs on Apr 15, 2011 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
dookie is right
This post reeks like one…comparing this years Bulls to last year’s Cavs is stupid and illogical…I will provide a statistic that supports this.. NOT ONE F**KING PLAYER FROM THE CAVS TEAM LAST YEAR PLAYS ON THE BULLS…two different teams…learn to distinguish and you’ll be fine…I suppose I’d be irrational too if Isiah Thomas had run my team
"Word of advice, don’t join, Bears fans are crazy."--- D-Jackfan10
I knew that name sounded familar
He was nominated for this award this year
"Word of advice, don’t join, Bears fans are crazy."--- D-Jackfan10
Be afraid, indiana
Top of the world
by JustAnotherFan on Apr 15, 2011 2:48 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
While you're imagining all the great playoff moments in your head.
Updated Stacey King sound board: http://www.nba.com/bulls/stacey-king-soundboard.html
ASIK AND DESTROY
by JStymie on Apr 15, 2011 12:29 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Thinking it's no coincidence...
That one of the new soundbytes is the “Josh McRoberts, what are you thinking!”
ASIK AND DESTROY
by JStymie on Apr 15, 2011 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
very new
the "asik and destroy/turkish "hamma"" is from the last game, i believe.
"4 inches, baby!" --ripped off from Kush
1/27/11 - The day the nerdosphere and their stats jumped the shark, trying to use them to disprove the obvious.
by anorexorcist on Apr 15, 2011 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm sure it's been mentioned somewhere on this site before...
But they have a 2big2strong2fast2good promotion from the Bulls for Derrick on Bulls.com that is a very cool collection …and some of the videos have Stacey King’s calls on them. It’s really hard to find without googling though which always seems weird.
"Fast Don't Lie"
by Sandberg's evil twin on Apr 15, 2011 4:12 PM CDT up reply actions
Collison talkin smack (maybe)?
I’ll let you guys be the judge of that:
“I think people underestimate their defense,” Pacers point guard Darren Collison said. “If it wasn’t for Tom Thibodeau and their defense, I don’t think they would be in the position they’re in now. I know everybody is talking about D Rose, but their defense is just as good.”
http://www.indystar.com/article/20110415/SPORTS04/104150337/Pacers-must-stop-Bulls-Rose-he-s-not-job-No-1?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Sports
HMMMMM….(i just want to hope that this stream of indirect smack talk gives the bulls more motivation to come out and slaughter them)
"4 inches, baby!" --ripped off from Kush
1/27/11 - The day the nerdosphere and their stats jumped the shark, trying to use them to disprove the obvious.
Sounds like a pretty dumb statement.
Not in the incorrect sense. More of a dumb statement in the “If it wasn’t for their best team aspect, which people have been calling their best team aspect all year long, I don’t think they would be in the position they’re in now.” sense.
ASIK AND DESTROY
by JStymie on Apr 15, 2011 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions 3 recs
yeah no shit
“if it weren’t for their league leading defense, they wouldn’t be as good!” no really!! i never would have guessed!!!
Look
I didn’t want to offend anyone by saying the "f" word or generalizing my statement to any particular sex by saying "gays" or lesbians" or "bi’s" so "homos" is the most "politically correct" term. I’m just trying to be more tact in a tactless blog.
by Hindut Patrol on Feb 15, 2011 2:51 PM EST
if we hold the other team to less points
we might win…smh
Larry Bird
I’m sure all this shit talking from the Pacers is the strategy from old man Larry who wanted his boys to be the instigators and not the retaliators.
http://southtownstar.suntimes.com/4839399-522/pacers-bird-has-the-word-boys-vs.-men
Everyone keeps saying the Pacers are shit-talking...
and I really don’t see it. I don’t think Granger’s comment was that bad (there have been many other “Team X would rather face Team Y” statements this year), and there hasn’t really been anything but that.
Besides, if we’re so confident in the Bulls, why would it get people shook up. ;)
ASIK AND DESTROY
And if it wasn't for the G Wallace trade
they wouldn’t be in the playoffs
Rose: Who in the blue hell are you?
Rondo: Well
IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO YOU ARE!
I love all this smack coming the Pacers
Do they not realize they are just fueling the fire and getting bulls even more worked up to sweep them..soon enough we will all be laughing and saying “Pacers who?”
Keep talking crap…the bulls are lovin it
I dunno how many games this is going to go(I'm guessing 5),
but what I do know is that Granger fucked up when he spouted off about Rose. Not only will Rose find a way to use that to fuel his fire, but he dissed the entire roster, even though the Bulls have four players I’d rather have than anyone on the Pacers. Granger is a bum in this league, a looter in a riot and his team will get exposed as the horseshit, under .500, good-for-nothing eighth seed that it is. The Bulls will rise, the Pacers will fall.
As for me, i cant wait for tomorrow and the inevitable deuce that Rose will drop on the Pacers.
A couple fun facts going into the playoffs
Only 41 teams have ever won 62 regular season games. Here are their playoff results: 2 first round losses, 3 conference semifinals losses, 10 conference finals losses, 7 finals Losses, and 18 NBA Champions (and the 41st team is this year’s Bulls). So, obviously losing in one of the first two rounds would be hugely disappointing, but odds of getting to at least the conference finals are pretty darn good. Only 13 teams have ever won 60 or more games with a better than 101 DRtg. Suprisingly, only 5 of those teams won an NBA Championship. Just some fun things to think about. GO BULLS!
"Mental toughness is to physical as four is to one." - Bob Knight
by DRose01 on Apr 15, 2011 3:04 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
the semifinals are the tough one for me
1st round = failure
reach ECF = success
2nd round = ???? (above what I expected below what they could do… I guess it would be decided but how they lose it)
Top of the world
by JustAnotherFan on Apr 15, 2011 4:01 PM CDT up reply actions
I'd be depressed as hell with a loss to the Magic in the second round
Especially after that brief encounter with the folks at the Magic blog
I didn't want to type this sentence, the force from an Omer Asik dunk made my fingers do it.
by Juiceboxjerry on Apr 15, 2011 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions
The Magic is not a bad team at all
I don’t think it would be shameful to lose on a well fought 7 game series.
But if Jo gets his swag back no way we lose it
Top of the world
by JustAnotherFan on Apr 15, 2011 4:29 PM CDT up reply actions
It wouldn't be shameful, but it would suck
Just not the right ending to the season. I’ll only accept a loss to the Heat, Lakers or Celtics. I know the Magic are pretty good, but if we can’t beat them with that supporting cast around Howard, that doesn’t bode well for our future
I didn't want to type this sentence, the force from an Omer Asik dunk made my fingers do it.
by Juiceboxjerry on Apr 15, 2011 5:22 PM CDT up reply actions
I would too.
The Magic people sure made it more obvious visiting that site, but with the level we have played at for so long now losing to them would make me depressed regardless. I am sure we are capable of winning it all, and I do expect to make the Finals. It was a wonderful season regardless, but to me this team even with Noah not 100% should still take 4 games from Orlando.
"Fast Don't Lie"
by Sandberg's evil twin on Apr 15, 2011 5:05 PM CDT up reply actions
Agreed
Losing to the big 3 in Miami or Boston…well there is no shame there. The Magic though? That would just be terrible. We beat them 3 times and the only time we lost was Boozer’s first game back. In the two games where we were truly full strength and so were they, we won despite Rose having very average games. If it takes us longer than 5 games I’ll be pissed.
I won’t even mention ATL because they suck.
"Mental toughness is to physical as four is to one." - Bob Knight
If you guys don't know already,
tomorrow is the 15th anniversary of the 1995-1996 Bulls team history making 70th victory. The Bulls defeated the Bucks to bring their record to 70-9.
The game will be shown on ESPN Classic @ 2pm CST tomorrow. Looking forward to watching the Bulls beat the Pacers then switching channels to watch a game I haven’t seen since I was in high school.
The Chicago Bulls....have a young star, Derrick Rose, who must learn to live with the tearing down of his MVP candidacy as rapidly as he constructed it. - Woj
by chicity773 on Apr 15, 2011 3:18 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs
Thanks, maybe I'll record it.
Although I have lots of old games on VHS which I rarely have time to watch.
It's also Luol's birthday
Top of the world
by JustAnotherFan on Apr 15, 2011 4:02 PM CDT up reply actions
I have a feeling Bogans will be wide open in this series.
And that Collison will spend very little time guarding Rose. I hope Bogans can hit a few 3s.
I hope Bogans shoots 40+% on three throughout the playoffs.
Especially since Bogans is basically a z-factor for the defensive schemes of other teams.
Trouble in paradise?
""We’re kind of sad that Obama is doing everything right now, because we need a starting 2-guard for the playoffs," joked Rose as he spoke to the crowd. “We’ll have to deal with it.”"
yeah, drose!
Bogans will be so pissed he will shoot the ball 3 times next game
Top of the world
by JustAnotherFan on Apr 15, 2011 4:21 PM CDT up reply actions
i never thought i'd feel this way
earlier in the year but i kind of feel bad for keith. he’s done a great job in playing his role well and the 3 point stroke has become money.
i hope rose told him in advance he’d do this; otherwise it was pretty mean :(
"4 inches, baby!" --ripped off from Kush
1/27/11 - The day the nerdosphere and their stats jumped the shark, trying to use them to disprove the obvious.
by anorexorcist on Apr 15, 2011 4:33 PM CDT up reply actions
Bogans has been pretty laid back about the teasing...
And supposedly gets a lot of jabs in himself, in the locker room. What was it he said in that interview a month or so ago? “I like it, any attention is good attention.”
Something like that.
ASIK AND DESTROY
Pacers [going home and playing competitive bingo] in 6, agreed!
I keed, I keed. Psycho T would be horrible at Bingo. ;)
ASIK AND DESTROY
classy
I love all the cursing in this thread, full of class. I guess you can’t expect much from fans from a team that have never have done anything in the playoffs ever minus the Jordan. I shouldn’t say anything in the Playoffs. I should say NOTHING in the playoffs minus the Jordan era. Good luck winning against the pacers. Rose is no Jordan
and what have the pacers won...
ever?
Look
I didn’t want to offend anyone by saying the "f" word or generalizing my statement to any particular sex by saying "gays" or lesbians" or "bi’s" so "homos" is the most "politically correct" term. I’m just trying to be more tact in a tactless blog.
by Hindut Patrol on Feb 15, 2011 2:51 PM EST
Jordan
Jordan kinda snub a few championships from the Pacers. Now you see me beef. We also had the best record in the league in 2004 and were on pace to win the title, until the Detroit fight.
His warped troll speak for "Indy hasn't won a damn thing so I'll deflect here"
"Fast Don't Lie"
by Sandberg's evil twin on Apr 16, 2011 1:19 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
okay..but
you’re not the least bit classy either, coming in here and trying to troll. no one ever said rose is jordan either. but hell danny granger isn’t no reggie miller either.. or ron artest for that matter.
and LOL at your team’s twitter PR
We’re less than 8 hours from the tipoff of the 2011 NBA Finals. -Indiana Pacers twitter
so apparently playing us is like being in the nba finals for you guys….
we are only getting started so be prepared to eat your own words non-logical pacers fan.
See the most important parts are the ones that are unseen
See the wings don't make you fly and the crown don't make you king
They average 10 replies on Cornrows to their previews of this game.
The site is pretty well run and has lots of detailed analysis of the upcoming series between the two teams. But this guy isn’t even a member of the site and most of the small amount of members they seem to have are pretty reasonable. I wouldn’t call him representative of their fans. That BenD guy is but all he posted was one prediction.
"Fast Don't Lie"
by Sandberg's evil twin on Apr 16, 2011 4:39 AM CDT up reply actions
Sorry small town Indy...
The conference champ will be from the windy city!
by #1humblebot on Apr 15, 2011 11:03 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
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