2011 Eastern Conference Finals: How Rose was used early and late, and how LeBron helped to stop it
by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 25, 2011 6:48 PM CDT
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PrintAKA Game Four Roundup Links + Know your Fanposts/Fanshots
Tough to not already start reflecting on this series, season, and franchise after game four put the Bulls down 3-1. When Joakim Noah says post-game 'sometimes effort isn't enough', he was talking about the need to play smart as well, but it could be extrapolated a lot into how the Bulls focus and emphasize their entire Org.
But I'll try and avoid it for now, there's plenty of time. Especially if that elimination occurs as soon as Thursday. At least that will be a home game...and if the Bulls win that one, there's the whole 'pressure' thing with the Heat not wanting to go to game 7, then the 'anything can happen in a game 7' thing. It's a story for any team with home court down 3-1, but rarely pulled off. And I think the most daunting aspect of it isn't the historical improbability, but the team they're trying to do it against.
Let's start with Derrick Rose and how the Bulls tried to mix things up. Sebastian Pruiti goes into the Bulls moving the Rose pick/roll to different areas of the court. At The Basketball Jones, Pruiti is less enamored of the late-game isolations for Rose employed by the Bulls. Mike McGraw questions the staleness of that final play-call in regulation as well. McGraw then went on about a discrepancy in officiating. Something Thibodeau addressed specifically in regards to the calls he expects Rose to get but isn't getting, and also giving the pretty heartwarming (hey, it was!) 'Derrick's my guy' moment. That theme continued into Wednesday, which is nice and all, but: it also leads to the 'save us, Derrick' mindset that creeps into every late game (or even quarter) situation. Doug Thonus laments the decision to stop pushing the pace and instead have Rose walk the ball up. To be fair to the Bulls though, all teams do that.
Including the Heat with LeBron James. Though in the above link, Thonus thinks Rose sabotaged his own game more than LeBron stopped it, James sure seemed effective in what was a key performance in his career. And with Rose opposite him having a very rough series, it's easy to draw the parallel that maybe, like James did once, Rose's struggles is just part of what young superstars face.
But hopefully that's just hooey and Rose, Korver and the rest can regain form and extend this series. As Kelly Dwyer pointed out, it's not as if the Bulls can't play better, and there's some sense of unfinished business in that.
Other stuff from a game perhaps best forgotten, though we'll always have this dunk.:
- Turns out Omer Asik tried playing on a broken leg in game four, and is now ruled out for the season. Total bummer ending to what was a fantastic rookie campaign. This could mean an appearance from Kurt Thomas. Or the Bulls deciding to go small more, which may not work either but at least is something different.
- Even with Asik out most of last game, Taj Gibson barely played. Beckley Mason over at HoopSpeak shows how Thibs decision of instead giving heavy minutes to Carlos Boozer cost them on the defensive end.
- In that Boozer post, Mason uses the line "a game that felt like a 53 minute crunch time", which as an invested viewer definitely seemed accurate. In that spirit Zach Lowe points out 3 situations unrelated to the end of the game that cost the Bulls. By the Horns goes all the way back to the 1st quarter to give attention to a significant run by the Heat.
- And in terms of players that get less attention, Ira Winderman explains how important having Mike Miller's skillset (the points were nice too) is to the Heat's versatility. Miller's 3-pointers in the game are even more surprising given the injury he's playing through.
And finally, some random interesting notes from Henry Abbott at TrueHoop, with the message that as a basketball fan he wants this series to continue. As a Bulls fan I certainly agree.
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Out of the 200 series, only about 70 teams have gotten to a game 6.
That’s crazy to me.
17'$ h4pp3n1n9!?!?!?
Too bad we don't have someone like a Rodman, where he can single handedly intimidate the Heat.
Not necessarily make a hard foul that gets the other team upset, but sort playing mind games with the people he is guarding. Rodman was the best at doing that and he knew how to get underneath somebody’s skin. I still think we are the better team, with depth on our side, but we just haven’t been great in the clutch and for one reason or another, the MVP isn’t playing like it now, which is disappointing, but it happens. This might be crazy to suggest, seeing how we are on the brink of exiting now, and will be so for the other games as well (should there be other games), but should Thibs try some reshuffling of the roster? Couldn’t he play around some combinations around Derrick? Maybe play Boozer less and Gibson and Brewer more. Maybe put Korver in situations that might suit him, or have different defensive sets, i don’t know, but it seems to me like the status quo right now. 38-22 is another story, but can’t help to think how that can be avoided and why it was so in the first place! I watched those clips that a user made and put here after the game, and the Bulls were definitely hosed! Some of those calls (or non-calls) were atrocious and Stern should be embarrassed with the refs that worked the game. Lebron takes like 5 steps multiple times, in seemingly every game, and the refs swallow their whistles, every time!
Oh yeah, I forgot about Asik.
Real shame such a good season rookie season had to end the way it did, but I think he is going to be super important in the years to come, should he improve and stay healthy.
I don't see how the bulls keep him after next year, assuming there is even a season.
He’s cheap right now, but big 7 footers who are athletic and play D will always be in high demand. I think he gets a payday elsewhere (unless Noah is traded).
Thibodeux's rotations and game plans are wearing Rose and Noah out by 4th qtr.
Both players are less effective by 4th qtr. because of team mates shortcomings.
Noah seems to need help on defense throughout game. Boozer and Korver are killing Noah on poor defensive rotations. Miami, Atlanta and Indiana took advantage.
Rose needs help on offense. Miami is more effectively doubling Rose by cheating off Boozer, Noah and Bogan than ATL and IND. Korver has been useless on both ends.
Deng only consistent player on both ends.
Can’t believe Gar/Pax mentioned as EOY. Support players weaknesses are being exposed.
Well, to be honest, they are just underperforming.
Bogans and Noah aren’t what you would call ‘offensive threats,’ so it’s understandable that the Heat would come off of them and double or triple team Rose. Boozer hasn’t been playin well either. These guys are capable of providing whatever they are good at to this team, it just hasn’t happened so far agains the Heat. I am not sure about GarPax winning the EOY either, but let’s be honest, the Bulls played about as consistent and strong from start to finish as you are gonna see from a team in recent years. I think it’s just inexperience, bad timing, lethargic play and being influenced by horrible ref calls that’s hurt here. I don’t think you can blame the whole organization for this ECF predicament. Wade, Bosh and James were never within our reach anyway, so I feel GarPax did as well as they could to get the players that we needed, and Boozer has been pretty good (when healthy). Brewer hasn’t been used as much, so don’t really know how well he can be, since he hasn’t played that many minutes. The only disappointment is Korver, but he’s had some good outings as well, but unfortunately we are seeing how bad he is at defending and what he can be if he doesn’t make open shots.
Kyle Korver = Gar/Pax answer for lost of Ben Gordon's 3 pt shooting.
Not working on either end of court.
In the playoffs it's not working (or even more specifically, this series)
In the regular season it worked beautifully.
The Playoffs: That magical time of year when I become a fan of every team that Lebron James isn't playing for.
by Juiceboxjerry on May 25, 2011 9:02 PM CDT up reply actions
Agreed.
Work against the little dogs or teams who didn’t guard him. The Big Dogs or teams who guard him, not so much.
The Heat get away with so much bullshit because of their superstar status
Lebron in particular basically has free reign to do whatever he wants on the court. That’s one of the reasons I wish Rose was a little more of a physical defender. Maybe the refs would let him skate a little too.
The Playoffs: That magical time of year when I become a fan of every team that Lebron James isn't playing for.
by Juiceboxjerry on May 25, 2011 9:27 PM CDT up reply actions
I forgot to mention that that physicality they they're letting slide is the main reason korver is struggling imo
The Playoffs: That magical time of year when I become a fan of every team that Lebron James isn't playing for.
by Juiceboxjerry on May 25, 2011 9:27 PM CDT up reply actions
the refs wouldn't even let rose fight through moving screens in game 2, remember?
pride is the last to go before the foul.
It worked in the first two rounds, he was on fire.
by Ozzie Montana on May 25, 2011 10:29 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
no kidding
and I’m not seeing Korver just being in a slump. He can’t get as open against the Heat
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by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 26, 2011 9:38 AM CDT up reply actions
This is what bothers me most about Thibs sticking to regular season substitution patterns.
Korver’s always coming in a couple minutes into the 2nd quarter or the 4th quarter, when both Wade and LeBron are on the court. That forces Rose to guard Wade on defense, and makes getting open much more difficult for Korver on offense. I feel like as soon as Miller subs in for Wade in the 1st, Korver should come in. It’s cliched logic, but I think it is true: The playoffs are about match-ups. And the Bulls are mostly sticking to their patterns, without regard to match-ups.
Korver has guarded Miller and Bibby
plenty of times in this series. If Rose is on Wade instead of Korver, it’s because Rose can handle it and Korver can’t, not anything to do with substitution patterns.
it wears down rose though to do that.
when he’s got brewer or bogans in there with him he has the easy cover and doesn’t expend nearly the same amount of energy, leaving him better off for late game situations. at the end of game 2 it was obvious rose was running out of gas because he had to guard dwade for almost the entire quarter.
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
Korver played well in 2 games in the Atl series
other than that, he was pretty bad. Against Atl he averaged 5pts on 32% shooting, 38% from 3 and couldn’t stay on the floor because of his defense. Against Miami he is shooting 27% from the floor and 28% from 3. A lot of those are open shots. He was very good against Indy but he hasn’t been on fire in a while.
by Basketball Smurf on May 26, 2011 12:25 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, that' why I clarified by saying "this series"
Other than a few rough patches during the season, Kyle has never been taken out of the game like this. I guess you have to give the Heat credit. it seems like they’ve exploited all of our weaknesses to near perfection. All the “minor” things we worried about during the regular season like “only one ballhandler” and “relying too heavily on Derrick” have come around to bite us in the ass. Whereas it seems like the Heat are able to adjust their game, and find new heros at the drop of a hat. It’s annoying.
The Playoffs: That magical time of year when I become a fan of every team that Lebron James isn't playing for.
by Juiceboxjerry on May 26, 2011 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions
What pisses me off about BG
Is that his career is basically being wasted away in Detroit. I hope to meet him someday just to laugh in his face. Not to mention, we could REALLY use him in the 4th quarter of these games.
never forget...
1.7%
anything is possible...
by wrigleyrocker12 on May 25, 2011 9:57 PM CDT up reply actions
If he saw you laughing in his face he could always stuff your mouth with $100 bills
BaB on Twitter | BaB on Facebook
"Don't nag, flag!"
by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 26, 2011 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions 7 recs
He wasn't even offered a contract in the offseason in 09
I don’t see why everyone sees it as one way two years later.
"Well you're giving me the opportunity to agree with Bill Plaschke and Marriotti, I'm gonna pass" - Tim Cowlishaw
"I'm undefeated too I'm 100-0 by beating up innocent little boys in my hood like Floyd" - Random dude
"Attention Boxing Fans: Mayweather will fight Pacquiao this coming November.. its confirmed.. Bobby should train hard to beat Floyd."
I thought he was at the beginning of the summer
but they gave him a deadline and pulled it off the table. Then once he wanted to accept, they wouldn’t do it
The Playoffs: That magical time of year when I become a fan of every team that Lebron James isn't playing for.
by Juiceboxjerry on May 26, 2011 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions
that was 08
09 was when he took detroits offer without bothering to hear what the bulls would or wouldn’t offer him.
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
They didn't offer anything at all
He kept saying he wanted to stay with the Bulls.
The year before that both sides were being stubborn.
"Well you're giving me the opportunity to agree with Bill Plaschke and Marriotti, I'm gonna pass" - Tim Cowlishaw
"I'm undefeated too I'm 100-0 by beating up innocent little boys in my hood like Floyd" - Random dude
"Attention Boxing Fans: Mayweather will fight Pacquiao this coming November.. its confirmed.. Bobby should train hard to beat Floyd."
He said he'd give the Bulls a chance to match
The Bulls obviously had no intent of matching what he got, so that was the end of the story.
did he though?
i remembered (i could definitely be wrong though) the bulls saying ben didn’t wait, and ben saying the bulls didn’t even attempt to make an offer.
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
The Bulls also said signing him was a top priority
I remember there being a good deal of time before BG signed the contract and the Bulls not making any response at all.
Both JR and BG probably just clashed. I remember JR taking a shot at him saying “He better be professional” or something to that effect.
"Well you're giving me the opportunity to agree with Bill Plaschke and Marriotti, I'm gonna pass" - Tim Cowlishaw
"I'm undefeated too I'm 100-0 by beating up innocent little boys in my hood like Floyd" - Random dude
"Attention Boxing Fans: Mayweather will fight Pacquiao this coming November.. its confirmed.. Bobby should train hard to beat Floyd."
The Bulls made an offer, Ben declined and played the field,
the Bulls declined to match. The Bulls’ original offer was generous, as I recall.
That was the year before
There was no offer made in 09. And even in 08 he tried to sign it after the “deadline” and JR said no. So he got the MLE.
"Well you're giving me the opportunity to agree with Bill Plaschke and Marriotti, I'm gonna pass" - Tim Cowlishaw
"I'm undefeated too I'm 100-0 by beating up innocent little boys in my hood like Floyd" - Random dude
"Attention Boxing Fans: Mayweather will fight Pacquiao this coming November.. its confirmed.. Bobby should train hard to beat Floyd."
That's what I meant.
The Bulls made a generous offer in 08, Ben declined in 08 to play the field in 09, and the Bulls declined to match in 09.
I did forget about Ben’s attempt to change his mind after the Bulls’ deadline in 08, and the Bulls’ refusal to consider it.
didn't get the mle
got the QO
D2.0 was the one saying he wouldn’t get the MLE
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.
as i said
i think it’s kind of unclear what happened. both sides were trying to spin it favorably for themselves.
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
Reinsdorf got mad
when Gordon didn’t accept the original offer, which was generous. Whom you blame depends on how you feel about Gordon’s initial “no,” then his belated “yes,” then the Bulls’ “no.” The Bulls’ original offer was generous but their refusal to extend it past the deadline was not.
They said he was a top priority. They had seven days from when he got the Detroit offer...
….to actually sign it. They didn’t make an offer. Isn’t that pretty indicative?
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.
he wasn't an RFA
there was no seven day waiting requirement.
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
he could negotiate starting july 1
but couldn’t sign until july 8
so yes, there was a 7 day period
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.
but he verbally agreed to sign with the pistons on the first.
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
Pretty much
If you go back and look at the timeline, it’s pretty clear the Bulls made no attempt to match the Piston’s offer and that BG would have listened if they did when you listen to all of his interviews. He didn’t have some burning desire to go to Detroit or leave Chicago.
As to him not being an RFA, what Tyger is referring to is that Detroit made an offer before contracts could be officially signed. Both Gordon and the Bulls acknowledge that his agent met with them in that time, and yet, the Bulls did not make any offer. The only reasonable conclusion is that the Bulls had no desire to sign Gordon at that price.
no, there really wasn't a waiting period.
he didn’t have some obligation that he had to wait 7 days before making a decision. he and charlie v went to detroit on the first day of free agency and it was reported that the agreements were reached that same day. he couldn’t renege at that point. well maybe he could… but that would have been in extremely bad taste.
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
the boozer deal is different
since it was a handshake deal under the table… not one that was actually negotiated during proper free agency.
not that i’m saying boozer was right to do so… but it’s not really the same situation imo.
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
Your position seems to be
that the Bulls had no idea that Gordon had an offer and couldn’t have offered one themselves. That is simply incorrect. Gordon got an offer from Detroit, and was willing to listen to the Bulls before he ever committed to Detroit.
Even the Bulls admit that they talked to Gordon’s agent after the Pistons made their offer.
Even if you accept the Bulls version 100%, which would make no sense, Gordon clearly didn’t receive an offer and commit to the Pistons on the same day. He went back to the Bulls to see what they had to say first.
Yes, it was a combination of resentment
after Gordon turned down the 08 offer, plus second thoughts about whether Gordon was even worth the original offer. I don’t think the Bulls ever planned to sign Gordon in 09.
i never said that
i’m saying that ben didn’t have to and didn’t wait for the bulls to counter. the non-deal came from both sides – i don’t believe ben when he says that he truly wanted to stay a bull, and i don’t believe the bulls when they said they truly wanted to resign him either. so after he signed the bulls claimed they never got an opportunity to put in an offer and then ben claims he just never received one.
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 yes
he did receive the offer and commit to the pistons on the same day. that article is dated july 1, the first day of free agency! technically, he had this “promise” supposedly, but that would have been an illegal deal. that doesn’t mean while he was in detroit raymond brothers didn’t call bulls management and say “hey, we have an offer from detroit!” but clearly, they didn’t give them a whole lot of time to put anything together, even if they had wanted to.
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
There is nothing illegal about it
Teams can legally start to negotiate with free agents a week before they can officially sign them. The Pistons gave Gordon an offer on the first day they could legally negotiate. The agents for Gordon then went out to see if anyone would match or exceed that deal, including the Bulls. That gave the Bulls a full week to make an offer if they wished to.
You’re seriously trying to rewrite history here, and your facts are incorrect.
yes, july 1
is the same day he went to detroit and the same day he verbally agreed to join the pistons, as i linked to earlier.
there was a rumor as early as the 17th of JUNE that he had a promise from the pistons, which, if true, would be illegal.
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 no
they couldn’t make an offer for that week BECAUSE HE HAD ALREADY VERBALLY AGREED TO JOIN THE PISTONS. he would have had to RENEGE ON THAT DEAL.
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
ah, ok. Yeah, I get some of these years mixed up
The Playoffs: That magical time of year when I become a fan of every team that Lebron James isn't playing for.
by Juiceboxjerry on May 26, 2011 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions
Dude, I totally forgot we're still actually playing.
Everyones been acting like we’re done and all. Problem is, I almost hope they lose so I don’t get my hopes up for a comeback.
never forget...
1.7%
anything is possible...
by wrigleyrocker12 on May 25, 2011 9:54 PM CDT reply actions
Here's the irony for me
If we win tomorrow, this series will be exactly where I feel it would be because I believe that if we would’ve won yesterday, we very well would’ve lost tomorrow. I think if we win tomorrow and these guys can just break through, that maybe, just maybe we can at least get to a game 7
Hey Rose. I don't see the appeal!
that's some convoluted logic
I like it
BaB on Twitter | BaB on Facebook
"Don't nag, flag!"
by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 26, 2011 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
James Harden is exactly who the Bulls need
I love you James Harden! Getting a well rounded 2 guard should be the Bulls priority in the off season. Just say no to Ray Allen, Jason Richardson, and any other guys who are old, stationary shooters.
Yes to Crawford, Afflalo, JR Smith and any guys who can pass, shoot, dribble and defend.
As far as game 5 and the SG position – I don’t want to see Korver in the 4th unless he has hit 2 shots in quarters 1-3. Otherwise just play Bogans or Brewer and don’t screw up the defense.
by Basketball Smurf on May 25, 2011 10:08 PM CDT reply actions
Just what I was thinking
Imagine someone else on the court who could run a pick and roll with Boozer leaving Rose and Deng to slash in from the corners as a change of pace.
Or imagine Bibby or Miller trying to guard Harden when Lebron switches to Rose and Wade is forced to guard Deng. It would be impossible. Maybe Thibs would be able to sprinkle his magic defensive fairy dust on Harden as well.
if only if only…
I'd like to see them just overpay for Wilson Chandler. Denver can't possibly want to hold onto all those wing players.
by Ozzie Montana on May 25, 2011 10:33 PM CDT up reply actions
Everyone would complain if we did
But if we get Chandler, that may assemble a starting lineup of 5 all-stars, depending on Chandlers improvement.
never forget...
1.7%
anything is possible...
by wrigleyrocker12 on May 25, 2011 10:35 PM CDT up reply actions
What would it take to overpay Chandler?
The Bulls are capped out, don’t see how they can overpay anyone (pending the new CBA). Or, do you mean trading Boozer for Chandler in a sign and trade (and rolling with Taj at PF)?
7 for 7.
by Dionysus2.0 on May 25, 2011 11:02 PM CDT up reply actions
Crawford...
Plays about as much defense as Korver…but, I agree with your overall sentiment, the SG spot is the weakest on the team and easiest to address.
But, I would really like to upgrade any position that is not PG. I would trade anyone on the roster for the right upgrade (and I have not yet entered offseason mode, no suggestions because I have not thought it through).
7 for 7.
by Dionysus2.0 on May 25, 2011 10:55 PM CDT up reply actions
Can't wait to see what all the people that rip Boozer think of Crawford's defense
The Playoffs: That magical time of year when I become a fan of every team that Lebron James isn't playing for.
by Juiceboxjerry on May 25, 2011 11:08 PM CDT up reply actions
that may be
but getting a guard like Crawford to pair with Brewer would give the Bulls a lot of flexibility at 2 guard position. It would be nice to have another player on this team capable of going for 30.
by Basketball Smurf on May 26, 2011 12:07 AM CDT up reply actions
I like that idea in general, but I just can't picture Crawford playing for a Thibodeau coached team
You could teach basketball classes using video of him as an example of how NOT to play defense. i don’t care how well he scores, Thibs won’t be able to stomach him on defense enough to keep him on the floor enough for him to have a real impact. Besides, I’d rather have most of the other guys you listed anyway. Particularly Harden. Between him and Eric Gordon, I don’t know who I’d freak out more for if they came to this team. Mayo would be cool too imo.
The Playoffs: That magical time of year when I become a fan of every team that Lebron James isn't playing for.
by Juiceboxjerry on May 26, 2011 12:19 AM CDT up reply actions
You can keep Crawford.
I’ll take JR Smith or Afllalo, though. Keep Brewer as a backup 2/3.
James Harden is my hero.
Thunder should give Westbrook another year then ditch him to get Paul or Williams (as if), or hell, just let Harden run point or something.
I hate Russell Westbrook.
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.
What pick was Harden drafted?
I met Rod Strickland and he ain't play like no Derrick Rose - Charles Barkley
by Bullsfansince88 on May 25, 2011 10:30 PM CDT reply actions
I wanna say 3rd. Behind Griffin and Thabeet. I thought I remember it surprising a lot of people.
I could be wrong. I do remember the Westbrook pick surprising many as well.
never forget...
1.7%
anything is possible...
by wrigleyrocker12 on May 25, 2011 10:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Oh ok thanks...damn we need a SG we have three choices in Denver, isnt Mayo a free agent as well as C Lee?
Get a SG and a capable back up for Lu
I met Rod Strickland and he ain't play like no Derrick Rose - Charles Barkley
by Bullsfansince88 on May 25, 2011 10:40 PM CDT up reply actions
mayo is same draft class as rose.
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
oh wait
are you talking about chandler?
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
Yes Chandler
I met Rod Strickland and he ain't play like no Derrick Rose - Charles Barkley
by Bullsfansince88 on May 26, 2011 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions
One thing I realized about this series
Is that Miami is gearing their entire defense to stop Derek Rose. They don’t care about a single other player on the Bulls team beating them. Seriously, they could care less. Every single minute of practice for this series has been dedicated to stopping Derek Rose.
And that’s why Derek’s has had a terrible series. There’s it! And you can look at it as Derek needs to “find a way” but the truth is, there’s no player in this league who can take on a top 5 defense geared specifically to take them out. In fact, I think the only players in history who have been able to achieve this have been Michael, Wilt, and maybe Shaq in his prime.
The solution? The other Bulls need to play better. If the other Bulls play better like they did in Game 1, the Heat will finally have to start guarding people. And then Derek Rose will have a little room to play. So I’m begging the Bulls supporting cast. If you guys still have something in you. Let’s see it. Cause time is running out!
The Minutes
Not only is he drawing all the attention (which is nothing particularly new), but Thibs has been playing him and Deng into the ground. It is one thing to be asked to play 2.5 quarters straight, another to face and conquer the amount of defensive attention he draws, and yet another to be asked to shut down one of the top 5 players defensively, but to be asked to do all three, while also being the shortest player on the court is far too great a burden for one player to handle. That is why Rose’s performance is slipping.
Which top player is Rose asked to shut down defensively?
Also, I wouldn’t consider someone playing 38,42 and 39 minutes as being overworked. Rose is making poor decisions with the ball. Stop making excuses for him.
This space is available.
That is why MJ,Wilt,Shaq were real MVPs. D.Rose is good and talented but over rated.
by Who donnit? on May 26, 2011 12:20 AM CDT up reply actions
Bullshit
I met Rod Strickland and he ain't play like no Derrick Rose - Charles Barkley
by Bullsfansince88 on May 26, 2011 12:39 AM CDT up reply actions
Why are people allowed to be so fucking dumb?
"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."
by Dash2112 on May 26, 2011 2:14 AM CDT up reply actions 6 recs
Rose is a real MVP
because he’s the most valuable player on the best regular season team. It is, in large part, a team award. Once you accept that, everything else makes sense.
Rose is also 22. Most of the team is new and the coach is new. It’s remarkable he and his team and his coach have done this well; it’s not at all surprising that having reached this level long before anyone expected them to do so, they are making some boneheaded moves and taking some bad shots.
What’s really surprising to me is that if they had just a little more experience, enough to avoid the boneheaded decisions and bad shots, they could be leading this series. Which gives me great hope for the future, although I haven’t quite given up on the present yet.
need more reason to hate the heat....??
of course u do!!!
The Heat is hosting a viewing party outside of the AAA on their giant 3,400-square-foot mesh LED screen. Hip-hop star Ludacris will perform prior to tipoff, and fans are asked to bring their own folding chairs, but no coolers or pets will be allowed. The event will begin at 7.
-taken from Penninsula is Mightier’s site….
yea…they started the season celebrating a championship before they won it, now they are celebrating defeating us before they even play us…WHAT THE FUCK!!!!….God i hate that team
I dont care what the D.N.A. Says, the Guy wearing number 12 Cannot be Kirk Hinrich, he is definetly Kurt. Kirk can actually play basketball!
No pets will be allowed
So Chris Bosh will be inactive for the game?
"And thank you to God for making me an Atheist." - Ricky Gervais
by MichaelClutchtree on May 26, 2011 12:39 AM CDT up reply actions 6 recs
i don't know many people
who keep a pet boshtrich
J.UST E.NJOY T.HIS S.HIT
I DID SLEEP WITH @paugasol woman!!!
by big_p.a.w.z. on May 26, 2011 4:41 AM CDT up reply actions
They're too expensive
But you can kinda replicate one if you buy a catfish and put a black mouthguard on him
The Playoffs: That magical time of year when I become a fan of every team that Lebron James isn't playing for.
by Juiceboxjerry on May 26, 2011 1:54 PM CDT up reply actions
huh?
it’s a viewing party, they didn’t schedule it for AFTER the game
BaB on Twitter | BaB on Facebook
"Don't nag, flag!"
by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 26, 2011 9:36 AM CDT up reply actions
Here's a link today's The Herd radio show
Ric Bucher with some Rose love.
"If the Bulls are healthy it could get ugly." - Joakim Noah
Because Asik is awesome. Now he's done for the year, so maybe Kurt gets some minutes tomorrow
The Playoffs: That magical time of year when I become a fan of every team that Lebron James isn't playing for.
by Juiceboxjerry on May 26, 2011 12:37 AM CDT up reply actions
One game at a time
I don’t see the Bulls losing tomorrow so after that’s done with, we all just gotta hope game 6 goes a lot like game 4 but a victory on our end. Then, anything goes
by Option27 on May 26, 2011 12:58 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
If the Bulls lose a fourth game in a row to the heat, my whole life is a lie
The Playoffs: That magical time of year when I become a fan of every team that Lebron James isn't playing for.
by Juiceboxjerry on May 26, 2011 1:55 AM CDT up reply actions
Rose's Game 4 performance
Rose became just the second player in the last 20 years, with a minimum of 15 FGs attempted in a game, to shoot under 30% from the field, under 15% on three pointers, and to commit at least 7 turnovers in a playoff game.
The only other player to do that… LeBron James, so Rose is in pretty good company.
Best of luck to the Tampa Bay Lightning in their quest for the Stanley Cup.
Chicago Blackhawks... 2010 Stanley Cup Champions
by Mike from Illinois on May 26, 2011 4:24 AM CDT reply actions 2 recs
yet the bulls were a missed ft away from 2-2 and home court
the bulls are as good as the heat, but derrick apparently isn’t ready.
noah too. though he can’t be expected to dominate the glass like in game 1, as tallest guy on the court, he’s disappointed with so many missed gimmies.
i know their defense has been intense… but… that’s why miami seems the better team. the bulls two best players aren’t playing their best, haven’t stepped it up as much to counteract.
pride is the last to go before the foul.
We're due for at least two straight games of hot 3-pt shooting
Game 5, Korver with 15 3s
Game 6, Rose with 10 3s
Due, yes. Likely, probably not.
The Heat are making his life miserable. When he does get open, he isn’t knocking them down. Could be a mental thing at this point.
"After Game 1, they made me and Joe’s life a living hell." - Jamal Crawford
by bleigh82 on May 26, 2011 8:35 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
you really have to reply seriously huh.
Walk the talk, Bulls.
Kyle Korver will go 20 for 20 in the next three games propelling the Bulls to an improbable series victory!
:o)
"After Game 1, they made me and Joe’s life a living hell." - Jamal Crawford
by bleigh82 on May 26, 2011 9:07 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
The Bulls' Defense
The Bulls have actually done a good job slowing down Dwyane Wade in this series.
Unfortunately, LeBron is playing well and it’s that much harder to stop him when he commits uncalled 4-step travels.
Ugh.
Travels, hooking with his arm, lowering his shoulder
he does them all. I said in the last game thread that he had a right to complain about getting called for an offensive foul near the end of the fourth, when he had been allowed to do that same move all game. It’s stupid and unfair to everyone for a move to become illegal on the spur of the moment.
i'm excited! win win win
weeeeeeeee-uunnn!
Walk the talk, Bulls.
wow asik came out and tried to play on a broken leg
Jay cutler are u taking notes?
by #1humblebot on May 26, 2011 9:57 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
yeah it's in his binded notebook
“how to unnecessarily impress idiots”
BaB on Twitter | BaB on Facebook
"Don't nag, flag!"
by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 26, 2011 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions 7 recs
Chicago tough. blah blah blah
"After Game 1, they made me and Joe’s life a living hell." - Jamal Crawford
back to the LINKS, you guys. Media sucks
that clip of the Thibodeau press conference, I think every question to Thibs was ‘can you talk about….’
after a while if I were him I’d just say ‘yes, I can talk about it. next question’
BaB on Twitter | BaB on Facebook
"Don't nag, flag!"
by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 26, 2011 10:03 AM CDT reply actions
I hate when interviewers ask questions that aren't really questions
Bob Costas is the master of this. He’ll do entire interviews where he never actually asks a real question. He’ll just make statement and expect people to react to them. Is it so hard to actually ask a question?
by BoxingHideout on May 26, 2011 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions
If you only get one question and a follow-up,
and you are working on deadline, what you need is a quote for the article you have already written. It’s less forgivable in a longer interview, although the typical five-to-ten-minute live TV interview still doesn’t leave much time for open-ended questions and lengthy narrative answers.
let's do this Cj. you are not crazy. chicago fans are not crazy. well, some maybe .:))
quietstorm_32 cj watson
Call me krazy but I still blieve it can b done
Walk the talk, Bulls.
by JLbuLL on May 26, 2011 10:58 AM CDT reply actions 3 recs
It's been done.
And the Bulls do have home court in two of the next three games. This is not the 0-3 impossible dream. But it is very difficult and they will have to play better.
or just hit all there fts
and at least 50% of all their open shots….really….it doesnt seem THAT hard…its not like we’ve been totally outmatched here…
I dont care what the D.N.A. Says, the Guy wearing number 12 Cannot be Kirk Hinrich, he is definetly Kurt. Kirk can actually play basketball!
by piccolomair on May 26, 2011 12:48 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, but there's no credit for keeping it close.
In fact, maybe the Bulls would be better off picking up the pace, even if they risk getting blown out.
he just changed "c" from crazy to"k"
is ha a krip? lol
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 always has wide open shots so hopefully he makes them
"Well you're giving me the opportunity to agree with Bill Plaschke and Marriotti, I'm gonna pass" - Tim Cowlishaw
"I'm undefeated too I'm 100-0 by beating up innocent little boys in my hood like Floyd" - Random dude
"Attention Boxing Fans: Mayweather will fight Pacquiao this coming November.. its confirmed.. Bobby should train hard to beat Floyd."
so is it safe to say that it's do or die time tonight?
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
Yes, because it is.
never forget...
1.7%
anything is possible...
by wrigleyrocker12 on May 26, 2011 1:13 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
the fuck?
BaB on Twitter | BaB on Facebook
"Don't nag, flag!"
by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 26, 2011 2:34 PM CDT up reply actions
Tonight seems more like rubbing it in to me
These games mean nothing until game 7, I don’t know, it’s just how I feel. If they win, it will kinda be like “It should mean more.”
never forget...
1.7%
anything is possible...
by wrigleyrocker12 on May 26, 2011 1:14 PM CDT reply actions
Let's cease all the offseason talk until our season actually ends
As far as I’m concerned they haven’t won four games yet and they haven’t blown us out in any of their previous wins. We’ve got a chance(albeit a small one) but a chance nonetheless to comeback. When the season ends, whether it’s after this series, or after the finals we could talk about the offseason, or lament on what could have been if the year ends without hoisting the Larry o’brien. But we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.
48 minutes of intensity
by dsenchi on May 26, 2011 1:34 PM CDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
Sorry about the long rant
But I felt I had to get that off my chest.
48 minutes of intensity
by dsenchi on May 26, 2011 1:35 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Oh...you have no idea how happy i would be if we somehow pulled out 3 games in a row
but for now, i still feel like im preppin for a funeral
my soul's torn, my dream shattered..the only remedy: watching Conan The Barbarian for the umpteenth time
1 game at a time...
1 game at a time.
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 May 26, 2011 1:44 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Have you guys heard about Lebron referring to Rose as the "MVP", and not calling him by his real name at all?
Obviously throwing some jabs at him. Yep, this is officially my low point as a fan of the Bulls.
The Playoffs: That magical time of year when I become a fan of every team that Lebron James isn't playing for.
Yeah, I long for the Fred Hoiberg days.
by Ozzie Montana on May 26, 2011 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions 4 recs
I noticed that in his post game interview
I’m not sure if it was an intentional jab, though.
"If the Bulls are healthy it could get ugly." - Joakim Noah
Oh, I guarantee it was
You can tell because he went out of his way to say it. He didn’t need to say Rose’s name at all because of the way Sager framed the question. He asked him about “Derrick Rose” specifically.
The Playoffs: That magical time of year when I become a fan of every team that Lebron James isn't playing for.
by Juiceboxjerry on May 26, 2011 2:12 PM CDT up reply actions
Maybe you're right
But who cares if it was a jab? The only way to shut the Heat up is to beat them, which is something the Bulls are currently not doing.
"If the Bulls are healthy it could get ugly." - Joakim Noah
I care, because I fucking hate Lebron with a passion
The Playoffs: That magical time of year when I become a fan of every team that Lebron James isn't playing for.
by Juiceboxjerry on May 26, 2011 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Earlier this year I sorta tried not to jump on the "hate Lebron" bandwagon
Now I’m driving the bandwagon.
by Brooklyn Bulls on May 26, 2011 2:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Yes it was.
Probably upset because he didn’t get the MVP again this year.
No, sorry
The Playoffs: That magical time of year when I become a fan of every team that Lebron James isn't playing for.
by Juiceboxjerry on May 26, 2011 2:30 PM CDT up reply actions
This could be because it happened to a player on my team
But I feel like people are trying to take away Derrick’s MVP. Not literally of course because that is impossible, but rather discrediting the trophy and Rose’s accomplishments leading to the trophy. People need to get over it, and stop arguing about it. Derrick Rose won it and it wasn’t even close. Yet, the pathetic and vile are trying to rewrite the irreversible for no real reason, and with no real goal. What are they hoping to accomplish, it is a futile task, he already received the damn trophy.
I can only think of one other time this has happened, when Tim Duncan beat Jason Kidd in 2003(?).
It happened with Iverson and Nash.
It happened with Nowiztki when he won after the Mavs lost. It happened with everyone who beat Jordan except for the first year Jordan won, when it happened with Jordan. It happened with everyone who beat Kobe, although I don’t think Kobe deserved it more than once. Actually, it’s pretty common to debate these awards long after the fact. And the league doesn’t mind at all, which is why no one bothers to define the criteria.
Agreed
I strongly remember how everyone piled on Nowitzki after he won the mvp and then lost in the first round of the playoffs. No way that the backlash against Rose gets close to that.
I'm hoping the Bulls come out fired up at home.
And I hope the crowd is into it as well. One blow-out victory and everything could change.
We already had a blowout victory
and everything changed from there.
"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."
by Dash2112 on May 26, 2011 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I suppose a win is a win, especially being down 3-1
The thing that concerns me the most about this game is Rose’s confidence. He clearly hasn’t played very well the last couple of games. The Heat is not going to change the game plan on defending Rose, and the Bulls have yet to provide an effective (and consistent) response.
"If the Bulls are healthy it could get ugly." - Joakim Noah
Good point
Sure would be nice to see Rose have a response besides: “I guess I need to be more aggressive”. How about being a better facilitator? What’s his high assist game in this series? 6?
The Playoffs: That magical time of year when I become a fan of every team that Lebron James isn't playing for.
by Juiceboxjerry on May 26, 2011 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions
8 assists in Game 2 is his highest
Aside from the turnovers (3.7 TO/game), I think Rose is facilitating the offense pretty well. The Miami defense loads up on Rose so well that it often takes a second pass to the weak side or into the paint to create an effective scoring option, which basically leads to a lot of “hockey assists” for Rose. These plays obviously do not show up in the box score, so it’s a bit unfair to say Rose needs to be a better facilitator simply based on his assist numbers.
"If the Bulls are healthy it could get ugly." - Joakim Noah
by bryield on May 26, 2011 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Game 4 as well
there were a lot of wide open misses.
"Well you're giving me the opportunity to agree with Bill Plaschke and Marriotti, I'm gonna pass" - Tim Cowlishaw
"I'm undefeated too I'm 100-0 by beating up innocent little boys in my hood like Floyd" - Random dude
"Attention Boxing Fans: Mayweather will fight Pacquiao this coming November.. its confirmed.. Bobby should train hard to beat Floyd."
And even if everything doesn't change
I really want to win this game. After what’s been a great, exciting season, it’d be depressing as hell to go down on our own court. I want some catharsis. I want the chance to let it all out and appreciate a team that’s fun to root for.
And if we plant some doubt in Lebron’s moon-shaped head going back to Miami, all the better!
by Brooklyn Bulls on May 26, 2011 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions
yeah, i really don't want the bulls to lose
at the UC… that would be depressing.
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
Meh, it'll be depressing as hell no matter where it happens
Seeing it happen in Miami with all their fans that just realized they had professional basketball this year, and those two fuckfaces embracing on the court will be a miserable experience too.
The Playoffs: That magical time of year when I become a fan of every team that Lebron James isn't playing for.
by Juiceboxjerry on May 26, 2011 2:48 PM CDT up reply actions
yeah but having them do that in front of the UC fans will be worse, imo.
i really want the bulls to somehow win this. /sigh
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
In front of the UC fans in game seven
will be much better than in front of UC fans in game five, or even in front of Miami fans in game six. But are the Bulls indeed demoralized? Can they take it one game at a time? We will see.
exactly
game 6 or 7 will be a lot easier to take. i’ll be pretty upset if this ends tonight.
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
With the Bulls being down 3-1 in the series
I think we can safely say that none of the remaining games will be ‘easier’ to win than another.
"If the Bulls are healthy it could get ugly." - Joakim Noah
Ah, I get it now
Reading is hard.
"If the Bulls are healthy it could get ugly." - Joakim Noah
I want it to go to 6
Mainly because I will be thinking “Hey, it’s a series again! We get our last shot to beat THEM at home and force a game 7 IN CHICAGO!”
never forget...
1.7%
anything is possible...
by wrigleyrocker12 on May 26, 2011 2:47 PM CDT up reply actions
i think id rather lose now than lose in game 7
The quest for seven is on.
by sin on May 26, 2011 2:24 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
If we lose tonight, we will lose this series.
:’(
Thibs got his team a chemistry set for Christmas
by livesinnoahsbasement on May 26, 2011 2:27 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Stranger things have happened.
"The advanced metrics guys do not like Derrick Rose very much." - Bills Simmons podcast 2/4
by RogersPark Kris on May 26, 2011 2:50 PM CDT reply actions
I've been loathe to say Thibs has been outcoached and that the 3-1 hole is merely a function of LeBron James being really awesome
But, I read an article on Basketball Prospectus that shows the Bulls are averaging less than half a point per possession when running the pick and roll. That’s not stubbornness, that’s essentially banging your head with a hammer when there’s a mosquito flying around.
We may as well just have Derrick shoot 3s, right?
B/c 3*0.332=0.996 points/shot.
Thibs, get your crap together. Release the Kracken.
He's shooting about 22% from 3pt range against the Heat
including 1-9 last game.
I wasn't seriously thinking that we should. Also, that's still more than 0.5pts/possession.
I just made the point that if the PnR is worse than a mediocre 3pt shooter shooting, then we should find something else.
Something is seriously wrong with his mechanics.
It’s been that way since the All-Star break. He’ll need the whole summer to get back into MVP mode, but seriously, watch out next year. He’s going to get better.
That is, if there is a next year. If not, he could have a whole year to get better, and with his work ethic that might lead to an incredible leap in 2012.
How much are they averaging using other sets...
in the half court offense? I’ve seen them run other things, and they usually failed to score on those also. The problem doesn’t seem to be the set being run, but the players on the floor being able to capitalize on the space that’s created from the set they run.
Consider that the point of the pick and roll is to create mismatches or an open man, which happens basically 100% of the time that the Bulls run it, when they double hard on Rose. The lack of ability to capitalize from there is a result of great rotation by the Heat, the man left open either not getting to a useful place or Rose not giving them the ball, or the person receiving the ball and then not doing anything useful such as immediately taking the shot/drive or swinging to the next open man as the defense rotates to him. Many times this series, all of this is done correctly and an open shot is then missed.
I don’t see any alternative. With the exception of a few trick plays that can basically work once, you’re going to have to go back to get your basic offensive set eventually. Thibs can’t institute the Princeton offense in a week. The truth is that no matter what the Bulls run, Miami will simply double Rose every time he touches it and you are in the exact same position that they are now with the pick and roll. Rose will have to get it to the open man in a timely manner…..
Just looked up the basketball prospectus article
Here are the actual pick and roll numbers from here:
GM — % PL — PTS/POSS
G1 — 19.2% — 0.85
G2 — 15.4% — 1.06
G3 — 20.4% — 0.70
G4 — 16.2% — 0.28
So they’re not averaging less than half a point, they just completely sucked at it in game 4, largely due to Rose committing 5 turnovers, or more than a 1/3 of the 14 pick and roll plays. That doesn’t look like a coaching issue to me, it looks like a “play better” issue.
I have come to terms with the Bulls losing this series
I just hope the world ends with a bang and not a whimper. I’d love to see Rose get into a 4th quarter dual, or simply explode. I also have genuinely no idea how the Bulls will look in this game. I must admit they looked demoralized at the end of ot last game, and though they’ve always bounced back during the regular season adversity, this adversity is far greater in every way.
we will shock the world
Fuck a heat!
by #1humblebot on May 26, 2011 3:46 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
I mean, for reals though? This shit isn't over yet. Let's all just enjoy it cause it COULD be our last but it certainly isn't just yet
I should start by pointing out that the Bulls aren’t that far off the scent. They were one shot from stealing Game 4 and regaining home-court advantage, and we also should remember that they blew away Miami in the long-forgotten Game 1. Heading into the overtime period in Game 4, this series was even in total points scored — they can play with these guys.
I knew our SG position was bad but I didn't know it was THIS bad.
From Tom Haberstroh, assessing our SG problems: “They received just 13.3 points per game from their 2-guards this season, dead-last in the league, and nearly three points fewer than the next worst team, the Utah Jazz. That’s a hole.”
Wow. Dead last by 3 POINTS??? That’s just sad. And we blame Derek for having a bad series. How bout having no one to pass to. Jeez.
One thing I gotta give this Bulls team...
They don’t give up. I cannot remember the last time they got blown out. When was it? The New York game? It’s nice to know that you sit down and watch your team play and know they’ll at least be in it til the end.
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