Bulls 78, Wizards 64: John Lucas III leads the Bulls reserves to inspired victory
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 12, 2012 3:06 AM CST
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Back before the season, I pointed out the passage in this year's Pro Basketball Prospectus that talked about how the Bulls do statistical research on more than just on-court production. They want a certain personality type in their players, those who are driven yet selfless, invariably coachable and rarely discouraged. I think that type of attitude manifested itself tonight. A team playing their third game in as many nights, not only without their leader and focal point of the offense but his backup as well, looked to be the more energetic team and the one that wanted the victory most.
And it was a fun one to attend. Aesthetically the play was ugly at times, but there was an underdog feeling in the building even though the opponent was the worst team in the league. And to say you were there the night John Lucas III put up 28 shots is...well, it's something, anyway.
Lucas took on the PG slot by his lonesome (Thibodeau remarked postgame Lucas was his own backup) and definitely got his 45 minutes worth. He shot fairly terribly but at least wasn't afraid do so, and filled up the scoresheet to a near triple-double (8 rebs and assists). Playing all those minutes, even limping through a few late possessions, and holding his own was impressive. John Wall had one really nice dunk over him (literally), but otherwise you could say Lucas won that matchup, even if they weren't 'matched-up' that often. Wall's dunk actually was pretty indicative of the Wizard's night: some highlight plays but mostly ineffectual. The Bulls obliterated them on the boards, led by Luol Deng's 15 and Omer Asik's 14, and the effort the Bulls showed all night surged (with the fans in tow) to a late possession where the Bulls grabbed 5 offensive rebounds on their way to a Asik dunk.
They didn't play particularly well, but they played extremely hard and completely shut down the Wizards late. It wasn't as easy as to say 'no Rose, no problem', as the continuing issue of the starting frontcourt appeared yet again. The idea of Rose's absence allowing for a big game from Carlos Boozer turned out to be little more than a joke, as he didn't even really fight for position to set up any kind of post offense. And Joakim Noah not only was ineffectual as well but sprained his thumb. The Wizards actually hung in the game when those two were in, and it's strange but more and more true that it feels like Asik and Taj are not just fallbacks but the actual closers of the team.
That's not the best option, as opposed to getting Noah and Boozer back to something better than this. And of course Derrick Rose is absolutely necessary to have this offense work at all and his injury may scarily linger for a while. But out from the shadow of those principal players, what the Bulls reserves showed was how they make this team not just good, but great. It's having deep talent but with a common mindset as well, and the Bulls know how to pick 'em.
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This was the best part of tonight
Thibodeau pointed out the sprain is not turf toe, as Rose had suspected late Tuesday.
“Hopefully, he’ll be back in a day,” Thibodeau said. “He usually responds very well to treatment.”
This should heal up in a few days, rather than weeks
by Option27 on Jan 12, 2012 4:19 AM CST reply actions 4 recs
DRose = 1/4 Wolverine
Walk the talk, Bulls.
by JLbuLL on Jan 12, 2012 6:26 AM CST up reply actions 5 recs
And Thibs is a doctor??????
My point is that I don’t exactly trust coaches and front-office types when it come to disclosing injuries. Rose already had turf-toe once, so he knows what it’s like. He said he re-aggravated it and now Thibs is saying its something else. I feel like the odds are that Thibs is lying here.
or that rose thought it was turf toe
but once examined, team doctors told them it wasn’t.
jeez.
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 Jan 12, 2012 12:42 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
That's possible, but I dunno if I buy it.
That’s all I’m saying. People here wanna celebrate because Thibs said it wasn’t turf-toe.
watching wall struggle in the nba really increases my admiration for what derrick has
accomplished. i know its early in walls career, and i realize rose was not the great player he is today by year 2, but wall doesnt even look like he belongs in the league right now. like a lot of other people i thought wall and rose were similar prospects, and given their athletic ability it was a foregone conclusion that each would find their way to professional superstardom. its been pretty sobering, even dismaying (how the hell is wall not better than this?- maybe i dont understand how to evaluate prospects at all?) to watch rose and walls careers take such dramatically different tracks.
"We would look at each other with a glint of recognition and one of us would say, 'So you worry about ASIK, too,' as if admitting a secret vice. Then we would share our crazy ideas-- because all ideas about ASIK that are not immediately wrong turn out to be crazy."
well, wall is stil la very raw player and lacks an intellectual coach
he can improve, but i agree about your comparisions on rose and wall
Wall lacks an intellectual coach but
Rose had VDN! i dont know how to describe VDN lol
Walk the talk, Bulls.
VDN is a better coach than Flip
Flip had the luxury of being on better teams (Detroit especially and Prime Garnett in Minnesota—and Garnett is still the best player he’s ever coached and having a talent like that can make you look like a good coach).
What Vinny lacks in the pure x’s and O’s, he makes up for by keeping his teams loose and building a comraderie and having them play hard.
I mean save for the abysmal start last season, those Clippers were almost .500 ball down the stretch.
He turned our team around a bit and built the culture here (he’s no THibs, but he got us out of the Boylan abyss, worked right away on Derrick’s shot, and in the 2nd year with all the injuries and gutted roster, kept the team poised after that late 10 game in a row when 4 of the 5 NBA caliber players we had left were hurt, and brought us back on a win streak to make the playoffs.
Vinny is underrated.
Flip was blessed with everything in Detroit (and did nothing with it) and perhaps arguably the best PF in the game in Garnett (Duncan maybe is 1st, but they’re in contention—much as I hate KG)…..
Now he’s got a talented bunch but they seem to be doing nothing but stay on the bottom.
The kid's out of this world. He's got Allen Iverson speed, Jason Kidd's vision, Chauncey Billups' shooting ability and Michael Jordan's athleticism. How do you guard that? - Pacers coach Frank Vogel.
by majoyenrac on Jan 12, 2012 8:03 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Vinny isn't underrated at all. He's the worst of the worst
KG in his prime was just as effective as Rose or Griffin are in theirs (even if they haven’t got there yet)
And Griffin's team will be very good
And Rose improved, while we stripped any semblance of talent to wait for last summer.
The kid's out of this world. He's got Allen Iverson speed, Jason Kidd's vision, Chauncey Billups' shooting ability and Michael Jordan's athleticism. How do you guard that? - Pacers coach Frank Vogel.
The difference in teammates
Hinrich – Gordon – Deng – Noah
Blatche – McGee – Crawford – Young
by JockstrapNoah on Jan 12, 2012 9:46 AM CST up reply actions
Wall never learned to play in the half court
and he only has 1 speed in the open court. Rose understood very early how to penetrate and finish in the half court. He also worked meticulously on his 15 ft jumper, floater and push shot early. Those are shots John Wall just doesn’t have. In Rose 2nd year he was able to really command and lead an offense as a 1st option. Wall really can’t do that, but there are no better options on Washington so he flounders. Rose also got to play with real professionals so he learned how to be a professional; for Wall his teammates were cheering as he did the Dougie. The environments they come up in and their personal work ethic have been the difference.
by Basketball Smurf on Jan 12, 2012 11:06 AM CST up reply actions 6 recs
Wall does a stupid dance every time he has a good play.
Maybe the difference is ATTITUDE.
Korver!
Back in the doghouse with you!
by bobslob on Jan 12, 2012 3:14 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Skill beats size every time!
Damn that kid is small!
Schindler's List is, at the most basic level, a remake of Jurassic Park... ~Zizek
by THEKILLERWHALE on Jan 12, 2012 5:59 PM CST up reply actions
It's funny I knew he looked like someone.....
This was it. They should call him Carlton.
The kid's out of this world. He's got Allen Iverson speed, Jason Kidd's vision, Chauncey Billups' shooting ability and Michael Jordan's athleticism. How do you guard that? - Pacers coach Frank Vogel.
I'm really, really happy with the win.
I avoided the game threads after yesterday’s pregame thread hit the height of negativity, with the idea that we are a sub-.500 team sans-Rose.
But we weren’t just sans-Rose. We were without our entire offensive back court (Rose, Hamilton, Watson) while on the last game of a back-to-back-to-back. Obviously the Wizards are a bit of a train wreck this year, though they found some cohesion against the Raptors after their player-only team meeting, but they’re also a young team who likes to run, which can be a dangerous thing on a tired night. But even with Rose, Rip, and Watson out, as well as Boozer, Brewer, and Noah not contributing much of anything offensively, the Bulls still found a way to win. That’s what good teams do.
WWCD? CDGAF.
by JStymie on Jan 12, 2012 7:16 AM CST reply actions 2 recs
And for anyone who didn't see KK's "We didn't expect him to take 28 shots" comment...
WWCD? CDGAF.
by JStymie on Jan 12, 2012 7:23 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I mentioned this in the overflow thread...but it's relevant
“Coach (Tom) Thibodeau was telling me to stay aggressive, don’t back off and don’t stop shooting,” Lucas said after the Bulls’ third victory in three nights.
“He kept telling me if, `I’m open, shoot it. If I’m open, shoot it.’ I felt like I was shooting too much and then he got on me for not shooting the times I was open.”
I wonder if he tells Watson the same thing when he’s out there.
"Shame he’s such a goofy fuckface."
-JBJ, referring to Dwight Howard
im pretty damn sure he does
he needs to be more agressive.
he never went pro.
A true friend stabs you in the front - Oscar Wilde
by dantheman3k on Jan 12, 2012 10:23 AM CST up reply actions
All I can find is his college stuff
On the court, Thibodeau immersed himself in the game and the small forward was named a captain his senior season (1980-81). During his junior and senior seasons, the Vikings were a juggernaut, earning the school’s first two NCAA tournament bids. Tom Roundy, a longtime Salem State sports information director, was a student at North Adams State at the time.
"Salem State would come out to North Adams, and they had this Boston Celtics aura about them. It was friggin’ amazing. I thought North Adams was going to get crushed," says Roundy. "As a player, Tommy was tough. He was a banger, a lunch pail kind of guy."
no wonder he love Deng and Taj
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by ThorCo on Jan 12, 2012 9:50 AM CST up reply actions 3 recs
...
WCG's Resident Nickelback and Boy Band fan
Also rated Worst WCG Blogger by Dr. Steven Schweickert's extensive "Total BR" (Blogger Rating)
"Oh Dilfer, give me the strength...
to be as bad a WCG Contributor as you are an announcer/authority on anything. Peace be with you. " (JoetheBoss)
by ThorCo on Jan 12, 2012 11:13 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs
for those who didn't bother to watch
KK basically says we all expected him to get 20 before the game… but we didn’t expect him to take 28 shots. Then he looks over at another player and they laugh, and he re-iterates 28 shots, and the interviewer asks how many shots did he think it would take, and Kyle goes I don’t know… but not 28 shots, and they continue to laugh.
A true friend stabs you in the front - Oscar Wilde
by dantheman3k on Jan 12, 2012 10:22 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
i think the bulls are pretty close to a .500 team without rose, and last night did nothing to change my mind.
both hollinger’s and b-r.com’s team ratings have the wiz as a team an average team should beat by about 12-14 points, which the bulls obviously did at home.
"We would look at each other with a glint of recognition and one of us would say, 'So you worry about ASIK, too,' as if admitting a secret vice. Then we would share our crazy ideas-- because all ideas about ASIK that are not immediately wrong turn out to be crazy."
by TheMoon on Jan 12, 2012 8:13 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Saying the Bulls are a .500 team without is controversial
People went nuts on me when I said the Bulls would’ve won the Central without Rose last year, in evaluating GarPax and Thibs, but that’s a pretty accurate assessment.
Follow me on Twitter.
Well when Boozer and Noah are doing their best Beavis and Butthead impression, sure.
Pat Riley is the devil.
well they do that all the time, so thats just reality.
"We would look at each other with a glint of recognition and one of us would say, 'So you worry about ASIK, too,' as if admitting a secret vice. Then we would share our crazy ideas-- because all ideas about ASIK that are not immediately wrong turn out to be crazy."
Except that is pure hyperbole.
I am definitely in the “I want Boozer off this team” camp, but let’s be realistic — he has had some good games this year. The reason I do not like Boozer is because he is so wildly inconsistent.
1) You’re leaving out that we were also missing C.J. Watson & Rip Hamilton, both of home would make an obvious offensive impact.
2) Brewer, Noah, and Boozer all massively underperformed offensively, and Deng was below his average but not as poorly as the others. Will all of them have bad nights on and off? Yes. All on the same night, all the time? No.
“Without Rose” and “Without Rose, Hamilton, Watson, and four starters having an underwhelming offensive night on the third night of a back-to-back-to-back” are two completely different things.
WWCD? CDGAF.
by JStymie on Jan 12, 2012 10:25 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
i didnt say boozer hasnt had good games. i thought polo was referring to games where both noah and boozer
no-show, and since noah has yet to show, and as you admit boozer is inconsistent, there have been more than a couple such games.
cj is good, but hes not better than lucas on offense.
also: rip— who gives a shit, the guy hasnt even played yet.
wow, all those guys crapped the bed on offense when their MVP point guard went down. what a crazy mystery. im sure that will never happen again.
"We would look at each other with a glint of recognition and one of us would say, 'So you worry about ASIK, too,' as if admitting a secret vice. Then we would share our crazy ideas-- because all ideas about ASIK that are not immediately wrong turn out to be crazy."
When you use Hollinger's point differential that a .500 team should beat the Wizards by...
and then say “And that’s what we did without Rose”, then yeah, it makes it seem like the many other factors impacting last night’s game are being left out.
I disagree with CJ not being better than Lucas on offense — CJ can drive to the rim better. Obviously there’s still a gulf between CJ and Rose, but I do believe there is also a difference between CJ and JL3.
Regarding losing a star PG being related to the dip in numbers — yeah, that obviously impacts it. But once again, I also think CJ has better experience at getting the rest of the roster involved (and as much as anything, it was also just a bad off night for the others). Though, given enough playtime, even JL3 would learn the guys well enough to get them more involved.
It’s not a question of “Are the Bulls worse without Rose” — I don’t think anyone besides JBJ would argue that. It’s a question of “Are they forever and ever exactly what they were last night” without Rose — no, I don’t think they are.
WWCD? CDGAF.
by JStymie on Jan 12, 2012 12:39 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
there are "many other factors" in every single nba game, so i dont find that a compelling
counter-argument.
"We would look at each other with a glint of recognition and one of us would say, 'So you worry about ASIK, too,' as if admitting a secret vice. Then we would share our crazy ideas-- because all ideas about ASIK that are not immediately wrong turn out to be crazy."
That's a really generic excuse.
If you can see Rose being out as a factor, but not also acknowledge CJ & Rip being out and most of the team being in a funk, and not acknowledge the exhaustion that a back-to-back-back brings, then that is some very convenient, selective logic.
WWCD? CDGAF.
by JStymie on Jan 12, 2012 1:03 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
again, CJ is not better offensively than jLIII. CJ has a 100 ORtg on 28 USG%.
JLIII has a 107 ORtg on 29 USG%. and the bulls were already playing so incredibly on defense that i doubt CJ would have added too much.
rip hasnt even played yet!
saying my argument is generic is also generic. (you said excuse, but you are the one making excuses. im saying those excuses are poorly founded.)
"We would look at each other with a glint of recognition and one of us would say, 'So you worry about ASIK, too,' as if admitting a secret vice. Then we would share our crazy ideas-- because all ideas about ASIK that are not immediately wrong turn out to be crazy."
we should also keep in mind that the Wizards have lost something like 50 straight road
games. They did not win a road game last season and have not won one so far this season.
by Basketball Smurf on Jan 12, 2012 10:56 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs
Except...
The three games they won on the road last season, including the 76th game of the season in Charlotte.
http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=310403030
The Wizards, but not historically so…
New signature coming...but its a process.
by Dionysus2.0 on Jan 12, 2012 12:20 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
my bad
i thought i heard they went 0-fer in last year’s road games.
by Basketball Smurf on Jan 12, 2012 12:24 PM CST up reply actions
I think that would have been a record...
Has any team ever gone 0-41 for a season?
New signature coming...but its a process.
by Dionysus2.0 on Jan 12, 2012 12:31 PM CST up reply actions
I am really really concerned about Noah
The fire is gone. I mean last year and the years before, he was our emotional leader, and he had that crazy set of skills—good passing, would lead the ball on the break from the C spot, great man and help defense, one of the very best rebounders in the game (who would get a hand on everything, and have many many tip ins even against the best).
That’s all missing, but what’s missing even more is his heart. He played with so much emotion, and that’s gone.
I don’t know what is up. maybe Noah is already all but confirmed in an Orlando trade when that trade can happen, and has thus checked out. Seems unlikely that Orlando would be interested in the trade the way he’s playing, but it’s just so freaking odd.
I mean he doesn’t necessarily look out of shape, but he’s been puffing on the court, and what’s worse there’s only been a handful of times that we’ve seen that typical Noah energy.
It’s a real shame. I hope he comes back as he’s been one of my favorite Bulls’ the last few years (sure Rose is the talent, but Noah was the heart).
And I’ll add I don’t get why Thibs is sitting Boozer so much. I mean yesterday Gibson was playing great, so whatever, and maybe it’s because Lucas is a pretty piss poor passer and thus Boozer running around to get position clogged the lane, but this is a bit much.
It’s great we have the depth and there’s no excuse for John Wall to be outplayed by Lucas (even if they didn’t match up exactly 1 for 1, in the positional view Lucas outplayed him). Great effort by Lucas though, I just got tired of him shooting so much (he started off the 1st very well, then he just kept shooting and shooting, it took Korver to seal our win).
When is CJ back?
The kid's out of this world. He's got Allen Iverson speed, Jason Kidd's vision, Chauncey Billups' shooting ability and Michael Jordan's athleticism. How do you guard that? - Pacers coach Frank Vogel.
by majoyenrac on Jan 12, 2012 7:57 AM CST reply actions 3 recs
monday hes back
rip will be back around that time too, if not earlier.
Thanks
I’m glad that Lucas has proven a worthy 3rd string PG, but I don’t want to see many games like yesterday. It’s only because the Wizards spend so much time worrying about hteir own personal stats that we were able to win with Lucas mostly ball dominating play.
The kid's out of this world. He's got Allen Iverson speed, Jason Kidd's vision, Chauncey Billups' shooting ability and Michael Jordan's athleticism. How do you guard that? - Pacers coach Frank Vogel.
But can you blame him
Once Rose and CJ are back, he’s right back to the end of the bench. If that were me, I’d for damn sure be trying to get a season’s worth of shots up. I know it’s not what you want, but he’s a player and he wants to show what he can do.
by blackgallagher on Jan 12, 2012 8:34 AM CST up reply actions
No and his aggressiveness is what we needed to start the game
Since everyone else was so aw-shucks passive.
I’m glad that he surprised, and I want to root for him. But in the second half when he was still chucking (and stopped then trying to take charges) that made me nervous we’d lose this game.
Good thing Korver was there….
Funny when we’re talking of Lucas and Korver and Gibson/Asik for that matter and yet have a 10-2 best record team…
The kid's out of this world. He's got Allen Iverson speed, Jason Kidd's vision, Chauncey Billups' shooting ability and Michael Jordan's athleticism. How do you guard that? - Pacers coach Frank Vogel.
uh, an Orlando trade would already be able to happen
so “all but confirmed” is not how it is. Maybe he’s just Odoming it, and feels unloved to be mentioned in the first place.
I think he’ll bounce back.
A true friend stabs you in the front - Oscar Wilde
by dantheman3k on Jan 12, 2012 10:25 AM CST up reply actions
I thought because of when he signed, we couldn't trade Noah until Jan 15th or something or even later...
The kid's out of this world. He's got Allen Iverson speed, Jason Kidd's vision, Chauncey Billups' shooting ability and Michael Jordan's athleticism. How do you guard that? - Pacers coach Frank Vogel.
Thx
Hmmmmmm puzzling with Noah then.
The kid's out of this world. He's got Allen Iverson speed, Jason Kidd's vision, Chauncey Billups' shooting ability and Michael Jordan's athleticism. How do you guard that? - Pacers coach Frank Vogel.
by majoyenrac on Jan 12, 2012 9:04 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
You still are mistaken.
majoyenrac is correct.
Rose before hoes
by Bullsfan7210 on Jan 13, 2012 3:21 AM CST up reply actions
Old rule
something changed with the new CBA about that i guess
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Not to nitpick
I mean he doesn’t necessarily look out of shape, but he’s been puffing on the court, and what’s worse there’s only been a handful of times that we’ve seen that typical Noah energy.
Doesn’t that exactly describe someone’s who’s out of shape?
This space is available.
by MrBungle on Jan 12, 2012 11:15 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
He doesn't look out of shape
But yes he is huffing and puffing, but physically he looks a lot stronger and doesn’t look “fat” per se.
The kid's out of this world. He's got Allen Iverson speed, Jason Kidd's vision, Chauncey Billups' shooting ability and Michael Jordan's athleticism. How do you guard that? - Pacers coach Frank Vogel.
He can be in good shape from a bodyfat measuremeant standpoint but still be out of shape cardiovascularly.
Especially, if he spent the off season partaking in weed related activities.
This space is available.
Do not blame the plant for Noah's shortcomings.
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/11/marijuana-smoking-does-not-harm-lungs-study-finds
Schindler's List is, at the most basic level, a remake of Jurassic Park... ~Zizek
by THEKILLERWHALE on Jan 12, 2012 5:47 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Did you read the post?
In the near term, smoking marijuana irritates the airways and can cause coughing, and public health advocates stress that it causes impairment that reduces attention, lowers motivation and heightens the risk of accidents. Over days or weeks, chronic use can lead to problems with learning and memory. But whether smoking marijuana sets off the type of pulmonary changes that lead to lasting damage like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a leading cause of death among Americans, was not entirely clear.
I don’t smoke pot anymore and when I did, I was a heavy cigarette smoker, but there are immediate respiratory effects of any form of smoking. I’d assume, athlete pot smokers are heavy vaporizer users though. A large part of the respiratory issues are from smoking paper or inhaling the flame, so it may not be the issue — if Noah is a pot smoker.
Follow me on Twitter.
So have Bulls become the LeBron led Cavaliers?
Both teams seem to mirror each other in a way. The MVP. The center known for his hustle. The pf that takes a lot of jumpshots. The bench mob. LeBron had Mo. Rose has Deng. Defensive team. Defensive coach. Management that’s conservative.
As good as that Cavaliers team was, they just couldn’t get that final push to win it all. As a Bulls fan there are 3 things I fear. Rose getting injured. Rose leaving. Blaspehmy, I know. But everyone has a breaking point, even if you’re nice, shy and loyal guy. My third fear is becoming that Lebron led Cavaliers team. That team always had chances to make a move, but management always played it safe. Not wanting to give up Hickson to acquire Stoudemire comes to mind.
So I ask it again.
Have Bulls become the LeBron led Cavaliers?
Because right now we’re kinda heading that way.
Deng is much better than Mo
I think this team overall is better than the Cavs team, but I see your point.
Chicago, A Drinking Town With A Sports Problem
"I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying."
Michael Jordan
The Cavaliers...
Never played it safe…they brought in Mo Williams, Shaq, Ben Wallace and even Antawn Jamison to try to help Lebron get over the hump…In my opinion, their lack of playing it safe probably cost them a chance to really contend, as blowing up the roster each offseason to improve really hurt their cohesiveness…I am not saying the ’07 finals team with Lebron, Hughes and Gooden would necessarily win a title, but trading that for Ben Wallace was probably not their best move…
New signature coming...but its a process.
by Dionysus2.0 on Jan 12, 2012 9:35 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
but they could've been even less safe
and dared to part with JJ Hickson for Amare
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"Don't nag, flag!"
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 12, 2012 11:19 AM CST up reply actions
If that trade were really on the table...
Which it couldn’t (CBA), the Cavs would have been idiots not to make that deal.
More likely it was Hickson + pieces for Amare + bad contracts…
New signature coming...but its a process.
by Dionysus2.0 on Jan 12, 2012 12:22 PM CST up reply actions
i havent been on thsi site long
but you guys are nuts lol. how so many complaints about our team can come up when we are 10-2. did we all forget the years since jordan left so quickly, that was awful basketball, this is great basketball. guys will struggle , there is more a a chance that noah and booze will bounce back and that every thing will be ok. we are 10-2 best team in the NBA why worry about nothing
Rams Bulls and Mets allllllllll day also i do love white castle
by G unit Rams on Jan 12, 2012 9:55 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs
Take the hyperbole with a grain of salt
Okay….maybe take it with the whole shaker. THEN you can consider it discussion.
I'm sure some people here could have found something to gripe about during that 72-10 season.
This space is available.
jud buechler fucking SUCKED
by obnoxious american on Jan 12, 2012 11:23 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
and I hated those chants for him to play in blowouts!
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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 12, 2012 11:26 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs
strange introduction
‘I haven’t been here long and have nothing to say because we’re good lol’
BaB on Twitter | BaB on Facebook
"Don't nag, flag!"
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 12, 2012 11:20 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Keep reading
he gets to the third.
Chicago, A Drinking Town With A Sports Problem
"I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying."
Michael Jordan
To say we are the Lebron led Cavs is a bit much.
First of all that team stuck no defence. Their idea of defence was Lebron’s weak side help on a block or an occasional chase down block on the break.
In my opnion this is a much more well rounded team. Remember Rip hasnt been playing as well and we still have be managing to win. The team hasnt been 100% since pre season. Once Rip comes back Its gonna open up the floor for literaly everyone.
Be patient my friends!
those cav teams had great defense
not as good as ours probably, but i don’t think anyone but the celtics were better statistically.
by Chicagoblooz on Jan 12, 2012 10:09 AM CST up reply actions
I wonder if a team has ever grabbed more rebounds than their opponent scored points.
and if so, how many times it’s happened.
Chicago, A Drinking Town With A Sports Problem
"I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying."
Michael Jordan
I'm sure it happened when teams averaged like 34% shooting
and some guys averaged 20 boards a game
"Sportsmanship is just loser talk for losing."
by boyonthedock on Jan 12, 2012 12:06 PM CST up reply actions
The best part of the game for me was that...
Korver clearly has his stroke back, and his confidence is back up.
With pure shooters like him, it is almost always easier to produce when there are more than a small handful of opportunities per game. Even when Rose and Rip are back, I’d like to see the Bulls make a concerted effort to create more shot opportunities for him.
by Paul Warfield on Jan 12, 2012 10:16 AM CST reply actions 5 recs
I think Korver's D has gotten better this year
He’s still pathetically slow, but he mentally gets it and seems to constantly be trying and not making so many mental mistakes so far.
For example, this year I’ve seen him get several fast break fouls and prevent and ones, one or two of which were blocks but he got called for a foul anyway.
Last year, he seemed like the jazz afraid-to-foul player. Like he’d only tap your butt on the your downward angle to finish dunking on him.
It’s small, maybe, but I think his overall play…
maybe I’m a hypocrit because I think Noah’s just slumping and yet this isn’t Korver peaking, but. I really hope this is “new kyle korver” and Noah gets back to old Joakim Noah.
A true friend stabs you in the front - Oscar Wilde
by dantheman3k on Jan 12, 2012 10:29 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I agree...
that his defense has improved a bit. I’m guessing that he has realized that Thibs is likely to give him more playing time if he at least tries hard on the defensive end. Also, it would be difficult not to improve defensively to a modest degree under Thibs, no matter how physically challenged!
by Paul Warfield on Jan 12, 2012 10:42 AM CST up reply actions
Yes. This.
I’m perfectly fine with him cooling off at some point and saving a hot streak for the playoffs. If he shoots even close to this well in the playoffs the Bulls will be very, very hard to beat. Honesty, if he hadn’t cooled off so much in the Miami series, the Bulls might have pulled it off even with DRose struggling from the field.
Not to overemphasize this lucas thing too much...
but look at 1:58 of this video http://www.nba.com/video/games/bulls/2012/01/11/0021100147_was_chi_recap.nba/ .
Lucas’ pass is crisp as hell and right on time. If it were 1/10 of a second later, his man would be in his face. DRose and CJ are much lazier about hitting Korver off of screens.
Schindler's List is, at the most basic level, a remake of Jurassic Park... ~Zizek
by THEKILLERWHALE on Jan 12, 2012 5:52 PM CST up reply actions
So why not just put Gibson and Asik in the starting lineup?
Clearly Thibs likes the way those guys play better since more times than not he has them finishing the game (might be worthwhile to actually look at the Bulls’ division of minutes for 4th quarters). Boozer and Noah off the bench would be quite the 2nd unit.
Although this strategy is getting the team wins and that’s undoubtedly the most important factor, I’m not convinced that having Boozer and Noah out on the floor last night in the 4th would have lost us the game. Plus Boozer and Noah can’t feel great about riding the bench during crunch time. Potentially could lead to bigger chemistry / attitude problems down the road.
I guess as long as we’re winning everything else will take care of itself
At this point, I'm all for starting Asik over Noah
But I still think Boozer’s way better than Taj.
Pat Riley is the devil.
by Poloplaya14 on Jan 12, 2012 10:47 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Well maybe not way better at this point, but still better.
Pat Riley is the devil.
by Poloplaya14 on Jan 12, 2012 10:48 AM CST up reply actions
I think people are ignoring that Taj+Asik combo is pretty amazing when they bitch about Noah + Booz on the bench
I mean, if we were benching them for Michael Ruffin and Dickey Simpkins it would be a different story. But it’s like, “Oh no! We have two above-average frontcourt units and one of them gets paid more than the other! WE’RE SCREWED!”
by TheHungarianJordan on Jan 12, 2012 11:17 AM CST up reply actions
well it's about having the highest standards heading into this season
is Taj+Asik a championship frontcourt?
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"Don't nag, flag!"
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 12, 2012 11:22 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I think it's a huge weapon to have situational frontcourts
So yeah, potentially a championship frontcourt. When we need D, put in Taj+Asik, if we need more offense, throw Noah and/or Booz in there. Plus all of them are always going to be fresh. What other teams have that sort of luxury? There are very few good/great two-way players in the NBA, I think people forget that. I’d love to have a Gerald Wallace in there, but it’s not happening and what we have is still pretty good.
by TheHungarianJordan on Jan 12, 2012 11:31 AM CST up reply actions
this is sort of the problem with the Korver/Brewer 2-guard 'solution' last year, you can't play both at once
The Bulls need offense AND defense
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"Don't nag, flag!"
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 12, 2012 12:33 PM CST up reply actions
it looks to me like taj can actually score at the rim.
i don’t know what boozers problem is. he doesn’t even try these days.
by obnoxious american on Jan 12, 2012 11:18 AM CST up reply actions
Yeah that's the more obvious move, but would Asik+Boozer work defensively?
Asik’s a beast manning-up against bigs, and for his size is pretty incredible at rotating, but him and Booz together seems like a footspeed problem to me.
BaB on Twitter | BaB on Facebook
"Don't nag, flag!"
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 12, 2012 11:24 AM CST up reply actions
to be fair,
boozer’s footspeed might be dictated by how fast he’s willing to move them.
by obnoxious american on Jan 12, 2012 11:34 AM CST up reply actions
I souldn't say I'm convinced the Bulls lose if Boozer/Noah returned
but I was convinced they were going to win when Asik/Taj came in.
BaB on Twitter | BaB on Facebook
"Don't nag, flag!"
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 12, 2012 11:22 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
They probably won't start for the same reason that Bogans started last year.
Thibs is weird that way. Remember Bogans almost never played in the fourth quarter.
Korver!
Back in the doghouse with you!
So after last night's Lucas III game and last season's Watson game...
Is it too soon to wonder if Rose is just a product of Thib’s pg-friendly system?
you don't win MVP being a product of a system
otherwise Golden State guards would have had the MVP locked down for the last decade
WCG's Resident Nickelback and Boy Band fan
Also rated Worst WCG Blogger by Dr. Steven Schweickert's extensive "Total BR" (Blogger Rating)
"Oh Dilfer, give me the strength...
to be as bad a WCG Contributor as you are an announcer/authority on anything. Peace be with you. " (JoetheBoss)
you seen derrick play a couple times, right?
you know, how like he’s pretty much the fastest player in the league and also one of the most athletic? can shoot, pass, has great handle, and is a cold blooded killer?
by obnoxious american on Jan 12, 2012 11:21 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
it's too late to make that joke!
No doubt Rose benefitted from the ‘system’ of him having to generate all the offense, sure.
BaB on Twitter | BaB on Facebook
"Don't nag, flag!"
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 12, 2012 11:25 AM CST up reply actions 3 recs
haha
"We would look at each other with a glint of recognition and one of us would say, 'So you worry about ASIK, too,' as if admitting a secret vice. Then we would share our crazy ideas-- because all ideas about ASIK that are not immediately wrong turn out to be crazy."
was that joke made already?
My bad!
by jpm356 on Jan 12, 2012 1:18 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions
Ric Buchers top 7 players on espn today
1Bryant
2Rose
3James
4Howard
5Wade
6Dirk
7Westbrook(yes ahead of Durant)
hmmmm…
Westbrook ahead of Durant...
ugh
WCG's Resident Nickelback and Boy Band fan
Also rated Worst WCG Blogger by Dr. Steven Schweickert's extensive "Total BR" (Blogger Rating)
"Oh Dilfer, give me the strength...
to be as bad a WCG Contributor as you are an announcer/authority on anything. Peace be with you. " (JoetheBoss)
by ThorCo on Jan 12, 2012 11:21 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
as much as i want drose back
part of me wants to see rondo getting john walled by lucas.
I also hope booz/omer and taj/noah get some burn instead of sitting 140m$. noah roams a lot on d as he pressures the pnr but he looks stupid doing it now since booz cant protect the rim. Same reason why i want see them try playing booz and omer vs opposing bench
by trig on Jan 12, 2012 11:30 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
there's no way lucas comes close to what he just did.
not on the road.
by obnoxious american on Jan 12, 2012 11:38 AM CST up reply actions
I feel confident he could still put up 28 shots on the road.
by jpx7 on Jan 12, 2012 12:33 PM CST up reply actions 5 recs
If might take fifty shots
but the fuck if Lucas won’t shoot them.
by Dogfishhead on Jan 12, 2012 1:41 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
"John Walled", eh?
is that the new phrase, like Tebowing?
"There are two ways to argue with a woman, and neither of them work."
- Carlos Boozer after cancelling an interview with a Sports Illustrated reporter because his wife was expecting him home.
It may have been mentioned before, but I missed it...
Does anyone notice the creepy stare Stacey King gives the camera at the beginning of every pre-game commentator discussion?
The first shot of him and Funk always cues up in the middle of Funk saying some bullshit while Stacey stares forward at the camera like a schizo. Approximately three seconds later, he’ll snap out of his psychotic daze and look towards Funk as he gets his shit together.
Happens. Every. Game.
At this point, it’s my favorite part about the Funk/King duo, but it’s really starting to give my wife the creeps.
Am I the only one who has noticed this? I’m starting to get worried about Stacey’s mental health… Well, I guess starting to get more worried, that is….
dot dot dot
by Johannes Factotum on Jan 12, 2012 11:42 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
csn makes him do it.
i haven’t seen him do it in awhile but, i know they would make him smile at the camera as the shot opens. they made dj do it when he was calling for the sox. it was so funny to see them have to put on those fake ass smiles, then just stop after 4 seconds or so like, ‘enough with this shit’. maybe he’s like, i’m not even doin this shit anymore.
by obnoxious american on Jan 12, 2012 11:52 AM CST up reply actions
I'm thinking this is just the excuse to put Asik in the starting lineup.
Korver!
Back in the doghouse with you!
thinking/hoping
Korver!
Back in the doghouse with you!
Why would you hope that?
It makes a hell of a lot more sense to hope Noah starts playing up to his usual standards.
by jpx7 on Jan 12, 2012 3:52 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
He's not playing up to those standards and not showing signs of improving.
Why waste a starting position hoping he can get better?
Korver!
Back in the doghouse with you!
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