Bulls at Detroit Pistons: 2011-12 Game Preview #7
by Kunaal on Jan 4, 2012 3:01 PM CST
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Print[thanks to kunaal for today's game preview. Early start tonight, first open thread at 6:37 -ed.]
The Bulls are off to a good and somewhat lucky 5-1 start with the unpredictable Pistons coming up. The Pistons have looked terrible at times, but have also had wins over the Pacers and the Magic, so they shouldn't be taken lightly. A little background on this Pistons team...
After a great start to his executive career, culminating in an Exec of the Year Award and a NBA Championship, Joe Dumars has done a complete 180 and put together one of the most illogical rosters in the league. As of now, Dumars deserves an invite to Bill SImmons's annual atrocious GM summit. The Pistons are actually a deep team with plenty of young talent, but none of it fits. People constantly make fun of David Kahn for having 16 point guards on a 13 man roster, but Dumars has 4 combo guards on his, while not having any true point guards. Rookie Brandon Knight, Ben Gordon, 50 Cent (Rodney Stuckey), and Will Bynum are all scoring guards who aren't great distributors. Heading into this offseason, why the hell would you pay Rodney Stuckey 25 million just to block Brandon Knight's development? At SF the Pistons have Tayshaun Prince and Austin Daye, who are the exact same player, yet Dumars shelled out 27 million for a 31 year old Prince. At PF, the Pistons have the massively overpaid Charlie Villanueva, Jason Maxiell, and Jonas Jerebko. Jerebko is a fine player but once again Dumars paid him 18 million when no team would even go close to that figure. At C the Pistons have the promising Greg Monroe and Bulls favorite, Ben Wallace.
Enough venting on a stupid and high salary roster, on to the game matchups.
PG: MVP vs Rodney Stuckey. Not much to be said here, massive advantage to the Bulls.
SG: Rip Hamilton or Ronnie Brewer vs Ben Gordon. I assume Rip will play because of his Piston history, but it's likely a game time decision. Although Ben Gordon has struggled mightily since joining the Pistons, he dropped 26 the other night in a win over the Magic and I'm sure he'd like to bring his A game against the Bulls. In the Bulls home opener last year Gordon dominated for stretches of time before Rose took over and won that game. Brewer has played well and shot well this year, although last night against the Hawks his shooting resembled last year. Regardless of who starts for the Bulls, I'm giving the Pistons a slight advantage.
SF: Luol Deng vs Tayshaun Prince. Two similar players, except Deng is playing more like Prince in his prime, while Prince has clearly regressed due to age. I'm still questioning why the Pistons even signed Prince and didn't just give his minutes to Austin Daye, but I'm guessing Dumars did it for nostalgic purposes and depth. Deng has been off to a terrific start this year outside of his 3 point shooting, and he is still playing ironman minutes. Pretty clear advantage here for the Bulls.
PF: Carlos Boozer vs Jonas Jerebko. Jerebko is the type of player that may give Boozer problems because of his energy, somewhat like Tyler Hansborough, but Boozer should have his way on offense considering he has about a 35 pound size advantage. Boozer had an off night against the Hawks, but I expect a good game out of him tonight so advantage Bulls.
C: Noah vs Greg Monroe. Greg Monroe is one of the best young centers in the league. He is well rounded and passes extremely well. Noah's description is pretty similar and this should be a good battle. However because Noah is coming off a back to back, and has struggled to start the season, I'm going to call this a push.
Bench: Bulls bench mob beats just about anyone, but with CJ Watson out and Rip Hamilton possibly out, the advantage actually goes to the surprisingly deep Pistons.
Coach: Tom Thibodeau vs Lawrence Frank. Frank is a good coach and certainly an improvement over John Kuester whom the team boycotted, but the reigning coach of the year is going to win just about every matchup so advantage Bulls.
Prediction: Normally I would go with a Bulls blowout against the Pistons, but the Bulls are coming off a back to back where Deng and Rose both played around 44 minutes. I still think the Bulls will win, but on the road it may be closer than some anticipate.
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The Bulls should make a concerted effort to get Boozer going tonight.
He will be well rested and has something to prove. Noah also has something to prove. I’m hoping for a big comeback game from both of them, as well as continued good play from Asik and Gibson. That might make up for tired legs on Rose and Deng, rustiness from Hamilton if he does play, and Brewer returning to form as a poor outside shooter. As for Korver, I don’t know what to expect. I hope they make an effort to get him going as well, especially if Hamilton is out.
At the start of last year
Boozer was scoring regularly in the low post on strong moves. He did so less as the year progressed whihc some attributed to injury. This year when he gets the ball in the low post, he always shoots a fall-away. Is it due to lost weight, loss of ability or just lack of effort?
by El Toro de Goro on Jan 4, 2012 2:23 PM CST up reply actions
He's just settling.
I was really pissed off when, in the 2nd qtr, he decided to settle for that shot with Radmanovic guarding him.
One day you feel like you're on top of the world when you beat the Lakers and then the next night you lose against Golden State. - Joakim Noah
by chicity773 on Jan 4, 2012 2:26 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
We should also note that the refs have sucked major balls this year
It seems like Boozer is getting called for a lot of ticky-tack shit when he does actually go down on the block
Sadly, my self worth is almost entirely based upon the outcome of the previous night's Bulls game.
by Juiceboxjerry on Jan 4, 2012 3:15 PM CST up reply actions
somehow I doubt that's only affecting Booz
if it’s a real thing at all
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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 4, 2012 3:23 PM CST up reply actions
Well, the one time I saw it happen last night had a very profound effect on me, so: :p
Sadly, my self worth is almost entirely based upon the outcome of the previous night's Bulls game.
by Juiceboxjerry on Jan 4, 2012 3:36 PM CST up reply actions
hmm...wish i was able to see that game last night.
I will say I thought the refs favored the home team considerably when we were on the road during the west coast swing. But I expect that, much as I expect we should get an advantage at home ourselves. It can be a big factor at crunch time. I do think you can notice in a game when a team has been drawing a lot of fouls…then suddenly the other will get marginal calls for them. That always irritates me. A foul should be a foul…not a makeup because a coach bitched enough.
"Fast Don't Lie"
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jan 4, 2012 5:47 PM CST up reply actions
I think it's due to the "coast into the playoffs" mindset.
He knows he can toss that weak shit up, not risk banging, and if it goes in – great. If not – he still has millions to go home to.
He knows that no matter how bad he plays, if the game is close, Derrick will bail him out. He’d rather hit 35% of his fade away shots then to prove his lack of low post game, get swatted a few times, and still only be hitting 35% when he goes strong.
I think Booz realizes that he’d rather have us yearn for strong moves than to let us realize he can’t do them… He’s got old balls at this point, and his jumper is all he (sort of) has left. I haven’t even seen him throw it down this year. I doubt he could dunk off 2 feet from a stand still.
dot dot dot
by Johannes Factotum on Jan 4, 2012 4:53 PM CST up reply actions
It's a bad team
So Boozer should be ok.
"The advanced metrics guys do not like Derrick Rose very much." - Bills Simmons podcast 2/4
by RogersPark Kris on Jan 4, 2012 3:24 PM CST up reply actions
I agree, lets all hug and hope Boozer simply plays better
because that eliminates the following arguments
1) does it matter if he’s playing bad?
2) what alternatives are there really if he’s playing bad?
3) Now, we all know Booz is playing bad, but what I’m positing is this: what if Booz actually is not playing bad?
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"Don't nag, flag!"
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 4, 2012 3:26 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
reading point #3 made me flinch
"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's been
more than a season, so I agree that this is the level of play we’ll get and there is no realistic alternative. But when he doesn’t even try to score on inside moves or take advantage of a mismatch like Radmanovic, he minimizes his value to the team for spacing purposes.
by El Toro de Goro on Jan 4, 2012 4:09 PM CST up reply actions
Alright, I am a bit of a Boozer defender, but #3 made me laugh.
Schindler's List is, at the most basic level, a remake of Jurassic Park... ~Zizek
by THEKILLERWHALE on Jan 4, 2012 4:22 PM CST up reply actions
Let's make it 12 straight over these bums.
One day you feel like you're on top of the world when you beat the Lakers and then the next night you lose against Golden State. - Joakim Noah
pssst, ed
tonight is one word, not two :)
"Shame he’s such a goofy fuckface."
-JBJ, referring to Dwight Howard
That came from yfbb
One day you feel like you're on top of the world when you beat the Lakers and then the next night you lose against Golden State. - Joakim Noah
that's why I said ed
Is Ed your name? Serious question, I could see the confusion then.
"Shame he’s such a goofy fuckface."
-JBJ, referring to Dwight Howard
yikes
my bad. Make sure I get all the blame, and nobody else gets any other blame for anything else wrong. Thanks.
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"Don't nag, flag!"
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 4, 2012 3:24 PM CST up reply actions
If you make this same passive-aggresive dig about 20 more times
It can become a meme and actually get funny. Weird choice for someone who hates bits.
by runningman on Jan 4, 2012 4:17 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
*I* get to do bits
but yeah, definitely wanted it in this thread too.
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"Don't nag, flag!"
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 4, 2012 5:05 PM CST up reply actions
It's got flexibility
if not staying power. I actually laughed and recced it the first time in the other thread. Just seemed like overkill when I saw it for the third time in this one.
I do feel some shame in having a bit, honestly
I was debating on doing it yet again, and rationalized with myself it was a new thread and maybe new eyes hadn’t see the pure hilarity.
You were right to call me out on it, haha.
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"Don't nag, flag!"
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 4, 2012 6:37 PM CST up reply actions
BG says
likewise….
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!
This game is actually kind of important imo
With our next two road games after this being a back to back against the Magic, and Hawks (who will likely REALLY want that game) we really need to win this one to ensure that either (or both) of those losses aren’t too hurtful in the standings (not saying I think we’ll lose one or both, just that it’s a very distinct possibility)
That being said, I expect the Bulls to take this game. Could be tough because it’s a division game, and you know their players will be geeked to play against Rip, but unless Derrick is completely shot from yesterday, we should win
Sadly, my self worth is almost entirely based upon the outcome of the previous night's Bulls game.
Kind of agree
since I keep having flashbacks of that 19-point halftime deficit the Bulls had to erase to beat the Pistons early last season.
Jimmy!
One day you feel like you're on top of the world when you beat the Lakers and then the next night you lose against Golden State. - Joakim Noah
OT - KC has been tweeting some pretty hilarious Skiles' antidotes that I feel needed to be shared. Love that guy.
KCJHoop K.C Johnson
Can’t enter Palace w/out recalling Skiles tweaking me on ’07 playoffs offday: “If you had showed up on time with your hungover, bedhead a**”
KCJHoop K.C Johnson
During ‘05 playoffs vs. WASH, I arrived before team. Skiles: "What’d you get here so early for? Is there a MoveOn.org meeting?"
Sadly, my self worth is almost entirely based upon the outcome of the previous night's Bulls game.
by Juiceboxjerry on Jan 4, 2012 3:44 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
I too miss Skiles antidotes...
I am going to die in 4 hours without them. I cannot believe that SOB poisoned me.
Schindler's List is, at the most basic level, a remake of Jurassic Park... ~Zizek
by THEKILLERWHALE on Jan 4, 2012 4:28 PM CST up reply actions 7 recs
took me a while to figure out what the hell you were saying
but rec’d once i did
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 Jan 4, 2012 4:44 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Damn you to hell.
Sadly, my self worth is almost entirely based upon the outcome of the previous night's Bulls game.
by Juiceboxjerry on Jan 4, 2012 4:54 PM CST up reply actions
Make him suck the poison out!
"Fast Don't Lie"
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jan 4, 2012 5:55 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
you have been the king of the OT comment lately
not a good throne to be on.
create a new fanpost, or a fanshot where I yell at you for not making a fanpost.
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"Don't nag, flag!"
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 4, 2012 5:06 PM CST up reply actions
I think you have mistaken me for someone else, because I have consciously avoided making OT comments for some time now
I just thought this was a stupid, funny little thing that wasn’t worth a fanshot, so I thought it would be cool for a pregame thread
Sadly, my self worth is almost entirely based upon the outcome of the previous night's Bulls game.
by Juiceboxjerry on Jan 4, 2012 5:30 PM CST up reply actions
please, anything is worth a fanshot
that’s been proven time and time and time again.
BaB on Twitter | BaB on Facebook
"Don't nag, flag!"
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 4, 2012 6:38 PM CST up reply actions
Comcast SportsNet delivers highest Bulls regular season game rating to date.
Tuesday’s Bulls-Hawks game attracted over 403,000 households
One day you feel like you're on top of the world when you beat the Lakers and then the next night you lose against Golden State. - Joakim Noah
And they stayed?
I mean, that was tuff for a diehard to stay with.
"I hope there's a jumpshot in there." - Michael to Stacey King who was walking into the locker room with a box.
403,000 tuned in
and 402,994 turned it off within 20 minutes and vowed never to watch that garbage again.
Schindler's List is, at the most basic level, a remake of Jurassic Park... ~Zizek
by THEKILLERWHALE on Jan 4, 2012 4:59 PM CST up reply actions
Maybe 402,000
turned it on after the thousand that were still watching it tweeted that something amazing was happening.
I'm somewhat looking at tonight as a sign of how Thibs will handle the condensed season schedule.
Second night of a back to back, kicking off a 10 game stretch that has 7 road games before hitting a home stand on the 21st. Curious to see if Thibs will keep the schedule in mind and try resting some players on a 10-15 point lead, or if he will stick to his guns and keep pushing starts 37+ minutes.
WWCD? CDGAF.
Listening to him talk
He’s big on developing bad habits by letting your foot off the gas. If the game is clearly in hand, he might rest his starters, but I seriously doubt he’ll do it unless the other team has no chance.
I took those comments as more of a "player effort" statement, and not a coaching decision of maxing your starters.
Though I agree, I don’t think he’s likely to change the way he handles rest, but I figure tonight we’ll see one way or another.
WWCD? CDGAF.
also, Rose's backup is John Lucas
that’d make any coach squeamish, even those with ‘history’ with the dude.
BaB on Twitter | BaB on Facebook
"Don't nag, flag!"
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 4, 2012 5:07 PM CST up reply actions
I get pissed every time I get reminded of this fact
Rose is going to die because they couldn’t find an Acie Law type third guard instead of JLIII. Doesn’t Rose have tendinitis in both knees or something like that?
CJ better come back soon, because he’s going to be starting some games.
It's gonna be a hard grind with the brutal schedule and a 13 man roster.
I have to think sometime they will have to sign someone. There’s so many back to backs and little time off , even normal bumps and light injuries will keep players out when they could play through them in a normal schedule. Either that or we have to play the bottom of the roster a lot more minutes and hope losing some games as a result doesn’t hurt our playoff standing.
"Fast Don't Lie"
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jan 4, 2012 6:05 PM CST up reply actions
I think we will see Jimmy get some time tonight
Not a ton, 5-10min at the most, but we do have some tired legs. I think there’s a very good chance, especially if Rip is still out
"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.
I'd take 15 minutes of Jimmy at the point...
Then 44 minutes of Rose and 4 minutes of Jean Luc Trois.
His resemblance to Carlton has “It’s Not Unusual” going through my head every time I see him…
dot dot dot
by Johannes Factotum on Jan 4, 2012 4:58 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
The Bulls should get the win,
and Boozer will probably get some buckets against this team of bums, but don’t be surprised if Jerebko and Monroe give us problems. They’re both big, long and athletic and they should be able to score against our bigs.
Boozer sucks against shot blockers
Sometimes the conventional wisdom is right. The dude hates to get his shot blocked, unlike Omer and Derrick.
He had a pretty good game against Hayes...
And has lit up Ibaka a couple times. I don’t think that’s the case.
THEO!
by wrigleyrocker12 on Jan 4, 2012 5:44 PM CST up reply actions
Hayes is a shot blocker?
Which Hayes are we talking about now?
One day you feel like you're on top of the world when you beat the Lakers and then the next night you lose against Golden State. - Joakim Noah
Blah, I was looking at one thing and thinking another...
Gasol.
THEO!
by wrigleyrocker12 on Jan 4, 2012 6:06 PM CST up reply actions
Lol iight
One day you feel like you're on top of the world when you beat the Lakers and then the next night you lose against Golden State. - Joakim Noah
I don't know why
but I like to imagine you’re the Trex at the Field Museum, and you sneak down to the help desk terminals to post here
"Shame he’s such a goofy fuckface."
-JBJ, referring to Dwight Howard
Call me crazy but I feel a blowout tonight.
(w/Pistons losing, that is)
One day you feel like you're on top of the world when you beat the Lakers and then the next night you lose against Golden State. - Joakim Noah
Ben Wallace's hair?
"I hope there's a jumpshot in there." - Michael to Stacey King who was walking into the locker room with a box.
Pistons are pretty old in terms of who they actually give play time to, right?
I thought one of the pistons complaints was that the young guys don’t get any play time, and most of the guys on the floor are in the 28-30 range. That would make this season pretty rough.
WWCD? CDGAF.
Wallace and Prince get minutes
Prince is starting. Gordon too.
But Stuckey, Jerebko, Knight, Maxiel, and Greg Monroe get big minutes too. And none of those guys are all THAT veteran.
by JockstrapNoah on Jan 4, 2012 6:38 PM CST up reply actions
Did some comments get deleted from here
or am I having another episode?
they disappear all the time
muahahahahaha
usually I’ll do so if it’s off-topic, or especially if not basketball-related at all. I have very few rules, so much so they’re too ambiguous to be called rules.
BaB on Twitter | BaB on Facebook
"Don't nag, flag!"
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 4, 2012 6:40 PM CST up reply actions
rips warming up
according to the Swirk’s tweets. Brewer can also play point guard. so maybe some Rip/Brewer court time tonight?
Dude Neil Funk's intros are hilariously awful
"You know what Neil, stop being such a sourpuss." - Stacey King
I miss Tom Dore and Red
that was so long ago
And Thibs said, Let there be three's, and Deng shot threes
And Deng saw the three's, that they were good
And didn't shoot long two's anymore
by windycitywarrior on Jan 4, 2012 6:35 PM CST up reply actions
Wall is really regressing
He needs to get the hell out of Washington
Hey Rose. I don't see the appeal!
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