Final prep

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Oct 31, 2006 12:06 AM CST in News

In case you missed 'em, some Bulls season previews I've written over the summer:

Interview with SI.com
NBA Blog Previews
Interview with SLAMOnline
Podcasts: HoopsAddict and The Basketball Jones.

And here's a list of all the NBA Blog Previews compiled the past month. Great work by Jeff at Celticsblog for coordinating this whole effort.

Pacific Division:

Golden St. Warriors (presented by Golden State of Mind and lowpost.net)

Los Angeles Clippers (Presented by Clipsnation)

Los Angeles Lakers (Presented by Forum Blue & Gold, Showtime, and Jones on the NBA)

Phoenix Suns (Presented by Phoenix Suns Rising and Suns Gossip)

Sacramento Kings (Presented by Sactown Royalty)

Southeast Division:

Miami Heat (presented by Crazy from the Heat)

Washington Wizards (Presented by Bullets Fever)

Orlando Magic (Presented by Believing in Magic)

Charlotte Bobcats (Presented by Bobcat Bonfire)

Atlanta Hawks (Presented by Impending Firestorm)

Northwest Division:

Denver Nuggets (presented by The Nugg Doctor)

Seattle Supersonics (Presented by Sonics Central)

Utah Jazz (Presented by LowPost.net)

Minnesota Timberwolves (Presented by I Heart KG)

Portland Trailblazers (Presented by True Hoop)

Central Division:

Cleveland Cavaliers (presented by YAY!Sports)

Chicago Bulls (Presented by Blog-a-Bull)

Detroit Pistons (Presented by Detroit Bad Boys and Need4Sheed)

Milwaukee Bucks (Presented by Five Point Bucks)

Indiana Pacers (Presented by Donning Craig Sager's Suit)

Southwest Division:

Dallas Mavericks (Presented by Mavs Moneyball)

San Antonio Spurs (Presented by Pounding the Rock)

New Orleans Hornets (Presented by Hornets 24-7)

Memphis Grizzlies (Presented by Beale Street Beat)

Houston Rockets (Presented by Rockets Blast)

Atlantic Division:

New Jersey Nets (Presented by Nets Daily)

Philadelphia 76ers (Presented by Passion & Pride)

Boston Celtics (Presented by CelticsBlog, Celtics17 & CelticsStuff Live and LOY's Place)

Toronto Raptors (Presented by Hoops Addict)

New York Knicks (Presented by Bench Renaldo)

You can start with the Heat preview of course, as the Bulls open the season Tuesday night against the defending champs. It's on TNT and everything, just a full night of Bulls hype, lets hope they deliver.

And finally, after much speculation over the final roster (annoying at times, but hell we needed something to talk about), Andre Barrett survived the final cut, giving the team the following depth chart:

Guards: Hinrich, Gordon, Sefolosha, Duhon, Barrett
Swingmen: Deng, Nocioni, Khryapa, Thomas, Griffin
Frontcourt: Wallace, Brown, Allen, Sweetney, Andriuskevicius

(I'd imagine the 3 inactive players will be Marty Andy, Barrett, and Griffin. And don't get too caught up on my position definitions, it's a versatile bunch!)

Look at that squad, I can't wait to see them in action. Here's to a great season both on the court and at the blog. Make sure you register to join in on the fun. 'Fun', meaning: actually talking about the games.

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Hmmm

Just curious, Matt - why would the Bulls declare Griffin inactive, other than as necesitated by the absurd number of swingmen on the roster?

In "Third Inactive???", I theorized that the Bulls would scrub Sefolosha, at least for the first few weeks of the season. He's been decent at the point, but his shooting has been atrocious; is there any reason to think he can contribute now, particularly with the Bulls' road-heavy early schedule?

I dunno, playing time for Thabo seems a bit scary, at least for the foreseeable future.

Any thoughts?

by ChrisRobin on Oct 31, 2006 2:05 AM CST reply actions

I agree

that Sefolosha may spend time on the inactive list, but he isn't a point guard, and the Bulls don't need him to shoot. He's a big, athletic guard, something the Bulls only have one of. I haven't been paying close enough attention to Sefolosha in the preseason, but he played decent defense, and he can actually drive to the basket. That seems to be what the Bulls need out of Sefolosha right now, and Sefolosha is seasoned enough that the jump shot shouldn't be something to worry about.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Oct 31, 2006 7:56 AM CST up reply actions

point

Sefolosha's not a point guard, but I think they'd like to try him out there so they can leave Gordon on the court without needing him to handle the ball.

I would think based on the preseason Sefolosha's shown enough to be on the active roster. I'd rather they throw him out there and if he sinks early then you can reel him back in and activate Griffin. With Griffin Skiles knows what he has already, but likely doesn't quite yet with Thabo.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Oct 31, 2006 10:34 AM CST up reply actions

The third inactive. (Sweets or Sefalosha)

I expect this will change game to game. If everyone is healthy, the most likely inactives other than Andy & Barrett would be Sweetney,and Sefalosha, but for most of the games there will be players nursing injuries and they will be third inactive.
Griffin is a very heady player and I think that Skiles will want him available.

Ye OldeBull

by OldeBull on Oct 31, 2006 12:09 PM CST up reply actions

Miami Bulls Fan

I am so pumped about tonight, I can't wait untill we crush these chumps so I can hang it over everyone's head for a long time. And don't get me started about this Sunday!

Also, since I live here, I haven't been able to see any of the preseason games. Is P.J. slowing us down? or is he meshing well?

by dcarioca on Oct 31, 2006 9:02 AM CST reply actions