The Bulls..are who we THOUGHT they were!

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Oct 31, 2006 10:36 PM CST in News

Super-happy-fun-time halloween night for the Bulls. Sure it won't be this good every night, but since it was against the (hated) defending champs in front of a nationally-televised audience, that makes it pretty nice timing.

Some things I didn't exactly learn...but were more reaffirmed of (after my preseason hyping):

Wallace makes a huge difference by just staying on the court. It didn't even seem like he was playing that well tonight, but the difference between him and Chandler is the consistency. No dumb fouls, or fumbled passes...just leave him out there and there's no worries.
As a team they were more aggressive than last season, going to the line 17 times in the first quarter, with Gordon leading the way (making up for his terrible shooting night). Deng did a good job of this as well.
Tyrus Thomas will wow us at least once a game. Still a little too frantic most of the time, but he is not lost out there, which is something I was afraid of in this rookie season. (And apparently he broke his nose in the game...mostly a result of him just jumping so damned high. Not the greatest start, then... )
Deepest team in the league? At the very least, their scrub lineup is the best around. And the key is having guys on the bench that are still always going to play hard: Young guys like Thomas, Duhon, Sefolosha, Khryapa, etc. All had moments in the blowout.
The defense....my god. It's like playing pick-up games and there's that annoying guy who is trying too hard on defense and pissing you off. Except it's a whole team of them. They already had the defensive FG%, now they are far more athletic, meaning more steals and less fouls. Just relentless on the ball and on the boards, loved it.

I mean, it could go on forever. When you beat the Heat by 42...that means lots of things went right. Hopefully the injuries to Thomas and Duhon aren't too bad, of course, but Pax has built a team that can withstand such injuries in stretches.

Now for another 'first' test: second of a back-to-back tomorrow in Orlando. Until then, fuel the hype. (heh)

Tweet Comment 60 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Great title

Still trying not to get my hopes up.

"all the girls loved BJ." -sue369

by Colossus @ Blog a Bull on Oct 31, 2006 10:37 PM CST reply actions

If you wanna crown 'em . . .

Then crown their ass!

by Big D on Oct 31, 2006 10:39 PM CST reply actions

The Bulls are who we thought they were!

And we let them off the hook!

Get Out the Way ...It's the Run of the Bulls!

by lwinston300 on Nov 1, 2006 1:59 PM CST up reply actions

Hopefully I can see my boy

Redick drain the 3's tomorrow night. I want the Bulls to kick ass of course, but seeing Redick on fire would be nice too.

"all the girls loved BJ." -sue369

by Colossus @ Blog a Bull on Oct 31, 2006 10:39 PM CST reply actions

I doubt it

Isn't he hurt? (Get used to hearing that)

by Moses Taylor on Oct 31, 2006 10:48 PM CST up reply actions

Back spasms

Forgot about that.

"all the girls loved BJ." -sue369

by Colossus @ Blog a Bull on Oct 31, 2006 10:52 PM CST up reply actions

JJ

Probably hungover from all the Halloween parties.

by Mike Aparicio on Oct 31, 2006 11:19 PM CST up reply actions

I was disappointed to see just

four guys score in double-digits. We can't count on one guy to drain 20+ every night. Hopefully Gordon just had bad luck and Noc didn't feel like shooting more.

Also, I thought Hinrich would have more assists.

"all the girls loved BJ." -sue369

by Colossus @ Blog a Bull on Oct 31, 2006 10:42 PM CST reply actions

I wouldn't be surprised if his assists

per game drop a little this year. We have more good passers. The team had 22 assists tonight, and with good ball movement and that extra pass it could cut into Kirk's total. Not to mention he took twice as many shots as anyone else tonight. Sucks for fantasy teams, but I don't think I really care all that much if the team plays close to what it did tonight on a regular basis.

He probably would have picked up another assist or two if Ben was knocking them down, as well.

by wjb1492 on Oct 31, 2006 11:24 PM CST up reply actions

C'mon...

This is ridiculous. You are guys are just trying to find something wrong.

I realized Hinrich last night is by far the most UNDERRATED player in the league. I think most nights he'll go for 10 points less, Gordon at least 10 more and Kirk will have 3 or 4 more assists. They just "needed" him tonight.

I'm more disappointed in how many minutes he played.

Oh well.

by tyger1147 on Nov 1, 2006 8:27 AM CST up reply actions

Not trying to find something wrong at all

I love Kirk, and I don't think his worth is anywhere close to captured by cold statistics. But assists are one of the tricky categories since you have to count on some other person knocking a shot down basically right after you pass them the ball. I was just trying to explain why "only" 3 assists for Kirk last night was no reflection whatsoever on the great game he had.

by wjb1492 on Nov 1, 2006 1:48 PM CST up reply actions

Wallace's impact

Ben did exactly what I was hoping for. He stood up to Shaq fairly well in the post and did his typically excellent job patrolling the lane. Credit also goes to P.J. Brown, whose rebounding early on was excellent. Brown is so fundamentally sound, and Wallace combines great physical skills with superb basketball intelligence on the defensive end. He's not just a shot blocker -- he helps, he forces turnovers, and, of course, he cleans the glass. Tyson could do some of those things, but not all of them.

by MrHonorama on Oct 31, 2006 10:47 PM CST reply actions

thats so awesome

i was joking with my friend earlier saying "the heat are who we thought they were"

Any word on Tyrus' injury?
CSN said he'll miss tomorrow

by hinrich12 on Oct 31, 2006 10:50 PM CST reply actions

Sweet Revenge...

For Ben Wallace given what happened between the Heat and the Pistons last season. His decision to come to the Bulls is looking like a stroke of genius at the moment.

by No bull on Oct 31, 2006 10:59 PM CST reply actions

Thoughts on the game

Wallace : Exactly what Matt mentioned on Ben Wallace. The fact that he stays on the floor does a lot for this team. He is going to do that pretty much every night.
Hinrich : Kirk has gained a ton of confidence and its starting to show. From the World Championships to the new contract, he doesn't have to prove himself to anyone. I think Wallace's swagger has rubbed off on him and will rub off on others as well.
That Defense : I mean, that was only the first real game they played together. Imagine at the end of the season!? That post defense is unreal. You see, what the Bulls do to the other teams post play makes up for everything everyone says about the Bulls lack of inside scoring. If we can't score post points on the opposing team, that's fine cause you won't score on us. And when it comes down to perimiter players, I'll go with ours any day. And not to mention . . . no silly fouls!
Free Throws : We attack, we'll have better options on the perimiter, simple as that. And they showed that. Ben did make up for his horrid shooting with his attacking of the basket. Good to see, and a lot of those outside shots were good shots.
The Bench : Man our depth is gonna tire a whole lot of teams. We don't skip a beat when someone comes in off the bench. This will definetly benefit us depite what everyone thinks about our startes asking for playing time.
The Rookies : I was really surprised by Tyrus and Thabo. Tyrus didn't look too nervous, just looked young. His only problem is he needs pick his spots on when to use that athletic ability. He's gonna work his ass off and only learn and get better obviously. Thabo didn't look nervous either. Forget bout that preseason . . . he was 4 for 4 tonight. Good to see them nerves aint affecting them.
Duhon : Duhon only showed us today what he's capable of every game. He's very reliable on defense and a lot of times offense. I like hime coming off the bench to give us a spark like Gordon has done in the past.

by Option27 on Oct 31, 2006 11:00 PM CST reply actions

Re: Thabo

Hard to be nervous with a 30 point lead. ;)

by Mike Aparicio on Oct 31, 2006 11:21 PM CST up reply actions

Easy to get guys in...

where they can have confidence when you're winning by a lot.

Great job coach!!!

by tyger1147 on Nov 1, 2006 8:30 AM CST up reply actions

Deeply disturbed

by the Deadspin link.

Hopefully Tyrus Thomas wears the latest in plexi-mask technology.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Oct 31, 2006 11:13 PM CST reply actions

swagger

The Bulls have it now. Adding Wallace and Brown do a lot for them on the court, but they bring confidence and veteran leadership. Signing Hinrich to a 5-year extension and his time with the USA team makes him carry a swagger.

It just seems that these predictions made by ESPN "insiders" (what a joke) have no inside information. They have made their extremely shallow predictions without even watching a preseason game and just making them based on what they see on paper. They ignore the fact that Wallace will set better screens, catch the ball, find open shooters, and tap the ball out to the perimeter-something he did repeatedly tonight. Just like Matt said, consistency. These "insiders" just seem to ignore the inevitable improvement in the Bulls' young players in Hinrich and Gordon and Deng. By not watching a preseason game, they don't know that he is now attacking the basket. They don't factor in that Hinrich played with some of the best young NBA players over the summer or that Deng finally had a healthy offseason. Picking the Bulls 5th in the conference? Come on. No lower than 3rd with that defense, given no serious injuries.

by RingItUp26 on Oct 31, 2006 11:17 PM CST reply actions

preseason

I won't begrudge them by basing things on preseason...

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Oct 31, 2006 11:18 PM CST up reply actions

I think PJ Brown

has too much swagger. I'm watching the game, and it's like woah P.J., that's too much.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Nov 1, 2006 8:13 AM CST up reply actions

Did anyone hear this?

from the Trib recap:

"It's one game, we're 1-0, yippee," coach Scott Skiles said. "This is an unrelenting league. We move on."

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Oct 31, 2006 11:17 PM CST reply actions

LOL

Matt, you need to start a Skiles quote page.

by Mike Aparicio on Oct 31, 2006 11:23 PM CST up reply actions

skiles

i love him so much

by Option27 on Oct 31, 2006 11:34 PM CST up reply actions

Sounds like me

"all the girls loved BJ." -sue369

by Colossus @ Blog a Bull on Oct 31, 2006 11:37 PM CST up reply actions

Isnt it Ironic?

Ironic:
TOday was the ring ceremony for miami, when they sort of boast how they are the best, and are whomped by 40.

Ironic:
On that Titanatron Miami showed how they in round one defeated the bulls to move on and continue beating everyone else in the playoffs, and here, the bulls destroy miami in the first day (round 1 of 82) of the nba regular season.

Ironic:
Miami players and staff boast continuously about how they have "the greatest fans in the world", 2/3 of whom abandoned the game by half time. And the remaining 1/3? They booed during the final minute of the game.

Ironic:
The team that has been hyped up as being one of the more overestimated teams, just proved it might have been actually been completely underestimated.

Isnt it ironic...dont you think?

im trying hard to become the next kirk hinrich, therefore im doing nothing more than being the next chris duhon.

by piccolomair on Nov 1, 2006 12:05 AM CST reply actions

Hmm. . .

It's ironic like rain on your wedding day. Which is to say that it's not really ironic at all.

by Big D on Nov 1, 2006 12:58 AM CST up reply actions

Wallace & Thomas

Both had some of those "don't show up in the box score" moments. I distinctly remember at least three times where a shot was fired from the perimeter by a Bulls guard, and, while the ball was up for grabs for a rebound, one of the two tapped it out to half-court.

Obviously the defense was impressive. As great as the double-team on the post player was, I was equally impressed by how quickly the Bulls rotated weakside. Shaq is normally able to do a really good job hitting the guy cutting to the weakside block on double-teams... none of that tonight.

by CWSKeith on Nov 1, 2006 12:37 AM CST reply actions

Points

actually do show up in box scores.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Nov 1, 2006 8:14 AM CST up reply actions

Oops

I thought I read tap-in. Oh well, my eyeballs nearly exploded after reading the Red Kerr line he used to love throwing around when Antonio Davis played, so that should be some consolation.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Nov 1, 2006 8:17 AM CST up reply actions

James Posey is an asshole.

by joejoeEnglish94bulls4ever on Nov 1, 2006 2:20 AM CST reply actions

agree

Last year's Hinrich tackle was one thing, but that hit on tyrus just made me hate posey forever.

by hinrich12 on Nov 1, 2006 4:04 PM CST up reply actions

How do you top a 42 point blowout

of the defending champs on their court right after the ring ceremony?

You can't.

Everything else will seem like a letdown.

Fleece the Pig, Flog the Pony

by james@lifeinthecell on Nov 1, 2006 6:21 AM CST reply actions

It's pretty telling

when you're halftime lead approaches that of the Bears' last halftime lead.
I really enjoy swallowing my doubts on Thomas. Tyrus is still rough around the edges but he is clearly going to be a great, great player in this league. And Thabo showed some nice flashes (albeit, against Chris Quinn and with a 30-pt lead).
How about that fast break touch/tap pass Hinrich made with a man on him like glue? He just had a stellar game.
And how about Duhon? It's a nice luxury to trot him out there with the second rotation. Certainly, we can't expect 7-8 from him every night but his effort, defense and PG-skills are nice to count on.
As for Wallace vs. Last Year's Frontcourt, it's safe to say we won't be regretting picking him up and letting Tyson go. Just heady, solid play.
That's the nice thing about this team, is that you know there won't be many more 40+ blowouts but there will always be maximum effort and team-oriented play. A far cry from the Heat.
By the way, did anybody else think the Heat were doing a little to much undercutting when our guys were up in the air? Tyrus alone took two mean spills as a result. ..I suppose that's his welcome to the League.

by CookDing on Nov 1, 2006 7:23 AM CST reply actions

i hate james posey

next time we play the chumps we need to take him out.

by dcarioca on Nov 1, 2006 7:55 AM CST reply actions

Perhaps Bulls fans should pool resources

and put a bounty on this guy's head. Why wait until the Bulls play him again?

I'll be the first to put $10 into the pot for whomever ensures James Posey never plays against the Bulls again.

"But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep..."

by Jimslam on Nov 1, 2006 8:11 AM CST up reply actions

Thabo's steal and dunk reminded me of Ron Harper

by GWKD on Nov 1, 2006 8:23 AM CST reply actions

Didn't think of that before

But I like that.

by Moses Taylor on Nov 1, 2006 9:14 AM CST up reply actions

What I

enjoyed most about this game was they played as a team. Sure there were individuals who stood out but they still played as a team. We just kept coming at them with new players and as the lead grew we never let up.

Ben will probably come back tonight with a great game. I hope the others do too.

Go Hawkeyes.....Beat Northwestern!!!

by sue369 on Nov 1, 2006 9:01 AM CST reply actions

agreed -team

they had the perfect combination making the right pass, while at the same time having no fear of shooting when they had the right shot. that's fun basketball to watch.

by GWKD on Nov 1, 2006 9:15 AM CST up reply actions

Some random blog recap links

http://hoopinion.blogspot.com/2006/11/its-mat-with-conclusions-written-on-it.html

http://20secondtimeout.blogspot.com/2006/11/stampede-chicago-bulls-trample-miami.html

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 1, 2006 9:45 AM CST reply actions

and more...

courtesy of the fantastic lowpost.net

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 1, 2006 9:46 AM CST up reply actions

Only one game, but

obviously, the Bulls looked great last night. Hinrich, apparently feeling very secure, was the best player on the floor in the 1st half. I was also glad to see Skiles use a pretty consistent 8 man rotation until garbage time (which happened to last the entire 4th quarter).

Ron Karkovice Fan Club ronkarkovicefanclub.blogspot.com A Chicago Sports Blog

by Criminal Appeal on Nov 1, 2006 10:22 AM CST reply actions

All twelve in the first half

So Thabo only played 2.5 seconds in the first half, but still - all twelve guys played in the first half alone. Not exactly "garbage time".

I understand the concept of being happy that Skiles puts together a consistent 8-man rotation, but that seems to go against the fact that we have such a deep bench. I think the Bulls have better quality in their 11th and 12th men than most teams have in their 8th.

Keeping minutes spread allows for a faster pace, higher intensity, larger margin of error for certain guys having "off" nights, and ideally allows the team to stay healthier and fresher for a long playoff run.

So I applaud the idea of a coach who can use literally anyone on the bench at any time and who doesn't buy into a "consistent rotation". Use the guys who are playing well, sit those who are having a bad game. I don't want to see any "entitlement" minutes on this squad.

"But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep..."

by Jimslam on Nov 1, 2006 10:43 AM CST up reply actions

Considering the way

the Heat played, the majority of the game was garbage time. A consistent rotation is about having the best 5 man unit on the floor as much as long as they are needed, and substituting the bench guys depending on matchups and pace. It isn't about throwing guys in and out of the game depending on the cycle of the moon or who started the game 0-2. The better players on the team are certainly entitled to play as many minutes as success warrants.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Nov 1, 2006 10:57 AM CST up reply actions

I'll give you that the Heat played like garbage...

But your last sentence echoes my points. The better players should play as many minutes as success warrants - meaning the minutes are earned, not freely given because they were picked high in the draft or have a huge shoe contract.

Perhaps I did a bad job of explaining myself, but look at the Bulls in comparison to Cleveland. LeBron is going to play 35-40 minutes a night whether he's having a great night or not. Compare that to the Bulls. Ben Gordon shoots 1-9 and plays only 22 minutes. I guarantee that if Ben Gordon is shooting like Duhon, he plays more minutes.

That's my whole point - Skiles is fantastic and is mirroring in his coaching the "sense of accountability" that Paxson has tried to instill in the team. I love the fact that all players have an opportunity to earn themselves more minutes by playing hard and being successful. It's as it should be.

"But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep..."

by Jimslam on Nov 1, 2006 11:12 AM CST up reply actions

Lebron

if Pax had Lebron he would play 35+ a night too, you don't take superstars out unless its a blowout, you have to have faith that they will make next shot ... personally I bet Gordon would have played more if it wasn't out of hand

I don't think Skiles will be going 12 deep most games, although playing 10 will be good with our quality depth and our 2nd unit can be very good

by NY Chicago Fan on Nov 1, 2006 11:19 AM CST up reply actions

not really

I meant the best 5 man unit being on the floor until the game is won. In a consistent rotation that unit will be comprised of the best players on the team, not the players who are the best that particular night. If Duhon is 5-5 and Gordon 1-11 in a tie game, Ben should still be on the floor instead of Duhon. A good team counts on its best players (or the players that play the best together) to win the games, not hot hands off the bench. Obviously there are and should be exceptions to this, but establishing a consistent rotation is one of the more important things coaches actually do.

And I hope Gordon never ever shoots like Duhon.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Nov 1, 2006 12:11 PM CST up reply actions

Look at the first 18 minutes

Yes, Skiles eventually emptied his bench, but look at the game flow. Skiles used 8 guys for the first 18 minutes. Then, with the Bulls up 13, he brought in Khryapa for the first time. With three minutes left in the half, and the Bulls up 22, he brought in Griffin, and then eventually Allen and Sefolosha. In the third quarter the same first 8 guys played the entirety of the quarter. That looks an awful lot like an 8 man rotation to me, though we won't know for sure until the team plays some close games.

Ron Karkovice Fan Club ronkarkovicefanclub.blogspot.com A Chicago Sports Blog

by Criminal Appeal on Nov 1, 2006 2:58 PM CST up reply actions

Few Quick Comments

I second the idea of a special part of Blogabull with Skiles quote of the day.

Matt great right up about the Bulls defense: The defense....my god. It's like playing pick-up games and there's that annoying guy who is trying too hard on defense and pissing you off. Except it's a whole team of them.

Finally, this is just so sweet. I remember a few years back sneaking down in my sisters basement to watch a Bulls game during one of my neices birthday parties. I gave everyone there a good laugh with "you still watch the Bulls." Signing Kirk then big win on opening nights. So sweet...

by Jesse07 on Nov 1, 2006 10:37 AM CST reply actions

Woody Paige

What an idiot. On the first and 10 segment, he says the Bulls only go 7 or 8 deep. Idiot.

These ESPN idiots once again show that they are idiots by just paying attention to the national stories such as how well, or bad, the Heat played. Just like Miami writers will say, it wasn't the Bulls. It was Miami playing like Florida's bridge-playing senior citizens.

As much as this angers me, I am glad that the Bulls don't get the respect so they can just sneak up on teams like they did in '05 but with a better team of course.

If the Bulls can handle Dallas and San Antonio during that road trip, then I think they will get the national respect.

by RingItUp26 on Nov 1, 2006 11:28 AM CST reply actions

Let's not get caught in that game

Most national shouters don't even watch the NBA, and gleefully admit it. So I wouldn't worry about what many of them have to say.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 1, 2006 11:34 AM CST up reply actions

I don't think Paige watches any sports nowadays,

he just quit being a sports writer and became a whore for ESPN.

"all the girls loved BJ." -sue369

by Colossus @ Blog a Bull on Nov 1, 2006 12:25 PM CST up reply actions

Reference to 5 annoying guys trying too hard on d

I loved that reference, cuz I'm usually one of those guys...

by JONESONTHENBA on Nov 1, 2006 11:46 AM CST reply actions

Bucher

I got my question answered by Bucher on his chat today...still seem to have doubters and haters out there.

Chris (Los Angeles): Have the Bulls answered all those questions about not winning without a low post presence? what the Bulls do to the other teams post play makes up for everything everyone says about the Bulls lack of inside scoring. If they can't score post points on the opposing team, that's fine cause the other team won't score on them.

Ric Bucher: (1:47 PM ET ) They played one game against a Heat team distracted by their ring ceremony. So, no, they haven't answered all the questions. They answered one -- they were better than the Heat opening night.

by Option27 on Nov 1, 2006 1:02 PM CST reply actions

I'd wait a few weeks before

considering that notion.

"all the girls loved BJ." -sue369

by Colossus @ Blog a Bull on Nov 1, 2006 1:04 PM CST up reply actions

mind you

im not trying to make a case that the bulls have won the title or anything. All I was trying to point out was Paxson's plan is panning out.

by Option27 on Nov 1, 2006 1:06 PM CST up reply actions

Look at the box score...

Every player had at least 1 FG, 1 rebound, and 1 assist. That's got to be unusual; I've never seen it before! I don't expect that every night, but that was pretty special.

What a way to start the year! The Bulls may even win a few November games this year.

Wrecked 'em? Damn near killed 'em!

by mdmnd9294 on Nov 1, 2006 3:02 PM CST reply actions

Mdmnd9294

Thank you for the post. I wasn't aware of everyone scoring, rebounding, and having an assist. I think that pretty special. Its one thing to have everyone score, but thats different.

by Jesse07 on Nov 1, 2006 3:32 PM CST reply actions

BULLS MUST GET RID OF BEN WALLACE NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pax has made a huge error in the Wallace deal. He destroyed the Bulls chemistry by bringing in a so-so player and paying him multiple times the salaries of Hinrich, Gorden, Nocioni, Deng... the guys who really make the Bulls go. Wallace is short (6'9") for a center, and while he is a decent player, he doesn't represent the 'character' player the Bulls always tout - after all why did they pay Tim Thomas not to play? Thomas is a much better player than Wallace ever will be, and showed it on the Suns. Ben is a meaner version of Rodman, but Rodman was actually a better rebounder.

by jazkoz1 on Nov 27, 2006 3:11 PM CST reply actions