Preseason open thread: Bulls at Raptors

No Ben Wallace tonight so a chance

for the kids to play an extra 20 minutes. Thabo's back also. Who starts at center Joe Smith or Noah?

The big challenge will be how the Bulls' defensive rotations handle Toronto's 3-point shooting bigs. Last year, Toronto gave our defensive rotations fits. This is one area where increased athleticism up front should help. But we'll be able to see how lost Tyrus and Noah get on defensive rotations.

And for some fun let Kirk post up T.J. Ford. It would bring back memories of B.J. Armstrong posting up Mugsy Bogues back in 93/94 when B.J. started on the All-Star team because fans hadn't kicked the habit of voting for a Bulls guard.

by Scotter on Oct 19, 2007 5:27 PM CDT reply actions

Kinda brutal on BJ... :-)

Although they did not waste any time trading him to GS after MJ...

I always felt kinda sorry for him with that whole deal...

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Oct 19, 2007 6:27 PM CDT up reply actions

Can't wait

to see Thabo play tonight. Hope to see some improvement in his play.

Racecar spelled backwards is racecar.

by sue369 on Oct 19, 2007 5:59 PM CDT reply actions

Who starts at center Joe Smith or Noah?

Guess neither one....looks like Gray

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Oct 19, 2007 6:18 PM CDT reply actions

Looks like we get to watch the guys

play from behind tonight - hopefully only for a little while, though.

"They had me do a psychology test and I asked Coach Skiles if that affected his coaching. He laughed and said, `No way.'" (Joakim Noah)

by wjb1492 on Oct 19, 2007 6:25 PM CDT reply actions

Yea, it's the kiddies night out.... :-)

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Oct 19, 2007 6:28 PM CDT reply actions

Although I could sworn earlier this week

CSN reporting that tonight the starters would get INCREASED minutes....not reduced....

Guess Skiles is up to his messin' wit da heads of the media again.... hehehe

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Oct 19, 2007 6:29 PM CDT reply actions

Smith seems to be coming along nicely...

I'm not too up on the guy....is there anything other than injuries that are bad about him?

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Oct 19, 2007 6:34 PM CDT reply actions

Nope.

He's a pretty steady guy.

by KT on Oct 19, 2007 6:37 PM CDT up reply actions

lots of

slow defensive rotations and slippery fingers tonight

by ScottieCartwright on Oct 19, 2007 6:46 PM CDT reply actions

Sloppy offense too...

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Oct 19, 2007 6:57 PM CDT reply actions

Definitely not their finest effort so far tonight.

Tough to win shooting 33% and with 13 TOs

"They had me do a psychology test and I asked Coach Skiles if that affected his coaching. He laughed and said, `No way.'" (Joakim Noah)

by wjb1492 on Oct 19, 2007 7:04 PM CDT up reply actions

halftime

couldn't come soon enough

by ScottieCartwright on Oct 19, 2007 7:06 PM CDT reply actions

FUGLY!

Racecar spelled backwards is racecar.

by sue369 on Oct 19, 2007 7:07 PM CDT reply actions

FUGLY!

Geez Sue....pullin' out the stops tonight, eh? :-p LOL

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Oct 19, 2007 7:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Well it

was a fugly first half. Right?

Racecar spelled backwards is racecar.

by sue369 on Oct 19, 2007 8:28 PM CDT up reply actions

Fugly as a fmelly, fmitty fart

:-)

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Oct 19, 2007 8:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Hmmm,

yeah it was pretty bad. At least Big Ben will play tomorrow night. Hope Lu's wrist is ok. I hated seeing that big wrap on his wrist.

Racecar spelled backwards is racecar.

by sue369 on Oct 19, 2007 8:36 PM CDT up reply actions

I hated seeing that big wrap on his wrist

Yeah....brought back nightmare memories or two years ago and him missing the playoffs...
Yikes...

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Oct 19, 2007 8:39 PM CDT up reply actions

Thats what you get for watching a

preseason game on a Friday night!

''This whole parties out of control!''-Moose

by joejoeEnglish94bulls4ever on Oct 19, 2007 7:12 PM CDT reply actions

If it makes anyone feel better...

New Jersey only scored 8 points through the first quarter of their game, on 6.7% shooting.

So our guys aren't the absolute worst of the night.

Of course, NJ also isn't playing anyone of note from the looks of it.

"They had me do a psychology test and I asked Coach Skiles if that affected his coaching. He laughed and said, `No way.'" (Joakim Noah)

by wjb1492 on Oct 19, 2007 7:14 PM CDT reply actions

but come on

they're entire team only has 3 1/2 people of note...

by milesgmsu on Oct 22, 2007 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions

Do they get paid for preseason?

The Bulls look like someone told them that their not getting paid for this one. Are the Raptors playing zone? Raptors have a nice little team there by they way.

''This whole parties out of control!''-Moose

by joejoeEnglish94bulls4ever on Oct 19, 2007 7:17 PM CDT reply actions

Victor on the court

just makes everyone play to his level. Noah and Thomas are so bad down low when they get the ball.

Good news is can't blame them for looking ugly. Without Gordon, Deng and Wallace . . . it's allowed

by Option27 on Oct 19, 2007 7:18 PM CDT reply actions

It's like watching Rex Grossman all over.

Love it!

''This whole parties out of control!''-Moose

by joejoeEnglish94bulls4ever on Oct 19, 2007 7:21 PM CDT reply actions

Can't help but think

If TT applied himself more in the offseason, he would be much further along in the "clumsy" category and not make the sometimes ridiculous blunders that he does....(sigh)

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Oct 19, 2007 7:25 PM CDT reply actions

Seriously

Tyrus has really let me down this preseason

I haven't seen any improvement in his game at all.

I still see the potential but come on man, stop with the rookie type shit

by Option27 on Oct 19, 2007 7:34 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm split

On one hand I know what you mean...you would like, and hope to see some improvement.

But on the other hand, be patient with him. He's still only what, 20? He's still learning. It's not like he one summer of work is going to turn him into KG.

by ScottieCartwright on Oct 19, 2007 7:44 PM CDT up reply actions

What I don't get

about Thomas is why does he get so many of his shots blocked? Is it that he takes them at bad angles?

by alec on Oct 19, 2007 7:51 PM CDT up reply actions

part of it is bad angles

but more so off balance...he's always leaning one way or the other when he shoots...he rarely squares up. His body control is horrible

by ScottieCartwright on Oct 19, 2007 7:55 PM CDT up reply actions

Really

I just don't think he feels like playing in this game.

''This whole parties out of control!''-Moose

by joejoeEnglish94bulls4ever on Oct 19, 2007 8:07 PM CDT up reply actions

His body control is horrible

That is exactly it.
At times he just looks almost retarded with his lapses and lack of control...

And knowing Skiles' work ethic demands, I am sure that seeing the same stuff he saw last season with TT prolly doesn't make him too happy...

"....go ahead and roll it..." :-)

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Oct 19, 2007 8:09 PM CDT up reply actions

Maybe

Hoibble body control is part of his "freakish athletic ability" characteristic

by Option27 on Oct 20, 2007 9:21 AM CDT up reply actions

Hey, improvement!

Lost the first quarter by 9, lost the second by 5, and only lost the third by 3! Maybe the guys will play even for the fourth...

"They had me do a psychology test and I asked Coach Skiles if that affected his coaching. He laughed and said, `No way.'" (Joakim Noah)

by wjb1492 on Oct 19, 2007 7:49 PM CDT reply actions

Maybe the guys will play even for the fourth...

Mmm....or not.... :-(

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Oct 19, 2007 8:04 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah, I'm just reaching for positives

and the only other thing I could come up with is that they'll have lots of tape to review with the rooks. Somehow that doesn't make me feel any better about this game.

"They had me do a psychology test and I asked Coach Skiles if that affected his coaching. He laughed and said, `No way.'" (Joakim Noah)

by wjb1492 on Oct 19, 2007 8:12 PM CDT up reply actions