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Preseason open thread: Bulls at Mavericks

Blogabull_s_tiny by your friendly BullsBlogger on in News

That's right, PRESEASON.

160 comments of Aaron Gray talk and I'm convinced that half of you are at best overthinking things and at worst insane. I'm a little crazy myself for taking Skiles at his word and overreacting in the first place, but I have a lot of lingering psychological issues over Chris Duhon that's difficult to overcome.

But it was a fun day, anyway.

So...it all comes down to this. If Aaron Gray takes the ball and deftly lays it in during the first posession, shriek with delight and call me names. Apparently that's all it takes to get impressed with a new Bull: be tall and make a layup.

I'll still say it's preseason and the games don't count, none of this means anything, and Skiles is just yanking our collective chain to tick off Thomas and Noah and Smith and, heck, even Nocioni. Well played you combovered savant, got us good!

(I still say that if Gray's performance tonight matters in the least we're all in for a long couple months while Skiles 'figures things out'. guh.)

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Tyrus or Joakim
Better step it up just to end all this Gray talk

by Option27 on Oct 23, 2007 5:40 PM CDT   0 recs

Put on your
big girl panties and deal with it.
Racecar spelled backwards is racecar.

by sue369 on Oct 23, 2007 6:15 PM CDT   0 recs

What does combovered mean?
"My jumper's so smooth it will seduce your girlfriend." -1958ChiTown

by NittanyBull on Oct 23, 2007 6:19 PM CDT   0 recs

combovered
I'm pretty sure he means 'comb-overed'. I first read it as 'combo-vered' as well. Aaron Gray: Pre-season MVP?
I vaguely remember a 'jordan' something...

by boyonthedock on Oct 23, 2007 6:24 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Ah, I see
"My jumper's so smooth it will seduce your girlfriend." -1958ChiTown

by NittanyBull on Oct 23, 2007 6:29 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

lol
I actually read it as com-bovered and was totally confused for a sec.  It's been that kind of day, so I could use a really sharp game from the guys!
"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 23, 2007 7:38 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

And I will be watching out for Khryapa
in my first game viewing.  His passing was fun to watch last season, so I will enjoy it while it lasts.  

by GWKD on Oct 23, 2007 6:29 PM CDT   0 recs

Skiles is just playing mind games
I'd be shocked to see Gray in the starting lineup on opening night.  I'm more interested in seeing what Gordon can do tonight after being on the shelf for two weeks.
I love you Ben, you almost make me forget about...tacos.

by eddiew23 on Oct 23, 2007 6:36 PM CDT   0 recs

As long as he's not getting tanked like Duhon
The night before a game, I think Gray will be coming off the bench long before our drunken Dukie does.
I love you Ben, you almost make me forget about...tacos.

by eddiew23 on Oct 23, 2007 6:42 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Sometimes I don't get Skiles at all
Wallace on Dirk?  The only worse matchup would be Gray on Dirk.

by Freethefro on Oct 23, 2007 7:44 PM CDT   0 recs

Is it fate that Gray scored our first 4 points?
And the only points for that matter....
Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Oct 23, 2007 7:47 PM CDT   0 recs

AG is the reason the Bulls are even in this
right now...
Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Oct 23, 2007 7:49 PM CDT   0 recs

ohhh aaron gray
i thought you ment griffin

by milesgmsu on Oct 24, 2007 9:41 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

He rebounds...he passes...he SHOOTS
AND he makes FT'S!

So what's not to love?

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Oct 23, 2007 7:52 PM CDT   0 recs

He's good
but it's only 7 minutes in.

I can't lie though, he's playing really well.

He may have read what we were writing in this blog before the game

by Option27 on Oct 23, 2007 7:54 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Geez, no kiddin'! LOL
He kinda reminds me of Luc Longley...seriously.
Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Oct 23, 2007 8:03 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

No...he's been good all pre-season
Like Stacy is saying, he's got much to learn....
But he has been solid.
Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Oct 23, 2007 7:55 PM CDT   0 recs

I don't get to watch these games
so I have to ask you guys - does Noah get his shot blocked a lot?

by Freethefro on Oct 23, 2007 8:08 PM CDT   0 recs

no, normally
he gets it stripped before he has the chance to get it blocked.

by alec on Oct 23, 2007 8:13 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

he gets it stripped
HA!   :-)
Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Oct 23, 2007 8:15 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

My feed sucks tonight
"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 23, 2007 8:15 PM CDT   0 recs

Smith not so hot....
The replacements aren't doin' so hot either
Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Oct 23, 2007 8:18 PM CDT   0 recs

Did Khryapa
steal Noc's no-conscience pills?
Or is he the Bulls' new black hole?
Sweet Home Sports

by james@lifeinthecell on Oct 23, 2007 8:18 PM CDT   0 recs

Khryapa
Doesn't seem to have improved from last year.
Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Oct 23, 2007 8:25 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Funny thing is
They looked a lot better with Gray in there. Everyone else is playing like shit.

by Option27 on Oct 23, 2007 8:23 PM CDT   0 recs

This team...
...looks out of sorts without Gray on the floor. A really calming influence that kid is, I tells ya.

Maybe Gardner can sort this out.

by BenGo07 on Oct 23, 2007 8:24 PM CDT   0 recs

only 9 points so far in this quarter?
I doubt Skiles would leave BG on the bench for this long if this weren't a preseason game
Sweet Home Sports

by james@lifeinthecell on Oct 23, 2007 8:31 PM CDT   0 recs

Dirk always gets away with murder...
Pulled big Ben's arm and no call...
Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Oct 23, 2007 8:31 PM CDT   0 recs

I'm sure you'll be happy to know
that I missed nearly all of the first half. So I missed Aaron Gray's stellar start and therefore cannot be swayed. Convienient, I know.

There's always the start of the next half...

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Oct 23, 2007 8:35 PM CDT   0 recs

bwahahaha
Diop blocks Gray, and Tyrus gets the ball and tries to jump over him and eventually suceeds

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Oct 23, 2007 8:39 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Naw...he's played good enough to be
a "shoe-in".... get it? a SHOE in?
Bwhahahaha!    :-)
Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Oct 23, 2007 8:41 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Technical on Skiles
Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Oct 23, 2007 8:42 PM CDT   0 recs

thanks

by Freethefro on Oct 23, 2007 8:44 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

i love skiles
getting T'd up in a preseason game

hey do they pay fines for preseason t's?

by milesgmsu on Oct 24, 2007 9:42 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Am I the only one who is concerned that our
offense still looks like dung a week before the season starts?

I am assuming (hoping) it is due to injuries and atypical lineups.

(P.S. Viktor off the bench before TT? Preseason anomoly.)

by 1958ChiTown on Oct 23, 2007 8:48 PM CDT   0 recs

But BG
only played for a short time. Hopefully he will get back to his old self before the season starts. Missed free throws have killed us too.
Racecar spelled backwards is racecar.

by sue369 on Oct 23, 2007 8:50 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It's the lineup
I don't think this offense works without Deng.  It tends to get pretty static - so when your only one-on-one player (BG) is playing his first game....

by Freethefro on Oct 23, 2007 8:52 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

How many missed layups?
Time for the Mikan drill....

by Freethefro on Oct 23, 2007 9:05 PM CDT   0 recs

This is gonna sound really mean
But I honestly think it's what i feel.

Aaron Gray just looks ugly and like a dork. I think that's why I don't want him starting. It's just aesthetically not pleasing to watch him start.

by Option27 on Oct 23, 2007 9:07 PM CDT   0 recs

yeesh
lame, odd, and old (i'm working on that nickname for the broadcasters) sure can't stop talking about Gray. Emphasising how we'll have to live through his growing pains.

why do we have to? the coaching staff should, in practice, heh.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Oct 23, 2007 9:07 PM CDT   0 recs

oh man
King: "Noah doesn't look as confident down there as Aaron Gray"

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Oct 23, 2007 9:09 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Hey Matt -
Check the stats...Gray is second only to Hinrich for total points tonight.

Why do you hate the guy so much?

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Oct 23, 2007 9:16 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

And that's HIS fault?
Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Oct 23, 2007 9:19 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

My point being that I will judge the rotation
based on team results (i.e. win or loss) as opposed to individual stats.

In any case, Deng is out and it is preseason, so this whole We'll have to see how things go in the regular season.

by 1958ChiTown on Oct 23, 2007 9:22 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

whole conversation is moot
on THAT I agree with you.    
Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Oct 23, 2007 9:26 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I hate having to care about what he does
mostly I just hate the broadcasters in general. But don't spend the whole game talking about the maturation of Aaron Gray.

Then again it's preseason so you can't spend too much time on Gordon's ankle...

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Oct 23, 2007 9:20 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Well in all honesty
Gray has been one of the few highlights tonight.
Not throwing out the "awesome" kudos on the guy, but he IS showing promise.

And commentators get paid to talk about positive team players during games...

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Oct 23, 2007 9:24 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Who's lame
Wayne?  Or Stacy?

Someday I'll here King on a broadcast and know.

Scott Williams, btw, has been hired by the Bucks broadcasting network.  I wonder how he is.......

by KT on Oct 23, 2007 9:14 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The team just looks lathargic tonight
AND the refs are giving Dirk and his boys all the benefit (as usual) of the doubt...
Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Oct 23, 2007 9:08 PM CDT   0 recs

I'm glad this is just a meaningless preseason game
because the Bulls look like crap.

And the rotation is killing me.

by 1958ChiTown on Oct 23, 2007 9:11 PM CDT   0 recs

Skiles is concerned about balancing lineups
for offense and defense.

so why do I see Duhon/Thabo/Gardner/Thomas/Noah?

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Oct 23, 2007 9:19 PM CDT   0 recs

ugh, this isn't even fair to the players involved
to be on the floor with eachother. Preseason sucks.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Oct 23, 2007 9:31 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

yay, Noah looked good there
I want this race for the starting spot to have more ebb and flow than the hinkley springs race on the jumbotron. Every play matters.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Oct 23, 2007 9:21 PM CDT   0 recs

and Tyrus witn a spectacular drive/layup
now, he should be the starter. subject to change.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Oct 23, 2007 9:27 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Maybe I am completely biased (its possible), but
Tyrus doesn't seem lazy or apathetic to me. He plays good defense (couple of steals), gets to the boards, draws a tremendous number of fouls, and gets a few baskets. What more do you want out of the PF spot at this point?

by 1958ChiTown on Oct 23, 2007 9:26 PM CDT   0 recs

What more do you want
I want perfection - no fouls, 100% shooting, make all FT's, etc...

LOL   :-)

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Oct 23, 2007 9:29 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I think he's had a fine preseason too
That's (one of) my major beefs with this surge in Graytorade (credit to the realgm forum)...it's not like Gray is even outperforming Tyrus, let alone drastically, which I hope it would at least take to supplant his place in the starting discussion.

The stuff about the summer (which is overblown to the point to now he's portrayed as doing nothing) has nothing to do with Aaron Gray, just about Tyrus being a better player himself.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Oct 23, 2007 9:29 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

he's had a fine preseason too
He doesn't appear to much improvement over last year.

And you know Skiles - he HATES when a player doesn't give 100% effort. And Thomas didn't help his case by giving that impression, at least, by pulling what he did over the summer.

Gray's just a rookie who is playing very well and keeps his mistake level down.

That is a recipe for a love fest from Skiles.

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Oct 23, 2007 9:37 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

just because I understand WHY Skiles does this
doesn't make it less annoying.

I can't officially be mad until opening night. Fair enough.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Oct 23, 2007 9:58 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Obviously,
someone who is really outgoing and plays nice with the media.  It's a little known secret that these are the true qualities of a "super-star" PF.  ;)
"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 23, 2007 9:33 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

according to KC
Gray is a cliche machine. Not to steal HSCS's thunder (I wouldn't dare), but that's an even better way to endear yourself to management than being affable.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Oct 23, 2007 10:04 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

don't worry, Skiles is just experimenting
We know stuff like this doesn't carry over into the start of the season.

nah, it carries over to mid-January ;-)

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Oct 23, 2007 9:57 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Unfortunately, I heard Skiles'
pregame comment saying these games would look more like the regular rotation.  Which didn't help my impression of this game or my mood.  After months of writing about rotations and seeing what I thought was positive signs in the preseason with how Tyrus and Duhon were used, I got my hopes up.  But, it still ends up being the same old shit.  Skiles and his love of predictably medicore play.  I'm going to hope Thursday's rotations look a whole lot different.  

by Scotter on Oct 23, 2007 10:18 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

ugh
I missed the first half, but the 2nd half rotation was awful.

Obviously, having Luol in the mix makes things a lot different.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Oct 23, 2007 10:20 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I did learn
Thomas Garnder can shoot. No red ticket in his locker, as far as I'm concerned.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Oct 23, 2007 9:56 PM CDT   0 recs

In my mind that makes him good
Noc injury insurance.  There were times last spring, where the team seemed to need for an extra 3-point shooter

by Scotter on Oct 23, 2007 10:03 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

ok, we have a winner
Gray: 15min, 2-6fg, 3-4ft, 4rebs, 2ast, 3pf, 2to, 0blk
Thomas: 16min, 3-6fg, 4-8ft, 5rebs, 0ast, 2pf, 1to, 0blk

So, they played even, therefore Gray fails to win starting job. Noah had a better boxscore than both anyway.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Oct 23, 2007 10:13 PM CDT   0 recs

while I may have wasted everyone's time posting
those stats, my point is that Gray is not clearly outperforming anyone, and in my mind he'd have to drastically outperform Tyrus, Noah, and Smith to get a starting nod.

He looked fine, and I'm pleased that he's looked good enough to make the rotation and likely stay away from the D-League all year.

Instead Skiles has to take this too far and make us yell at eachother. :-)

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Oct 23, 2007 10:19 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Have you considered what you'll do
if Gray DOES get the starting job?
Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Oct 23, 2007 10:19 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

what do you mean, 'do'?
like...write an angry letter to the editor? What can I do? I'm not boycotting or burning Gray jerseys or anything.

I'll instead drastically reduce my hopes for the season, and question the whole direction of the organization, and question the idea of more talent actually making Skiles a liability instead of the strength I normally view him as.

lets put it this way:

Starting Duhon, Giving Adrian Griffin a 3 year deal, Giving Ben Wallace max money, giving Nocioni a 5 year deal, drafting Noah, keeping Deng off the trading table for Bryant, starting Aaron Gray, just says that this team cares way too much about brownie points instead of talent. I'm sure you can all come up with more/better examples of what I'm talking about, but I mean all those examples not to be chosen singularly but as a general trend.

So how's that for an answer, smartass? :)

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Oct 23, 2007 10:26 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

but
did you watch the game?  just because they have equal stats doesn't mean they helped the team equally.

note: I did not watch the game so I can't say for sure which player did better.  But in the last two games it was Gray, no question.

by JSlakov on Oct 23, 2007 10:29 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It was the same tonight.

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Oct 23, 2007 10:35 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs