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Open Game Thread # 12: Bulls at Toronto Raptors

Jayhawk_tiny by wjb1492 on

[Thanks to wjb1492 for today's game thread. -Matt]

I don't even know where to start, or what's worth saying again about the team.  The Bulls' Saturday loss to the Knicks (the Knicks!) was yet another display of bad passing and poor shooting.  It's not as if the Knicks played well, shooting 39.4%, missing 16 free throws, and racking up 17 turnovers.  But the Bulls incredibly, fantastically, and unbelievably managed to play even worse, shooting a hideous 34.5%, which they combined with a -10 rebound margin, 14 TOs to a measly 13 assists, and a grand total of 29 personal fouls for the day.  And that's just the stats - if you missed the game, you'll thank me for sparing you the details of the many passes directly into the arms of Knicks and the many airballs put up by our team, not to mention the long scoreless stretch at the end of the 4th quarter when the game was there for the taking.  It seems I can't help pulling for this team, so I'm really hoping that their crash to the bottom of the East has jarred them all, Kirk and BG and their anti-career years in particular, into remembering that they are capable of playing much better than this.

Meanwhile, Toronto is coming off of a Saturday loss of its own, narrowly losing to the Cavs 108-111.  Unfortunately for the Bulls, not all losses are created equal.  The raps shot 49.4% from the field and 90.9% from the line, with 25 assists to only 5 TOs.  About the only box-score type thing they didn't do well - other than getting the W, of course - was rebound (only 28, -19 margin).  If the Bulls shooting stays as cold as it has been, the Raps will get plenty of opportunities to work on that!

So what to expect in the game tomorrow?  I confess, I'm a little scared to think about it.  I'm guessing everyone remembers what happened last time the Bulls and Raps faced off, and if the guys show up in Toronto with a performance like Saturday's, it could get really ugly really quick.  I'm going to cling to the law of averages - as bad as they've been, at some point they're going to play outstanding ball to even out the stats.  Hopefully that will start really soon.  Nesterovic, TJ Ford, and Garbajosa were out for yesterday's game, while Lu sat out the Knicks disaster with his back injury.  Nesterovic and Garbajosa will almost certainly be out again, while Ford and Lu are listed as questionable.

I wish I could come up with something positive to wrap up with here, but I've got nothing.  Bracing for disappointment does that to me.  But maybe this will be the game...

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Watching the celtics highlights and
i wish we had a good team. this team plays like a bunch of sissies.

by tomcat on Nov 25, 2007 2:06 AM CST   0 recs

fire skiles now!
his player usage patterns are insane and, amazingly, are getting worse

by fireskiles on Nov 25, 2007 2:09 AM CST   0 recs

i can't take it anymore
as the tears roll down my face,laying in a fetal position, i yearn for the team that many chose as the class of the East. how much longer must i endure this unimaginable pain.

by tomcat on Nov 25, 2007 2:31 AM CST   0 recs

And to think none of us wanted to trade
these "untouchables" for Kobe Bryant!

by hhi on Nov 25, 2007 5:39 AM CST   0 recs

It is what it is.
Just do it Bulls!!

I hope Lu is back today.

Please get this season turned around and play some great basketball.

by sue369 on Nov 25, 2007 10:27 AM CST   0 recs

I like these afternoon games
Reminds me of back when the Bulls were a staple on those NBA on NBC Sunday matinees!

by bleargh on Nov 25, 2007 10:40 AM CST   0 recs

Coinidence?
I just realized that the same thing has happened to the Bulls that happened to the Bears this year.

Both teams looked, and for all intents and purposes, seemed like they would both be teams to beat and possibly get back to the SB and to the finals...

And NOW look....

For ME anyway, that is what is making this all so hard to deal with - because I love BOTH of these teams so much, and usually have SOMETHING to look forward to watching highlights on CC Sportsnet in the mornings...
But instead I haven't been watching at all because it's just painful reminders of how ugly things have gotten this season.

Dear Santa:
All I want for Christmas is for our Chicago teams to get back to winning again.

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Nov 25, 2007 10:56 AM CST   0 recs

COINCIDENCE...sorry
So outta sorts I can't even SPELL today....sheesh!   :-)
Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Nov 25, 2007 10:58 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

lets put forward a motion
no lame tie-ins to other chicago teams. believe it or not, some don't give a crap.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 25, 2007 11:09 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Sorry I pissed you off
I'm just reachin' for anything to get a win with.

I hear ya.

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Nov 25, 2007 11:42 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

I really don't want to
Pin all the hopes for the season on Luol Deng.

by bleargh on Nov 25, 2007 11:04 AM CST   0 recs

Hey!
I live in Boston and HATE the Pats. This is supposed to be my sanctuary!

by bleargh on Nov 25, 2007 11:06 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

According to Wayne
Deng is in, 'T.K.' Ford is out.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 25, 2007 11:08 AM CST   0 recs

too bad that other PG is better
Officially a hater on Ballhype!

by hscs on Nov 25, 2007 11:09 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

yes, he's their Chris Duhon
except Calderon really could start for other teams.

(actually, Duhon could start for the Bulls now)

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 25, 2007 11:11 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Looks like Skiles
has gone back to the original line up

by Option27 on Nov 25, 2007 11:12 AM CST   0 recs

even more reason
the 'tinkering' was unnecessary and stupid.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 25, 2007 11:17 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

This is the day
it all turns around, ladies and gentlemen! What could be less likely? Therefore, opposite logic dictates: it shall be so.

Bulls by 1!

by marionette on Nov 25, 2007 11:12 AM CST   0 recs

The TOR
cheerleaders are VERY talented, BTW.

by marionette on Nov 25, 2007 11:14 AM CST   0 recs

Tyrus is getting picked on for fouls
as though he were still a rookie...
Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Nov 25, 2007 11:15 AM CST   0 recs

cap flexibility
whats our situation for next year in termsof cap lexibility.  I know we have walace,nocioni and hinrich locked up for about 30-32 million.  We the gordon/hinrich experiment isnt working and im not wiling to blame gordon for that... Maybe sign and trade duhon, gordon, and something else for gilbert arenas?   Maybe since he is gimpy he will be cheaper.  Arenas and noah will be fun experiment and arenas isnt 6' 1" I know, this is wishful thinking but oh well.  Something will have to change if this crap doesnt get better. I dont know how skiles and arenas would get along but if that is the issue than fire skiles.  The celtics are amaing but I dont think they will be able to keep this pace up for the whole season.  Even if they do, next year or the year afterwards they will collapse. Playing garnett,  allen and pierce 40 minutes a night cant be a good plan.

by Sambossanova on Nov 25, 2007 11:15 AM CST   0 recs

god damnit
Tyrus with two perhaps-fouls. that's shit luck. Although I'd like for the commandments of coaching not to include pulling a guy after 2 fouls, absolutely.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 25, 2007 11:16 AM CST   0 recs

looks like
Skiles heeded your call.

by Freethefro on Nov 25, 2007 11:18 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

LU looks very unsure of himself out there
passing the ball of in the lane for a TO...
Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Nov 25, 2007 11:20 AM CST   0 recs

Deng is playing
at 1/2 speed.
Officially a hater on Ballhype!

by hscs on Nov 25, 2007 11:20 AM CST   0 recs

that's twice that Luol
got near the rim and only looked to pass it out. and it got 2 turnovers.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 25, 2007 11:20 AM CST   0 recs

make that 3 times
Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Nov 25, 2007 11:22 AM CST   0 recs

Early, but the boys are playing
with a lot more energy and enthusiasm today.

by bleargh on Nov 25, 2007 11:23 AM CST   0 recs

Sit him down
he isn't ready.  0/5, swatted twice, turnovers....

by Freethefro on Nov 25, 2007 11:23 AM CST   0 recs

they can use ANY help they can find
but is it possible that they're rushing Lu back too soon?
Perhaps maybe wait until Tuesday in front of the home crowd to build a little confidence...?
Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Nov 25, 2007 11:27 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

And just as I say that
Lu has hit twice...
At least his jumper is starting to fall...
Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Nov 25, 2007 11:29 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Yeah,
those shots had a nice arc. Mostly, his shot has been real flat before. Watch his movement on the other end. He looks stiff to me.

by marionette on Nov 25, 2007 11:32 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Lu looks to be
still hurt. They're playing pretty well, tho'. Need to transition better on D. And go inside some more, despite Lu's troubles.

by marionette on Nov 25, 2007 11:25 AM CST   0 recs

Sweet words
Did I just hear them say the Bulls shooting over 50%?
Haven't heard that all bloody season (I don't think)!
Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Nov 25, 2007 11:32 AM CST   0 recs

Heinrich is on fire!
whoa...
Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Nov 25, 2007 11:37 AM CST   0 recs

Kirk?
When he goes, so do the Bulls

by Option27 on Nov 25, 2007 11:38 AM CST   0 recs

Man, what a quarter!
Is it too early to be this excited???

by bleargh on Nov 25, 2007 11:38 AM CST   0 recs

That's what I'm talkin' 'bout!
So Skiles plays the real Bull lineup, even including extra "foul trouble" mins for TT, and we see the result! Good shooting helps, but how do the Skiles' mind games help the shooting ?

by marionette on Nov 25, 2007 11:41 AM CST   0 recs

Did Humphries lead the big 10
in rebounding at Minn?
And worse we may be yet: the worst is not so long as we can say, "This is the worst."

by alec on Nov 25, 2007 11:43 AM CST   0 recs

What IS a "pookie" anyway?
Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Nov 25, 2007 11:45 AM CST   0 recs

don't know,
bitsy pookims
And worse we may be yet: the worst is not so long as we can say, "This is the worst."

by alec on Nov 25, 2007 11:48 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Was hinrich hitting jumpers or layups?
I missed the first quarter...
Nocioni-Khryapa in '08

by bullshooter on Nov 25, 2007 11:46 AM CST   0 recs

You ready for this?
Both.
Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Nov 25, 2007 11:47 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Thabo has been a therror
on defense. still bricktacular though

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 25, 2007 11:48 AM CST   0 recs

Are the bulls
really trying to post Noc on Bosh.  Check that, did Noc just stuff Bosh?
Nocioni-Khryapa in '08

by bullshooter on Nov 25, 2007 11:49 AM CST   0 recs

wow
you know things have changed when BG tries to turn it over but it bounces right to Wallace.
Nocioni-Khryapa in '08

by bullshooter on Nov 25, 2007 11:51 AM CST   0 recs

I hope Kirk has a good game
if for nothing else than to impress Colangelo enough to trade us Calderon.
And worse we may be yet: the worst is not so long as we can say, "This is the worst."

by alec on Nov 25, 2007 11:53 AM CST   0 recs

clever
except they'd trade calderon because they already have a point guard, and then wouldn't want a point guard back.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 25, 2007 11:54 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

I'm just
grasping at straws here.
And worse we may be yet: the worst is not so long as we can say, "This is the worst."

by alec on Nov 25, 2007 11:59 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

They're not playing the
screen/roll on Bosh well at all. Some size matchups might be useful also: more Smith w/ Wallace, or some Noah.

by marionette on Nov 25, 2007 11:55 AM CST   0 recs

Lu might still be stiff
but he seems to have his jumper back.
FT's look decent too...
Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Nov 25, 2007 11:58 AM CST   0 recs

Do the Toronto guys get paid
in canadian dollars?  When is that exchange rate set?  Those guys could be making an extra 10-20%.
Nocioni-Khryapa in '08

by bullshooter on Nov 25, 2007 11:59 AM CST   0 recs

Last I heard
wasn't the US dollar worth LESS than the CA dollar?
Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Nov 25, 2007 12:01 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

As the us dollar devalues
the toronto guys get paid relatively more in us dollars if they get a fixed amount of canadian dollars.
Nocioni-Khryapa in '08

by bullshooter on Nov 25, 2007 12:06 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

they do get paid in canadian dollars
and the exchange rate is very close to one-to-one with the US dollar right now.
And worse we may be yet: the worst is not so long as we can say, "This is the worst."

by alec on Nov 25, 2007 12:01 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

taxes are another big variable.
Canada has more social benefits programs than the US, so the wealthy pay a higher tax rate than in the US.  Canadians have something very close to universal health care, and higher education is also subsidized much more than in the US.

On taxes, I believe it's Florida that has no state income taxes, so players on the Florida teams keep significantly more of what they earn.

And worse we may be yet: the worst is not so long as we can say, "This is the worst."

by alec on Nov 25, 2007 12:15 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Yet another cold spell
33 points in the 1st quarter, 10 points in the 2nd.

by Big D on Nov 25, 2007 12:06 PM CST   0 recs

Classic
everyone excited, Hinrich rolling...down by 6 at half.

by Freethefro on Nov 25, 2007 12:07 PM CST   0 recs

I'm still excited...
C'mon people! Let's stay POSITIVE!

by marionette on Nov 25, 2007 12:13 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

I've been positive
now what I want is big guards, a low post scorer, players of elite athleticism and a coach who will play them.  For Christmas.

by Freethefro on Nov 25, 2007 12:17 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Deng and Noch
BETTER START PASSING!!!!

what the hell was wrong with deng the last two plays, he had people open and he doesnt pass the ball. And whats with taking one dribble when it gets you nowhere, you havent moved the d, you havent gotten any closer to the rim...dont try to be this teams superstar man, just play the damn game!!!! ARGHHH>...and heres hoping hinrichs shooting has truly returned, not a hiccup.

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

by piccolomair on Nov 25, 2007 12:11 PM CST   0 recs

well then
they can tell Skiles the wrong airport terminal and come back home without him.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 25, 2007 12:16 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

come back home without him
Wouldn't THAT be nice...
One can always hope.
Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Nov 25, 2007 12:20 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Let's see how many times Noc chucks
shots in the second half on an off-night.

by philosoball on Nov 25, 2007 12:18 PM CST   0 recs

la terminal au du nord, monsieur Skiles
And worse we may be yet: the worst is not so long as we can say, "This is the worst."

by alec on Nov 25, 2007 12:19 PM CST   0 recs

monsieur
Alec - I'm no French wiz - is that pronounced "monswah"?
Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Nov 25, 2007 12:21 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

dunno. me neither.
I took french in grade school, so any resemblence to actual french is coincidental.
And worse we may be yet: the worst is not so long as we can say, "This is the worst."

by alec on Nov 25, 2007 12:26 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Everytime I see that word
it reminds me of Maxwell Smart calling someone on the show (Get Smart) "monswah" many years ago....
Funny how stuff gets attached to brain cells for life...
:-)
Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Nov 25, 2007 12:29 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

my ssiter lived in toronto
and there's a ot of french going on there..but you're right, nothing like in Montreal.
And worse we may be yet: the worst is not so long as we can say, "This is the worst."

by alec on Nov 25, 2007 12:27 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

ssiter
Is that french for "sister"?   LOL
Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Nov 25, 2007 12:30 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

2nd half begins
Get ready for the glory of victory.

by marionette on Nov 25, 2007 12:21 PM CST   0 recs

Keep playing
hard in the second half. Make your shots guys.
Please get this season turned around and play some great basketball.

by sue369 on Nov 25, 2007 12:24 PM CST   0 recs

This is noting like the
Knick game. The flow seemed to go a bit when Duhon was in w/ Kirk to star the 2nd Q, and Deng was out. But, again, no conparison in the on court play to yesterday, despite the 10pts.

by marionette on Nov 25, 2007 12:25 PM CST   0 recs

Is it me
or has big Ben seemed less and less effective this year?
You don't