Open Game Thread # 14: Bulls vs Charlotte Bobcats

by chgobr on Dec 1, 2007 7:28 AM CST

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

The Bobcats 6-8 come to town with a four game losing streak. They have some good talent in an emerging star, point guard Raymond Felton (Charlotte Observer), Emekar Okafor and Gerald Wallace. They are athletic and usually play with a lot of energy. With Sean May out for the season and Primoz Brezec playing poorly we are not the only team looking for a good center. Adam Morrison is also out for the season following surgery for a torn ACL. Jason Richardson has not been the free agent savior hoped for by MJ. Richardson still hasn't found a shot he doesn't like. MJ would look more like a guru if the ping-pong balls bounced differently and they had D Howard instead of Okafor. Charlotte certainly isn't wild about their Bobcats. They are among the league's worst in attendance, averaging 13,403, 27th in the league (espn attendance data)

For BlogaBullers there is much interest in seeing how will we play tonight. Will the old Hinrich show up? Will Noah get good minutes (Chicago Tribune)? Will the good Bulls team return? Winning this game is a setup for the Monday test against Dallas. Paxson has spoken (Blog-a-Bull). This Blog-a-Bull link is referenced in the Friday November 30 HoopsHype.com (Scroll down to Friday November 30 and then go 10 paragraphs down). Let's see if the ship is being turned in the right direction.

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Comments

In your diary

I especially liked all the cites that you used...i really should learn to do such things.

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

by piccolomair on Dec 1, 2007 12:11 PM CST reply actions

Thanks - I hope we end up with a W!

by chgobr on Dec 1, 2007 1:09 PM CST up reply actions

Bulls better win

Considering they play Dallas, Boston, and at Detroit in the next week, they better win the games they should win.

by Big D on Dec 1, 2007 4:51 PM CST reply actions

Wow, it's quiet tonight

I'm actually feeling some anticipation instead of nervous dread for this game, so I'm hoping that is a good sign. Let's start the new month off right, guys!

"I believe. I believe. It's silly, but I believe." (Miracle on 34th Street)

by wjb1492 on Dec 1, 2007 6:35 PM CST reply actions

I

like the idea of Noah playing more because in the coming games i see Noah just bugging the crap outta KG and company. I think he will be the next Ben Wallace just add some post moves and we will be set.Does anyone know if he is been working on his post moves?

by eross226 on Dec 1, 2007 7:42 PM CST reply actions

I was considering naming my son Kimbo Slice

I'm only 5"6 140lbs so I was thinking this move might give him much needed bulk

by Seth @ Blog a Bull on Dec 1, 2007 7:47 PM CST reply actions

Good so far.

Looking good so far. Hopefully the power won't go out here again. Stupid ice storm. I'd hate to miss the game if we are actually playing well.

by cranscape on Dec 1, 2007 7:47 PM CST reply actions

Hate

games on WGN

by gobulls1124 on Dec 1, 2007 7:58 PM CST reply actions

Looking much better so far.

I've even stopped holding my breath every time Kirk throws one up. Ball movement is looking a lot better tonight.

"I believe. I believe. It's silly, but I believe." (Miracle on 34th Street)

by wjb1492 on Dec 1, 2007 8:00 PM CST reply actions

I'm not there yet.

I still am a nervous wreck with Hinrich. And that intentional foul a second ago? It would have been better to have fouled and not have the other player still make the basket, but why foul at all either way? He's had enough trouble staying on the court. He didn't need that 2nd foul in the first quarter the way he has played so far this season. sigh

by cranscape on Dec 1, 2007 8:08 PM CST up reply actions

Totally agree on the foul

I can understand it early in a fastbreak, but I hate 'em that close to the basket. Especially a smaller guy like Kirk where the odds of it going in are good.

"I believe. I believe. It's silly, but I believe." (Miracle on 34th Street)

by wjb1492 on Dec 1, 2007 8:12 PM CST up reply actions

Saturday Night!

Charlotte BoringCats vs Bulls tiny backcourt and Skiles jump shooting motion offense!

When I think about it, Duhon reminds me of a Derek Fisher type player. These types always get plenty of playing time because they are fundamentally good players, but small. Yet physically strong defenders which compensates for their height.

I think an interesting stat would be the number of "falls" per game (FallsPG) that Gordon and Hinrich hit the floor because they are knocked over, and compare this with the other players in the NBA (not to include taking defensive charges).

by exult463 on Dec 1, 2007 8:04 PM CST reply actions

Yikes

Looks like the bench won't be helping much tonight, if this is any indication.

"I believe. I believe. It's silly, but I believe." (Miracle on 34th Street)

by wjb1492 on Dec 1, 2007 8:15 PM CST reply actions

Could anyone comentate

what is going on in the game.My stupid dish
is not getting signal because of icestorm.
Are we stiil up by 5 or so?

by Azabullsfan on Dec 1, 2007 8:23 PM CST reply actions

2nd has been really sloppy

Lots of bad TOs, and Charlotte is getting to the free throw line more - lead's been bouncing around between 3 and 5.

"I believe. I believe. It's silly, but I believe." (Miracle on 34th Street)

by wjb1492 on Dec 1, 2007 8:28 PM CST up reply actions

three straight turnovers,

two by kirk, leading to five points. We don't play fundamentally sound basketball. That starts with a coach and a point guard.

by Freethefro on Dec 1, 2007 8:26 PM CST reply actions

make that four turnovers in five possessions

goodnight everybody!

by Freethefro on Dec 1, 2007 8:27 PM CST reply actions

Gordon got the memo

job: to knock down those jump shots in transition. -Appreciated.

by Seth @ Blog a Bull on Dec 1, 2007 8:27 PM CST reply actions

I hate the second quarter

"I believe. I believe. It's silly, but I believe." (Miracle on 34th Street)

by wjb1492 on Dec 1, 2007 8:39 PM CST reply actions

FIRE SKILES NOW!

by fireskiles on Dec 1, 2007 8:59 PM CST reply actions

Hinrich is a truly terrible point guard

he turns it over and doesn't create for others. This teams needs a true point. Hinrich would be better off playing off the ball.

by Freethefro on Dec 1, 2007 9:02 PM CST reply actions

I definilty agree with that

by Ibleedbullsred on Dec 1, 2007 9:53 PM CST up reply actions

HELLO

Ben Gordon!!

by babybulls on Dec 1, 2007 9:05 PM CST reply actions

Even though there was that really bad stretch

of basketball there, it does seem like the Bulls are playing better for longer stretches of the game. Plus, the core guys are finally starting to look a little smoother.

"I believe. I believe. It's silly, but I believe." (Miracle on 34th Street)

by wjb1492 on Dec 1, 2007 9:12 PM CST reply actions

Gordon finally got the memo the season started

He always seems to get that message 2 weeks late.

by danger mouse on Dec 1, 2007 9:17 PM CST reply actions

kirk must have

seven or eight turnovers.

by Freethefro on Dec 1, 2007 9:22 PM CST reply actions

I apologize if I'm piling on him

but Ben Wallace, Luol and Little Ben are more than carrying their end of the bargain. If something wrong with Duhon? Would Thabo shoot more poorly or hand it over any more often?

by Freethefro on Dec 1, 2007 9:24 PM CST up reply actions

BG7 is having a game

Can't really watch because I am watching these college football games. BG7 though looks like he is doing well. Kirk needs to get his game back.

by SRQman on Dec 1, 2007 9:25 PM CST reply actions

Everyone is playing

better.Except Kirk...

by Azabullsfan on Dec 1, 2007 9:26 PM CST reply actions

Hinrich

Needs to take soldier pills.

youtube.com/angryasianace

by AngryAsianAce on Dec 1, 2007 9:27 PM CST reply actions

What are those?

by Freethefro on Dec 1, 2007 9:27 PM CST up reply actions

Rage Pills

Soldiers would take em in war to make them more aggressive and not care about dying.

youtube.com/angryasianace

by AngryAsianAce on Dec 1, 2007 9:36 PM CST reply actions

I almost forgot that triple digit games existed

by Seth @ Blog a Bull on Dec 1, 2007 9:36 PM CST reply actions

ANDRES NOCIONI

"I THROW ELBOWS AND MAKE THREE POINT SHOTS."

youtube.com/angryasianace

by AngryAsianAce on Dec 1, 2007 9:37 PM CST reply actions

I agree

Noc should always be quoted in caps

by Seth @ Blog a Bull on Dec 1, 2007 9:41 PM CST up reply actions

Si

"I WIN GOLD MEDAL WITH MY HOME COUNTRY."

youtube.com/angryasianace

by AngryAsianAce on Dec 1, 2007 9:58 PM CST up reply actions

In general this was a good one.

Shooting better and they had more energy.

by chgobr on Dec 1, 2007 9:47 PM CST reply actions

Very nice game

tonight. Everyone kicked it up a few notches. They needed this badly. Hopefully the lid is off now and we'll see more of this team from now on.

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

by sue369 on Dec 1, 2007 9:59 PM CST reply actions

Chris Duhon

You're the man

by gobulls1124 on Dec 1, 2007 10:17 PM CST reply actions

Skiles?

Is that you?

On Tyrus Thomas: Get that man a table dance, please!

by cubbybear on Dec 1, 2007 10:31 PM CST up reply actions

Thanks Kirk

For only 6 fg attempts

by runio on Dec 2, 2007 12:16 AM CST reply actions

once...

again, who woke up big ben during the atlanta game, and who kept him up for this charlotte game? it's good to see that he can still exert his will on the other team when he feels like it. perhaps it give the bulls shooters a little more confidence knowing ben is in the mood to play on a given night. if big ben comes to play 3 out of every 4 games from now on out, i think the atlanta game was the turning point for this season. if not, oh well...

by leeac on Dec 2, 2007 1:01 PM CST reply actions

bring in

someone else to guard the post and ben will wreak havoc on every team. Too many help defenders on this team, which is often a bad thing.

by Sambossanova on Dec 2, 2007 10:23 PM CST up reply actions

now...

...where in memphis would we ever find such a player?

by leeac on Dec 3, 2007 1:05 AM CST up reply actions

I was in Kevin McHale country

this weekend, and taped the game. So I'm going to enjoy this if I watch it?

by KT on Dec 2, 2007 4:01 PM CST reply actions

You'll enjoy

The 1st, 3rd and 4th...

The second? Not so much

by Option27 on Dec 2, 2007 5:02 PM CST up reply actions

very nice

by tomcat on Dec 2, 2007 8:10 PM CST reply actions

I thought there'd be more discussion

I watched the game and everybody seemed to play well. I was actually surprised when I saw Kirk with that many turnovers. When BG shoots like he did last night, it takes the pressure off of everyone.

Nocioni-Khryapa in '08

by bullshooter on Dec 2, 2007 8:31 PM CST reply actions

It was just that ridiculous second quarter

Kirk turned it over like 3 times in a row.

by Jaina on Dec 2, 2007 9:33 PM CST up reply actions

Now that the Bulls have two wins in a row

Time to be optimistic. Maybe all these losses to crappy teams will be a blessing in disguide, so when we dominate the rest of the season the bulls will all have those signature "elite" road wins that cause people to take notice as we enter the playoffs.

by Seth @ Blog a Bull on Dec 3, 2007 7:19 AM CST reply actions

Rebounding won this game

We killed the Bobcats on the glass. We almost had more offensive rebounds than they had total rebounds. We shot well from the field which is what I was looking for, but the Bobcats shot well too. They just couldn't rebound on either end.

Ben Wallace was leading the defense. Another sparkling stat line with 2-3 from the FT line.

It's great to see BG, Deng, and Nocioni get their shot working. All three displayed increased confidence in their shooting. As teams adjust to not allow Nocioni to roll off picks to the perimeter, this will create another passing lane for our guards to feed the ball into the post.

by NBA Observer on Dec 3, 2007 8:48 AM CST reply actions

also

The bench PG play from Chris Duhon was also clicking. He penetrated, he found the cutters, he put up shots, and he drew fouls.

Duhon rolling really helps this team pick up the lost production from Kirk Hinrich.

by NBA Observer on Dec 3, 2007 8:51 AM CST up reply actions

Length of diaries

Not having access to the games live (or even later for that matter, I know, that sucks), I usually go on Blog-a-bull the following morning (after a game) to check what was said during the game by you guys. I usually do this before going to have a look at the score or highlights on NBA.com. This is (was) my way of "living" the game almost (OK, far from it) as if I was attending the game for real.
This is not possible anymore this year. I know if the Bulls have won or lost just by seeing how many posts have been written : 200+ = loss, 100 and less = win.
I almost wish the losing would keep going so that I have more to read (not really, but you get the point, or maybe not).

The Game chose him !

by Diabolo on Dec 3, 2007 10:38 AM CST reply actions

also, it doesn't help

I punted some of the more active posters. well it did help my sanity, just didn't help the quantity. Then again they also posted more when things were bad.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Dec 3, 2007 10:56 AM CST up reply actions

hehe

I usually do that myself, cuz the games are usually days i work, i tend to come home at like 10:30ish and the first thing i do is log on to blogabull and read the game comments.

The thing is i dont read all the way through, i just read like half the posts just to get a feel for if the game is worth staying up all night for or not (comcast usually does an encore presentation at 2am). What i also like is that i get plays that i need to watch out for, without actually knowing what they are. Like someone will say THOMAS!!! as thier subject, and ill know that means thomas did something insane, or if i see enough Hinrich!! or the CAPN...well yea blogabull game threads are pretty important to those who miss the games.

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

by piccolomair on Dec 3, 2007 12:20 PM CST up reply actions