Open Game Thread #23: Bulls at Washington Wizards

by Big D on Dec 19, 2007 5:29 PM CST

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

The Bulls will try to get back on the winning track tonight when they face the Washington Wizards (6 PM Central, Comcast Sportsnet).

The Wizards have been one of the surprises of the league so far. They've won 13 of their last 18 games, despite the fact that Gilbert Arenas is out for the next few months. One of the big reasons is Caron Butler - he's taken another big step up, and currently has the 17th best PER in the league at 22.48. I tend to doubt he can play that well all season, but while he is, it's not surprising that the Wizards are continuing to win games.

Blogging With the Enemy:
The Wizznutzz
Bullets Forever

The Wizards haven't played since Saturday, while the Bulls played last night, so I suppose somebody might try to use that as an excuse if the Bulls lose. I don't know about that - at the very least, you'd think Ben Wallace should be fresh. It's not like he played last night (Update: He won't be playing tonight either; he's out with a foot injury. Nocioni will start in his place.). Regardless, it would probably be a good idea for the Bulls to win this game, considering their next three games are at Boston, home against Houston, and at San Antonio. They were already back to .500 by this point last year, so the "it's early" excuse doesn't really fly anymore. They're not even close to .500 yet, and if they don't start playing much better they could find themselves in a big hole soon.

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No BB tonight.

He has been fighting a foot injury and injured it further last night. Maybe that is a blessing as hopefully Noah will get some playing time tonight.

Please just win tonight.

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

by sue369 on Dec 19, 2007 5:51 PM CST reply actions

Interesting

well, that explains his play. Wonder if Skiles will ever stop playing him when he's injured, since it really doesn't help us.

by Jaina on Dec 19, 2007 5:57 PM CST up reply actions

Sue, did you mean Ben Wallace

who?is not starting?

by chgobr on Dec 19, 2007 6:13 PM CST up reply actions

Yes

Big Ben = BB

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

by sue369 on Dec 19, 2007 7:07 PM CST up reply actions

I want Aaron Gray to start

to read the fusillades of sheer poetic outrage from Matt. And also, I want to see him dunk again. That was funny.

by Freethefro on Dec 19, 2007 6:05 PM CST reply actions

Hinrich/Gordon/Deng/Nocioni/Smith

luckily the Bulls make a lot of shots, so they don't need rebounders on the court.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Dec 19, 2007 6:12 PM CST reply actions

4 layups for the wiz

don't need shotblockers either.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Dec 19, 2007 6:16 PM CST up reply actions

Horrible shot by BG

by Big D on Dec 19, 2007 6:17 PM CST reply actions

With Wallace out . . .

How will Skiles be able to avoid playing Noah and Thomas together? I'm sure he'll find a way (cough*Aaron Gray*cough), but you'd think those two should see some time together tonight.

by Big D on Dec 19, 2007 6:19 PM CST reply actions

wow back to small ball

by Blacknight23 on Dec 19, 2007 6:21 PM CST reply actions

no shit

what a joke.

This guy wasn't me, but I wish I had his foresight.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Dec 19, 2007 6:24 PM CST up reply actions

Aaron Gray in for Smith

nothing to see here.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Dec 19, 2007 6:26 PM CST reply actions

I want to hear the conversations Pax and Skiles

have about who he plays. I know Pax has said he won't dictate who is on the court, but he didn't draft Noah for him to sit. He drafted Noah to take Wallace's place eventually.

by KT on Dec 19, 2007 6:49 PM CST up reply actions

What it kill Skiles

to start an actual center at center?

by RogersPark Kris on Dec 19, 2007 6:27 PM CST reply actions

Would*

by RogersPark Kris on Dec 19, 2007 6:27 PM CST up reply actions

Skiles brings in Gray ahead

of Noah and Tyrus. I hate him worse then Jason Kidd.

by RogersPark Kris on Dec 19, 2007 6:31 PM CST up reply actions

more minutes for gray

fire skiles, now.

by fundamentallysound on Dec 19, 2007 6:30 PM CST reply actions

hmmm...maybe wait

until halftime. make it the entertainment.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Dec 19, 2007 6:30 PM CST up reply actions

who's supposed to be guarding

jamison?

Ita est, ita sit. ("It is what it is." c1650--Arnold Geulincx)

by alec on Dec 19, 2007 6:36 PM CST reply actions

I just turned on the game

has Noah played at all yet?

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Dec 19, 2007 6:43 PM CST reply actions

damn noce pass the ball

by Blacknight23 on Dec 19, 2007 6:43 PM CST reply actions

Noah sighting!

hwere he comes

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Dec 19, 2007 6:45 PM CST reply actions

Is this the first time

Noah and TT have been on the court TOGETHER?

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Dec 19, 2007 6:46 PM CST up reply actions

please sub noce is deng tired?

by Blacknight23 on Dec 19, 2007 6:45 PM CST reply actions

ANDRES NOCIONI

"I WILL SMASH WIZARD PLAYER IN FACE WITH MY SUPER ELBOW."

"WHILE I MAKE THREE POINT SHOT."

youtube.com/angryasianace

by AngryAsianAce on Dec 19, 2007 6:50 PM CST reply actions

why can't the bulls ever get respect

We always get the ticky tack type fouls called against us. I've watched almost every game this year and noone on the teams get calls. Noone.

by Blacknight23 on Dec 19, 2007 6:54 PM CST reply actions

I agree

by Ibleedbullsred on Dec 19, 2007 6:57 PM CST up reply actions

noah wasn't looking to pass

FYI Stace.

Officially a hater on Ballhype!

by hscs on Dec 19, 2007 6:54 PM CST reply actions

Hinrich looks HORRIBLE

WTF is he even out there?
He stands there, TT is wide open for a run through the lane, and he decides to throw up a friggin' AIRBALL...
ugh...
It's to the point where it's just maddening to even see him OR Gordon with the ball...

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Dec 19, 2007 6:56 PM CST reply actions

And then just as I post this

I look up and Hinrich swats the guy going to the hoop for the most half-assed, lazy shit stupid foul you could imagine....
WHY would he do that??

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Dec 19, 2007 6:57 PM CST up reply actions

And then Du replaces private kirk

and the bulls score straight and take the lead...

Leave Hinbrick on the bench...he just flat sucks

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Dec 19, 2007 7:01 PM CST up reply actions

What I like about grey is that he hits his free

throws, soon as I say that. He blows one.

by Ibleedbullsred on Dec 19, 2007 7:03 PM CST reply actions

LOL!! That's murphy's law of basketball

as soon as you mention "he hasn't missed tonight", he throws up a brick

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Dec 19, 2007 7:05 PM CST up reply actions

should Skiles start the 2nd half

with the guys whoe pere playing well at the end of the first?

Ita est, ita sit. ("It is what it is." c1650--Arnold Geulincx)

by alec on Dec 19, 2007 7:05 PM CST reply actions

who were (wtf?)

Ita est, ita sit. ("It is what it is." c1650--Arnold Geulincx)

by alec on Dec 19, 2007 7:06 PM CST up reply actions

Well...the guys who finished the half

are the ones who took the lead for the Bulls...

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Dec 19, 2007 7:08 PM CST up reply actions

But seriously -

Gray has been playing better than Wallace has played in WEEKS...
At least is seems that way...and yes - Gray does tend to make his FT's.

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Dec 19, 2007 7:06 PM CST reply actions

Guys - maybe we found our low post presence

Grey looks solid. We are a different team when we have a low post threat. Now to keep this up for the second half.

by chgobr on Dec 19, 2007 7:08 PM CST reply actions

Gray has

not hurt us so far. Think there is any chance he starts the second half?

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

by sue369 on Dec 19, 2007 7:12 PM CST up reply actions

maybe

I should retract my statement about Gray's minutes being a reason for Skiles to be fired. Oh wait, small sample size and we're going nowhere if our answer is Aaron Gray. But hey atleast he's playing well.

by fundamentallysound on Dec 19, 2007 7:23 PM CST reply actions

Gray shoud get min's depending on the matchup

against big guys that are not real athletic.

by Ibleedbullsred on Dec 19, 2007 7:26 PM CST up reply actions

Eh

I'd rather see Tyrus and Noah getting those minutes and really exposing those guys that lack athleticism on the other side. Also having our two lotto picks getting minutes would help, you know, develop them. It's kind of a foreign concept to Skiles to develop his Lotto pick big men, I know, but still it's what I'd like to see.

by fundamentallysound on Dec 19, 2007 7:34 PM CST up reply actions

yeah I agree with you but tyrus has a lil down low

play but he can't guard centers and noah offers less of a threat on offence even though he can guard centers so gray gives a small threat down low and he can guard a center.

by Ibleedbullsred on Dec 19, 2007 7:38 PM CST up reply actions

but also it should only be based on matchup agains

t bigs like heywood's athleticism and worse, definitly not against guys like D. howard and such.

by Ibleedbullsred on Dec 19, 2007 7:40 PM CST up reply actions

NO fou on the joe smith mini drive and shot

by Ibleedbullsred on Dec 19, 2007 7:23 PM CST reply actions

this lineup sucks.

Didn't skiles see that at tipoff. No rebounders/finishers. We played our best ball with gray, tt, and noah out there. Lets get them some burn.

by Blacknight23 on Dec 19, 2007 7:33 PM CST reply actions

OK, that was a short time to enjoy the lead

Alright we need something inside if the jumpers stop falling, I'm gonna call for some tyrus and grey.

by Ibleedbullsred on Dec 19, 2007 7:33 PM CST reply actions

thank u scott

by Ibleedbullsred on Dec 19, 2007 7:34 PM CST up reply actions

what do u guys think of this lineup?

I wouldn't mind seeing them start the game off with Kirk, BG, Deng, TT and Gray or Snith depending on the matchup.

by Blacknight23 on Dec 19, 2007 7:39 PM CST reply actions

Tyrus has really improved his jumper this year

I cringed every time he took that shot last year. You can tell he's worked on it, though.

by Big D on Dec 19, 2007 7:41 PM CST reply actions

The way kirk is blowing chunks

I'd rather see Du out there....at least they seem to play better when he is...

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Dec 19, 2007 7:42 PM CST reply actions

those blocks that thi wiz are getting

look a lot like fouls to me...

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Dec 19, 2007 7:47 PM CST reply actions

At least we're better than the Heat

Alonzo Mourning tore his knee tonight, and might be out for the year (and his career).

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3162228

by Big D on Dec 19, 2007 7:50 PM CST reply actions

ouch Shaqs gotta come off vacation for rea now

or the heat are done, worse than when we beat them on opening day last season or whenever that was.

by Ibleedbullsred on Dec 19, 2007 7:56 PM CST up reply actions

Tyrus deserves

major minutes. I love his enthusiasm out there

by Option27 on Dec 19, 2007 7:50 PM CST reply actions

AAAAAron Gray

Is owning.

youtube.com/angryasianace

by AngryAsianAce on Dec 19, 2007 7:53 PM CST reply actions

9 rebounds too...

wow...

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Dec 19, 2007 7:56 PM CST up reply actions

Snap!

I completely forgot the game was on, got home from shopping to find we are in the 4th quarter, and Gray is getting playing time? And doing ok? rubs eyes Those numbers are better than Wallace. I can't really say if he is doing those "intangibles" since I missed it all, but it looks good on the paper...in comparison to our other center at the moment.

by cranscape on Dec 19, 2007 8:06 PM CST up reply actions

Tyrus!!!!

If he can hit that jumper consistently, he can be an All-Star. I just hope it happens for him in Chicago.

by Big D on Dec 19, 2007 7:56 PM CST reply actions

He has been working on it skiles need to give him

time to get confidence in it.

by Ibleedbullsred on Dec 19, 2007 7:59 PM CST up reply actions

comcast blows. my tv keeps going in and out.

Wtf. Oh yeah duh. Tyrus thomas can't help the bulls win. He can only run and jump high duh.

by Blacknight23 on Dec 19, 2007 7:57 PM CST reply actions

Ok really though

Thomas and these jump shots? Are you kidding me?

He hits those, he'll be seriously tough to stop

by Option27 on Dec 19, 2007 7:57 PM CST reply actions

not when

the 'Tyrus Stopper' is the head coach.

Officially a hater on Ballhype!

by hscs on Dec 19, 2007 8:02 PM CST up reply actions

Aaron Gray

10, 10, and 5 in 25 minutes. When (according to draft express) you go 7'2 and 280, that sounds about right.

by Freethefro on Dec 19, 2007 7:58 PM CST reply actions

come on now the ex-bulls exacting there

revenge is so cleche(sp?) ok now get noah in for gray against blatche

by Ibleedbullsred on Dec 19, 2007 8:01 PM CST reply actions

now he can stay aginst heywood

by Ibleedbullsred on Dec 19, 2007 8:03 PM CST up reply actions

the wizards are horrible

aaron gray's gigantic and feminine body has never looked better

waive wallace now

by fireskiles on Dec 19, 2007 8:02 PM CST reply actions

nice description

"gigantic and feminine body".

by Freethefro on Dec 19, 2007 8:04 PM CST up reply actions

Naah, they just missing there superstar pg and

they are missing there backup point guard/six man as well.

by Ibleedbullsred on Dec 19, 2007 8:10 PM CST up reply actions

"gigantic and feminine body"

I don't know. I went to the Knicks game on Friday, and it seemed to me like Eddy Curry and Zach Randolph had bigger titties than Gray does.

by Big D on Dec 19, 2007 8:11 PM CST up reply actions

lol bigger tits lol, man tits always get me to

laugh

by Ibleedbullsred on Dec 19, 2007 8:14 PM CST up reply actions

bigger titties

You mean "man boobs"? :-)

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Dec 19, 2007 8:14 PM CST up reply actions

I'm thirsty

I might need a cold drink of some GRAYTORAAAAAAADDDE

-Matt

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

by NittanyBull on Dec 19, 2007 8:03 PM CST reply actions

W-T-F?!

What is this F-ing love fest Skiles has for having Gordon and Hinrich in to finish games?

Doesn't he watch the video?
Doesn't he see how LAME they are in 4th quarters?

I seriously hate Skiles' coaching (if you can call it that)

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Dec 19, 2007 8:04 PM CST reply actions

hinrich is seriously

the worst regular in the NBA... its really amazing to watch

by fireskiles on Dec 19, 2007 8:06 PM CST up reply actions

and his rank has been reduced

to ensign

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Dec 19, 2007 8:07 PM CST up reply actions

wizards have been hosed by the refs tonight

by fireskiles on Dec 19, 2007 8:07 PM CST reply actions

So have the bulls

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Dec 19, 2007 8:08 PM CST up reply actions

What game are you watching that the wizards

have been hosed, you must not be watching something else and listning to the wizards announcers.

by Ibleedbullsred on Dec 19, 2007 8:11 PM CST up reply actions

We are so used to

the Bulls getting the short end that when another team gets an occasional call that benefits us it is really shocking. I'd like to see it more often this way than the majority of the time when it is us in that position. :D

by cranscape on Dec 19, 2007 8:43 PM CST up reply actions

Maybe Kirk

is going to start getting some respect from the ref's. It did look like he got some calls his way tonight.

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

by sue369 on Dec 19, 2007 8:46 PM CST up reply actions

that's why Tyrus

MUST PLAY MORE

by Freethefro on Dec 19, 2007 8:08 PM CST reply actions

specfication:

block, rebound, two free throws.

by Freethefro on Dec 19, 2007 8:09 PM CST up reply actions

Agreed.

And why not with Noah?
They are GREAT energy together.

You'd almost think Skiles just has one of his stupid personal issues with rookies / young guys being successful

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Dec 19, 2007 8:10 PM CST up reply actions

We wIn!

YEY!

by Option27 on Dec 19, 2007 8:09 PM CST reply actions

YOU GOTTA SCORE! YOU GOTTA SCORE!

REDD Kerr lives and dies bulls basketball. I haven't see Thomas sprint down the court once this game and he made one hella of an impact. Skiles is so bullshit.

by Blacknight23 on Dec 19, 2007 8:11 PM CST reply actions

LOL, I second that

by Ibleedbullsred on Dec 19, 2007 8:12 PM CST up reply actions

True...

but that doesn't mean he wouldn't be much better with a little sprint to his step. It would be dumb for Thomas to be holding the glass ceiling over his own head just because his athleticism might give him good highlights. I don't think at his age he should be benched because of it, but in the next three years or so he should be expanding his game.

by cranscape on Dec 19, 2007 8:21 PM CST up reply actions

True.

If you give this guy 25 minutes a night he can erase a lot of mistakes. Team leaders Hinrich Gordon and Deng need to step to TT and tell him to run hard. Play him till he's exhausted then tell him you demand more. No more DNP-CD's. No more quick hooks and no return (last night VS. LA). That's all.

by Blacknight23 on Dec 19, 2007 8:33 PM CST up reply actions

How do you

know they aren't telling him to run hard? If Skiles tells him and he doesn't listen what makes yhou think he would listen to his team mates? It's on him to get his ass down the floor as fast as he can.

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

by sue369 on Dec 19, 2007 8:37 PM CST up reply actions

I am thinking

that Noah will be good competition for Tyrus. Noah has the hustle even he doesn't have the same intensity around the net. I'd rather they wouldn't have to compete, but if they have to they at least have talented people to be compared to and to work hard against.

by cranscape on Dec 19, 2007 8:41 PM CST up reply actions

I agree.

I like what all the young guys bring to the game. I just wish Thabo was playing better than he is.

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

by sue369 on Dec 19, 2007 8:44 PM CST up reply actions

I was hoping Thabo'd improve

this summer with the international play. Maybe that's thrown him off. His shot hasn't been there and he doesn't get the time to work it out during game, nor do we have the garbage time we would if we were winning like we ought to.

by cranscape on Dec 19, 2007 9:05 PM CST up reply actions

Enjoy it tonight

Friday in Boston could be seriously ugh...ly...

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Dec 19, 2007 8:13 PM CST reply actions

which reminds me 10 more seconds till

I go to the pistons vs c's

by Ibleedbullsred on Dec 19, 2007 8:15 PM CST up reply actions

been watching during commercials its been a

good game the pistons are making a game of it hope the can wear the c's down a little b4 we play them.

by Ibleedbullsred on Dec 19, 2007 8:17 PM CST up reply actions

YESSSSSS!!!!

GRAY is a steal!!!!

by Azabullsfan on Dec 19, 2007 8:13 PM CST reply actions

Sorry

Grey.Aaron Grey!!!

by Azabullsfan on Dec 19, 2007 8:16 PM CST up reply actions

it's Gray with an a.

sorry the Grey thing has been driving me nuts all night.

by fundamentallysound on Dec 19, 2007 8:18 PM CST up reply actions

I been making that slip up all night

looked at his jersey. How do u spell the color grey,gray,grey,gray. Ahhh the important thing is that we won and Big AA G played well especially for a 2nd rounder our second round picks recently have not amounted to much.

by Ibleedbullsred on Dec 19, 2007 8:25 PM CST up reply actions

Gray...

Five assists along the the rest of his numbers. That's nice to see. From the little I saw it wasn't elegant, but Big Ben isn't really elegant either, but at least Gray connected more often. If Wallace is so frequently hurt I'd rather not see him playing for the sake of playing when we could put in Thomas, Noah, or Gray depending on the need.

by cranscape on Dec 19, 2007 8:18 PM CST reply actions

Solid double-double for Gray

I would definately like to see him play more with Wallace's foot (or whatever his issue is now) being a hole in the center

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Dec 19, 2007 8:21 PM CST up reply actions

It may never

happen again this season but Gray was a difference maker in this game tonight. Tyrus was awesome too.

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

by sue369 on Dec 19, 2007 8:25 PM CST up reply actions

Talk about not happening

I would like to see this starting line-up:
Gray
TT
Deng or Smith
Du
Hinrich

Gordon, Noc and Noah and Smith are all real solid scoring energy off the bench.
And Gordon seems to finish games better when he comes off the bench, as he did beginning of last year.

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Dec 19, 2007 8:35 PM CST up reply actions

That would

be interesting but Skiles is pretty set in his ways. He had to see that Gray and TT were a winning combination tonight.

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

by sue369 on Dec 19, 2007 8:40 PM CST up reply actions

Bulls could have easily beat the celtics by ten.

If they could have hit any shots. Celtics have a great team but it seems the Bulls beat themselves most nights. Whether through Hinrichs mental laspes, Gordons forced bricks, and Deng's lack of aggresion. Truth is there was a reason the Bulls were picked by many to win the EC there mad talented. Skiles has to step his ass up and show something besides being able to draw up a nice play. Go BULLS

by Blacknight23 on Dec 19, 2007 8:22 PM CST reply actions

Easily??

My brother played me in basketball once, we played "first one to 5, by 1s and 2s". The final score was 4-5 i won, he missed a two pointer, airball, and i caught it and put it in for the win. My brother, who is ten years younger, commented, i wouldve beaten you if only i had hit my shot....hmmm....no

I suppose the celtics, like many good teams, dont play thier best until they are pushed. I mean, if the bulls had been neck and neck with kg, you would think kg would have pushed himself to score more, and i think he could have.

So sorry, but i dont believe just hitting our shots would have easily gotten us a 10 point plus win, unless the celtics, till the end, didnt take us seriously.

I do agree with u saying how talented this team is, but i think this team is talented, or overly loaded in one category...Intangibles

Potential, hustle, and good work ethics just oozes from this team, thus they have a reputation of being a team that will work harder than the other team in every game....

We were considered to be the best in the east due to the fact that it was considered that our young core was ready for stardom, ie; gordon being a shooter who can hit the three with a little room, and score 30 points per game easy, deng being the definition of the classic sf, kirk hinrich being the next john stockton-steve nash-or any other great white pg to play the game, and big ben being...Mean Afro guy that eats weaklings.

This year did nothing more than break all that stardom images we had going, now we are just the hard working team called the bulls, forever underdogs.....

or maybe not...

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

by piccolomair on Dec 20, 2007 4:21 AM CST up reply actions

Tyrus is clearly a difference maker

Tyrus is clearly a difference maker
14 pts, 6 reb, 3 blk, 2 steals, 2 ast. in 27 min. He can fill up a box score. Skiles needs to keep him on the floor.

The 700 makes a day paid off.. ;)

by Hiryu on Dec 19, 2007 8:24 PM CST reply actions

nods

That block/rebound/freethrow combination was a highlight. And I must say, he did will with those nice passes Gray sent his way. I wouldn't mind keeping that door open. Tyrus isn't afraid of taking it to the basket and the success rate there is higher with a well placed pass. Before that it seemed like it was only Duhon looking to set him up frequently.

by cranscape on Dec 19, 2007 8:36 PM CST up reply actions