Open Game Thread #17: Bulls at Detroit Pistons

I realize that, from things he has said, that he thinks of them as brothers or something, but it doesn't seem like they really return that.  It's like he still needs to realize that they've all moved on.

That, of course, is total bunk, but I just like to believe it.

Bulls field goal percentage has been creeping up, so maybe we'll get one of those games where Detroit self-destructs.

(yes, that was a roundabout way of wishing  Tyrus got off the bench. What a goddamned shame).

Smartest thing Kirk's done on the court all year.

Noc to Noah!

Horrible no call

gotta force turnovers, stops+rebounds, and run.

But I can already see this unit running out of gas, and Skiles isn't one to make a late substitution before the shit hits the fan.

4 outta 5 victories

Gotta be a good sign

This is nice because at the very least it's a return to "the old Bulls".

Which is better than what we've seen, but still the team that lost in 6 games to Detroit.

By the end of the season I don't want to have to rely on crazy-awesome efforts from Noc and Duh.

I'd say it's playing shitty teams. But tonight they had plenty of good performances, and Noah was a big help.

That's alright though, more time for Noah. Wait, who's our coach? :)

except he said something like "Skiles started the season playing Tyrus Thomas...now he has his competitors on the floor". He didn't make the clear connection but it was subconsciously done.

Also, I'd liked the irony in him imploring the Bulls to run.

As I said, Gordon hasn't been doing well so far, so... whatever. Without him starting, you're just not giving the team a consistent* opportunity to finish the first quarter with a lead.

*Notice the key words. There are obviously one game aberrations, but in an entire season it's about consistently giving the team the best chance to win. It's not a perfect science by any means, but that's my take.

After the play, Stacy commented, in what clearly was a thinly veiled reference to the recent Thomas flap, that that's what Skiles means by running the court.

I don't know if this was just a one time thing, due to Noc's having a big offensive game, or if it's partly Noah "high basketball IQ," seeing what's going on and putting himself in position to take advantage of it.

Yes, Kirk was good defensively, but Skiles said he ended up having to put Deng on Hamilton to try to get some size on him.  But Skiles also said that pretty much nothing the Bulls did slowed Hamilton down.  Sometimes Rip can just be unguardable, and it's not necessarily Kirk's or any defender's fault that Rip gets points.