Open Game Thread #17: Bulls at Detroit Pistons
[Thanks to wjb1492 for today's game preview. -Matt]
I'm guessing everyone remembers the last match-up between the Bulls and Pistons, which resulted in the first W of the season for Chicago. Will tonight be another victory for the Bulls? Well, I'm not an "expert analyst" or statistically driven projection device, just a fan. So, with all the homerism I possess, I say: hell yeah!
For those around here looking for something more solid than unbridled optimism in a game preview, let's start with Tyrus, who has had some of his greatest games against the Pistons. Hopefully, Skiles remembers this and gives the kid more than 6 or 7 minutes of burn. Kirk also had his best assist game (14) of the year by far against the Pistons last time around - in fact, that game alone accounts for a whopping 17% of Kirk's total assists to date. If Skiles does decide against benching him tonight, let's hope for another performance like that. The Bulls overall have been playing a bit better of late, winning 3 of the last 4 after starting 2 and 10, and moving up to 22nd in Hollinger's Power Rankings after spending several days (weeks?) in dead last.
People who don't have a blindspot a mile wide where the Bulls are concerned might point out in rebuttal that Detroit is currently 3rd in the Hollinger Power Rankings, with a 5 game winning streak. (Personally, I wonder why such people would be spending time on a Bulls blog.)
There is also, of course, the never-ending story of Ben Wallace's defection from the Pistons, mixed with his on-going friendship with his former teammates. Quote of the day on Big Ben, courtesy of the Detroit Free Press, comes from Chauncey Billups:
Billups said he has talked with Wallace a few times and, not surprisingly, Wallace isn't enjoying himself."You know Ben," Billups said.
"He's a sore loser. He's not happy about it at all. But I don't blame him."
I hope I live to see the day that Big Ben's relationship with his former team ceases to be a topic of conversation, but since the game is on everyone's favorite worldwide leader (6 pm start) I'm sure it will receive plenty of coverage.
Meanwhile, for me at least, this is one of those teams that a win against just seems to matter a little bit more - Detroit, New York, any team the Bulls play on TNT when Sir Charles is commenting.... So, Let's Go Bulls! (But said in a much cooler way than the Bobcats' PA guy.)
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I'd like
Ben just needs to move on. He's not been happy since he got here.
by sue369 on Dec 7, 2007 4:47 PM CST 0 recs
What I don't get
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.
by wjb1492 on
Dec 7, 2007 5:38 PM CST
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I'll second that...
by CubFan81 on
Dec 7, 2007 5:41 PM CST
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R.I.P. Thomas Gardner
http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/fullcourtpress/2007/12/roster-move.html
Kind of bummed about this one, and I don't usually get attached to end-of-the-bench type guys.
by wjb1492 on Dec 7, 2007 4:54 PM CST 0 recs
he's been released
Bummer.
by Bluelou on
Dec 7, 2007 5:31 PM CST
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Best into to in-game thread ever
REPEAT THE THREE-PETE!
by Seth on Dec 7, 2007 5:19 PM CST 0 recs
I don't know about you guys
I GET MY WISH TONIGHT!
by Option27 on Dec 7, 2007 5:57 PM CST 0 recs
Lottery games
how very far out of contention we are.
by Rusty LaRue on Dec 7, 2007 6:06 PM CST 0 recs
Huh???
by cranscape on
Dec 7, 2007 6:25 PM CST
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OK,..warm-ups...oh, what's that?
by alec on Dec 7, 2007 6:07 PM CST 0 recs
He's a great player
by Option27 on
Dec 7, 2007 6:21 PM CST
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He's a career 41%.....
by Rusty LaRue on
Dec 7, 2007 6:39 PM CST
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Wow, I run to grab a burger
by wjb1492 on Dec 7, 2007 6:24 PM CST 0 recs
Wallace!
by cranscape on Dec 7, 2007 6:27 PM CST 0 recs
Last thing I want to see tonight
Seems like Sheed still has a burr up his ass about last game with the Bulls, and Ben...seems like he always tries too hard against Detwat.
by Bluelou on
Dec 7, 2007 6:32 PM CST
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And just as I say that
Good thing though that Ben has 8 boards so far...
by Bluelou on
Dec 7, 2007 6:34 PM CST
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that was a great feed by Hinrich
by fundamentallysound on Dec 7, 2007 6:35 PM CST 0 recs
I really think the final line up change should be
I'd be happy with that lineup for the rest of the year
by Option27 on Dec 7, 2007 6:35 PM CST 0 recs
How do I always seem to have to be away
by wjb1492 on Dec 7, 2007 6:36 PM CST 0 recs
I personally believe
That, of course, is total bunk, but I just like to believe it.
by KT on
Dec 7, 2007 6:44 PM CST
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If we can just guard Wallace for the 3
by philosoball on Dec 7, 2007 6:38 PM CST 0 recs
I'm kind of hoping for a patented Wallace meltdown
by wjb1492 on
Dec 7, 2007 6:39 PM CST
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Ben Wallace and another blunder
by Bluelou on
Dec 7, 2007 6:42 PM CST
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that missed dunk
by fundamentallysound on Dec 7, 2007 6:43 PM CST 0 recs
What was the point?
by TMD on Dec 7, 2007 6:43 PM CST 0 recs
Skiles wants to prove that he can
by philosoball on
Dec 7, 2007 6:45 PM CST
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That ain't funny
by Bluelou on
Dec 7, 2007 6:50 PM CST
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I'd give real money if ANYONE besides Noc
BG especially...hot one night...ice cold the next...
by Bluelou on Dec 7, 2007 6:51 PM CST 0 recs
He shot over Sheed earlier
by Bluelou on
Dec 7, 2007 6:56 PM CST
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nice catch by Noah
by fundamentallysound on Dec 7, 2007 6:57 PM CST 0 recs
stupid foul by Smith
by Bluelou on Dec 7, 2007 6:58 PM CST 0 recs
At least it was a hard foul.
by philosoball on
Dec 7, 2007 7:00 PM CST
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Jesus
by Seth on Dec 7, 2007 6:59 PM CST 0 recs
What's a potentional?
by Bluelou on
Dec 7, 2007 7:01 PM CST
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Yeah, ugly phrasing.
I mean, other than Tyrus Thomas :)
by Seth on
Dec 7, 2007 7:06 PM CST
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Yeah, ugly phrasing
by Bluelou on
Dec 7, 2007 7:09 PM CST
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couldn't agree more
Loved seeing Bulls play Det with energy. I know Noc has limitations but he can shoot and attacks the rim and he has been playing well. Wish there was a way that Thomas and Thabo could become productive too, hate to think Bulls went 0-2 in that draft. Noah looks like he can play, missing a mid range jump shot and could use some bulk probably but he's decent already
by NY Chicago Fan on
Dec 8, 2007 3:11 PM CST
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Yeah...that was a HORRIBLE call....
by Bluelou on
Dec 7, 2007 7:02 PM CST
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If the refs plan on doing this all night...
by cranscape on
Dec 7, 2007 7:03 PM CST
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Daaaaamn
by Seth on Dec 7, 2007 7:04 PM CST 0 recs
I bet he's not too pleased about that
So I doubt if he's pissed about it.
by Bluelou on
Dec 7, 2007 7:07 PM CST
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I thought I heard coaches had to wear them,
In that situation, I'd either turn it off at the start (and probably get in trouble for violating the spirit of the law or something), or totally forget it was on when I lost my temper.
by wjb1492 on
Dec 7, 2007 7:10 PM CST
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I heard coaches had to wear them
But if they ARE required to wear them, then I feel bad for 'em.
by Bluelou on
Dec 7, 2007 7:16 PM CST
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He is required
by KT on
Dec 7, 2007 7:21 PM CST
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It's too bad
by Sports2 on
Dec 7, 2007 7:36 PM CST
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When Big Ben makes free throws
by wjb1492 on Dec 7, 2007 7:05 PM CST 0 recs
SIX of 'em no less....
by Bluelou on
Dec 7, 2007 7:10 PM CST
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nice flail job
by fundamentallysound on Dec 7, 2007 7:07 PM CST 0 recs
Bulls sure are dominating on the boards
by Big D on Dec 7, 2007 7:08 PM CST 0 recs
ok, how that wasn't a foul
by fundamentallysound on Dec 7, 2007 7:09 PM CST 0 recs
Hahaha
by fundamentallysound on Dec 7, 2007 7:10 PM CST 0 recs
Incredible, isn't it?
by wjb1492 on
Dec 7, 2007 7:12 PM CST
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I can't believe it
by TMD on Dec 7, 2007 7:11 PM CST 0 recs
That won't last
That said...I do have a gut feeling that the Bulls are indeed gonna pull this one out...
by Bluelou on
Dec 7, 2007 7:20 PM CST
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Noah is playing
by alec on Dec 7, 2007 7:14 PM CST 0 recs
If you ask me
by Option27 on
Dec 7, 2007 7:20 PM CST
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Watching Joakim
by sue369 on Dec 7, 2007 7:19 PM CST 0 recs
did you see the
by alec on
Dec 7, 2007 7:20 PM CST
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no
by sue369 on
Dec 7, 2007 7:22 PM CST
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What IS a "pookie" anyway?
by Bluelou on
Dec 7, 2007 7:21 PM CST
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I don't know.
by sue369 on
Dec 7, 2007 7:23 PM CST
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don't know if you remember
by alec on
Dec 7, 2007 7:24 PM CST
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I was referring to that Barkley / Wade commercial
by Bluelou on
Dec 7, 2007 7:30 PM CST
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I'm just saying
by alec on
Dec 7, 2007 7:32 PM CST
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Umm...I get it Alec...thank you
by Bluelou on
Dec 7, 2007 7:38 PM CST
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ok. fine.
by alec on
Dec 7, 2007 7:42 PM CST
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No worries
by Bluelou on
Dec 7, 2007 7:51 PM CST
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Yeah, it does take a while to get used to
by wjb1492 on
Dec 7, 2007 7:53 PM CST
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It's funny how Deng and Prince seem to
by philosoball on Dec 7, 2007 7:23 PM CST 0 recs
The rebounding margin is crazy
by wjb1492 on Dec 7, 2007 7:26 PM CST 0 recs
with Noah playing this well
by alec on Dec 7, 2007 7:27 PM CST 0 recs
Has TT even played tonight?
by Bluelou on
Dec 7, 2007 7:31 PM CST
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