We'll be able to use that to get a low-post scorer!

The bulls inconsistency, I believe, is right in line with what Matt is ranting about above: the Bulls are deficient. But, the Bulls can play superb against some teams, and terror-horrible against others, and it all comes down to what type of team the Bulls' opponents are- their strengths. We obviously have trouble with Orlando and Utah, but match up well against Detroit and...Phoenix, seemingly. Ofcourse, basketball is a game about matchups, but in the Bulls' case it just seems so extreme. 82games.com stats hint to this greatly.

But Skiles is a genius who is getting this mediocre team to play way above its true talent level. No?

Have to earn their playing time at practice.  Thabo, TT, Sweets and Khrappy have all been doggin' it.  There's no I in TEAM.  Skiles is going to teach them a lesson - No practice, no playoffs.  We need a big man to coach this team, not a midget with a Napoleon complex.  Calling Bill Cartwright...Bill Wennington..Bill Walton...nah, just kidding about Walton, he's denser than Sam Smith.

Start Sweetney. Pound the ball into him and let he and Wallace rebound. Keep doing it til Sweetney runs out of gas. Sweetney is the most underated player on the team. Will open up the rest of the court for the shooters/slashers. Let Sweeetney rest for 5 minutes on the game clock and do it again.

But we NEED Nocioni. He's the other 3-pt threat that keeps defenders honest and allows the Bulls to score at least some points in the paint when they cut to the basket, or get an offensive rebound without the entire other team hanging out in the lane after a shot goes up. He also gets tough rebounds that no other Bulls player not named Wallace will get.

Guide to match up with the Bulls. (w/o Noc)
-Put your best wing defender on Gordon.
-Make Kirk shoot more than pass.
-Don't let Deng get direct cuts to the basket and keep a body on him.
-Ask Wallace to shoot 10-15 times a game.
-Don't worry about the 5th player either

It's so frustrating watching this team. When their shot isn't falling they fall apart. They need more points in the paint and easy put-backs.
It sucks when you only see Ben Wallace going after the offensive board while all the other players either A.) retreat on transition defense, or B.) simply watch Ben fight for the rebound as they spot up at the 3-pt line.
Get in there with the trees and get dirty. That's what Noc does. That's what this team is missing.

have to be the most frustrated I've ever seen Matt be. And how did you manage to post in so soon after the game?

Tyrus Thomas was one of only two Bulls on the positive side of the +/- at popcorn stats (+3 in a measly 7 minutes). He could have guarded Turkoglu or maybe even Grant Hill.

the team's woes on Skiles.  As the head coach, he certainly bears some responsibility, but the onus is on the players to perform well.

For example, last night, Hinrich played like fetid old feces. His defense (if one can call it that) on The Mascara Wonder late in the game was atrocious. He was basically tricked into two avoidable fouls that sealed our fate. Inexcusable for a veteran player.

Similarly, turnovers are the players' responsibility. Skiles doesn't make Hinrich let the ball go through his hands and out of bounds on a key possession. Skiles doesn't tell Gordon to dribble off his toe. Skiles doesn't force the ill advised lob pass that gets picked off in the lane. Skiles doesn't make Sweetney lose a damn jump ball to a much smaller player. Skiles doesn't erase PJ's memory so that he forgets how to block out on a critical jumper.

The Bulls must play with some semblance of killer intinct and confidence down the stretch in close games. Right now, they exude a panic-stricken fear that is palpable from Ketel One Club to the damn standing room only seats.

 

lay in not playing the rookies more. It was the 4th game in 5 nights, witnessed by Kirk's bad night. Not catching the ball is usually caused by a lack of focus.

That Adrian Griffin is allowed to even play. He should be wearing a suit. How is Thabo not a better option than Griff?

I'm no Duhon apologist, but he doesn't seem to deserve this much criticism.  

Someone else needs to step up (cliche alert).  I think Griffin is playing below his ability this year.  Thabo played better earlier in the season, but has seemed a bit lost lately.  Skiles has to be scratching his head about why these guys haven't played to their potential.  

I say more Sweets!!    

The team will remain a mediocre .500 team until they get rid of Duhon, Sweetney, and Griffin.

Thabo needs to take Duhon's minutes; because he is taller, stronger, faster, smarter, and is superior in every aspect of the game, an outstanding backup guard.

Sweetney is a lazy fatass, that is the reality. Get over it, waive him, and move on. He has had TWO FUCKING YEARS to get his ass in shape. He is a failure. Get rid of him.

Griffin... Griffin.. Griffin. What more is there to say about A-Drain than he is overrated? He is a drain, literally, getting a turnover or a missed layup, it seems like, every other time he touches the ball. Inexcusable.

Now that we've identified the team's "lead-bearers", the guys who produce little but bring everyone else down, like a block of lead, its time to figure out how to get rid of our Du(on't) and Drains. A trade is the only way.

Trade Duhon for a formidable reserve big, like Brain Skiner or Dan Gadzuric, someone who can defend, get 6-8 points and 6-7 boards a night. This big and Thomas will be the forwards who come off the bench, the perfect combo of a freak athlete and a rock solid big.

Sweetney is a bigger problem, as he will be hard to move (literally). My solution is to wave him. He has shown no improvement and does not deserve a spot on the roster. Thomas and the aformentioned big, to be acquiered in a Duhon trade will take his minutes.

That leaves A-Drain, who should also be waived. He is eating up Thomas' minutes and impeding his development. Sure, he may be a good practice player and a "veteran leade" but on the court he is a disaster.

This relatively small roster tweak, trading Duhon for Gadzuric, waiving Sweets, and waiving A-Drain will DRAMATICALLY improve the team. So long stupid turnovers, hello heady play from Thabo. So long missed layups, hello highlight dunks and blocks from Tyrus. So long fatass, hello rock solid post player. This minor change is actually a huge on in terms of improvement. The team could win 55 games next year if this change is made.

Good news?  I think so.  Despite the fact that we look headed for another first round exit, at least we can always find solace in rooting against the Knicks.  

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/27/sports/basketball/27cnd-knicks.html?hp

I do not understand how you can be severely overweight in the proffesional sport of Basketball. It boggles the mind. Sweetney is paradox. WHY DOESN'T HE JUST FUCKING STOP EATING, TAKE SUPPLEMENTS, LIFT MASS WEIGHTS, AND BECOME A ROCK LIKE WALLACE. Get a fucking trainer, do something STOP EATING FOR FUCK'S sake!! These guys are fucking proffesionals. I'm sick of seeing a fatass who doesn't produce. He's had his chance. Give him the boot.

For the kind compliments to my pieces over at DetroitBadBoys... you all have got a good team in Chi-Town.. don't be so negative.

he should be taking minutes from Hinrich, not Ben.  I agree with Matt that the current guard rotation is too short and redundant.  Its not an anti Kirk thing, but this is kinda why i wanted to Dangle Kirk for Gasol or Garnett.  I'm not a big fan of Duhon and would much rather see Thabo play, but Skiles has faith in Duhon. Call it grit (mmm)  or whatever you want but Du makes a good back up PG. When he comes in for BG, Kirk and the O play confused.  Du should really only play when Kirk needs to catch his breath.  The 3 guard rotation is ridiculous and I wish they would play TT in those spots.  Adrian Griffin has been solid lately and I'm glad Malik Allen is not getting minutes lately.  He and PJ brown take too many jump shots.  open or not, i cringe whenever those 2 shoot.  

The size issue is the core of this year's frustrations.  Ben Wallace = short = need for team member 7 ft +/- (not PJ)  Tyrus is the guy i like at the 4 right now.  This is soo frustrating because this was last years problem too.  We had Tyson (= bum)but still no inside presence.  I guess Paxson and co.  thought/think PJ can get it done.  The only way to make up for this lack of size at the position where size is most important is to make up for it elsewhere, like Matt points out the 3 guard rotation makes no sense going even smaller

I couldnt' watch game, but I'm shocked at what I just read "Deng guarding Howard" - thats a horrible matchup.  No wonder the Orlando dominated rebounds.

Anyways I agree Skiles seems to like the 3 guard lineup to much.  Which is odd because the forward position (especially with Noc healthy) is Bulls strength.  But even now, need more Ty and Thabo, we aren't winning games at great rate anyways.

I have been a Bulls fan my whole life, I claimed them as my favorite during the Floyd years. I am at a loss everone knows how to beat this team. It would not surprise me if we ended up out of the playoffs. I am tired of saying there are "untouchables" on this team. Thabo, Deng and Gordon I would keep. Tyrus Thomas shows sign of a young Scottie Pippen. We are stuck with Wallace. We could have traded Kirk, Duhon and Noce for a post up player. We may have gotten Gasol but I am at a loss for this team.

but Miami is ONE GAME OUT OF THE EIGHTH AND FINAL PLAYOFF SEED IN THE EASTERN CONFERENCE.

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

Garnett has hinted that he is furious with the Timberwolves and there's no one who can disagree. He gave his career to the franchise and they shat on him. Hmm I smell a trade brewing...

if he just plays a normal lineup
makes the post-game buck passing more difficult as well

We'll take Duhon...what do you want for him?

http://nba.aolsportsblog.com/2007/02/27/the-lakers-missing-link-chris-duhon/

Golden State gonna kick some ass tonite. Bulls might miss playoffs.