Frontcourt on the frontburner (updated)
UPDATE: Noooo! ::sobs::
The official word on Noc is that he's out 7-10 days, which is not as bad of an absence as it could've been. I mentioned yesterday that this could hurt his trade value, but unlike My Man Sam(tm) I doubt it specifically effects negotiations with Memphis. If the Grizzlies are dealing Gasol they likely don't care if Noc sits out for a few weeks, it'd only hurt their draft position (a clear directive if they do trade Gasol). He may be little more than an expiring contract to them.
On the court, Noc's unavailability led to more awkward lineup combinations. Malik Allen and Adrian Griffin were poison out there, Allen's contribution a -11 in 5 minutes, and A-Drain a -8 in 8 minutes. I'll give Skiles credit in that he didn't go back to either in the second half, instead giving some of those minutes to Khryapa and Sefolosha, who both played well. But not too much credit as Duhon logged 27 minutes. And this was a game where he shot well (and attacked the basket), but that doesn't mean I want him out there. Actually, it wasn't just Duhon who was going to the basket, as the team racked up 47 FTAs, led by Deng (15) and Hinrich (11).
[Quick aside on Adrian Griffin: It's unbelievable how bad he's looked this season. His turnover ratio is a comically bad (we're talking Tyson Chandler territory) 20.0! That's especially terrible for a player that's supposed to be in there to 'be a soothing presence' or 'ease up his teammates' or whatever cliche is said when he's on the floor. With Noc out they do need him as 5-10 minute backup SF, but hopefully he gets back to his career norms of merely near-turnover-free offensive impotence. Luckily there's not much of a sample size with this year's minutes, and his career turnover ratio is half what it is currently]
But while Khryapa found his way to the court, it was yet another noticeable DNP for Tyrus Thomas, someone you'd think would be the guy who'd gain minutes with someone at his position out. It's clear that he's in the doghouse (or as Skiles would likely say, 'not earning time in practice'), and/or held out for an imminent trade. Maybe his recent comments about the All-Star game will endear himself to Skiles, who's "expressed his dislike for the game in the past". (For talk of Tyrus' dunk contest participation, comments, and ensuing fine, please keep it to this earlier thread. I have as much enthusiasm talking about it as apparently Tyrus does in participating.) If Tyrus does stick around beyond the deadline, I won't be surprised if he's solidly in the rotation in time for the playoffs, if only because Skiles' rotations change wildly throughout the season. And if that's the case I can't wait to see the creaky-kneed Pistons frontcourt trying to handle him. Yes that was an unnecessary shot at the Pistons....but I'm just simmering until the 25th.
95 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Forget about Tyrus; is Thabo in the doghouse?
Crucial Road Trip = Short Rotation
And WOW did Sam Smith go off on Tyrus this morning!
I'm conflicted on that
But if the same works for the tough road games, you can say that any game is 'crucial'.
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Feb 7, 2007 10:49 AM CST up reply actions
All games are "Crucial" to a point
This team has proven they're a force at the United Center, but they've been very vulnerable on the road. And (cue the cliché) we all know that to be a great team they've got to win on the road. Just take it one game at a time and give it 110%, right? :) That's why I think this trip is more crucial than just winning the home games they're supposed to win.
three guard rotation
Deng at 4
It also seems consistent with the "new" NBA that is more about ball movement and perimeter play than a traditional inside-out offense. And, I won't miss the stiff post moves of P.J.
by GWKD on Feb 7, 2007 10:33 AM CST reply actions
I'm confused
I still think it sucks. Why make Deng move positions? Especially so you can get Duhon in the lineup?!
Am I the only one who likes PJ?
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Feb 7, 2007 10:38 AM CST up reply actions
Skiles
I share your thoughts
I liked P.J. a lot against Dallas, and his general defensive game, but I feel that his game against the Clippers is more indicative of the offensive post up player he is. I'm still cringing at his late game post up, dribble dribble dribble, turnaroud blocked by Brand that led to a 10 point swing. I feel is jumper is reliable, his post moves are not, but I'd be happy if I was wrong.
by GWKD on Feb 7, 2007 10:45 AM CST up reply actions
Deng move positions
With Nocioni out. Who is a reliable 4 down the stretch? PJ? NOT.
Thomas and Wallace make a horrible offensive combination so I wouldnt want to see them out there togetehr. Malik Allen? mediocre. They should test Khryapa out there and make Sweetney run lap;s more so he can play down the stretch. Id love to see sweetney at the end of the game but probably wont happen.
by Sambossanova on Feb 7, 2007 10:55 AM CST up reply actions
No...
It's great to see Khryrapa getting some minutes. To me, he was the biggest surprise in preseason. He played 15 minutes or so in the opener, looked good and then sat for a month. We've got a lot of athletic 6'8 to 6'9 players that we view as a problem in creating a "log-jam". Why are they never used as a positive to create match-up problems? With the exception of Thomas, they all can shoot, handle the ball and rebound. I'm getting tired of watching Hinrich/Duhon/Gordon using an arm-bar in the post at the end of games.
PJ is done
I don't have a problem putting Deng at the 4 on occasion to see how he fares. He is tall and lanky and can score. If we're going with a 3 guard lineup, why aren't we playing more Hinrich, Gordon, Sefolosha? Thabo is long enough to play the 3. At least that lineup gives us 3 legit scoring options and solid defense (even if still a bit undersized).
I agree that
I don't hate PJ I just want him to go to the basket with authority. Last game he had two baksets he missed by inches because he used only one hand and if he had used both hands the ball would have gone in. That just irritates me.
Pj is Done?
by DannyRange on Feb 7, 2007 12:08 PM CST up reply actions
thabo v duhon
At least ben gordon is playing down the stretch now a days no matter what...Im glad the hwole sixth man superstition bs is over and he is getting more respect from skiles.
by Sambossanova on Feb 7, 2007 12:16 PM CST up reply actions
I think the REAL problem is the COACH
by DannyRange on Feb 7, 2007 12:04 PM CST reply actions
Pax dealt Eddy, not Skiles
And...Jamal Crawford?!?!?
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Feb 7, 2007 12:11 PM CST up reply actions
I was making the point that
by DannyRange on Feb 7, 2007 12:21 PM CST up reply actions
counterpoint:
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Feb 7, 2007 12:24 PM CST up reply actions
Guys that Score big
by DannyRange on Feb 7, 2007 12:48 PM CST up reply actions
Guys that score big
So if a guy gets 2 out of the blue 50 point games in his career, he's a big scorer? I never thought of him as a huge scoring threat. I just know when he plays the Bulls, he usually gives them fits.
What's with
by Colossus @ Blog a Bull on Feb 7, 2007 1:34 PM CST up reply actions
Jamal will
by DannyRange on Feb 7, 2007 12:46 PM CST up reply actions
Yes he was
by DannyRange on Feb 7, 2007 1:56 PM CST up reply actions
am i missing something here?
His numbers are 1 thing
by DannyRange on Feb 7, 2007 2:13 PM CST up reply actions
your arguements are hilarious
Does that mean everyone on that 1996 Bulls team was a good player? Where is Jack Haley to back you up when you need him?
MY CAPS LOCK BUTTON IS BROKE 2
by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Feb 7, 2007 1:04 PM CST up reply actions
Listen
-
As for Crawford, he's as streaky as anyone could ever be... So he put up 52 points in one night, ok, what happened a couple of games after that? 6points. Stop bringing up the 50point games because they don't happen often enough to be a factor. Kincks are not winning. Oh that 52pt game on Miami who has NO perimeter def. Nice game... and that's it.
Ah but the knicks are winning
As for Crawford, it's agreed that he's streaky, but who do we have that is capable of that sort of streak? Ben Gordon maybe, but thats it. If you would have argued that he's a defensive liability, than that's a valid argument. But last time I checked so is Ben G.
I'm just a little bitter when I see our guys on the KNICKS of all teams.
by DannyRange on Feb 7, 2007 1:53 PM CST up reply actions
Ok
Who can go on "Streaks" on the Bulls? Well, at the begining of the season I'd say Gordon, but he's become more consistent than streaky, and I'd rather have that.
Lets remeber this comment
by DannyRange on Feb 7, 2007 2:24 PM CST up reply actions
and sign or trade for
by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Feb 7, 2007 2:25 PM CST up reply actions
overstatement of the millenium
by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Feb 7, 2007 2:09 PM CST up reply actions
YESSIR
by DannyRange on Feb 7, 2007 2:20 PM CST up reply actions
Did it ever occur to you that
I guess 2 heads are not necessarily better than 1
by DannyRange on Feb 7, 2007 2:45 PM CST up reply actions
Are you seriously
Too bad Jerom James
by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Feb 7, 2007 2:24 PM CST up reply actions
It hasnt done them
by DannyRange on Feb 7, 2007 2:27 PM CST up reply actions
not entirely
by DannyRange on Feb 7, 2007 4:27 PM CST up reply actions
DannyRange
They have taken away our scraps who don't care much about defense and gave us assets that everyone else in the league are drooling over. I agree with the fact that the Bulls can certainly use an inside presence like Eddy but not on the defensive end. And to be honest, Eddy was still developing when he was with the Bulls and he actually still is. That is why Pax did want to sign him. They knew what he was capable of. I don't think he was worth a max deal though and still don't.
There is nothing wrong for rooting for ex Bulls players but to say it's bitter to watch Eddy Curry and Jamal Crawford play the way they play on a pretty bad team for all the money they're making...well, it just don't sound right.
Point taken
The main reason I'm talkin Knicks is becuase their season directly effects our future as well.
by DannyRange on Feb 7, 2007 2:42 PM CST up reply actions
well
Isiah Thomas shouldn't be there that much longer.
knicks
If it weren't for David Lee and a few others stepping up, they would be pretty awful.
Yeah its a real shame
where is colossus?
Hmmmm?
by Colossus @ Blog a Bull on Feb 7, 2007 12:38 PM CST up reply actions
I do know Eddy
by DannyRange on Feb 7, 2007 12:50 PM CST up reply actions
tough to keep track of everyone's sources
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Feb 7, 2007 1:25 PM CST up reply actions
He already has
95-96
by Colossus @ Blog a Bull on Feb 7, 2007 1:39 PM CST up reply actions
Yessir
by DannyRange on Feb 7, 2007 2:07 PM CST up reply actions
the one point no one's touched?
I used to work in Highland Park
by DannyRange on Feb 7, 2007 2:50 PM CST up reply actions
Eddie & Jamal
Curry is improved over what he was with the Bulls and is certainly putting up better numbers but much of the better numbers is because he plays more minutes. He still hurts you almost as much on defense as he helps on offense, and he still has too many turnovers. The Knicks have taken Frye out of the starting lineup because with him and Curry on the floor they have no interior presence.
The Knicks are playing better of late because of David Lee and Marbury's excellent play of late. That and the fact they've finally figured out that Nate Robinson sucks.
i understand Matt
by DannyRange on Feb 7, 2007 12:13 PM CST reply actions
Since Du played well Monday night
by Colossus @ Blog a Bull on Feb 7, 2007 12:37 PM CST reply actions
It really sucks
it also sucks
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Feb 7, 2007 3:22 PM CST up reply actions
Which ones
by Colossus @ Blog a Bull on Feb 7, 2007 4:37 PM CST up reply actions
I agree
by Colossus @ Blog a Bull on Feb 7, 2007 4:36 PM CST up reply actions
Thom(ass)
by vlad001 on Feb 7, 2007 5:22 PM CST reply actions
creative
by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Feb 7, 2007 6:28 PM CST up reply actions
i'm a one-man crew
as long as it's not abusive to eachother (or me)...and you don't fill up the whole thread with it, go banannas.
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Feb 7, 2007 6:29 PM CST up reply actions
Define
by Colossus @ Blog a Bull on Feb 7, 2007 6:30 PM CST up reply actions
shouldn't have been a ? there
by Colossus @ Blog a Bull on Feb 7, 2007 6:31 PM CST up reply actions
don't have to define it
Listen, I have no interest in creating commenting guidelines.
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Feb 7, 2007 6:33 PM CST up reply actions
I was joking
by Colossus @ Blog a Bull on Feb 7, 2007 6:35 PM CST up reply actions
let us know by tagging with </tool>
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Feb 7, 2007 6:42 PM CST up reply actions
Should I just start all my subjects with
by Colossus @ Blog a Bull on Feb 7, 2007 6:45 PM CST up reply actions
I second that
by GWKD on Feb 7, 2007 6:30 PM CST up reply actions
So what about the Sacramento game tonight?
American Legends
http://www.americanlegends.blogspot.com
If you want to do this just go to my blog and in one of the comments just write your blog name and the URL and I will add it to my site.
Thanks,
Mark
by JMEnglish on Feb 8, 2007 5:00 PM CST reply actions

by 













