Open Game Thread #36: Bulls at Orlando Magic

Short lead, longer comments

Just watch.

3 games out of the 7th seed. 5.5 games out of the 4th seed. Just win baby.

Ben Wallace putting a Magic player on his ass one time tonight buys the Body one more week with me.

by NBA Observer on Jan 15, 2008 4:49 PM CST 0 recs

Thanks Norm

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 15, 2008 4:55 PM CST up 0 recs

I believe I had that one

Lots of comments. Although, I didn't predict the 3rd quarter stand up/sit down routine from Joe Smith and Ben Wallace. It was a real laugher.

by NBA Observer on Jan 16, 2008 12:44 AM CST up 0 recs

Look on the bright side

maybe Dwight Howard might actually eat Ben Wallace that dude is a monster.

by Jesse07 on Jan 15, 2008 5:26 PM CST 0 recs

"Ok, now FREEZE IT!"

"....Look at how Dwight Howard's shoulders are a good 2 feet over Wallace's head. He might eat him. Ok, now "ROLL IT!"

"You guys won today. You guys won yesterday, so that's two in a row. If you win again tomorrow, that's called a winning streak. IT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE."

by Jobu on Jan 15, 2008 5:39 PM CST up 0 recs

ha

This game: I'm not going to let myself get mad with what the Bulls are doing or not doing on the court. I am going to sit back and enjoy a young talented player who actually gets "it".

(Note: If BW actaully is eaten tonight, do you think Dwight is going to spit out the fro?)

by Jesse07 on Jan 15, 2008 5:50 PM CST up 0 recs

Dwight's eating for two

He just confirmed he's a new dad.

by NBA Observer on Jan 15, 2008 6:06 PM CST up 0 recs

think Dwight is going to spit out the fro?)

Naw....
He'll SHIT it out.

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Jan 15, 2008 6:19 PM CST up 0 recs

about working for ESPN is you get to watch them put those things together during commercial breaks and you can see that Stacey really has no power over them "freezing it" or "rolling it" and its set up to do that beforehand. Makes it really awkward to watch live.

by JSlakov on Jan 15, 2008 6:07 PM CST up 0 recs

No Hinrich

That's what Wayne sez. At least a picture of Wayne indicates he said it. Gordon superstition continues...

Fire Boylan!

by hscs on Jan 15, 2008 5:57 PM CST 0 recs

They're starting Duhon and Thabo?

That's got to be the most punchless backcourt in the league. Will the Bulls score 10 points in the first quarter?

by Big D on Jan 15, 2008 5:59 PM CST up 0 recs

only if the refs call goaltending 5 times

Fire Boylan!

by hscs on Jan 15, 2008 6:00 PM CST up 0 recs

so they're going to not have

Hinrich, Gordon, or Deng in the starting lineup.

I've set this game to record, but we'll see if it gets watched.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 15, 2008 6:01 PM CST up 0 recs

GO BULLS!!!

Looks like Du is going to play most of the night (unless Thabo sees some major action). Kirk is out with his back. :-(

A win would help a lot of things with this team.

Win, just win.

by sue369 on Jan 15, 2008 5:58 PM CST 0 recs

Thabo is starting.

Go Thabo!!!

Win, just win.

by sue369 on Jan 15, 2008 6:00 PM CST up 0 recs

He's starting alongside duh

historically, a bad combination.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 15, 2008 6:03 PM CST up 0 recs

historically

there is no good combination with Thabo

by Rusty LaRue on Jan 15, 2008 6:57 PM CST up 0 recs

For those of you board waiting for the tip

Sam smith has updated his mail bag

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/askthewriter/cs-080115asksamsmith,1, 5683491.story?coll=cs-home-headlines

by Jesse07 on Jan 15, 2008 6:00 PM CST 0 recs

Paxson is the problem

I believe Paxson is 100% responsible for the current hardships of this franchise.

-he let the players take over and run Skiles out of town. Skiles is a good coach and deserved better than that.

-he signed Wallace to a salary cap crippling contract which Wallace did not deserve. He is a terrible player with zero basketball fundementals who got franchise player money. Unexcusable.

-he waited too long on trade pieces like Hinrich, Gordon, and Deng, and draft picks. He overvalued them and now they are untradable because the secret is out: these players just aren't very good.

-he failed to aquire a center. He failed to aquire any low post scorer.

-he resigned Hinrich and Nocioni before he resigned Gordon and Deng. Hinrich and Nocioni are not very talented and they are inconsistent. Gordon and Deng at least are above average but Hinrich and Nocioni are, to put it bluntly, crappy NBA players.

-he took Noah and then expected him to all of a sudden accepept being role player, a 12th man. Unreasonable expectations from a player like Noah. Also, there was better talent available.

-he took Tyrus Thomas for no apparent reason other than "he's athletic let's draft him." Aldridge is twice the player now that Thomas will ever be.

by Triad88 on Jan 15, 2008 6:16 PM CST 0 recs

He also traded Chandler for PJ Brown

PJ Brown is out of the league. Go figure. Chandler is a hard worker, a defensive specialist, and you can never, ever question his effort. Wallace was supposed to be an upgrade? What was this idiot thinking?

by Triad88 on Jan 15, 2008 6:20 PM CST up 0 recs

bye vlad

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 15, 2008 6:24 PM CST up 0 recs

Meh

I still think that Thomas and Noah are not getting the playing time like Aldridge to develop in the first place. If Aldridge was on our team he'd be our 12th man and we'd never know if he was good either.

by cranscape on Jan 15, 2008 6:37 PM CST up 0 recs

I'll have to listen to this one

and historically we win games I have to listen to on radio so we shall see.

by cranscape on Jan 15, 2008 6:18 PM CST 0 recs

Here comes Aaron Gray to guard Dwight Howard

This should be very entertaining.

by Big D on Jan 15, 2008 6:19 PM CST 0 recs

yes

2 fouls on BW.

by Jesse07 on Jan 15, 2008 6:19 PM CST 0 recs

Well - at least Wallace is FORCED to sit now

with 2 quick fouls....

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Jan 15, 2008 6:20 PM CST 0 recs

So help me God, I can't tolerate it if

the Bulls get abused by Jameer Nelson again.

LSU 38 OHIO STATE 24 - LSU IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION AND I AM THE KING OF BOURBON STREET!!

by 1958ChiTown on Jan 15, 2008 6:20 PM CST 0 recs

I take it Hinrich is hurt?

LSU 38 OHIO STATE 24 - LSU IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION AND I AM THE KING OF BOURBON STREET!!

by 1958ChiTown on Jan 15, 2008 6:21 PM CST 0 recs

yep

bad back (no surprise, eh?)

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Jan 15, 2008 6:22 PM CST up 0 recs

With this line up and Thabo starting

heck...he just might get a chance to build some confidence.

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Jan 15, 2008 6:21 PM CST 0 recs

I actually feel like the Bulls are gonna win

for some silly reason.
Maybe it's because the "starter's" are either out or already sitting in foul trouble.

It would be just like the "kids" to step up and show once again why they should get more minutes.

But anyone know why Noah is still out?

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Jan 15, 2008 6:24 PM CST 0 recs

Noah is on the inactive list again?

Unreal, if so.

LSU 38 OHIO STATE 24 - LSU IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION AND I AM THE KING OF BOURBON STREET!!

by 1958ChiTown on Jan 15, 2008 6:25 PM CST up 0 recs

well

i like half of the backcourt... I thought Boylan had it right with Thabo then i saw Kirk was out

I vote for Thomas to play, play more and play regularly.-Sam Smith

by tyrus4prez on Jan 15, 2008 6:25 PM CST 0 recs

I rarely agree with the harsh criticism

leveled at the Bulls' broadcast team, but Red's nearly orgasmic excitement over Gray is truly hilarious.

LSU 38 OHIO STATE 24 - LSU IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION AND I AM THE KING OF BOURBON STREET!!

by 1958ChiTown on Jan 15, 2008 6:28 PM CST 0 recs

I'm getting Orlando's guys

nice break from Red.

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Jan 15, 2008 6:30 PM CST up 0 recs

That's Gray's second foul

He and Wallace both have two, so now they'll have to put Noah in.

by Big D on Jan 15, 2008 6:29 PM CST 0 recs

Noah sighting

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Jan 15, 2008 6:32 PM CST 0 recs

Current line

Du
BG
Noc
Noah
Gray

Oh....boy...

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Jan 15, 2008 6:33 PM CST 0 recs

Noah

2 quick boards

by Jesse07 on Jan 15, 2008 6:33 PM CST 0 recs

AND a block on Turk one on one!

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Jan 15, 2008 6:34 PM CST up 0 recs

it was a steal

for those of you following along at home.

Nocioni-Khryapa in '08

by bullshooter on Jan 15, 2008 6:39 PM CST up 0 recs

Bulls up by 3 after 1st Q

who woulda thunk?

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Jan 15, 2008 6:37 PM CST 0 recs

And a bucket by BG to end the quarter

wow, things are looking up.

Nocioni-Khryapa in '08

by bullshooter on Jan 15, 2008 6:38 PM CST 0 recs

Duhon might play the whole game

is JamesOn active?

by Jesse07 on Jan 15, 2008 6:40 PM CST 0 recs

How does the back court look?

Can't get the full experience with the radio.

by cranscape on Jan 15, 2008 6:41 PM CST 0 recs

looked good until that BG TO

Nocioni-Khryapa in '08

by bullshooter on Jan 15, 2008 6:43 PM CST up 0 recs

So..

...everything is pretty much normal then. :D

by cranscape on Jan 15, 2008 7:02 PM CST up 0 recs

BULLS WIN!!!!

(The first quarter, at least)

Evidently, Boylan's new plan is to utilize line ups that no team could possibly prepare for. Look for JamesOn to get parachuted in for the fourth quarter.

by paxson43 on Jan 15, 2008 6:41 PM CST 0 recs

Note to Noah

Don't sag on our boy from U of I. All he can do is shoot.

by Jesse07 on Jan 15, 2008 6:42 PM CST 0 recs

heh

he's the anti-Noah.

Nocioni-Khryapa in '08

by bullshooter on Jan 15, 2008 6:44 PM CST up 0 recs

Ah, the beloved second quarter.

"I believe. I believe. It's silly, but I believe." (Miracle on 34th Street)

by wjb1492 on Jan 15, 2008 6:44 PM CST 0 recs

The Bulls can't guard the three point lne for

their lives.

Game after game this season.

Make a damn adjustment, Boylan.

LSU 38 OHIO STATE 24 - LSU IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION AND I AM THE KING OF BOURBON STREET!!

by 1958ChiTown on Jan 15, 2008 6:44 PM CST 0 recs

I didn't see the beginning of the 2nd Q

but I came into the room and noticed that with Wallace back in the game, the Magic have taken a 6 pt. lead....

Any coincidence?

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Jan 15, 2008 6:45 PM CST 0 recs

not to nitpick

anybody notice Noah make the wrong cut a couple of possessions ago?

Nocioni-Khryapa in '08

by bullshooter on Jan 15, 2008 6:45 PM CST 0 recs

Did anyone just notice

that we went from up 3 to down 7 as soon as Wallace came in to begin the 2nd.

Cook did hit some insane 3s, but the offense is just frozen with Big Ben in....

by ajbullz on Jan 15, 2008 6:46 PM CST 0 recs

And not to be out done by Noah

Wallace takes a lame duck shot and misses horribly

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Jan 15, 2008 6:47 PM CST 0 recs

Ben Gordon

should be our point guard. He's a fantastic ball handler.

Win, just win.

by sue369 on Jan 15, 2008 6:47 PM CST 0 recs

You're kidding, right Sue?

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Jan 15, 2008 6:48 PM CST up 0 recs

Oh yeah.

Win, just win.

by sue369 on Jan 15, 2008 7:06 PM CST up 0 recs

Sam Smith has spoken (again)

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/fullcourtpress/2008/01/the-pre-game-lo.html

It's a few hours before the Bulls game with the Magic and I'm here early.

I'd heard Ben Wallace wanted it that way or he was going to suspend me. I'm expecting that when the Bulls return home later this week, Ben will have made it clear he's suspending fans who boo or chant for Kobe.

He's starting to remind me of the Castro-like rebel from the great Woody Allen "Bananas" movie. They are the people's army until they overthrow the dictator and the rebel chief goes power mad. He demands everyone change their underwear four times a day. To make sure they do, he demands everyone wear their underwear on the outside.

For a guy who hates blogs and bloggers, he's actually pretty good at at.

by Big D on Jan 15, 2008 6:47 PM CST 0 recs

Liked this part at the end

There was no truth to reports the players decided to suspend Noah again when learning about Hinrich and wondering if the stress from the Noah reaction might have affected Hinrich. No word on whether there was a team vote.

by paxson43 on Jan 15, 2008 7:18 PM CST up 0 recs

Goukas is talking smack

about BG's ability to run the point...

Nocioni-Khryapa in '08

by bullshooter on Jan 15, 2008 6:48 PM CST 0 recs

He's right.

by Big D on Jan 15, 2008 6:51 PM CST up 0 recs

I'm not disagreeing

Nocioni-Khryapa in '08

by bullshooter on Jan 15, 2008 6:57 PM CST up 0 recs

Joe Smith - 1 for 5 FT's tonight so far

ugh.

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Jan 15, 2008 6:50 PM CST 0 recs

Is it the scheme, or are the Bulls' players so

slow that they can't guard the three?

LSU 38 OHIO STATE 24 - LSU IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION AND I AM THE KING OF BOURBON STREET!!

by 1958ChiTown on Jan 15, 2008 6:51 PM CST 0 recs

Ben Gordon leads the league in

turnovers committed while standing and pounding ten feet beyond the 3 pt. line.

LSU 38 OHIO STATE 24 - LSU IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION AND I AM THE KING OF BOURBON STREET!!

by 1958ChiTown on Jan 15, 2008 6:52 PM CST 0 recs

This is pretty frightening

They're dominating the Bulls in the 2nd quarter with Dwight Howard out of the game. What happens when he comes back in?

by Big D on Jan 15, 2008 6:52 PM CST 0 recs

I didn't expect to win tonight, but how about just

keeping it competitive?

LSU 38 OHIO STATE 24 - LSU IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION AND I AM THE KING OF BOURBON STREET!!

by 1958ChiTown on Jan 15, 2008 6:54 PM CST 0 recs

I wonder

what the record is for negative +/- for a single game. I swear Wallace will have a -50 game this year. (If he hasn't already)

by JeffD on Jan 15, 2008 6:57 PM CST 0 recs

Getting close

This was a -28.

"I believe. I believe. It's silly, but I believe." (Miracle on 34th Street)

by wjb1492 on Jan 15, 2008 8:40 PM CST up 0 recs

Wallace should be replaced with Noah.

LSU 38 OHIO STATE 24 - LSU IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION AND I AM THE KING OF BOURBON STREET!!

by 1958ChiTown on Jan 15, 2008 6:59 PM CST 0 recs

Ben Wallace is SO F-ING slooooowww

And as lazy as they come.
He's standing around while everyone ELSE is pulling down rebounds...He's got TWO so far....

And his knee-high stockings "fashion statement" fits right in with his girly man image...
Anyone remember "Buckwheat"?

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Jan 15, 2008 6:59 PM CST 0 recs

Thabo's starting to heat up

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Jan 15, 2008 7:00 PM CST 0 recs

Thabo

looking better and better.

Nocioni-Khryapa in '08

by bullshooter on Jan 15, 2008 7:00 PM CST 0 recs

Tonight would be great for a drinking game

except for being a Tuesday and all.

One for every BG TO
One for every BW hook shoot or fallaway
One for every time Noc shoots on his first touch
Tonight, add one for every Joe Smith missed FT

"I believe. I believe. It's silly, but I believe." (Miracle on 34th Street)

by wjb1492 on Jan 15, 2008 7:01 PM CST 0 recs

And for those who don't drink...

one shot for every minute Tyrus plays.

LSU 38 OHIO STATE 24 - LSU IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION AND I AM THE KING OF BOURBON STREET!!

by 1958ChiTown on Jan 15, 2008 7:02 PM CST up 0 recs

Yeah, what's up with THAT again??

He's just sitting on the bench.
The camera panned to him and he was sitting there with a glazed-over disinterested look on his face with his finger in his mouth....

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Jan 15, 2008 7:09 PM CST up 0 recs

And then to A-drain

laughing as usual. Wish I found this season as fun and entertaining.

Although you had to think Noah would get the PT tonight after the 2-game benching thing. And since it's apparently against some sort of rule to play them both...

"I believe. I believe. It's silly, but I believe." (Miracle on 34th Street)

by wjb1492 on Jan 15, 2008 7:14 PM CST up 0 recs

The bulls play a lot better

when there are only one or two guys who don't know/aren't interested in following the play.

Nocioni-Khryapa in '08

by bullshooter on Jan 15, 2008 7:18 PM CST up 0 recs

I wasn't even necessarily meaning

that they should play together. Just the fact that, with Wallace getting so many minutes, one or the other always seems to either get the DNP or just a couple of token minutes.

"I believe. I believe. It's silly, but I believe." (Miracle on 34th Street)

by wjb1492 on Jan 15, 2008 7:22 PM CST up 0 recs