Open Game Thread #55: Bulls at Houston Rockets

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Feb 24, 2008 4:05 PM CST in News

Lets see if the Bulls are still in the post-trade honeymoon phase, on the road and against a team that's won 11 in a row.

Boylan has said that Gooden and Hughes will not start tonight, and I'm guessing that Nocioni will continue to start ahead of Deng, who still hasn't looked 'back'. I'm just glad that I successfully learned not to listen to Boylan anymore, just post-whine when the rotations don't make sense. It'll be real interesting to see how (and how often) the new guys are brought off the bench.

ESPN is televising the game tonight, and the afternoon previews said "the new look" Bulls. Heh.

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bleak but glimmering hope...

That's sort of how I feel after one game sans old guys. Looking forward to seeing how everyone gets melded together. I'll actually be at this game as I live in Houston...

Incidentally, here's a link to one of the worst / least informed game previews of all time.

by micah on Feb 24, 2008 4:39 PM CST 0 recs

against a team that's won 11 in a row

Far be it for me to be positive, but hey - it's been a decent day.

I believe Yao will be saying "OH!" and the Bulls are will take it to 3 in a row and snap Houston's win streak.

Yo.

Spring training....FINALLY!!

by Bluelou on Feb 24, 2008 4:48 PM CST up 0 recs

I'd like to see them put together

2 in a row first. Let's not get ahead of ourselves yet.

Why don't you crack an egg of knowledge all over me, buddy.

by MarketMaker on Feb 24, 2008 6:50 PM CST up 0 recs

Oh...oooops....

I forgot they LOST to NJ the other night...
Musta been dreaming...

Spring training....FINALLY!!

by Bluelou on Feb 24, 2008 7:32 PM CST up 0 recs

I just started watching the Cavs game

Just to see how frustrated LeBron gets with Wallace

by Option27 on Feb 24, 2008 5:03 PM CST 0 recs

Oh Lord

They're starting Wallace. Poor, poor Cleveland.

"Jerome James PER.. is 46.68... Do that trade now! Screw Horford, we don't need him. Jerome is a monster!!!!!!!!!" - BNeL21

by NittanyBull on Feb 24, 2008 5:12 PM CST 0 recs

Wallace after 1 quarter

10 min - 4 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal and a turnover

And the announcers still hype him up as if he's the difference maker.

LOL

So glad he's someone else's problem now

by Option27 on Feb 24, 2008 5:38 PM CST 0 recs

Also 2-2 from charity stripe

Maybe he's only been pretending that he can't play anymore...

by paxson43 on Feb 24, 2008 5:42 PM CST up 0 recs

It's the same old story

These announcers are like King and Dore.

"He's got a great stroke to his shot. Maybe he'll start shooting 75% from there"

EXACT same situation

by Option27 on Feb 24, 2008 5:45 PM CST up 0 recs

you never know

This could turn out as well as Shaq to Phoenix is doing so far......

by KT on Feb 24, 2008 6:00 PM CST up 0 recs

Right

They just go smashed by 30 points at home.
Maybe you're right.

"2nd half Ben Gordon bonanza. It's coming :)" - Matt, Blog-A-Bull

by Goostafer on Feb 24, 2008 6:02 PM CST up 0 recs

I don't think

they got Shaq to play against the Pistons, as disappointing as today's loss was. He isn't really effective against a team like the Pistons. They got him to beat the Western bigs and the Celtics. Realistically the Pistons are not a real threat to the Suns in the long run, so long as they don't end up meeting each other at the finals.

by cranscape on Feb 24, 2008 6:27 PM CST up 0 recs

Since they haven't won

2 in a row yet this month now would be a good time to start. I'm glad Bolylan is going with the same lineup and I hope they play like they did Friday night. Noah...run Yao's ass off tonight.

It will be interesting to see how the newbies fit in tonight.

by sue369 on Feb 24, 2008 6:29 PM CST 0 recs

CSN has been

calling them "the new look Bulls" since the trade.

by sue369 on Feb 24, 2008 6:33 PM CST 0 recs

Today

Sucks for the new guys, i hope shannon brown is in, for he may have a better role in todays game. We play the rockets today, no more so, we play Yao Ming, a 7'6 wall, and an athletic forward in T-Mac. The bulls best chance of scoring will be hot shooting, pts in the paint are gonna be really hard to get with yao and tmac. Heres hoping larry hughes doesnt try to shoot 3s.

im trying hard to become the next kirk hinrich, therefore im doing nothing more than being the next chris duhon.

by piccolomair on Feb 24, 2008 6:52 PM CST 0 recs

I'm so excited!

by gobulls1124 on Feb 24, 2008 7:00 PM CST 0 recs

HERE WE GO

I too am really excited.

So excited, I just ran 3 miles before the game to help me get pumped.

Now I can't get calm.

Bad idea

by Option27 on Feb 24, 2008 7:03 PM CST 0 recs

Anyone

have any tips on how to calm down the body after excessive running?

by Option27 on Feb 24, 2008 7:06 PM CST up 0 recs

Usually people "walk it off", literally.

by RogersPark Kris on Feb 24, 2008 7:20 PM CST up 0 recs

Uho

My Comcast station just went out. And it is still out. 0_0 This is not good. I don't get ESPN.

by cranscape on Feb 24, 2008 7:05 PM CST 0 recs

WHA!?!

Gamecast just said Thabo BLOCKED Yao?! Tell me!

by paxson43 on Feb 24, 2008 7:12 PM CST 0 recs

indeed

weak side help.

It was awesome

by Option27 on Feb 24, 2008 7:12 PM CST up 0 recs

Yes sir he did

by gobulls1124 on Feb 24, 2008 7:12 PM CST up 0 recs

Tyrus

has officially become a force

by Option27 on Feb 24, 2008 7:12 PM CST 0 recs

Gooden time

by Option27 on Feb 24, 2008 7:14 PM CST 0 recs

I wish

Tyrus wasn't so foul prone

by Option27 on Feb 24, 2008 7:15 PM CST 0 recs

DREW!

by Option27 on Feb 24, 2008 7:20 PM CST 0 recs

Gooden just posted Scola up!

I think that's the first time in three years a Bull actually posted somebody up.

by Big D on Feb 24, 2008 7:21 PM CST 0 recs

HUGHES!

by Option27 on Feb 24, 2008 7:22 PM CST 0 recs

I think Duhon

is now the odd man out!

YES!

by Option27 on Feb 24, 2008 7:23 PM CST 0 recs

Absolutely, yes!

And no "unfortunately" about it. :)

Maybe I'll take up hockey.

by wjb1492 on Feb 24, 2008 7:36 PM CST up 0 recs

now we know LH can

get to the basket

by eGirl on Feb 24, 2008 7:23 PM CST 0 recs

These new Bulls

Ain't bad at all

AT ALL!

by Option27 on Feb 24, 2008 7:23 PM CST 0 recs

new guys are OK

by eGirl on Feb 24, 2008 7:24 PM CST 0 recs

energy?

... is that energy? i could have sworn i just saw some... it's been so long...

by leeac on Feb 24, 2008 7:25 PM CST 0 recs

Don't tell me Hughes can't play.

Haven't seen a guard go to the basket like that in a while!

by hhi on Feb 24, 2008 7:25 PM CST 0 recs

i

don't think anyone said he couldn't play... i think the knock on him has been that he has a crappy jump shot...

by leeac on Feb 24, 2008 7:27 PM CST up 0 recs

So far . .

Gooden and Hughes seem to like life without LeBron handling the ball at all times

Option27 likes to jump the gun

by Option27 on Feb 24, 2008 7:26 PM CST 0 recs

This team looks pretty good

I would like to see more aggression from noc though

by armstrong2389 on Feb 24, 2008 7:26 PM CST 0 recs

this

is a sentence i never thought i would read...

by leeac on Feb 24, 2008 7:27 PM CST up 0 recs

So far so great!

by chgobr on Feb 24, 2008 7:26 PM CST 0 recs

sit ben please

i want to see thabo with LH

by eGirl on Feb 24, 2008 7:30 PM CST 0 recs

Turned on late

to see Gray steal the ball only to see BG give it back...

Hmmm...

Spring training....FINALLY!!

by Bluelou on Feb 24, 2008 7:34 PM CST up 0 recs

or bring thabo in for deng

by eGirl on Feb 24, 2008 7:37 PM CST up 0 recs

not a bad

lineup for a second unit...

by leeac on Feb 24, 2008 7:33 PM CST 0 recs

Isn't it awesome to be watching a game

and be excited to see it?

Maybe I'll take up hockey.

by wjb1492 on Feb 24, 2008 7:34 PM CST 0 recs

word.

Spring training....FINALLY!!

by Bluelou on Feb 24, 2008 7:35 PM CST up 0 recs

Hey, you know some statistics, right?

Care to help a brother out with something?

"Jerome James PER.. is 46.68... Do that trade now! Screw Horford, we don't need him. Jerome is a monster!!!!!!!!!" - BNeL21

by NittanyBull on Feb 24, 2008 7:35 PM CST up 0 recs

I know some stuff.

Not to mention, if you throw something stats-ish out there I'm willing to bet you'll get a bunch of comments on it, along with a lot of "healthy" disagreement! ;)

Seriously, I'm always happy to help out a fellow Bab'er if I can.

Maybe I'll take up hockey.

by wjb1492 on Feb 24, 2008 7:40 PM CST up 0 recs

Figured it out

I wasn't sure if you'd respond, so I took a gut feeling on the answer. In case you want to know, it had to do with binomial random variables. Thanks though :)

"Jerome James PER.. is 46.68... Do that trade now! Screw Horford, we don't need him. Jerome is a monster!!!!!!!!!" - BNeL21

by NittanyBull on Feb 24, 2008 7:52 PM CST up 0 recs

Any time!

Maybe I'll take up hockey.

by wjb1492 on Feb 24, 2008 7:57 PM CST up 0 recs

Ohh. You showed us the Lenovo site

I defer to you in all things statistical

by eGirl on Feb 24, 2008 8:01 PM CST up 0 recs

Nah, I just like stats stuff

But I'm sure most people here know more than me. I'm still learning it all.

I just found that site and wanted to share it with everyone else, too. It's fun though, huh?

Maybe I'll take up hockey.

by wjb1492 on Feb 24, 2008 8:06 PM CST up 0 recs

::she raises her hand::

I know you don't believe me, but I actually know that stuff.

by eGirl on Feb 24, 2008 7:55 PM CST up 0 recs

Ok

I'm taking a liking to Hughes a lot

by Option27 on Feb 24, 2008 7:39 PM CST 0 recs

So far Hughes looks good

...Gooden?
ehh.....no so much.
Rather see TT in there.

Spring training....FINALLY!!

by Bluelou on Feb 24, 2008 7:39 PM CST 0 recs

Ask and I shall receive

I guess Boylan heard me about Tyrus...

Spring training....FINALLY!!

by Bluelou on Feb 24, 2008 7:41 PM CST up 0 recs

great! I didn't see that

by eGirl on Feb 24, 2008 7:42 PM CST up 0 recs

TT got two quick fouls

not much to do other than bring in Gooden

by eGirl on Feb 24, 2008 7:41 PM CST up 0 recs

Hughes

there's something to be said for a confidence

by Orlando Woolridge on Feb 24, 2008 7:43 PM CST up 0 recs

Hughes!

He really deserves to start over Thabo

I should also add, I LOVE THABO

by Option27 on Feb 24, 2008 7:42 PM CST 0 recs

I'm happy with either of them starting

and just being able to feel that way is happiness beyond belief after what we've been through this year...

Spring training....FINALLY!!

by Bluelou on Feb 24, 2008 7:45 PM CST up 0 recs

Boylan handling the guard logjam

is the one thing I'm actually worried about for the rest of the year. Not so much who starts and who comes off the bench, but getting some kind of semi-steady rotation down.

Maybe I'll take up hockey.

by wjb1492 on Feb 24, 2008 7:49 PM CST up 0 recs

guard logjam

Agreed.
I am concerned as well.

Spring training....FINALLY!!

by Bluelou on Feb 24, 2008 7:51 PM CST up 0 recs

I really want to see

thabo and LH

by eGirl on Feb 24, 2008 7:52 PM CST up 0 recs

Duhon

0 minutes.

by leeac on Feb 24, 2008 7:47 PM CST 0 recs

Jon Barry

said the same thing

by eGirl on Feb 24, 2008 7:51 PM CST up 0 recs

Wallace 12-10 DD today for Cleveland

When was the last he did that for Chicago?
What a bum.

Spring training....FINALLY!!

by Bluelou on Feb 24, 2008 7:54 PM CST 0 recs

He actually played horrible

Don't let that fool you

Most of those rebounds weren't even fought for and all 5 FG's were easy dunks from nice passes

I was watching

by Option27 on Feb 24, 2008 7:55 PM CST up 0 recs

Everything about Wallace

was a fake...
Bottom line is it's great that he's gone.

Spring training....FINALLY!!

by Bluelou on Feb 24, 2008 7:57 PM CST up 0 recs

Landry cries too much

by RogersPark Kris on Feb 24, 2008 7:55 PM CST 0 recs

every play so far

but I liked him a lot at Purdue

by eGirl on Feb 24, 2008 7:59 PM CST up 0 recs

So did I

Things can only get better! http:\\playahatersblog.blogspot.com

by TMD on Feb 24, 2008 8:33 PM CST up 0 recs

i hated him

by milesgmsu on Feb 24, 2008 8:40 PM CST up 0 recs

lol!

wonder why?

Maybe I'll take up hockey.

by wjb1492 on Feb 24, 2008 8:42 PM CST up 0 recs

Noah with the steal!

wooo!

"Jerome James PER.. is 46.68... Do that trade now! Screw Horford, we don't need him. Jerome is a monster!!!!!!!!!" - BNeL21

by NittanyBull on Feb 24, 2008 7:57 PM CST 0 recs

Nice Joakim!

Sefolosha comes in and we go on a nice run!

by Option27 on Feb 24, 2008 7:57 PM CST 0 recs

It's true it's only game 2 of the honeymoon

but doesn't it seem a little obvious that Wallace was somehow bringing down the kids rather than helping them?

Maybe that "vote" on Noah did more harm than was let on...?

Spring training....FINALLY!!

by Bluelou on Feb 24, 2008 8:00 PM CST up 0 recs

Yeah

That's why I had written a few days ago that I'm really glad we're the youngest team in the NBA again.

These guys seem to play harder and have more fun when the older guys ain't there

by Option27 on Feb 24, 2008 8:08 PM CST up 0 recs

Wow

The Bulls are trying a zone!

by RogersPark Kris on Feb 24, 2008 8:04 PM CST 0 recs

Guys are still feeling it out

but you see where this bulls team could be really good.

Baby Bulls II?

by bullshooter on Feb 24, 2008 8:12 PM CST 0 recs

Staying close in

the first half. Keep it going Bulls. No Duhon...never thought I would see that. I'd like to see Kirk and Hughes in the back court once ya know just to see how it goes.

Noah's steal and dunk was awesome!!!!!

by sue369 on Feb 24, 2008 8:13 PM CST 0 recs