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Bulls escape with win, Boylan escapes with my sanity

That was a must-win tonight, if you consider the playoff 'push' worth pursuing (and I do, cause...why not?). Philly and Atlanta won, and the Bulls were against an inferior team that they maddeningly let hang around for 3 quarters.

But they did pull out the win, and while nobody played exceptional there were some decent performances. Larry Hughes had 29 points and rescued the ice-cold Ben Gordon (in the 4th quarter especially, isn't it a treat to have another actual willing scorer on the team?). Progressively each game, there's more evidence that Hughes' rep for bad shot selection will eventually catch up with him. Luckily for the Bulls, tonight he was making some ill-advised jumpers (and leaners), and went to the line 10 times. For his part, Gordon complemented him (when not making some awful shot-selection decisions himself) by being quite the playmaker in the 4th, finishing with 6 assists. I thought Nocioni did a good job in a limited role, and Deng looks almost back, just without his pet mid-range jump shot. 

Now to Boylan, who is doing an overall average job but is developing some bad habits with his new toybox. One is pulling Tyrus Thomas first in each half, 7 minutes into the first, and 4 minutes into the 2nd. Another is pulling Noah when the other team goes 'small'. Confusing the idea of going small, which isn't to 'go short' but to 'go quick'. Noah is an ideal center against a small-ball lineup, big enough to exploit it on the glass, yet agile enough to chase around his opponents when they space the floor. But perhaps this isn't an indictment of either Thomas or Noah, it's merely Boylan finding excuses to get Drew Gooden into the game. He actually finished with only 25 (compared to Noah's 26) minutes, but played 18 minutes in the 2nd half.

No doubt that he helped down the stretch, but it's a disturbing trend that this team should be avoiding: sticking with the 'trusted' instead of Thomas and Noah, who have been playing so well (and are so important long-term) they should be not only the starting but the closing frontcourt most games. If they look like they're having an off night (or are in foul trouble, and neither was the case tonight), then playing Gooden is more productive than doing the same with Ben Wallace, but it's looking more and more like Gooden's the default option as the game goes on, and I'm not liking it.

Other negatives included Hinrich, who was pulled a couple possessions in the 2nd half by and apparently angered Boylan and never returned. Thabo had his worst game in a while, but I must say that jump shot is looking better. Aaron Gray was useless in his 7 minutes, and had no business being out there against the Pacers space-and-chuck lineup.

But it was the end of a road trip and the win was likely going to be tough. Now there's another very winnable contest Friday (at home against the banged-up Wiz) before the showdown with our old friend Ben Wallace and the Cavaliers. So far I'm really enjoying what Gooden and Hughes bring to the team, I just want Boylan to show me a little less of it.

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while hughes is still settling
for too many jumpers and leaners, he is at least showing inklings of returning to the player he was in washington.  10 free throws is a great sign (although i think 8 were in the 1st half), and we can't realistically expect him to immediately abandon the bad habits he developed over 2+ seasons in cleveland.  i'll take solace in the fact that larry has at least a chance of resembling his old self.

by Mike C on Feb 27, 2008 10:55 PM CST   0 recs

I was wondering what his halftime splits were
He was going to the line a lot in the first. Bulls got in the penalty early in the 4th and didn't take advantage of it.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Feb 27, 2008 11:00 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Or
Bulls got in the penalty early in the 4th and BEN GORDON didn't take advantage of it.

Can he get to the free throw line or what?  Even Travis Deiner was getting to the line.

I was surprised with Ben's ball handling in the 4th.  I was expecting more turnovers.  He didn't have that many - 3 for the game - but he still seemed unsure of what to do with the ball getting pressed out 8 feet beyond the arc by the Pacers big trailing the screening Bulls player.

When that perimeter screen comes Ben has to get better at either dribbling to juke his man or faster to blow right past him.

Heck, even Mike Dunleavey was living at the line in the 4th quarter.

The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Feb 28, 2008 8:54 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

yeah
he had 16!

hughes should have taken more advantage too.  most of his free throws were in the first half (he got fouled on like 3 consecutive plays including that clear path diener foul)...

but that's one thing.  they NEVER take advantage of being in the penalty.  i've complained about that before.

i'm surprised the free throw difference was only 6.  seemed like they were getting to the line a lot.

by Jaina on Feb 28, 2008 9:02 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Perimeter Screens
I agree with you, but the whole team needs a tutorial on running perimeter screen rolls.  Either the guard comes off it before the big even sets the screen (leaving them vulnerable to my favorite offensive foul call thirty feet from the basket) or the bigs slip the screen (Noc), never getting a body on anyone.  Someone needs to remind the Bulls that screens are effective only when you actually make contact with somebody, forcing them to show hard or switch.

by Gene Banks on Feb 28, 2008 9:31 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Sounds dead on.
Though the use of chuckers could have been avoided.

by Kemp on Feb 27, 2008 11:15 PM CST   0 recs

Gooden and Hughes
Lookin pretty good, quite the upgrade. They both did a great job tonight, GREAT trade for us for the future and VERy good trade for us for this year. Both did a great job!

A guy that can create his own shots and make plays for teammates with his passing, gets to the foul line, good slasher, big guard, very good defender, good scorer

And a guy that can score inside, has to be guarded, you can post him up (First real post option we have had in 5 years), very good rebounder on both ends, and a very good option to run pick and roll with, athletic true power forward, solid passer from inside and he can get to the line himself..... unlike Big Ben, you have to guard him inside and he's a true post-up and pick/roll option that can score in all those ways. That opens up alot for our other talent, especially when compared to Big Ben.

Those were two big needs for us. That's a helluva acquisition both in their 20's in return for our two oldest players that had no longterm plans with us, we got much better for the future with that move and alot better for the rest of this year as well. VERY NICE TO SEE!

IM PERSONALLY LOVING THE ROTATION! TY AND NOAH GET THEIR MINUTES TO DEVELOP, AND WE'RE PLAYING THE BEST PLAYERS TO CLOSE IN ORDER tO wiN! Great job!

by Deng is the next Bull superstar on Feb 27, 2008 11:32 PM CST   0 recs

really?
You've only said it 3 times already.

Don't make it a habit, caps-guy.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Feb 28, 2008 9:08 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

A little support
Because you won't get a lot in this blog, you know that.

Yes, the team responded and the minutes given to each guy are reasonable. No need to bash on anybody since they all were decent. Just remember they were the Pacers -who seem to have a secret recipe to blow games in the 4th quarter. And the key presences were Larry -clawing back in the 3rd quarter after the Pacers made a run- and Noce -pulling away in the 4th quarter.

by Sky on Feb 28, 2008 9:23 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

My boy Deng
Deng looked very good tonight too, he did a great job. Lookin like my boy from last season, the bulls been looking very good in the last 3 games. Cant wait to see it continue, we have a hell of a 9 man rotation with Hinrich, Deng, Gordon, Tyrus, Gooden, Thabo, Nocioni, Hughes and Noah. Good stuff, very deep, everyone should have a role, great bench, everyone ican score and can defend...... VERY NICE!!! Now lets beat out NJ, Atlanta, and Philly and get this 7 seed..... or better yet lets get the 6 seed if Caron Butler and Gilbert Arenas dont get back for Washington soon!!!! AWESOME STUFF! GO BULLS, IM VERY OPTIMISTIC!!!!!

by Deng is the next Bull superstar on Feb 27, 2008 11:33 PM CST   0 recs

Getting there
He still looks a little lost sometimes. But when he came in the 4th qtr (after the people's fave fouled twice in a minute and Indiana was putting a comeback) he made the shots we badly needed -and Ben wasn't making. Interesting he shared minutes with Noce and they both looked good down the stretch. Competition seems to work for these two.

by Sky on Feb 28, 2008 9:37 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

I believe Deng's patented pull-up
jumper has become just too predictable. I've seen this in at least the last two games. He's tall enough that it doesn't get blocked, but defenders end up face-guarding him and/or effectively contesting the shot, because they know it's coming.

He needs to change it up a bit. I've seen him occasionally drive it all the way to the hole, but I haven't seen him try the tear drop runner in those situations.

He's getting there, but he's not quite back yet. And he needs to show us more--more production, more versatility, more spectacular plays, everything--if he ever is going to break through to that next level.

"Duhon, don't make that garbage-time jumper... Save it for the next game!"

by bullhockey on Feb 28, 2008 10:32 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Are you correcting for the achilles tendonitis?
This is still an issue for Luol.  It will continue to be an issue.  He's not going to rim after the pump fake that makes his primary defender fly past him.  It's a sign that he's unwilling to attack the basket if there are opponents in the paint.
The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Feb 28, 2008 10:47 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Shouldn't have been so close
I was happy that Hughes got off tonight, but there's no way they should have been down 11 to that team in the first place.  I had the great pleasure of seeing them live at the half empty Conseco Fieldhouse - their body language throughout much of the game was listless.  Lazy fouls, poor closeouts, no ball movement on offense.

Those flaws were covered up by Hughes' scoring, but will haunt them when he's not hot.  When Gooden was out there, they didn't get him the ball at all on the block, preferring to have BG and Larry dribble out the shot clock.  Only in the 4th quarter did Ben start to penetrate and find cutters.  Of course, if Deng can cut on the baseline without the ball, why can't Tyrus?

Not sure what happened with Kirk, but the the anti-Duhon population must have enjoyed seeing just how disengaged he was at every dead ball.  He knew that there was absolutely no chance that he would get in.

by Gene Banks on Feb 27, 2008 11:46 PM CST   0 recs

I didnt like that either
Larry and Ben decide to take a bad jumper off the screen/roll rather than passing to Gooden when he flashes in the lane and would have a wide open dunk or have to get fouled for 2 ft's.

Like you said, they dont give it to him on the block when he has his man sealed and has good position either and I hate that, but I dotn think the bulls know how to play inside/out after 2+ years of Ben Wallace inside...... and I cant blame them.

So yeah, I agree with you. Gotta go to Drew more in the post, he's got some skills. A good pointguard on the floor with him instead of the BG/LH backcourt would help things alot as well, get Hinrich out there in one of their places and that will change in a HUGE HUGE way.

by Deng is the next Bull superstar on Feb 28, 2008 12:11 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Where was this all season?
Of course, if Deng can cut on the baseline without the ball, why can't Tyrus?

I think I saw this baseline cut by a Bulls wing player more times last night than I have seen it all season.

The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Feb 28, 2008 8:57 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Deng and Thomas are two different players
Deng is one of the best in the league at playing off the ball, and almost always played off the ball.  It's a skill that takes times and feel, and there are a lot of guys in the NBA that can't do it  Tyrus never had to do it and never learned how to do it.  He played PG mostly in HS with the ball in his hands the whole time.  He didn't play AAU where he would have played with better guards and would have had to play off ball.  And at LSU, Tyrus was never in a position where he had to be the one to get open without the ball.  He mostly roamed on offense.  

Which is why you can't turn Thomas into a Marion clone and why Thomas isn't a SF.  Deng has a lot more in common with Marion than Thomas does.  Thomas is a guy you have to give the ball to offensively and let him create.  Which is why the Deng/Thomas pairing should work nicely with Thomas with the ball and Deng cutting off of him.  But, the team has to consistently give Thomas the ball 1st.    

by Scotter on Feb 28, 2008 11:24 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

That's my point
I'm not saying that Tyrus is going to be an intricate cutter on offense or clever around screens.  But there's nothing that should stop him from being able to 'roam' the baseline and wait for back door lobs and dishes from our newly found penetrators.  I don't think there's a lot to learn there.

I also wouldn't trust Thomas' handle right now.  He is much more likely than Deng to dribble himself into trouble and fumble it away.  Too often, the ball sticks in his hands and we're left watching an awkward attempt at a finish.

That's not to diminish his ability to get to the cup and draw a foul, I just don't want to foreclose the opportunity to get 3-4 easy baskets a game capitalizing on his athleticism.

by Gene Banks on Feb 28, 2008 2:40 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

we also saw a lob pass
from Hinrich no less! He must've been drinking purity juice.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Feb 28, 2008 11:28 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Progress
This game was nowhere near ideal, but I think we are seeing some good signs for the Bulls moving forward.  And of course, with Boylan at the helm, there were some disconcerting signs too.

Hughes did some good things out there.  He also did some chucking.  He apparently, like so many other Bulls players, is not afraid of pulling up for the 20+ footer while running the 1-2 on 4 break with no one near the hoop to rebound.

Gooden was a ball hawk and a rebound magnet, especially in the second half.  It seemed like the ball couldn't come down anywhere but where he was.

Gordon did a better job distributing the ball than we are accustomed to seeing.  Then again, when you're shooting poorly, and you have legitimate reason to be concerned about staying on the floor, it is probably only natural that you look to contribute in some other way.  I kind of wish he would do that more often, but I guess competition might force him to.  

Moving forward, it is the actions of Boylan that I think spoke loudest about how the rest of the season will play out.  He clearly loves himself some Drew Gooden, which is alright I guess unless the guy who goes to the bench in favor of Gooden has serious potential(which our boy Tyrus Thomas does).  If Drew must be out there, then how about a little less Aaron Gray?  Like none.

I think the writing is on the wall.  Drew will eventually be handed the starting PF job.  I'm guessing Thabo is not long for his starting gig either.  It's a shame, too, because I think the lineups of the last few games had some potential.  I would be agreeable to Kirk, Thabo, Deng, TT, Noah, Gooden, Gordon, Hughes and Nocioni all sharing time equally.  We've got some good depth, but there is a serious dropoff after these guys.  So let's roll with them.  And for Christ's sake Paxson, get Boylan the fuck out of there if he won't.

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

by MarketMaker on Feb 28, 2008 12:24 AM CST   0 recs

I wish Hughes to play like this
on Sunday.And Noah dunk over BW.
Cavs fans don't realize what they got in Corpse.
Do they know his nickname yet?

P.S.Any information about Khryapa?The guy would burryed even deeper after this trade.

"YES,WE CAN!"-B.OBAMA.

by Azabullsfan on Feb 28, 2008 12:57 AM CST   0 recs

Veektor signed with CSKA Moscow
He's playing for them already.
http://mnweekly.ru/sport/20080221/55311158.html
The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Feb 28, 2008 9:00 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

i was there to...
i feel hughes should have shot more in the fourth i was tired of seeing gordon over dribble...as usual...and i feel the refs were calling way to many touch fouls making the game seem much slower

by bullzfan148 on Feb 28, 2008 6:03 AM CST   0 recs

Not mentioned yet
Evidently Danny Granger punched Noc in the mouth during the game.  Anybody who was watching/attending the game hear anything about that?!

by paxson43 on Feb 28, 2008 6:16 AM CST   0 recs

Yes he did
punch Noch. The lack of a call on Granger is what brought Kirk off the bench yelling at the ref. Kirk and the ref had a little yelling match going on.
Kirk Hinrump is dead to me. :-)

by sue369 on Feb 28, 2008 6:44 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

I thought something had happened.
The commentators were saying Hinrich and the guys on the bench were yelling to the refs "he has a bloody nose" or something in reference to the punch I guess.  They were not just whining on the bench last night.  It seemed like something really happened.  Not to forget the rest of the physical play the Pacers were getting away with.

by cranscape on Feb 28, 2008 7:15 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Och, never mind.
I read the article and I guess the punch happened after the game.  I could have sworn he got popped on the nose during the game though.  Probably an elbow.  

by cranscape on Feb 28, 2008 7:17 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

He did
get popped during the game too.
Kirk Hinrump is dead to me. :-)

by sue369 on Feb 28, 2008 7:44 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

No the article
says Noch commented on it after the game. The punch happened during the game that's why the bench erupted when it happened.
Kirk Hinrump is dead to me. :-)

by sue369 on Feb 28, 2008 7:48 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

I watched the play a few times
on the DVR.  Granger caught Noc with a quick jab elbow.  It was a cheap shot.

Granger rolled from right wing to the baseline to run around a double screen.  He was looking to get the ball at the free throw line at the left elbow.  He didn't get the ball because Nocioni was glued to him.  When the ball was dribbled to the left perimeter, Granger whipped his left elbow right at Noc's face.  Granger even cocked his elbow just prior to hitting Noc in the nose.

Granger was frustrated by Noc all night.  The only shots he was getting were 3 point attempts.  16 of his 10 shots were from the 3 point territory.

The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Feb 28, 2008 9:07 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Noc was riding him
He's a bit like Dennis the Menace.  He was bumping him the entire time Granger was trying to get around the screen.  It's probably a bit disengenous to think that any of us wouldn't look to sneak in a little jab with a guy like Nocioni guarding us.  I'm just surprised it wasn't to his groin.

by Gene Banks on Feb 28, 2008 9:10 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

There was a play
in the 2nd half where Noc planted his position on defense and Granger tried to run through him.  Granger just bounced off Noc and had to take two steps back.  I was sure the whistle happy refs were going to call something.  They didn't.  Granger wasn't very happy.
The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Feb 28, 2008 9:13 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Along with what was mentioned above,
Granger was trying like hell to get a whistle throughout that play and the previous one by flopping. Noc was D-ing him up really well down low, so what he did was flail his arms and jerk his body around every time Noc gave any resistance whatsoever.

When that didn't work, he abandoned calling for the ball on the left block and cut through the lane. He was coming through the lane and hit Noc in the face, right near the free throw line.

The refs last night were particularly bad with some calls and non-calls against the Bulls. They tried to make up for it later with some calls/non-calls against the Pacers, but this doesn't change the fact that Noc got 'cheap shotted' in plain sight with no repercussions to Granger. I hope the league looks at this.

We all pick on Noc for boneheaded roaming on defense, but what gets lost is that other than his roaing, he can be a really good man-to-man defender. It drives people like Jermaine O'Neal and Vince Carter crazy, which is why it's popular to hate him. You'd hope the refs see through this, but it doesn't seem like they do.

"Duhon, don't make that garbage-time jumper... Save it for the next game!"

by bullhockey on Feb 28, 2008 10:41 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

I like this defense
It's very Rodmanesque.  A lot of these stars have thin skin and poor emotional control.  Rip Hamilton is a good example.  Vince Carter, as you cited, is another.

Granger's their best player with O'neal on the shelf.

The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Feb 28, 2008 10:54 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

I'm pretty sure Rodman
could still stay in front of his man. Noc does most of his 'under-skin' whatever while watching free-throws.

He may have been cheapshotted, but I was pretty peeved seeing the refs take 5 minutes just to talk to Noc, and then have to hear Hinrich chirping from the bench for good measure. I can't believe that the Bulls get any favors from the officials mainly because of the way those two behave.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Feb 28, 2008 11:05 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Noc was on fire
The cheap shot came when Noc was hitting everything, and indeed, it was the first moment in the game the Bulls pulled away (it was a close contest up to the 3rd). Of course, the Noc haters would not comment on it...

by Sky on Feb 28, 2008 9:17 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Whatever happened with Hinrich...
You have got to be kidding me.  I'm one of the few that feels that Boylan is only a shitty coach, but not the worst ever.  I'm starting to change my mind.  It looks like whatever inconsistencies hes had with lineups may just be a reflection of the unpredictability of his personality, and not in a fun Nellie kind of way.  All of a sudden he pulls Hinrich for a slight defensive lapse?  How about Gooden not paying attention at all on the defensive end?  Or Gordon's constant terrible defense?  This is terrible.  Whether you like Hinrich or not, he's the only player on that team that can pass.  His defense has been suspect at times this year, but Thabo can cover for that!!!  I'm very unhappy about this development.

by Coach Van Lier on Feb 28, 2008 8:46 AM CST   0 recs

Hinrich couldn't guard Diener
and he couldn't score on Diener.  Kirk's biggest games of the season have come against players like Travis Diener.

I think Boylan had points and defensive expectations that were very high for Kirk last night.  He didn't come close to meeting those expectations so Boylan sat him.

The quick foul in the 2nd half didn't help Kirk get a chance.

The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Feb 28, 2008 9:10 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

in fact
his biggest game was against diener.

however, his game wasn't a total bust.  6 pts (2-2 on 3s, only took 1 other shot), 3 assists, 2 steals.

he wasn't being as aggressive as that night, since he only took 3 shots, which may have been the cause for the hook.  and he was being beat.  but for only playing 16 min his stats aren't awful.

by Jaina on Feb 28, 2008 9:18 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

oh
and 0 TO's.  which given his 3 early TO's against dallas before he got booted, looks much better.

by Jaina on Feb 28, 2008 9:21 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, and if that's the case
you yank him, tell him to be more aggressive and send him back in.

Boylan is REALLY bad...

by Bass on Feb 28, 2008 9:24 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

right
when gordon went cold in the 4th he should have brought hinrich back in.

by Jaina on Feb 28, 2008 9:26 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

That was one of my objections to the whole thing
Kirk's my fav, I admit, but I would have been irritated by Boylan doing that to any of the guys.  He's not one of the kids that necessarily needs to play through mistakes, so I don't really have a problem with Boylan yanking him if he does something hugely idiotic, but I also didn't see anything in that 57 second stretch that seemed exceptionally hideous.

But I'm still more curious about the post-game comments.  Boylan has been so careful since he took over to be ultra-positive, even when it has sounded idiotic.  Lots of "we competed" and "riding the hot hand" - so I find it interesting that he didn't go that route last night.  Given his history, I would have expected it to be more of a "Kirk was a little off to start the second half, then other guys got hot and I went with them."  It should at least limit the Kirk-as-teacher's-pet comments, since this is the second time Boylan has been (for him) a little hard-ass with Kirk.  (The first being that whole "earn your way back in after injury" thing)

Maybe I'll take up hockey.

by wjb1492 on Feb 28, 2008 9:54 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Indeed
All this talk about diener blowing past kirk, well no one really stopped him throughout the game. I am positive there had to be something more than not brining your "A game", because it seemed hinrich did bring his A game. Not even skiles would sit a guy out for this long unless he royally screwed up. Uh, someone should have a unanimous vote on this but...Either hinrich or gordon should be on the floor at all times if you expect to win.
im trying hard to become the next kirk hinrich, therefore im doing nothing more than being the next chris duhon.

by piccolomair on Feb 28, 2008 11:09 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

either hinrich or gordon..
but wasn't gordon in most of the time hinrich was sitting?  your requirement was still met.

by Jaina on Feb 28, 2008 11:12 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Most of the time
Yea ure right, i was more speaking of the future, meaning you cant continue to sit hinrich out the entire, or have gordon play the entire game. When gordon does sit out, hinrich should be back in. Also, late in the third didnt thabo come in for gordon. Or when gordon had gotten cold, they left him in there, instead of resting him and throwing hinrich in. Also, this doesnt help hinrichs value either if they plan to trade him.
im trying hard to become the next kirk hinrich, therefore im doing nothing more than being the next chris duhon.

by piccolomair on Feb 28, 2008 11:33 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

sending a message
On Tues. a lot of people on this board were complaining about Kirk's rumored partying prior to his crappy performance against Dallas.  It's possible Boylan found out after the game (by reading BaB?) and benched him after a mediocre start to send a message.  I've got no problem with this as long he lets Kirk start next game with a clean slate.

by El Toro de Goro on Feb 28, 2008 12:10 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Is it good coaching
If thats what he did, make kirk pay for the last game, with his current game (where he wasnt playing too bad). I guess it might have been cuz they were winning, though they werent leading by alot or anything and still couldve been close. Also it wasnt like kirk missed practice or something that hurts the team...so i dont get the reasoning. When Hughes told Boylan he was tired, and told kirk to go in for him, boylan vetoed that and sent thabo in...i think that really wierded me out.
im trying hard to become the next kirk hinrich, therefore im doing nothing more than being the next chris duhon.

by piccolomair on Feb 28, 2008 12:20 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

That was an awkward sequence
I was hoping KC Johnson would write about that.  Maybe that's blog material for the Full Court Press blog.

I thought Hughes had injured himself.

The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Feb 28, 2008 12:38 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

If it means anything
NOt that anyone would care but, i did send a question to Sam Smith this morning regarding if he knows anything more about what happpened. I doubt ill get a straight answer. It seems he usually gives an answer along the lines of Players not reacting right with the media and how in the good ol days Jordan would take time talking to everyone, and the children, wont anyone think of the children!!
im trying hard to become the next kirk hinrich, therefore im doing nothing more than being the next chris duhon.

by piccolomair on Feb 28, 2008 12:49 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Boylan has saved me.
Or something. I was ready to quit but not playing Duhon can sure bring me back quick.
Let us prepare for glory! --Michael Redd

by tyger1147 on Feb 28, 2008 9:09 AM CST   0 recs

that's true
it makes up for alot. I wonder how many games it'll be before the papers stop mentioning that he's not playing?

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Feb 28, 2008 9:13 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

For what it's worth...
...if the Bulls had traded Deng and P.J. Brown plus ____ for Gasol, Al Thorton is the guy I wanted to replace Deng with. If they're able to re-sign Deng, I think the team has a much brighter future than had they made the trade. But a front-court of Nocioni, Thorton, Gasol, Wallace and Thomas would be intriguing right now.
Let us prepare for glory! --Michael Redd

by tyger1147 on Feb 28, 2008 9:12 AM CST   0 recs

Nothing
with Wallace would be intriguing...

by Bass on Feb 28, 2008 9:21 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Anyone think....
... that since Hughes will be here for a few years, they should try to re-sign Gordon and trade Sefolosha? For what, I don't know. Draft Budinger and maybe trade Sefo and Nocioni (that wont happen) for a young PG. That would at least build an interesting under-24 5-man team. (PG, Budinger, Deng, Thomas, Noah)

A thought anyway.

Let us prepare for glory! --Michael Redd

by tyger1147 on Feb 28, 2008 9:25 AM CST   0 recs

There's just that little problem of money...
But you know they have to get rid of someone - competition is lovely in theory and all, but it's tough to maintain team chemistry on an ongoing basis like that, imo.  They interviewed Larry after the game last night, and he again said he expects to be starting soon, leaving the Bulls with 4 guards who all have some claim to wanting/deserving to start.  Personally, I'm more attached to the guys we've had than the new one, but I think it's going to have to be a case of who brings the most in return this offseason, unless one of them shows that he won't fit in or BG can't get a deal done.
Maybe I'll take up hockey.

by wjb1492 on Feb 28, 2008 9:37 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Right
and i think it's very possible we won't get a deal done with gordon.  he doesn't deserve 15 mil a year.  10 sure (given what we've paid hinrich and noc).

the main problem is are we really going to commit 10+ mil a year to someone we've deemed a bench guy?  i just don't see it.

and i'm ok with thabo coming off the bench as long as he gets minutes in.  a gordon/sef backcourt could be very turnover prone though.  and in a way it's for that that maybe he should come off the bench.  he needs to reduce his traveling calls.  he looks great out there and i really like thabo, and if he gets decent minutes off the bench, but there's a couple things he needs to improve and if he gets minutes coming off the bench, that's okay with me.

by Jaina on Feb 28, 2008 9:48 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

ok
that last sentence made no sense.  i really just mean he needs to improve a few things but if he gets decent minutes, that's cool with me.

by Jaina on Feb 28, 2008 9:49 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

we dont need gordon anymore
hughes is just as good of a scorer and im fully confident he can get back to his washington numbers now that hell be able to slash to the basket with no lebron around. plus hughes does something noone else on this team does and thats getting to the line. that been the biggest positive of this trade so far. we finally have someone that can drive and create their own offense as opposed to having gordon run around n take horrible jumpers whenever we need to score.

by Jbasic89 on Feb 28, 2008 9:51 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

This team struggled scoring with Gordon
It isn't right now. It will struggle again w/ Hughes and w/o Gordon. Gordon isn't expendable because of Hughes. He only would be if Sefolosha stepped up his scoring.
Let us prepare for glory! --Michael Redd

by tyger1147 on Feb 28, 2008 9:53 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

When has Hughes been good?
Other than his contract year, he's never had a year as good as Gordon's last.
Let us prepare for glory! --Michael Redd

by tyger1147 on Feb 28, 2008 9:55 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Gordon is the best
Shooter on this team, HANDS DOWN! Hughes is a big guy who i think dribbles too much, i like that he gets to the line more but his shooting isnt great. Hinrich, Gordon, or Hughes...one of them has got to go in my oppinion. Like wjb, im sort of attached to the old (young?) guys, so im hoping we get a big payoff for hughes...
im trying hard to become the next kirk hinrich, therefore im doing nothing more than being the next chris duhon.

by piccolomair on Feb 28, 2008 11:14 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Money for sure.
I didn't know how it worked before and even less of an idea now. Can they sign Deng w/o doing anything? Do it. If so, then it's about signing Gordon. Trading Nocioni and Sefolosh for players able to be released would be a good start. See how little I know what I'm talking about?

Anyway, I like Thabo more than Hughes, too, but I don't think there's anyway of getting rid of Hughes and his contract. And Gordon is way better than Thabo.

Let us prepare for glory! --Michael Redd

by tyger1147 on Feb 28, 2008 9:51 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Transitive math?
If you like Thabo more than Hughes, and Gordon way more than Thabo, math says you like Ben a huge-monster-whole lot more than Larry?

Didn't look like that last night when Ben was throwing brick after brick.

by Sky on Feb 28, 2008 9:55 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Not math class, dingus.
Let us prepare for glory! --Michael Redd

by tyger1147 on Feb 28, 2008 9:56 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

To explain the logic...
...since I have sick need to be understood and you won't figure it out: if it were a straight "Who do you want more?" I'd take thabo and Gordon. It's not, though, because (as I thought I pointed out), Hughes isn't going anywhere... most likely. Therefore, it's between Gordon and Thabo.

Sheesh.

Let us prepare for glory! --Michael Redd

by tyger1147 on Feb 28, 2008 9:59 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Trade Ben now.
He's a failed project. He got away with non existing D and streaky shooting for a long time, and thought he had negotiation leverage because he was the team's only scorer -not anymore. Good luck and good riddance.

by Sky on Feb 28, 2008 9:58 AM CST to parent up