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Open Game Thread # 59: Bulls at Cleveland Cavaliers

Blogabull_s_tiny by your friendly BullsBlogger on in News

I was much more excited for this game before Friday night. National TV (which I don't care about the 'exposure', just a chance to hear different broadcast crews), against a 'rival' who now has one of the most reviled players in team history.

Honestly, how great will it be to watch Ben Wallace do whatever he does in another uniform? Or will he save his good games for the Bulls like he used to for us against the Pistons?

The Cavs other big addition, Wally Szczerbiak, may or may not be available, I'm reading different sides to his 'wife birthing' story. He hasn't been playing well since the trade either.

Thabo is still hurt, but it's not clear if he's out or just benched. Did he dis-earn his job? Does he have to now win it back? Is he sitting next to Boylan on the bench? A-Game? Oh what awesome subplots have been laid out by the interim coach. Apparently Tyrus may start or may not, as well. Intrigue. I would've settled for just booing Ben Wallace.  

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Is Ben Wallace playing for sure...
I remember driving all the way to detroit for a Bulls/Pistons game last year and his sorry ass didn't even show up because of his Sinusitis...
At least if we make the playoffs at the 8th seed, Tyrus can get back at Posey for breaking his nose...

by AGBallinisaHabit on Mar 2, 2008 11:30 AM CST   0 recs

Finally a game
that's showing at a decent hour in Europe! :D

Go Bulls!

Hoping for lots of Noah, TT and Thabo if he's healthy enough

by Bass on Mar 2, 2008 11:42 AM CST   0 recs

Jimbo's change
in attitude probably came after he watched game films and realized it was his fault they lost. If he starts Gooden and not Tyrus Pax should just hand him a check for what money is owed him and tell him to find another job and another way home.

I hope Noah kicks some Wallace ass today.

by sue369 on Mar 2, 2008 11:47 AM CST   0 recs

Drew Gooden
is getting the start

by JSlakov on Mar 2, 2008 11:48 AM CST   0 recs

yeah?
not surprised. I'll tape this one.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Mar 2, 2008 11:50 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

and I don't even care if Tyrus is off the bench
if he plays. The problem is that Boylan keeps saying all this bullshit about tryouts and earning minutes and then goes completely against it in his actual rotations. Man, he's a turd.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Mar 2, 2008 11:51 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

What could Tyrus have done in
nine minutes that warrants his removal from the starting lineup?

If Boylan is hired on a permanent basis, I may decline to renew my season tickets. The man is an absolute moron. He is offensively stupid.

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

by 1958ChiTown on Mar 2, 2008 11:56 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Did any of you actually watch Boylan's...
...post-game PC? Holy shit. It totally looked like: "I need to think of something that's going to sound great and motivate these players through the media. What can I say that sounds so demanding and tough? What have other coaches said?"

There was sooo no spontaneity behind it. It was so damn pathetic that his "original motivation" was so contrived, cliched and re-fucking-hashed shit.

Let us prepare for glory! --Michael Redd

by tyger1147 on Mar 2, 2008 11:52 AM CST   0 recs

its fun
watching the not for live air feed from ABC.  Hubie keeps having to be reminded its not "Donte West"

by JSlakov on Mar 2, 2008 11:52 AM CST   0 recs

Noah vs. Verejao
Both are starting tonight.  Oh the hair.

by paxson43 on Mar 2, 2008 12:03 PM CST   0 recs

Bulls need to run offense
through Deng.   And how many contested jumpers is Hughes going to take?

by danger mouse on Mar 2, 2008 12:11 PM CST   0 recs

how long until
the "I'm going to show my old team" chucking gets him benched for a few minutes.  With kirk out now, probably not this game.
Baby Bulls II?

by bullshooter on Mar 2, 2008 12:13 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

you're right
he probably won't be benched.  One of the amazing things to me about this "new" team is that before the trade, no one would have argued that Hughes is better than Deng.  But now that they are on the same team, for some reason we are letting Hughes take all the shots and Deng go grab offensive boards.  One is a 50% shooter, the other a 40% shooter.  Give it to the 40% shooter!

by danger mouse on Mar 2, 2008 12:16 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

With Thabo down
Benching Hughes would force us to start Gordon and it's pretty clear Pax doesn't want that happening.

I tend to think Boylan has been given some parameters to work within (Pax commenting on why Gordon is a bench player was pretty telling) and he is free to work within them.  Of course, the way he's trying to work within them is totally at odds and contradictory to having set parameters in the first place, so it's pretty much a mess.

by Sports2 on Mar 2, 2008 12:25 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

sitting down, not benching
during the game...
Baby Bulls II?

by bullshooter on Mar 2, 2008 12:27 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Semantics
Tyrus was benched and is sitting down.

Sure, I want Hughes playing some, but there's a lot of doublespeak going on about starting vs. coming off the bench and about playing time in general.  Without getting into the whole can of worms, I don't think it's unreasonable to say that if you're going to do wield these things as carrots and sticks, you ought to be consistent about it.

by Sports2 on Mar 2, 2008 12:49 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Dear Kirk,
That is Varejao.  Why the hell would you be reaching in to steal the ball on a spinning low post move from a terrible offensive player?

Have a few more drinks Captain Morgan.

The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Mar 2, 2008 12:11 PM CST   0 recs

Because it's easy to steal
from a terrible low post player.  Who in our line up, would be the second best block player.

by nobullishbasketball on Mar 2, 2008 4:20 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Dear Luol,
Don't get down when LeBron drains ridiculous twirling baseline jumpers.  Just continue to make him work for his points.  

And take it to him on the other end.

Thanks,

P43

by paxson43 on Mar 2, 2008 12:14 PM CST   0 recs

deny him the ball
start guarding him at half court.  Make Ben Wallace touch the basketball.
The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Mar 2, 2008 12:17 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Please take out Hughes
He looks terrible today.

by RogersPark Kris on Mar 2, 2008 12:17 PM CST   0 recs

What a shitty game
And the cavs don't really play basketball... It's just Bronball. As a basketball purist I am nauseated.

by Bass on Mar 2, 2008 12:18 PM CST   0 recs

Stop deferring to Hughes
You know Larry's going to take a shot 99.999% of the time he gets the ball today, so give it to him only when he's in position to take a good shot.  

by paxson43 on Mar 2, 2008 12:18 PM CST   0 recs

2 missed free throws
Some things will never change

by RogersPark Kris on Mar 2, 2008 12:20 PM CST   0 recs

Another nice thing about the trade
I no longer have to try to accept that my team is starting the worst free throw shooter in the history of the NBA.

by paxson43 on Mar 2, 2008 12:23 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Tyrus sighting
Let's go Tyrus.  Show us Boylan is a complete idiot.
The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Mar 2, 2008 12:21 PM CST   0 recs

already impacting the game
He completely freezes Ben wallace in the paint to space the floor.  Tyrus is pulling two defenders towards him.
The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Mar 2, 2008 12:22 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Nocioni on James???
Boylan is clearly basketball retarted.

by RogersPark Kris on Mar 2, 2008 12:21 PM CST   0 recs

as long as Noc gets LBJ
to take step back three's, he's doing a good job.
Baby Bulls II?

by bullshooter on Mar 2, 2008 12:23 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

He needs to at least get an arm up, though
What's up with the lacking fundamentals in the NBA?

Getting hands in shooters faces. Blocking out. Proper screens. (I saw Noah setting a screen for air the other day...)

by Bass on Mar 2, 2008 12:27 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

If Tyrus Thomas threw up an airball on an
ill-advised turn around jumper and then committed a foul on the other end, he would be benched.

But not Gooden.

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

by 1958ChiTown on Mar 2, 2008 12:21 PM CST   0 recs

tell me about it
And Tyrus entered for the effective Noah.  What the fuck is wrong with Boylan?  THis is just pathetic.

Where are the fucking writers?  Sam Smith?  Marrioti?  My mom even knows Tyrus and Noah are the best players to have on the floor as much as possible.

The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Mar 2, 2008 12:30 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

And
Duhon is in...yikes

by jpchi on Mar 2, 2008 12:21 PM CST   0 recs

du in
guess that means thabo is unavailable.
Baby Bulls II?

by bullshooter on Mar 2, 2008 12:22 PM CST   0 recs

Hinrich already in foul trouble??
Oh please dont let duhon have a decent game, i really am looking forward to what the critics have to say about Kirk.
Kirk Hinrich. The Best White American Point Guard in the NBA.

by piccolomair on Mar 2, 2008 12:24 PM CST   0 recs

I'll take a charge over a travel
But it would be nice if they called traveling on LBJ at least ONCE a game...

by Bass on Mar 2, 2008 12:28 PM CST   0 recs

Ben Gordon, Nocioni, Hughes
professional chuckers.   Can we please run plays for highest percentage shooter Deng?  Is that frigging possible?

by danger mouse on Mar 2, 2008 12:29 PM CST   0 recs

It looks like a nice
day to choke on national television.  sigh  

by cranscape on Mar 2, 2008 12:30 PM CST   0 recs

Yeah
Looks like on of those 36% FG shooting games.

by RogersPark Kris on Mar 2, 2008 12:30 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

The Bulls offensive execution went to crap
when Deng, Noah and Kirk went out.  Do you think Boylan noticed?

by danger mouse on Mar 2, 2008 12:30 PM CST   0 recs

Well we know his answer to that
First take out Tyrus thomas, followed by taking out Noah.

Next, give Gooden and Hughes MORE minutes.

Finally play everyone out of position.

Also call time outs and tell the team to "Play Harder" and then hope something gets going.

Kirk Hinrich. The Best White American Point Guard in the NBA.

by piccolomair on Mar 2, 2008 12:33 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Does it seem to have...
They just chucked up another outside jumper.

by cranscape on Mar 2, 2008 12:34 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Uh
*doesn't

by cranscape on Mar 2, 2008 12:35 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

That
was a slow whistle on Duhon.

by jpchi on Mar 2, 2008 12:36 PM CST   0 recs

I am not
really interesting in seeing Duhon play.  He's got two fouls.  Think he'll get benched?

by cranscape on Mar 2, 2008 12:36 PM CST   0 recs

He runs the plays
rolls off the screen.  rotates.  Steps back.  Is wide open.  Calls for the ball.  Gets it.  Shoots it.  Makes it.

TEXTBOOK EXECUTION.

The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Mar 2, 2008 12:38 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

It is amazing
we are down by as little as we are for how bad we are playing.

by cranscape on Mar 2, 2008 12:39 PM CST   0 recs

At least
he understands-if jumper is not going in-drive it!
"YES,WE CAN!"-B.OBAMA.

by Azabullsfan on Mar 2, 2008 12:43 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Good point
Plus hitting  few free throws can help get the jumper going as well.

by RogersPark Kris on Mar 2, 2008 12:47 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

T-Mo commercial with Dwyane and Charles
I wonder if Charles knows that he looks fat in ALL definitions, not just high definition.

That commercial always makes me laugh.

by paxson43 on Mar 2, 2008 12:42 PM CST   0 recs

Seriously, though...
...why does the rest of the Eastern Conf. have to suck so bad? Can't they just humiliate these Bulls into "play for the future" mode. Paxlan obviously thinks winning and playing younger players are contradictory.
Let us prepare for glory! --Michael Redd

by tyger1147 on Mar 2, 2008 12:43 PM CST   0 recs

I love how...
...w/ the defense being so bad at the end of the 1st, that, the cure to that was to start the second w/ Duhon, Gordon, Nocioni, Thomas and Gray. Whoohoo!
Let us prepare for glory! --Michael Redd

by tyger1147 on Mar 2, 2008 12:46 PM CST   0 recs

*defense = offense
Let us prepare for glory! --Michael Redd

by tyger1147 on Mar 2, 2008 12:46 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Someone
needs to take Boylan's Magic Eight ball away.

Question: Should we put Duhon in?
Magic Eight Ball: Absolutely!

by cranscape on Mar 2, 2008 12:47 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

James is not in the game
we're still down
"YES,WE CAN!"-B.OBAMA.

by Azabullsfan on Mar 2, 2008 12:46 PM CST   0 recs

Tirico officially sucks.
Tyrus gets the offen. board and goes back up and makes it. Tirico: "That's where Thomas has to get better."
Let us prepare for glory! --Michael Redd

by tyger1147 on Mar 2, 2008 12:48 PM CST   0 recs

that is what's annoying about national announcers
Tirico doesn't know that Tyrus does do that stuff when he gets playing time.  He is trained to believe Boylan is reasonable.

by danger mouse on Mar 2, 2008 12:49 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

LBJ shot off of the top of the backboard
because he knew TT would get it if he shot it any lower.
Baby Bulls II?

by bullshooter on Mar 2, 2008 12:49 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

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

by Azabullsfan on Mar 2, 2008 12:51 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Yeah
They know about as much as the casual fan does.

by gobulls1124 on Mar 2, 2008 12:50 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Don't worry.
TT vengeance and vindication will be sweet!

Tirico continually has mixed up Hughes and Smith (both #32), but hey, who needs to actually know the players when you have a roster sheet?

by marionette on Mar 2, 2008 12:56 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Can we please get
Kirk, larry, Noc, TT and Noah on the floor!?

by Bass on Mar 2, 2008 12:53 PM CST   0 recs

Close
Now just get Gooden out

by Bass on Mar 2, 2008 12:56 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Tyrus
tied it for us after a nice pass from Hinrich.  More please!

by cranscape on Mar 2, 2008 12:53 PM CST   0 recs

Hinrich
better bring in his "A" game...Ohhh
"YES,WE CAN!"-B.OBAMA.

by Azabullsfan on Mar 2, 2008 12:53 PM CST   0 recs

TT plays very well
and active,unfortunally for Boylan.
"YES,WE CAN!"-B.OBAMA.

by Azabullsfan on Mar 2, 2008 12:55 PM CST   0 recs

Yeah Wallace
You can't attack Gooden's elbow with your face like that.

by paxson43 on Mar 2, 2008 12:56 PM CST   0 recs

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

by Azabullsfan on Mar 2, 2008 1:01 PM CST   0 recs

I have no idea why Boylan keeps taking Hinrich out
He's moving the ball to the open man!  Dear lord.  Gordon can't play the point.  Boylan is sabotaging the team

by danger mouse on Mar 2, 2008 1:01 PM CST   0 recs

Does anyone
in the Bulls organization realize what he's doing out there?

by gobulls1124 on Mar 2, 2008 1:04 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

BG with the top of the key TO to the big man
is there any play more demoralizing than that?
Baby Bulls II?

by bullshooter on Mar 2, 2008 1:01 PM CST   0 recs

and a big man is ...
Varejao...:(
"YES,WE CAN!"-B.OBAMA.

by Azabullsfan on Mar 2, 2008 1:04 PM CST to parent up   0 recs