The trade of Wallace for Noah is really working out
(Too bad Larry Hughes had to be a throw-in.)
That was a very fun game to attend. The only downer was that it's so hard to boo Ben Wallace since he never does anything on the court worth booing. The old bastard couldn't even get to the line, which would've been a nice moment.
Although, why boo him, Ben was great for the Bulls tonight, and I was delighted whenever he entered the game. After all, he allowed his successor, Joakim Noah, to grab 20 rebounds in 32 minutes. Noah was so good, my "what are you Boylan, a goddamned idiot?" moment(s) of the night was the overextended breaks he was giving Noah, especially to end the first half and before his final stint in the fourth. Boylan even managed to mess up Noah's exit, taking him out during a timeout when he could've waited until the upcoming free throw was taken, giving Noah the deserved standing ovation for a fantastic night. Luckily I doubt Noah cares, although when he bizarrely wasn't getting in at the end of the first half, I did joke "guess who's blowing off the next practice?"
Two other great performances were from Gordon and Deng, which is a long time coming, especially in the same outing. Gordon didn't get to the line much but despite that statistic I thought he was attacking the basket well, especially in transition. Of course, being 4-5 from three helps too. He even added 4 assists with just 1 turnover in 33 minutes. Pay the man his money! (well, you can let him have a few more good games first)
Deng overcame an abysmal first stint where he missed a half-dozen layups to join Gordon in taking over a 3rd quarter where the team outscored the Cavs 34-16. The Cavs made the curious defensive assignments of putting LeBron on Gordon while someone smaller (usually Devin Brown) took Deng. And the Luol-post option was there nearly every possession. Either Deng got to the rim (and was finishing, unlike the first half) or he'd open things up for teammates (usually Gordon, who LeBron would lose). Deng even made some pretty tough shots coming across the lane.
He also deserves credit for guarding LeBron, although between him, Nocioni, and Hughes(?), they just get a participation award (oh, and a hacking Hinrich, who roughed up LeBron a bit). I have a feeling LeBron was a bit gassed after his 50 point Wednesday and having to carry his chump teammates for the first half of this game. Seeing Ben Wallace get abused by the man he suspended likely didn't inspire him either. But it did inspire me.
0 recs |
102
comments
Comments
Great game
It's also amazing when, I don't know, Boylan lets the young guys get extended minutes out there. Of course, it helped Noah that "Body" can't jump any more, but I'll take 20 boards any day. My favorite play from Joakim was the fake handoff from the high post and the quick drive to the hoop. His activity around the basket coupled with 1-2 offensive moves a game would have him averaging a double double.
Not going to get any easier, but if they can go 2-2 during this stretch, I will be encouraged.
by Gene Banks on Mar 6, 2008 11:33 PM CST 0 recs
i agree with the bg kirk sentiment
by Mike C on
Mar 6, 2008 11:51 PM CST
up
0 recs
Really liked
by California Al on
Mar 7, 2008 1:37 AM CST
up
0 recs
The Old Core + The New Core
Gordon
Deng
Thomas
Noah
Hughes
Thabo
Nocioni
Gooden
Works for me.
by tyger1147 on
Mar 7, 2008 8:44 AM CST
up
0 recs
I was listening to John Hollinger
Ok we're back. Anyway, KG's defense is superior for one primary reason: he maintains his position on defense when he goes to block a shot. Remind you of anyone? Joakim Noah is going to be a star in this league. His defensive position is stellar already. He gets a hand up without elevating too much which allows him to use his other hand to close off a low drop passing lane. He's almost always directly in front of the offensive player giving him maximum vision to see what's to the left and right of the offensive player. When he blocks shots, he doess't swat them to $500 seats. He blocks them to teammates and corrals a few himself. Bill Russell blocks are better than Marcus Camby blocks. Noah's got some Russell in him.
Noah is a smart kid. He's very polished as a professional already. That outburst direct at Ron Adams was a good thing to happen. The kid is learning, growing, and fully blooming now that Ben Wallace is helping us by actually dressing for the opponent.
It's kind of odd, but I think Noah is the floor leader on this team. He's a talker on defense which really impressed Paxson and Skiles in draft workouts. He doesn't shut up. He's always using what tools are available to him to help his teammates which in turn help him decide where he needs to get to on the floor defensively.
We may have drafted the best center in the draft. Get healthy Oden.
by NBA Observer on
Mar 7, 2008 8:57 AM CST
up
0 recs
Noah's leadership
Every year, there are rookies who can jump through the ceiling while benching 250lbs twenty times with 9' wingspans. But Joakim can lead people. It took him awhile to get his teammates' respect, but I'm excited to watch him progress into the vocal leader of this team, hopefully starting next year.
by YaoPau on
Mar 7, 2008 9:52 AM CST
up
0 recs
As long as
by cranscape on
Mar 7, 2008 10:05 AM CST
up
0 recs
I actually like Hughes and Noce lately
I feel increasingly comfortable replacing Gordon with Hughes, especially since Kirk could go back to guarding his position and handle the ball less.
Good game, maybe Deng is the Lebron-stopper! He only had 39! Course, he worked hard for those points. This game reminded me a little of last year, and I'm letting my mind wander to a playoff victory before we bow out. It would be something, at least.
by cubbybear on Mar 7, 2008 2:31 AM CST 0 recs
Still not liking Hughes
It doesn't help that right now that Thabo is out with a mystery injury, but I would still rather commit minutes to him than to Larry. Perhaps the PT that Larry is getting due to Thabo's injury will whet enough appetites that Pax can move Larry in the offseason. Perhaps wishful thinking, I know.
by paxson43 on
Mar 7, 2008 6:58 AM CST
up
0 recs
39 for the game, but just 13 in the 2nd half
Finally!
Once again, when Deng plays solid defense his offensive game is more consistent.
Dear Beat Writers,
Ask Luol about the achilles tendonitis.
Sincerely,
BAB
by NBA Observer on
Mar 7, 2008 8:35 AM CST
up
0 recs
Sometimes too much balls
But with their minutes controlled and good pressure (competition) from Luol and BG, they seemed able to improve their shot selection.
by Sky on
Mar 7, 2008 10:25 AM CST
up
0 recs
Do you think
Because that is what I observe.
by NBA Observer on
Mar 7, 2008 10:38 AM CST
up
0 recs
'observe' ::rolls eyes::
Hughes has always shot a bunch, because he thinks he's good.
I suppose the 'Noc just loves the team so much so he feels like he needs to score' logic makes some sense, although Noc was a scorer overseas and it really is his game (since he's no good at anything else. Sorry...'getting under skin' is a pretty useless trait)
by your friendly BullsBlogger on
Mar 7, 2008 10:55 AM CST
up
0 recs
I disagree to an extent
Noce, I think starts shooting like a madman when the team goes into a funk. Sometimes he gets the team going and sometimes he starts chucking to the detriment of the team.
Basically, I think they chuck for different reasons. Hughes does it because that is all he knows. Noce does is it because he thinks it will help the team.
by danger mouse on
Mar 7, 2008 11:00 AM CST
up
0 recs
Noce, watch your timing
by Sky on
Mar 7, 2008 11:11 AM CST
up
0 recs
My fear from this game
by torch on Mar 7, 2008 7:02 AM CST 0 recs
Lets hope not
Big Z missed the game, but the Celtics won't be missing any bigs. We have a better chance of defeating the Celtics now then prior to the trade. Ben Wallace was outplayed by Glen Davis TWICE.
Chicago will miss Tyrus tonight specifically for the 25 minutes of rest he can give to other front court players. The Celtics are awesome at home because their player rotation is so strong.
by NBA Observer on
Mar 7, 2008 8:41 AM CST
up
0 recs
my fear
by bullshooter on
Mar 7, 2008 9:34 AM CST
up
0 recs
I would have
by your friendly BullsBlogger on
Mar 7, 2008 9:59 AM CST
up
0 recs
Boylan
by cubbybear on
Mar 7, 2008 11:12 AM CST
up
0 recs
Ha
by Petor on
Mar 7, 2008 11:50 AM CST
up
0 recs
Not so much
I'm hoping this win (because I wouldn't expect to beat the Celtics with or without TT) put things in perspective with TT's development. He will get some minutes, yes, but the pressure to have him on the floor all the time should deflate. Outside of the BaB hardcores, that is.
by Sky on
Mar 7, 2008 10:14 AM CST
up
0 recs
Is your alias "Sky"
by 1958ChiTown on
Mar 7, 2008 2:02 PM CST
up
0 recs
Wow.
by Sky on
Mar 7, 2008 4:42 PM CST
up
0 recs
Well...
Strive so hard it makes me cry
Lambaste Gordon, insult Ty
Then I, yes even I
Can be abrasive just like Sky
by 1958ChiTown on
Mar 7, 2008 5:05 PM CST
up
0 recs
I missed the game
by hscs on Mar 7, 2008 7:11 AM CST 0 recs
Another...
Even Simmons and Brown got in for the last 1:44.
He's as good as gone this off-season.
by CubFan81 on Mar 7, 2008 8:05 AM CST 0 recs
Still
by Old Skool Sloan on
Mar 7, 2008 8:34 AM CST
up
0 recs
he's a free agent this summer
by hscs on
Mar 7, 2008 8:38 AM CST
up
0 recs
Unrestricted free agent too
by NBA Observer on
Mar 7, 2008 8:49 AM CST
up
0 recs
We could use him in a sign and trade, no?
by Old Skool Sloan on
Mar 7, 2008 10:31 AM CST
up
0 recs
We could sign and trade
by NBA Observer on
Mar 7, 2008 10:41 AM CST
up
0 recs
Actually, sign and trades are more common in UFA
For most UFA's, their original team holds Bird Rights, which means they can offer salary without having to worry if it exceeds the salary cap or not. Plus, the original team's max offer is higher than any other team's max offer. So UFA's get sign-and-trade's so they can get more money and move to another team.
In Duhon's case, sign-and-trade most likely won't happen, as his salary will be low enough that a team can use a portion of its veteran's exception to bring him in without giving anything up (other than the roster spot wasted on Duhon).
by snley on
Mar 7, 2008 11:18 AM CST
up
0 recs
i think he'll get more than the veterans exception
by bullshooter on
Mar 7, 2008 12:14 PM CST
up
0 recs
I caught the last 14 minutes of the game
- Luol Deng's defense: He was moving his feet. They were quicker than Lebron's. Lebron had put up 76 points over the last 72 minutes of gametime. He put up 13 in the last 24.
- Luol Deng's offense: once again Luol shines when his defense leads to offense.
- Rebounding: we were all over the glass late. One and done possessions lead to synchronized fist pumping at my bar table.
- Ben Wallace's contract finally paying off for Chicago: Can we meet the Cavs in the playoffs? I'd like to collect some more wins from the 28 million we paid the guy.
More please.
by NBA Observer on Mar 7, 2008 8:48 AM CST 0 recs
Deng looked a lot better
by bullshooter on
Mar 7, 2008 9:41 AM CST
up
0 recs
Devin Brown
I kinda wish I didn't know that.
by CrashDavis on
Mar 7, 2008 10:19 AM CST
up
0 recs
Valid point
by Sky on
Mar 7, 2008 10:21 AM CST
up
0 recs
The baby Bulls don't remember the Pistons
The Bad Boys knew when a hard foul was necessary. They knew when to send scorers to the line.
No free buckets, EVER. Even Larry Bird knew this.
by NBA Observer on
Mar 7, 2008 10:24 AM CST
up
0 recs
Hey, Matt,
http://dimemag.com/2008/03/07/the-wallace-of-old/#more-1795
Maybe this'll also help get word out there regarding other common blogabull.com sentiments, like the fact that fans would actually pay to see Tyrus Thomas on the floor.
by bullhockey on Mar 7, 2008 9:37 AM CST 0 recs
Myrie doesn't appreciate Matt's potty mouth
by preverbal on
Mar 7, 2008 10:52 AM CST
up
0 recs
Lebron's 2nd Half
I was at the game so I don't know what of it they spoke during the telecast, but it looked like he was favoring his arm after that point.
He didn't do too much driving the rest of the quarter and this could have explained the odd defensive substitution against the un-physical Gordon.
Single-handedly crushing the Knicks could have taken a lot out of him, too, I guess.
This is more a legitimate question than idle speculation. Did they mention it on TNT?
by lilzaky on Mar 7, 2008 10:24 AM CST 0 recs
yeah they did
by bullshooter on
Mar 7, 2008 10:31 AM CST
up
0 recs
maybe the season
I gotta say, LBJ's strutting and preening definitely rub me the wrong way. MJ never did that. Kobe doesn't either. Even Arenas is joyful and playful, rather than overweening.
by alec on
Mar 7, 2008 10:39 AM CST
up
0 recs
Yeah that
by sue369 on
Mar 7, 2008 10:41 AM CST
up
0 recs
i basically can't stand him
by Jaina on
Mar 7, 2008 10:45 AM CST
up
0 recs
His fake tough face?
Bron is a tool. He's just incredibly good at basketball.
by preverbal on
Mar 7, 2008 10:54 AM CST
up
0 recs
Disagree
by Sky on
Mar 7, 2008 10:59 AM CST
up
0 recs
it had a lot to do
I liked Kirk's "Noce-like" play. It showed Cleveland the Bulls weren't giving up already. Over the 1st half LBJ was unstoppable. Sometimes you have to do that -skills aren't everything.
by Sky on
Mar 7, 2008 10:32 AM CST
up
0 recs
since all they did
by Jaina on
Mar 7, 2008 10:32 AM CST
up
0 recs
All this LeBron hate!
It's funny to me how so many use sports in the same manner that others use US Weekly or People Magazine. "Oooo, he's cute. I like him." "He's a humble fella. He's my favorite." "He wants money. I hate him!"
by tyger1147 on Mar 7, 2008 11:04 AM CST 0 recs
Even though you don't
by alec on
Mar 7, 2008 11:15 AM CST
up
0 recs
You've confused me with that comment.
by tyger1147 on
Mar 7, 2008 11:33 AM CST
up
0 recs
huh?
by bullshooter on
Mar 7, 2008 12:16 PM CST
up
0 recs
Isn't it obvious what happened?!?!
Kirk Hinrich - Lebron Stopper. I think Kirk should play the next Cleveland game with a football helmet and pads. At that point I don't think Lebron would even take the floor. Just not worth it.
by danger mouse on Mar 7, 2008 11:20 AM CST 0 recs
Maybe he can stop him for only 37 points
by RogersPark Kris on
Mar 7, 2008 11:27 AM CST
up
0 recs
Lebron
I would honestly much prefer a guy who "preens" a bit for the camera, but embraces the overjoyed fan that runs onto the court, than the guy who said "repubulicans buy sneakers too" and has largely become a mechanical corporate symbol by now or the guy who has always come off as just thinking he was way better than everyone else. I will always love Jordan more because I got to see him on the court often enough to realize what he really was (the greatest of all time), but if we are taking personalities, give me LeBron anyday.
I wish he would get some crazy dream of bringing the Bulls back and come here.
by Kemp on Mar 7, 2008 12:07 PM CST 0 recs
Boooooooo
OK Bill Simmons, please tell me what I have to love.
"You're not a sports fan if you don't love the Patriots doing [insert inane thing here, preferably with the phrase 'eff-you' somewhere within]"
I'm pretty tired of people telling me what I have to love in the sports world. I don't even have anything against LeBron (although I'd like to see some rings before we start anointing him this and that), but it's entirely possible to love basketball and not love LeBron.
by Petor on
Mar 7, 2008 12:19 PM CST
up
0 recs
Well,
by Kemp on
Mar 7, 2008 12:42 PM CST
up
0 recs
I really hope Cleveland got a good dose
They usually have their best games of the season
by Option27 on Mar 7, 2008 12:23 PM CST 0 recs
Lebron is great, no doubt
by Conor on Mar 7, 2008 12:36 PM CST 0 recs
Gimmie a break with the "ring" crap
by Big D on
Mar 7, 2008 1:32 PM CST
up
0 recs
relax
by Conor on
Mar 7, 2008 2:07 PM CST
up
0 recs
i loathe
by Jaina on
Mar 7, 2008 3:00 PM CST
up
0 recs
Theres a Rumor
Lebron is definetly great, and though i cant believe he is the next jordan, he is definetly someone who will break many records to come. I dont like him game because alot of his game has to do with his freak of nature athleticism. Couple that with the new rules of the nba that allow more dunks and he becomes the perfect showman of the nba. I prefer kobe to lebron just because kobe started his career as nothing more than a dunker who wanted to be great, and has become a player who can do it all (literally).
link to that jordan article:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3243645
by piccolomair on
Mar 7, 2008 3:02 PM CST
up
0 recs
I'm just the opposite
by Parrotman on
Mar 7, 2008 3:53 PM CST
up
0 recs
Drexler
It took six years for Jordan to win a championship, give Bron some time.
by Kemp on
Mar 7, 2008 4:23 PM CST
up
0 recs
If you see Lebron much live, you will agree
Hughes and Gooden are one's we better use, Hughes took control of that game last night in the third quarter and the game was over, never trailed again. If you doubt this, read the play by play and see the quarter he gave, outstanding. Good fouls on Lebron, he is also our best defender. Not a three point shooter, not a point gaurd, but can get hot and put in 30 plus points maybe 10 times a year and give you 15-20pts, lots of assist and great steals if you play him two or three times a week hard (35 min). Lead the whole league in steals a few years ago also.
Lebron will get tired of his new players, they will get tired of never seeing the ball d


