Should Tre Jones be starting at point guard? He adds penetration, which is something the starters could use. He's also a better point of attack defender than Giddey.
I feel like most of the talk around Essengue since drafting him was wondering if he could put on weight and become a center. But what if he just stays skinny and becomes a 6'11" small forward that picks up full court every play?
Tiago was preaching consistency in regards to the starting lineup during the postgame interview. So it's unlikely we'll see changes for the time being.
Loved Caleb tonight but the Bulls had no chance to win this game without Okoro, Smith, and Jones. I think they could all play meaningful playoff minutes for other teams and I hope we trade them in Jan/Feb and get something decent in return. Powell obviously as well.
I've been generally a fan of Buzelis but a lot of that has been visualizing what he could become. Maybe this is a "Captain Obvious" thought but after seeing him next to Caleb it's pretty clear that Matas is both positionally redundant and inferior. I like the kid but I wonder what kind of return we could get for him. We're going to have to make a decision on extending him next summer and I'm guessing he'll be expensive to retain.
Essengue didn't surprise me today. I have been expecting this side of him to emerge. I watched a ton of highlights of him on his European squad and he just hasn't played with that freedom or confidence for the Bulls yet. He's also bigger now!
As for Giddey I really hope people remember the player he was for a long stretch during spring and fall 2025. But he's not that player now, with the wrist thing that seems to be impacting his confidence. Today was not as awful as Wed, but could the Bulls just shut him down for awhile? Could the wrist improve with a couple months off?
You're embracing MikeDC Ruthless Team Building Thought vis a vis Matas (which Mike himself does not quite have the stomach for). I think they can get a couple good firsts for him. Maybe a second as well. McCain got a 1st and three 2nds. I love McCain, but I imagine Matas has more value mostly due to size.
Glad they're using Essengue as a presser. He did a ton of that in Germany, so it was always obvious to me that would be his path to minutes early in his career.
Giddey shoots like a guy trying to play through a damaged wrist. He doesn't have the all-around game or athleticism to pull that off. They should get him on the injured list and sort through some UDFAs.
For sure. I definitely don't see Jones actually replacing Giddey in the starting lineup. If anything, we'll see him close like he did tonight.
I was more just saying I think the starters might be better with Jones instead of Giddey. But the point of this team isn't to be the best it can be, so I don't really see a change in starting point guard happening anytime soon (barring injuries of course).
It may take a bit but could eventually happen. Or Giddey all of a sudden is told his wrist is bothering him - the broadcast was quick to make this excuse that's for sure
Splitter has pulled Matas after 3-4 minutes and we saw the closing lineups, so it may not make a material difference if Giddey is in the Bogans plan
Should Tre Jones be starting at point guard? He adds penetration, which is something the starters could use. He's also a better point of attack defender than Giddey.
I feel like most of the talk around Essengue since drafting him was wondering if he could put on weight and become a center. But what if he just stays skinny and becomes a 6'11" small forward that picks up full court every play?
Tiago was preaching consistency in regards to the starting lineup during the postgame interview. So it's unlikely we'll see changes for the time being.
Loved Caleb tonight but the Bulls had no chance to win this game without Okoro, Smith, and Jones. I think they could all play meaningful playoff minutes for other teams and I hope we trade them in Jan/Feb and get something decent in return. Powell obviously as well.
I've been generally a fan of Buzelis but a lot of that has been visualizing what he could become. Maybe this is a "Captain Obvious" thought but after seeing him next to Caleb it's pretty clear that Matas is both positionally redundant and inferior. I like the kid but I wonder what kind of return we could get for him. We're going to have to make a decision on extending him next summer and I'm guessing he'll be expensive to retain.
Essengue didn't surprise me today. I have been expecting this side of him to emerge. I watched a ton of highlights of him on his European squad and he just hasn't played with that freedom or confidence for the Bulls yet. He's also bigger now!
As for Giddey I really hope people remember the player he was for a long stretch during spring and fall 2025. But he's not that player now, with the wrist thing that seems to be impacting his confidence. Today was not as awful as Wed, but could the Bulls just shut him down for awhile? Could the wrist improve with a couple months off?
You're embracing MikeDC Ruthless Team Building Thought vis a vis Matas (which Mike himself does not quite have the stomach for). I think they can get a couple good firsts for him. Maybe a second as well. McCain got a 1st and three 2nds. I love McCain, but I imagine Matas has more value mostly due to size.
Glad they're using Essengue as a presser. He did a ton of that in Germany, so it was always obvious to me that would be his path to minutes early in his career.
Giddey shoots like a guy trying to play through a damaged wrist. He doesn't have the all-around game or athleticism to pull that off. They should get him on the injured list and sort through some UDFAs.
For sure. I definitely don't see Jones actually replacing Giddey in the starting lineup. If anything, we'll see him close like he did tonight.
I was more just saying I think the starters might be better with Jones instead of Giddey. But the point of this team isn't to be the best it can be, so I don't really see a change in starting point guard happening anytime soon (barring injuries of course).
It may take a bit but could eventually happen. Or Giddey all of a sudden is told his wrist is bothering him - the broadcast was quick to make this excuse that's for sure
Splitter has pulled Matas after 3-4 minutes and we saw the closing lineups, so it may not make a material difference if Giddey is in the Bogans plan