Chicago Bulls Thread

[Andrew]

It was definitely a respectable effort, to say the least. The final score doesn't really reflect how well they played, but yeah, definitely some blunders down the stretch, and the Warriors are too good for that. Gotta give credit where it's due, Hinrich played a good game. I'm not expecting it to become a trend, but it was a very good outing for him, so hats off.

[air gordon]

when DRose returns from injury i'll start posting again in this thread

[[Q]]

When can we say that Butler, not Rose is the future of the Bulls?

[Andrew]

I'd like to see Butler's offense be more dependable in the clutch, for him to have the mentality to take over to the same extent he can make a big defensive play in crunch time. I think Rose is a bit better in that regard, at least when his shot is falling (as in the Thunder game, for example). I mean, if Rose is healthy and continues to play better - a sprained ankle is nothing compared to his knee injuries - then together they could be the future, one of the stronger backcourts in the league.

[air gordon]

Say it whenever you want, Q

Butler is the man. No one else on this team is asked to defend the oppositions best perimeter scorer and still be expected to score 20pts plus (and apparently be a better clutch player)

Butler has made several shots late in games, specifically closing out Charlotte when Rose was unsuccessful 2 times prior

Rose is expected to play tonite so technically me posting again in the thread is allowed haha

[Moz]

Butler is the man. No one else on this team is asked to defend the oppositions best perimeter scorer and still be expected to score 20pts plus (and apparently be a better clutch player)

Preach, and probably LBJ is the only other player in the league that has the same distinction. Though I reckon he's still the "Klay Thompson" of this team offensively... He improved his handles this year and still going to the foul line a lot like last season but he's still having trouble finishing at the rim and not attracting double teams...

Speaking of JB, that half court shot is sweet... I really like what their defense is showing but it's becoming a trend that they're slipping the grip in the 4th quarter... It seems that Pau, Jimmy, and Derrick are uncoordinated at times and somewhat forcing it their way whenever they touch the ball in crunch time... Glad to see DRose back and I'm loving those mid-range bank shots of his perhaps Jimmy should try those also...

[Andrew]

phpBB [video]

Very nice.

I also like the way Rose is making use of the backboard these days. He's no Tim Duncan - who else is like Duncan, when it comes to bank shots - but it's been quite effective for him so far.

[Moz]

He's no Tim Duncan - who else is like Duncan, when it comes to bank shots - but it's been quite effective for him so far.

Mentioning Duncan's similarity with Rose somehow takes me back to this commercial...

phpBB [video]

[air gordon]

Preach, and probably LBJ is the only other player in the league that has the same distinction. Though I reckon he's still the "Klay Thompson" of this team offensively... He improved his handles this year and still going to the foul line a lot like last season but he's still having trouble finishing at the rim and not attracting double teams...

Yeah I agree there's room for improvement. Butler was not an iso scoring type even in college so it's impressive to see he's improved in that area so much that Fredberg calls his number in key late situations

It almost seems like Butler tries to get a feel if his teammates are going to bring it on a given nite. Specifically Pau and Rose. You could see him go between deferring and forcing shots

[Andrew]

He's no Tim Duncan - who else is like Duncan, when it comes to bank shots - but it's been quite effective for him so far.

Mentioning Duncan's similarity with Rose somehow takes me back to this commercial...

phpBB [video]

Whoa, control yourself, Tim!

[air gordon]

Early returns have the Bulls defense rated as one of the better ones while their offense is in the 20's

Surprise surprise.

[Andrew]

So much for the offensive revolution, at least so far.

[air gordon]

Good win against a very good Spurs team. The Bulls seem to bring their A game for the big guns

Noah was awesome, even including a crossover drive to the basket

Kawhi's game is smooth.

[Andrew]

Definitely good to see them get that win. All the same, I hope Rose's shots do start falling soon. The aggressiveness is there, the shot selection is better, but the percentage is still terrible. At least he's not jacking up a lot of ill-advised threes.

[Moz]

Noah was awesome, even including a crossover drive to the basket

Jo's always awesome whenever they face marquee teams. Pau's not the usual meek guy he is whenever he's matched-up with Duncan in this game... He's more aggressive in the paint, doing more face ups, and trying to outrun him perhaps he should do what Adam Sandler did in The Waterboy imagining that every man who guards him is Duncan... The defense has been consistent for quite some time now perhaps they're beginning to figure it out. The offense has not been as explosive like on the earlier games though... MDJ had a setback and will be sidelined for another 2 weeks... Speaking of him, it will be try outs for McBuckets and Snell every game since it seems ET'waun have the SG reserve role locked.

[air gordon]

a little apprehensive about the tonite's game against the underwhelming Nuggets. I predict a lethargic start from Pau. Nice Waterboy reference there

trying to be patient with Rose. across the board, his stats are quite sobering. he did have some explosive drives to the basket (mixed in with some head scratchers). nicre little series of him and Parker going at each other.

it is what it is i suppose. at some point that vision is suppose to improve

[Andrew]

It did turn out to be a bit of a sloppy effort, though they got there in the end. Gasol one rebound shy of a 20-20 game.

[air gordon]

Glad to be wrong about the Spaniard. Fredberg said before the game he has been using some of Thibs sets to get certain players involved early in the game

Butler and Pau carrying the team to another scrappy victory

[air gordon]

Dear Santa
Please put taj Gibson and dougie mcbuckets in the starting lineup
Thank you

[I Hate Mondays]

With mcbuckets defensive abilities, I don't see him starting in the near future

[Moz]

Dear Santa
Please put taj Gibson and dougie mcbuckets in the starting lineup
Thank you

Goodluck with that but Hoigrinch prefers Joakim over Taj... Instead wish to Santa that they'll get a solid wingman for Pau before they lose him to Memphis after this season... Speaking of trades, try to put (although it's still not passable till January) Brooks on the bait for players who has potential but are rotting on their team's bench because of overcrowding like Ish Smith or KJ McDaniels...

[air gordon]

Goodluck with that but Hoigrinch prefers Joakim over Taj... Instead wish to Santa that they'll get a solid wingman for Pau before they lose him to Memphis after this season... Speaking of trades, try to put (although it's still not passable till January) Brooks on the bait for players who has potential but are rotting on their team's bench because of overcrowding like Ish Smith or KJ McDaniels...

mcbuckets could start if you replace Niko with Noah or Taj. Gasol is already terrible on pick n roll and Niko has been shitty all around.

snell is fredberg's bogans. Those are unearned entitlement minutes. Just start Mcbuckets already

Happy haircut to Pau. Nice timing there with his opt out comments and Zeller looking like an all star

Wasted effort by Rose. It was a good game for his standards. Looks like he took it personal when Walker was ignoring him off ball

And what is up with jeremy lin's hair? He could poke a guy's eye out

Too bad Chandler had a season ending injury. GarPax have a long history of not making inseason trades unless it's a salary dump but I'll continue to write to santa

[Andrew]

With Gasol looking to opt out, it would be nice if they could make a shrewd deal of some kind before the deadline. Easier said than done though, as they don't have a lot of leverage there. He hasn't exactly put them in a position to make a good pitch to anyone.

[Moz]

With Gasol looking to opt out, it would be nice if they could make a shrewd deal of some kind before the deadline. Easier said than done though, as they don't have a lot of leverage there. He hasn't exactly put them in a position to make a good pitch to anyone.

Yeh the only players I saw that can be matched with his salary are Arron Afflalo and a bunch of overpaid knuckleheads (i.e. Lance Stephenson, JR Smith)... The former will be a good fit but the Knicks got Robin Lopez and Porzingod already so scratch that...

[Andrew]

What a way to lose a game.