by Andrew on Thu Dec 18, 2003 1:34 pm
I'm back with results, stats, and random comments.
Chicago 85, Detroit 68
KG's first game as a Bull yielded a victory. Slow paced game, the Pistons defended me pretty well but couldn't get it going on offense. I pretty much cruised to victory in the final minutes.
Cleveland 99, Chicago 96
KG's first game in the United Center as a member of the home team was spoiled by LeBron James and the Cavaliers. I had a chance to win to tie the game with a three, but as I tried to get Hardaway into position for a quick three, I picked up a five second violation. All Cleveland had to do was inbound the ball and run out the final 2.1 seconds.
Utah 64, Chicago 62
Yes, that's 64-62, the lowest score I've ever had playing 12 minute quarters, for any NBA Live. This game was just plain ugly. Both teams shot below 30%, and my scorers came up empty down the stretch. Obviously this was disappointing, as one of the reasons I acquired KG was to have a player who could step up and make shots when I needed them most.
New Jersey 100, Chicago 97
The losing streak continues, another distressing loss as the Nets were without the services of Jason Kidd, who is out with a broken bone in his foot. Not much to say, except I simply didn't play well enough in crunch time.
Cleveland 89, Chicago 81
The streak hits four, and I really shouldn't have lost this one. I led 23-12 at the end of the first, and played pretty well throughout. Unfortunately, I allowed the Cavs to get back into the game and they made a determined run in the fourth. In the final three minutes, they managed to pull out of reach as I missed a couple of big baskets and didn't make some stops.
Chicago 110, Washington 88
Determined to break the losing streak and gain revenge for the opening night loss, I got KG involved in the offense early and paid more attention to defense. I also inserted Kirk Hinrich into the starting lineup. Though Jerry Stackhouse would score 44, there was no way I was letting a fifth straight game slip away. The game was over at the end of the third, and the final result was a 110-88 victory.
Chicago 94, Miami 79
The game was pretty close throughout the first two and a half quarters, but through the latter part of the second half I pulled away for a comfortable lead. Again, I made sure KG got involved early, and although he didn't score much in the second half, he didn't need to. The last six minutes were basically going through the motions, picking up NBA Store/Dynasty points in the process.
Chicago 103, Minnesota 85
KG's return to Minnesota saw an awesome performance from the Big Ticket. He had 22 points, 20 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 blocks as his former team were downed 103-85. Minnesota were without Latrell Sprewell and Sam Cassell, though Wally World and Hudson both had good games. I also don't recall Rose being so effective from behind the arc, but it wasn't enough for the depleted Timberwolves.
My current starting lineup:
C: Curry
PF: Garnett
SF: Pippen
SG: Crawford
PG: Hinrich
Chandler is proving to be a very effective sixth man. Donyell Marshall has been playing much better as of late, while Kendall Gill and Eddie Robinson can usually be counted on to chip in here and there. Baxter, Blount and Hardaway usually get into the game in garbage time or if someone is in foul trouble, though they haven't played in a couple of recent games.
Baxter usually plays well given 10+ minutes of playing time, but there's too much talent ahead of him in the rotation. With Chandler playing more minutes at centre off the bench, Blount is playing few minutes. Tim Bug can still play, but with Hinrich, Crawford and Pippen all spending time at point guard, he doesn't usually get a lot of minutes unless the game is a blowout.
I'm really enjoying the season, especially now that I've settled on a rotation that seems to work and suits my style of play. My record is currently 17-14, 7th in the East.
Some stats:
Garnett: 23.3 ppg, 13.6 ppg, 1.9 bpg, 1.2 spg, 4.3 apg, 49.4% FG
Crawford: 17.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 0.3 bpg, 0.9 spg, 5.2 apg, 33.8% 3PT
Pippen: 16.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 0.4 bpg, 0.5 spg, 4.7 apg, 92% FT
Curry: 11.5 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 2.1 bpg, 0.1 spg, 2.5 apg, 56.9% FG
Chandler: 9.7 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 2.4 bpg, 0.3 spg, 1.9 apg, 56.7% FG
Gill: 6.2 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 0.3 bpg, 0.3 spg, 1.5 apg, 95.8% FT
Marshall: 5.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 0.9 bpg, 0.1 spg, 1.3 apg, 49% FG
Hinrich: 5.7 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 0.0 bpg, 0.6 spg, 3.4 apg, 89.7 FT%
Robinson: 4.4 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 0.1 bpg, 0.0 spg, 0.7 apg, 95.5% FT
Hardaway: 3.2 ppg, 0.2 rpg, 0.0 bpg, 0.4 spg, 0.8 apg, 54.5% FG, 66.7% 3PT
Baxter: 2.1 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 0.3 bpg, 0.0 spg, 0.2 apg, 100% FT
Blount, 1.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 0.2 bpg, 0.0 spg, 0.9 apg