Andrew's 06 Bulls, Part 2 :: 07/08 (October 2007)

[Andrew]

Thanks guys. Will hopefully be able to put aside some time later today to do the monthly recap. Definitely hoping I can get Gordon the scoring title, he's not far away from the lead at the moment.

u think u can break kobe's 81 points any time this season?

I wouldn't mind giving it a shot. I'd really have to force feed him the ball to do that, if he's on a roll and knocking down a lot of threes then it's certainly feasible.

You should do something about your defensive rebounding. You have great rebounders in Chandler, Boozer and Deng, yet you are constantly being out-rebounded big on the offensive glass.

Yeah, rebounding's been off lately. There have been some fairly high percentage second half shootouts though, which also contributes to the lower rebounding numbers.

[Fresh8]

It would be a travesty if Gordon did not win POTM!

[Andrew]

More on that in the recap. I didn't get around to it yesterday but I'll give it another shot today.

[Fresh8]

More on that in the recap. I didn't get around to it yesterday but I'll give it another shot today.

I got a bad feeling about this.

[Bodz]

With Gordon's strong play like that, pretty sure he'll be the EPOTM.

[.PorkyJoker.o6]

I'd vote Gordon for Scoring Champ!
Man your Bulls is one helofaa monster!
great job!

[Andrew]

Very astute, Sit. Recap follows:

January 2007 Recap

Record: 36-5
Team Stats

Team Leaders

PPG: Ben Gordon; 25.7 ppg
RPG: Tyson Chandler; 10.2 rpg
APG: Kirk Hinrich; 6.9 apg
BPG: Tyson Chandler; 1.4 bpg
SPG: Kirk Hinrich; 1.8 spg

The Chicago Bulls completely dominated the month of January, going undefeated (12-0) in the month and setting a new franchise record with a 52 point victory over the Phoenix Suns. They are currently on a thirteen game winning streak and have the league's best record at 36-5.

MVP Candidates



LeBron James has entered the MVP discussion, with Yao Ming, Ron Artest, Dirk Nowitzki and Baron Davis still considered candidates for this year's MVP. LeBron's Cavs went 11-5 in January including a six game winning streak that helped them back over .500 and into fifth place in the East.

January Players of the Month announced



NEW YORK, NY -- The NBA Players of the Month for January were announced today, with Cleveland Cavaliers' superstar LeBron James being named Player of the Month for the Eastern Conference and league leading scorer Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks taking home Western Conference Player of the Month honours. James averaged 26.5 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 5.8 apg, 1.4 bpg and 2.1 spg as the Cavaliers went 11-5 and climbed into fifth place in the East. Nowitzki posted averages of 29.3 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 3.5 apg, 1.5 bpg and 1.1 spg while leading the Mavericks to a 10-5 record in January.

January Rookies of the Month announced



NEW YORK, NY -- Ayeshi Tam of the Charlotte Bobcats and Liu Cotton New Orleans Hornets were named top rookies for the month of January. Both are two time winners with Tam being named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for December and Cotton previously being named as Western Conference Rookie of the Month in November. Tam posted averages of 19.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg and 4.2 apg in January while Cotton averaged 15.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 6.0 apg and 2.0 spg.

League Leaders

Points



Rebounds



Assists



Steals



Blocks



Field Goals



Free Throws



Three Pointers



Standings

Pacific Division



Northwest Division



Southwest Division



Atlantic Division



Central Division



Southeast Division



Bulls fans furious over Gordon snub

CHICAGO, IL -- The announcement that LeBron James had been named the Eastern Conference Player of the Month for January did not receive a warm reception in the Windy City as Chicago Bulls fans voiced their frustrations on message boards across the Internet.

Although LeBron James had an impressive month posting averages of 26.5 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 5.8 apg, 1.4 bpg and 2.1 spg while leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to an 11-5 record in January, propelling them to fifth in the Eastern Conference, Bulls fans claim that Chicago's starting shooting guard Ben Gordon should received Player of the Month honours. Gordon averaged 34.9 ppg, 6.0 apg, 2.2 rpg and 1.2 spg during the month, scored over 50 points four times including three consecutive games of 50-plus to begin January and led Chicago to a 12-0 record.

"It's typical," raged one infuriated fan. "We're the best team in the league, (Gordon)'s dropping 50 games left and right and we go undefeated but it's all about (James)." Another sarcastically spoke out on the attention that James' impending free agency is attracting. "It wouldn't surprise me if they held a one hour special on ESPN to announce where he's going. The league does not revolve around LeBron but the media seems to think it does."

For his part, Ben Gordon has chosen to take the high road and is downplaying the snub. "I appreciate what all the fans are saying, it's really very humbling. But I'm not going to complain or lose sight of our goal and that's to win another championship." He added "Come June, our fans aren't going to be talking about the January Player of the Month award. They'll be talking about Number Eight." Gordon is currently third in the league in scoring with an average of 25.7 ppg and is the reigning NBA Finals MVP.

[George7]

Where is Ben Gordon!!!!?????

Damn you LeBron!!That's unfair!!

Great Performance by the Bulls this month

[Andrew]

Yeah, I was a bit disappointed but at least the Cavs had a strong month and LeBron's numbers were good across the board. Still, I was hoping Gordon's scoring might increase his chances and it at least let me add a quick feature article to the story. I'm hoping I can get him the Player of the Month award in February instead but it'll be tough as he's not a strong rebounder. Stay tuned though, I'm certainly hoping I can continue the winning streak and have some outstanding performances with Gordon with an eye to attaining that elusive Player of the Month nod.

[kibaxx7]

If I were Gordon, I wouldn't care about the Month award either. As he said the important thing is Number Eight come June.

[Andrew]

Absolutely and that's the hardware I'm fairly certain I'll be able to win. That said, I'm hoping I can get him onto the All-Star team this year (he was injured last year so he missed out) and snag the All-Star MVP trophy, just in case I can't make Player of the Month happen.

[Martti.]

Just like I had with Redd recently. 3 40-point games of my 6 games in the schedule, but Marbury got them with much worse stats.

[Axel The Great]

Sucks that Gordon didn't get PotM , but I agree with him, a championship is more important than a monthly award.

Damn Rockets can't even win a game within their division.

[Andrew]

Ah well, at least I got a bit of a side story out of it. Even got to work in a reference to The Decision, hope everyone caught that.

Thanks for checking in guys.

[Fresh8]

I haven't had that kind of bad luck with POTM. I remember back in the day Kobe would win it if he averaged the numbers that Gordon did. Ah well! He will live and the Bulls will continue to fuck everyone up!

[Andrew]

Yeah I was a little surprised but the game can be finicky with awards at times. LeBron's selection did make sense, I have to give it that.

[Fresh8]

Yeah I was a little surprised but the game can be finicky with awards at times. LeBron's selection did make sense, I have to give it that.

Ben's selection made more sense.

[Lamrock]

Tough break about Gordon's snub, but its unsurprising. Gordon will get his revenge by winning the Most Improved Player award year after year in classic Live fashion!

[Andrew]

Ben's selection made more sense.

I thought he had a good case but LeBron's numbers were pretty good across the board. Fortunately the Cavs' record during the month was good as well, that would've really been a slap in the face if they'd continued to struggle.

Tough break about Gordon's snub, but its unsurprising. Gordon will get his revenge by winning the Most Improved Player award year after year in classic Live fashion!

Good call. Probably won't happen in this Dynasty though (if it happens it'll be with a player on a CPU controlled team) but I might get the All-Star MVP at least.

[Clutch]

"It wouldn't surprise me if they held a one hour special on ESPN to announce where he's going.

classic

bummer on PotM, but as mentioned, not entirely surprising; LBJ's stats crush overall; at least Gordon's a class-act about it and not all bent outta shape

[Andrew]

And it could happen in this reality yet.

February 3rd, 2007
Sacramento (96) at Chicago (121)
Gordon dominant as Bulls rout Kings for fourteenth straight win
[ Boxscore ]


Gordon was spectacular against the Kings

While Ben Gordon has downplayed being snubbed for Player of the Month honours, it appears he's willing to let his game speak volumes. Last year's Finals MVP delivered a fine all around performance with 37 points, 12 assists, six rebounds and two steals as the Bulls returned home and delighted the United Center crowd with a 121-96 victory over the Sacramento Kings for their fourteenth win in a row.

Gordon opened the game with a three, drawing first blood and giving the Bulls a lead they would hold for the entire game. Sacramento remained within five for the first six minutes of the quarter but the game rapidly slipped away as Gordon and Carlos Boozer combined for 19 first quarter points as Chicago went up 32-20 heading into the second quarter. Boozer finished with 20 points and seven rebounds.

Chicago dominated the next two quarters to take a commanding lead, as Gordon scored 13 points in the second quarter following by 15 in the third, including a three pointer that put the Bulls up 22 heading into the fourth. The lead would balloon to as many as 30 during the fourth quarter despite Boozer being the only Bulls starter to play in the final period. Kyle Korver, playing in his first game back after missing the last two through injury, scored 13 points in the quarter to finish with seventeen as Chicago honed their long range shooting, connecting on 6/9 three pointers in the fourth.

Bonzi Wells led the Kings with 24 points, shooting 10/15 from the field. Mike Bibby scored 11 points and handed out a team high eight assists, along with making three steals. One-time Bull Brad Miller had a strong outing with 22 points and 11 rebounds.

Notes: Monta Ellis has been cleared to return but was reportedly held out after experiencing some soreness in practice yesterday. He is expected to play against the Spurs...Kyle Korver returned to the Bulls' lineup after missing two games...Ben Gordon has moved into second place in scoring on the season with an average of 25.9 ppg. Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks currently leads the league with 26.3 ppg...Chicago grabbed 34 rebounds to 28 by the Kings...Chicago were 7/8 from the free throw line, Sacramento were 8/10.

Current Record: 37-5
Next Game: vs San Antonio Spurs; 27-20 (February 5th)

[Martti.]

Korver seems to be ok after the injury and Gordon is still firing on all cylinders, you think you can reach the Rockets 22-game win streak?

[kibaxx7]

Wow, that retro Kings lineup brings some memories Gordon FTW!

[Andrew]

Korver seems to be ok after the injury and Gordon is still firing on all cylinders, you think you can reach the Rockets 22-game win streak?

That's the plan, though in this reality the 22 game streak never happened, so topping 20 will give me the second best winning streak. I'm aiming for the Lakers' streak of 33 though, but the first step is topping the franchise record of 18 straight by the 1996 Bulls.

[Axel The Great]

I'm all for you breaking the Lakers' 33-game win streak. Gordon is still strong.