The Bulls eeked out a close game at home against the Houston Rockets tonight, 118-116 in overtime. They currently sit at 10-8, which is good enough for first place in the division. Derrick Rose was unbelievable again in this game, posting 30 points, 7 rebounds, 11 assists and 5 steals. Carlos Boozer had easily his best game as a Bull, eventhough there has only been a three game sample space. He went for 25 points and 9 rebounds. The play of the game was Derrick Rose's game tying three pointer as the buzzer sounded to force overtime. While I am glad they won the game, there are a few things that concern me about the team right now.
1. They are not playing very good team defense. They have given up over 100 points in three straight games, including tonight against a Rockets team that didn't have two of their top players (Yao Ming and Aaron Brooks). Tom Thibodeau is known as a defensive coach, and he did an excellent job the past few seasons with the Boston Celtics. However, the Boston Celtics have players who are willing to sacrifice some of their offense to play great team defense, and I don't think the Bulls are there yet. Noah plays good defense, and Taj Gibson gives great defensive effort when he's on the floor, but that is about it. They are routinely late on rotations, and so far this season good shooting teams have murdered them from the three point line. If they are going to make the jump from the middle of the pack to the top of the pack, they need to turn it around on the defensive end.
2. The Bulls struggle to win games against good teams. I hope this will change as the season moves along, and Rose and Boozer continue to develop good chemistry (which really started in the game tonight). So far this year they have lost games to Oklahoma City, Boston (twice), San Antonio, Denver, LA Lakers, Orlando, and the New York Knicks. All of those teams are well over .500, and will make the playoffs and be competetive. They were only really blown out by Orlando, so they have been competing. However, they need to start winning some of those games if they are going to be an elite team. I don't think they will be competing for a championship this year, but in order to gain the confidence and swagger that championship teams need, the Bulls have to learn how to beat those kinds of teams.
3. Clearly the Bulls need a starting shooting guard. Right now they have one of the top 3 point guards in the league in Rose, an above average small forward in Deng, a great low post scorer and rebounder in Boozer, an energetic, defensive minded center in Noah, and a rotation of 4 back up shooting guards (Bogans, Korver, Brewer, and James Johnson). Bogans should not be starting anymore. He can't handle the ball, he can't shoot that well, and he doesn't play good enough defense to warrant starter's minutes. Korver isn't the answer either, as he is all offense, and for the money the Bulls paid, his shooting percentage from 3 isn't what it should be. Brewer is a great defender, and I like how he fits in with what the Bulls do in transition. He can't shoot from outside though, and the Bulls need a shooter to stretch the floor. Alot of people have been calling for the Bulls to make a huge deal to try and get Carmelo Anthony. That move would likely cost the Bulls both of their first round picks, Taj Gibson and Luol Deng. To me, that is way too much to give up. I would much rather see the Bulls develop their team chemistry, and use both of their draft picks (one of which should be a lottery pick coming from the Charlotte Bobcats) on shooters that can stretch the floor.
It's been a long time since the Bulls have had a team that was exciting to watch. I really think they are close now. Derrick Rose is a great player having an MVP calibur season, Joakim Noah is a much improved offensive player, and is a winner, and Boozer adds another serious offensive threat for Rose to look to for help. They are close to becoming a good team, and hopefully another season or two of experience will make them an elite team.
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