Well, I've had a few days to forget about the Bulls' loss to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals. After a terrific regular season, and a wildly unpredictable and poorly played playoff run, the Bulls now look to the off-season, needing to find ways to compete with the Heat. Clearly the Bulls and Heat are in the best position to compete for championships in the Eastern Conference, with many of the other teams having too many questions. The Celtics are too old, and eventually some of their key players will be leaving. The Magic aren't a threat anymore, and their best player (Dwight Howard) is likely to leave through trade or free agency. The Knicks have 2 superstar players, but they are poorly coached, especially on the defensive end. The Hawks are inconsistent, and really don't pose a threat to any of the top teams in the league. Unless those teams make some improvements, the Heat and the Bulls are the best two teams in the East, with the Heat obviously having the advantage going forward.
There are many different opinions out there about what the Bulls should do in the off-season to improve their team. I have heard many analysts say that the Bulls will bring in a more athletic starting shooting guard, somebody like Shannon Brown from the Lakers, who can score on his own and play defense. I've also heard the name Rip Hamilton come up as a possible target for the Bulls, along with Ray Allen and Kirk Hinrich. There are some that want the Bulls to perform some type of miracle to bring in a second superstar, like Dwight Howard. The Bulls will have many options to play with, so let's take a look at what they might be able to do to improve their team in order to compete with the Miami Heat.
Most people believe that the Bulls need to bring in a second perimeter scoring option to help Derrick Rose shoulder the scoring load. Rose has improved every single year, and last year he grew by leaps and bounds. However, we've seen time and time again in the history of the NBA, that one person cannot get it done by themselves, and many times that what the Bulls relied on Rose to do. The problem with bringing in a permeter scorer is that there really aren't any great players out there in free agency. Ray Allen is a catch and shoot guy at this stage of his career, and the same goes for Rip Hamilton. Those are both aging players at the end of their careers, which really isn't what the Bulls should be looking for. The Bulls are one of a few teams in the league that have arrows pointing up for the next ten years (Thunder, Heat also are built for long-term success). Another problem with those players is that they can't really create their own shots. They rely on crisp offensive movement, and cutting off screens, which is necessary, but leaves players worn down.
Shannon Brown is an interesting player that I am sure the Bulls will consider in free agency. He is from Chicago, so I am sure he would love to be able to play on a nightly basis for the team he grew up cheering for. He is also super athletic, and only 25 years old. He has ok size for a 2 guard (6'4"), and is a more than capable defender. He has a good three point shot, although he is not known for his outside shooting ability, which is what the Bulls need. He is a tremendous athlete, and playing with Rose would make for some awesome alley oop and fast break dunks. However, he has been a bench player his entire career, so signing him to start and play starter's minutes might be a little risky.
Kirk Hinrich is another name I've heard mentioned as possibly going back to the Bulls. He would definitely fit in with the defensive minded Tom Thibodeau's system. He can also hit catch and shoot jumpers, and has better than average three-point capabilities. He was a huge fan favorite when he played with the Bulls before, and he is a durable guy, with veteran leadership. He also knows how to play with Derrick Rose, and would be somebody who could defend other proven perimeter scorers, like Wade and Carmello Anthony.
Some analysts have said that JR Smith from Denver should be considered, but I think that would be a huge mistake. Smith was once a part of the Bulls, and before he even played a game with them they traded him because he was a locker room nightmare. For a team with great chemistry, that would not be ideal.
The Bulls could also look to upgrade their perimeter scoring in the draft. They have 2 late first round picks (picks 28 and 30) that they could either package in a deal to acquire a better shooter, or they could use the picks on draft night to grab a scorer, such as Marshon Brooks from Providence, who was the second leading scorer in the country, and also put up 50 points against Notre Dame.
The biggest and most unlikely move the Bulls might be able to pull off is acquiring a second superstar through a trade. The name mentioned by most fans is Dwight Howard. Now don't get me wrong, a Rose/Howard duo would be unbelievable. They would both have career years. Teams would be unable to guard them in the pick and roll. Not only that, but the Bulls would have the best point guard and the best center in the game, and those positions are historically the hardest to find superstar players. Howard is a defensive and rebounding beast, not to mention he added a great post up game to his offense last season. It all sounds great, but it is extremely unlikely for a couple of reasons. First of all, Howard is still under contract with the Magic, and they still believe that they can re-sign him. Secondly, if they do trade him, it will likely be to a team out west. Many analysts have said that Howard would like to play for the Lakers, who could offer up Andrew Bynum in a deal. For the Bulls to get him, it would likely take a great combination of starting talent and draft picks, which as of right now, they have. They have 3 picks in this year's draft, 2 in the first round, and they also have a lottery protected pick from the Charlotte Bobcats in next year's draft. Players that would most likely need to be included in the deal would include the Bulls' big guys. Noah, Boozer, Gibson and Asik would be considered, and Orlando would likely have to take on Boozer in order to make the salaries work. Would the Magic want to take a combination of draft picks and big guys that includes Boozer, and trade the best big man in the league to a conference rival? Probably not.
Obviously the Bulls have to get a player who can put up points, and be the second scoring option that Rose needs. They thought they had it in Boozer, but his first year was up and down, and his playoff performance left alot to be desired. They do have a very young team, and they need to make sure the core of the team stays together. I would like to see the Bulls hang onto the following players: Rose (obviously, they'll lock him up long term very soon), Deng, Noah, Gibson, Brewer, Korver, Watson, and Asik. I still think Boozer is a decent player, but he is not worth the money they paid for him. I doubt anybody will take on his contract, and he'll most likely be a Bull next season, but if they can package him with another player or picks to bring in a superstar, or a second perimeter scoring option, they should do it. I also think the Bulls will move forward without Keith Bogans. He is a great defender, and he showed that in the Heat series by locking down Dwyane Wade. Wade had a hard time getting anything going in those 5 games, and he was frustrated by it. However, the Bulls need to get scoring from their starting 2 guard, and he doesn't have the ability to put up big points game in and game out. I also think that Kurt Thomas and Rasual Butler are likely to move elsewhere, so the Bulls will have some moves to make. It'll be an interesting off-season to say the least. Hopefully the Bulls will take their time and make the right moves to put them in position to not only compete with the Heat, but to put them over the top, and into the NBA Finals.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Bulls move on, while Hawks go home
Tuesday night was a big night for Chicago sports fans, and it ended with mixed results. I'll start with the bad news, and end with the good.
The Chicago Blackhawks lost game 7 in overtime to the Vancouver Canucks, by a final score of 2-1. They rallied back and fought hard from a 3-0 series deficit, but fell just short. Even in game 7 they showed alot of grit and resiliency, especially from their starting goaltender, Corey Crawford. Crawford allowed only 2 Alex Burrows goals, neither of which were his fault. The first goal of the game resulted from a bad line change, and the Canucks made the Hawks pay. The final goal of the game was due to a terrible turnover in the Hawks' zone, and Burrows didn't make any mistake with the shot. It was a laser right over the shoulder of Crawford that sent the Hawks home for the summer. Crawford stopped 34 of 36 shots, many of them spectacular, ridiculous saves.
The captain, Jonathan Toews, tied the game with just 1:56 left in the third on a short-handed goal. At that point I thought the Hawks might pull it out, and when they were sent on the power play just seconds into the overtime period, I really thought it would happen. Patrick Sharp had a fantastic opportunity to end the Canucks' season, taking a great pass from Toews through the crease and aiming for the top shelf on the short-side of the net. Luongo made a terrific stop, and the Hawks never got close to scoring in the overtime after that. It was a disappointing end to the season, but I was very happy with the effort the defending cup champions showed in the final four games of the series. There is no shame in losing the series the way they eventually did, and Hawks fans should be proud of the effort they showed in the last four games.
The biggest issue for the Hawks this year was that they waited way too long to play anything resembling championship hockey. It is tough to repeat in any sport as champion, and it hasn't happened in 13 years in the NHL, so the Hawks were up against it to begin with. However, they played sluggish and unmotivated all season. They backed into the playoffs on the last day of the season after losing to Detroit, but getting some from the Minnesota Wild, who defeated the Dallas Stars to send the Hawks to the postseason. When I think about it though, they could have easily been in a better position. They lost several games earlier in the season that they had no business losing. Three times they lost to the Colorado Avalanche, who were the second worst team in the Western Conference. They lost twice apiece on home ice to the Edmonton Oilers and Columbus Blue Jackets, which just shouldn't happen. They also made it a regular habit to blow multiple goal leads, and leads in the third period, which good hockey teams just don't do. Winning those games earlier in the season would have put the Hawks in a much better playoff position than playing the top-seeded Canucks, who were just a little bit better this season.
On the court, the Chicago Bulls finally did what all of their fans wanted them to do, and they put a whooping on a clearly inferior, although competitive Indiana Pacers squad. I had been talking with a buddy of mine before the game, and we were convinced that if the Bulls could have a good shooting night, they would destroy the Pacers. That is exactly what happened. Rose hit 3 three point shots, Bogans was 5-7 from the three point line, Deng and Korver each knocked in a couple of threes, and the Bulls absolutely ran away from the Pacers in the second half. Joakim Noah had his second straight great game, finishing with 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 blocks, not to mention getting in the Pacers' heads. He played physical with Hibbert, Foster, Hansbrough, and McRoberts at times in the Bulls' game 5 116-89 victory over the Pacers. McRoberts was ejected from the game for throwing a forearm punch at Noah during a basket altercation at the end of the third quarter. AJ Price, who really pissed me off in this series with the way he played, was also given a technical foul for trash talking to Noah following another altercation with Tyler Hansbrough. When Noah is going like he was last night, the Bulls feed off of his energy. It was great to see, and the crowd at the United Center was fired up all night.
The glaring weakness coming from this series is obviously the play of Carlos Boozer. The Bulls brought him in to take some of the scoring load off of Derrick Rose, while also grabbing big rebound numbers. Boozer's last two performances in games 4 and 5 of this series were brutal. He scored 2 points and pulled in 5 rebounds last night, and that was it. He routinely missed easy layups and close range shots in this series because he went up soft at the rim. He was constantly in foul trouble, and they were legitimate/stupid fouls. Pushing people in the back on rebound opportunities and lowering his shoulder when driving to the basket are clear-cut fouls, and yet he continues to do those things early and often. If he isn't going to pick his game up in the playoffs, I'd rather see Taj Gibson, who was brilliant last night, get those minutes. He's much better defensively, and isn't too bad offensively either.
I would talk about Derrick Rose, but there really isn't a need. He's been fantastic all season long, and was again last night, going for 25 points and 6 assists. He's clearly the MVP of the season, and as long as he is on the court, the Bulls will have a chance to win any game they play.
So now the Bulls wait for their second round opponent. It will be either the Hawks or the Magic, and I think they can defeat either team in a 7 game series. I think I would rather see the Atlanta Hawks, simply because they don't have the talent to match up with the Bulls. Either way, it'll be great to have NBA Playoff basketball in Chicago in May. Hopefully they can keep it going into late May and June.
So overall, Tuesday was a bittersweet night for Chicago sports fans. The Bulls certainly looked like a team that deserved the number one seed and homecourt throughout the NBA Playoffs. The Blackhawks, while in a losing effort, showed championship heart, and proved that there is still reason to believe they can contend in the NHL for years to come.
The Chicago Blackhawks lost game 7 in overtime to the Vancouver Canucks, by a final score of 2-1. They rallied back and fought hard from a 3-0 series deficit, but fell just short. Even in game 7 they showed alot of grit and resiliency, especially from their starting goaltender, Corey Crawford. Crawford allowed only 2 Alex Burrows goals, neither of which were his fault. The first goal of the game resulted from a bad line change, and the Canucks made the Hawks pay. The final goal of the game was due to a terrible turnover in the Hawks' zone, and Burrows didn't make any mistake with the shot. It was a laser right over the shoulder of Crawford that sent the Hawks home for the summer. Crawford stopped 34 of 36 shots, many of them spectacular, ridiculous saves.
The captain, Jonathan Toews, tied the game with just 1:56 left in the third on a short-handed goal. At that point I thought the Hawks might pull it out, and when they were sent on the power play just seconds into the overtime period, I really thought it would happen. Patrick Sharp had a fantastic opportunity to end the Canucks' season, taking a great pass from Toews through the crease and aiming for the top shelf on the short-side of the net. Luongo made a terrific stop, and the Hawks never got close to scoring in the overtime after that. It was a disappointing end to the season, but I was very happy with the effort the defending cup champions showed in the final four games of the series. There is no shame in losing the series the way they eventually did, and Hawks fans should be proud of the effort they showed in the last four games.
The biggest issue for the Hawks this year was that they waited way too long to play anything resembling championship hockey. It is tough to repeat in any sport as champion, and it hasn't happened in 13 years in the NHL, so the Hawks were up against it to begin with. However, they played sluggish and unmotivated all season. They backed into the playoffs on the last day of the season after losing to Detroit, but getting some from the Minnesota Wild, who defeated the Dallas Stars to send the Hawks to the postseason. When I think about it though, they could have easily been in a better position. They lost several games earlier in the season that they had no business losing. Three times they lost to the Colorado Avalanche, who were the second worst team in the Western Conference. They lost twice apiece on home ice to the Edmonton Oilers and Columbus Blue Jackets, which just shouldn't happen. They also made it a regular habit to blow multiple goal leads, and leads in the third period, which good hockey teams just don't do. Winning those games earlier in the season would have put the Hawks in a much better playoff position than playing the top-seeded Canucks, who were just a little bit better this season.
On the court, the Chicago Bulls finally did what all of their fans wanted them to do, and they put a whooping on a clearly inferior, although competitive Indiana Pacers squad. I had been talking with a buddy of mine before the game, and we were convinced that if the Bulls could have a good shooting night, they would destroy the Pacers. That is exactly what happened. Rose hit 3 three point shots, Bogans was 5-7 from the three point line, Deng and Korver each knocked in a couple of threes, and the Bulls absolutely ran away from the Pacers in the second half. Joakim Noah had his second straight great game, finishing with 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 blocks, not to mention getting in the Pacers' heads. He played physical with Hibbert, Foster, Hansbrough, and McRoberts at times in the Bulls' game 5 116-89 victory over the Pacers. McRoberts was ejected from the game for throwing a forearm punch at Noah during a basket altercation at the end of the third quarter. AJ Price, who really pissed me off in this series with the way he played, was also given a technical foul for trash talking to Noah following another altercation with Tyler Hansbrough. When Noah is going like he was last night, the Bulls feed off of his energy. It was great to see, and the crowd at the United Center was fired up all night.
The glaring weakness coming from this series is obviously the play of Carlos Boozer. The Bulls brought him in to take some of the scoring load off of Derrick Rose, while also grabbing big rebound numbers. Boozer's last two performances in games 4 and 5 of this series were brutal. He scored 2 points and pulled in 5 rebounds last night, and that was it. He routinely missed easy layups and close range shots in this series because he went up soft at the rim. He was constantly in foul trouble, and they were legitimate/stupid fouls. Pushing people in the back on rebound opportunities and lowering his shoulder when driving to the basket are clear-cut fouls, and yet he continues to do those things early and often. If he isn't going to pick his game up in the playoffs, I'd rather see Taj Gibson, who was brilliant last night, get those minutes. He's much better defensively, and isn't too bad offensively either.
I would talk about Derrick Rose, but there really isn't a need. He's been fantastic all season long, and was again last night, going for 25 points and 6 assists. He's clearly the MVP of the season, and as long as he is on the court, the Bulls will have a chance to win any game they play.
So now the Bulls wait for their second round opponent. It will be either the Hawks or the Magic, and I think they can defeat either team in a 7 game series. I think I would rather see the Atlanta Hawks, simply because they don't have the talent to match up with the Bulls. Either way, it'll be great to have NBA Playoff basketball in Chicago in May. Hopefully they can keep it going into late May and June.
So overall, Tuesday was a bittersweet night for Chicago sports fans. The Bulls certainly looked like a team that deserved the number one seed and homecourt throughout the NBA Playoffs. The Blackhawks, while in a losing effort, showed championship heart, and proved that there is still reason to believe they can contend in the NHL for years to come.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Bad Loss for Bulls in Toronto
The Bulls dropped their post All-Star Game opener on the road in Toronto this evening, 118-113. The only bright spot in tonight's game was Derrick Rose, who finished with 32 points and 10 assists, and kept the Bulls in the game in the fourth quarter. It was also Joakim Noah's first game back from injury, which makes the outcome all the more disappointing.
The big problem in the game tonight was the Bulls' defense, or lack there of. Allowing 118 points to a 15 win team is pathetic. You could see it all night too. They gave up easy buckets, were falling for pump-fakes all game long, fouling in stupid situations, and leaving wide open looks to every Toronto shooter all over the floor. The Raptors ended up shooting around 58 percent for the game, which for the Bulls is awful. They pride themselves on playing some of the best defense in the league, and tonight, they just didn't bring it. If you would have told me the Bulls would put up 113 in the game tonight, I would have said they'd win by 20.
The other big let down is that this loss comes on the heels of a pretty tough stretch for the Bulls. They have a home game against the Miami Heat tomorrow night, and then go on the road for 5 straight, against the Bucks, Wizards, Hawks, Magic and Heat. A win tonight was almost a 'must' to start the second half, especially on the heels of the Knicks making a trade for Carmelo Anthony. All of a sudden the Eastern Conference is stacked, and the Bulls need to get wins and fight for playoff positioning.
If the Bulls stand any chance of winning against the Heat tomorrow night, they need to play lights out defensively. They should be ready to go, and a little upset about tonight's performance, which was just pathetic. Toronto doesn't even belong on the same floor with the Bulls, and to lose to them in the first game that they've been completely healthy since early December is extremely disappointing.
Oh well, you can't dwell on the bad losses. The Bulls should learn a lesson from this game, though. You have to be ready to play against every opponent, every single time out. Hopefully we will see an inspired defensive effort before the Bulls go on a tough road trip. They've been one of the best home teams in the league, and having Joakim Noah healthy should be a huge boost, and give the crowd alot of energy. I am excited to see how the Bulls play against the "Big Three".
The big problem in the game tonight was the Bulls' defense, or lack there of. Allowing 118 points to a 15 win team is pathetic. You could see it all night too. They gave up easy buckets, were falling for pump-fakes all game long, fouling in stupid situations, and leaving wide open looks to every Toronto shooter all over the floor. The Raptors ended up shooting around 58 percent for the game, which for the Bulls is awful. They pride themselves on playing some of the best defense in the league, and tonight, they just didn't bring it. If you would have told me the Bulls would put up 113 in the game tonight, I would have said they'd win by 20.
The other big let down is that this loss comes on the heels of a pretty tough stretch for the Bulls. They have a home game against the Miami Heat tomorrow night, and then go on the road for 5 straight, against the Bucks, Wizards, Hawks, Magic and Heat. A win tonight was almost a 'must' to start the second half, especially on the heels of the Knicks making a trade for Carmelo Anthony. All of a sudden the Eastern Conference is stacked, and the Bulls need to get wins and fight for playoff positioning.
If the Bulls stand any chance of winning against the Heat tomorrow night, they need to play lights out defensively. They should be ready to go, and a little upset about tonight's performance, which was just pathetic. Toronto doesn't even belong on the same floor with the Bulls, and to lose to them in the first game that they've been completely healthy since early December is extremely disappointing.
Oh well, you can't dwell on the bad losses. The Bulls should learn a lesson from this game, though. You have to be ready to play against every opponent, every single time out. Hopefully we will see an inspired defensive effort before the Bulls go on a tough road trip. They've been one of the best home teams in the league, and having Joakim Noah healthy should be a huge boost, and give the crowd alot of energy. I am excited to see how the Bulls play against the "Big Three".
Thursday, January 27, 2011
NBA at Mid-season
We are just over halfway through the NBA regular season, and the playoff picture in both conferences has pretty much taken form, especially in the top half of each conference. While the playoff seeds are still very much up for grabs, the top teams in each conference have clearly separated themselves.
The conference standings as they are right now are as follows:
Eastern Conference:
1. Boston Celtics (34-10)
2. Miami Heat (31-13)
3. Chicago Bulls (31-14)
4. Orlando Magic (30-16)
5. Atlanta Hawks (29-17)
6. New York Knicks (23-21)
7. Philadelphia 76ers (20-25)
8. Charlotte Bobcats (19-25)
9.Milwaukee Bucks (17-26)
10. Indiana Pacers (16-26)
11. Detroit Pistons(17-29)
12. New Jersey Nets (14-32)
13. Washington Wizards (13-31)
14. Toronto Raptors (13-33)
15. Cleveland Cavaliers (8-37)
Western Conference:
1. San Antonio Spurs (39-7)
2. Los Angeles Lakers (33-13)
3. New Orleans Hornets (31-16)
4. Oklahomo City Thunder (29-16)
5. Dallas Mavericks (29-15)
6. Denver Nuggets (27-18)
7. Utah Jazz (27-19)
8. Portland Trail Blazers (25-21)
9. Memphis Grizzlies (22-24)
10. Houston Rockets (22-25)
11. Phoenix Suns (20-24)
12. Golden State Warriors (19-26)
13. Los Angeles Clippers (17-28)
14. Sacramento Kings (10-33)
15. Minnesota Timberwolves (10-35)
Obviously it's still early in the season, and things are going to change before the playoffs begin. In fact, just after I started this post, the Knicks beat the Heat, allowing the Bulls to jump up to the number 2 spot in the Eastern Conference. The thing that I think is pretty clear by looking at the two conferences is just how tough the Western Conference is. Sure, the Eastern Conference has four very good teams (maybe all four of those teams are elite) in the NBA, but overall, the Western Conference is much tougher.
For this post, I decided to go through the list of teams I think could be championship contenders this season, and predict how the rest of their seasons might go. We'll start in the Eastern Conference.
East:
1. Boston Celtics: This has to be the team to beat in the East. Almost everybody, including myself, had given the conference to the Miami Heat, but after watching them play the first half of the season, it's clear that they have issues that aren't going to be solved easily, if at all before the end of the season. The Celtics, however, only have one major issue to deal with, and that is injuries. Garnett, Shaq, Perkins, Jermaine O'Neal, Rondo, and Delonte West have all missed time with injuries this season. They were still able to post the best record in the East over that span, and now that they are all healthy, they will be scary the rest of the way. They have 3 Hall of Famers in their starting line up, the best pure shooter in the game today in Ray Allen, one of the best players in the clutch in Paul Pierce, and the deepest bench in the league by far. The rarely lose at home, and they should be playing at home throughout the Eastern Conference Playoffs. Prediction: 62-20, and a trip back to the NBA Finals.
2. Miami Heat: The Heat have too much talent not to be considered a title contender this year. Wade and James are the obvious go to guys come playoff time, but they do have some other players on their team that can contribute. James Jones has proven to be an asset from behind the three point line, as has Mike Miller. The problem with the Heat is that they are a finesse team. They like to play "pretty" basketball, running the floor off of turnovers, and scoring alot in the fastbreak. Teams in the playoffs won't allow that. Playoff teams don't turn the ball over nearly as much, and they play tough, physical defense. I know the Heat can't play that style, especially not with Chris Bosh as the big man. Bosh is one of the softest players in the league, and he proved as much with his comments following the Heat's loss to the Bulls, in which he injured his ankle. Prediction: 55-27, and a loss in the Conference Semi-Finals.
3. Chicago Bulls: The Bulls are my favorite team, and I love how they have been playing the first half of the season. They have only played 9 full games with a healthy roster (Boozer and Noah have each missed significant time), and not only have they weathered the storm, they've thrived in it. They went 9-6 without Boozer to start the season, and are 15-6 since Noah went out with an injury. Derrick Rose has emerged as a star in the NBA, and that seems to be one of the characteristics for teams to make a deep playoff run. The thing the Bulls lack though is winning playoff experience. I think this team is built for long term success, and may be a solid shooting guard away from actually competing for a championship. Prediction: 54-28, and most likely a loss in the Conference Semi Finals, although I want to say they'll play the Celtics in the Eastern Finals. That would be a great series.
4. Orlando Magic: I don't like the Magic, and I hated the trade they made earlier this season because of Gilbert Arenas. However, the trade has worked out pretty well so far. Dwight Howard is the best center in the NBA, and it's not even close. His offense is much improved, and his defense is just as good as it has been the past 2 seasons, when he has won the defensive player of the year award. The Magic can spread the floor, and they are averaging a league best 11 made three pointers per game since the trade. One player to watch on this team: Ryan Anderson. The Magic traded away Rashard Lewis, and have improved with Ryan Anderson. He can stretch the floor just as well, and plays decent enough defense, a foreign concept to Lewis. Prediction: 58-24, and a loss in the Conference Finals to the Celtics.
None of the other teams in the East really have a chance. The Hawks and the Knicks are the only other teams with winning records, but I can't see them doing much in the playoffs, depending on who they'll play in the first round. The Knicks just want to get in, and they'll take their chances next year when they are likely to sign Carmelo Anthony.
Western Conference:
1. San Antonio Spurs: The Spurs are playing the best team basketball in the league, and that includes the Boston Celtics. The Spurs are just as old as the Celtics, and in much the same way, they depend on evenly spread scoring contributions, and solid team defense. Ginobli, Parker and Duncan are still playing well, although Duncan is on the downhill portion of his career. The window is closing for the Spurs, but I like them in the West this year. Prediction: 65-17, and a trip to the NBA Finals to take on the Celtics.
2. Los Angeles Lakers: L.A. has to be considered a major contender to get back to the Finals this season. They haven't played well, and haven't come close to playing their best basketball, yet they are 20 games over .500, and are second in the conference. Kobe is starting to show his age, but is still one of the best scoring players in the league. It wouldn't shock me to see the Lakers back in the Finals, but I can't stand them, so I won't pick them. Prediction: 60-22, and a loss in the Conference Finals in 7 games.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder: The Thunder will be the team to beat in the West in the next 2 seasons. Durant and Westbrook are the best scoring pair in the league, and the rest of the team fits around them extremely well. They are a young, athletic team, and with some winning experience in the playoffs I can see them taking off in years to come. I like them in the long run, but not for this season. Prediction: 54-28, losing in the Conference Semi Finals to the Lakers. I would love to see them get passed this point, but don't think it happens this year. Watch out for alot of Thunder/Heat or Thunder/Bulls Finals in the next few years though.
I think those are the only realistic contenders this season. I'll admit that the Bulls might be a stretch this season, but they are playing extremely well to this point in the season, and being second in the conference after tonight, you have to throw them in the mix. It should be fun to see how the rest of the season plays out going into the Playoffs.
The conference standings as they are right now are as follows:
Eastern Conference:
1. Boston Celtics (34-10)
2. Miami Heat (31-13)
3. Chicago Bulls (31-14)
4. Orlando Magic (30-16)
5. Atlanta Hawks (29-17)
6. New York Knicks (23-21)
7. Philadelphia 76ers (20-25)
8. Charlotte Bobcats (19-25)
9.Milwaukee Bucks (17-26)
10. Indiana Pacers (16-26)
11. Detroit Pistons(17-29)
12. New Jersey Nets (14-32)
13. Washington Wizards (13-31)
14. Toronto Raptors (13-33)
15. Cleveland Cavaliers (8-37)
Western Conference:
1. San Antonio Spurs (39-7)
2. Los Angeles Lakers (33-13)
3. New Orleans Hornets (31-16)
4. Oklahomo City Thunder (29-16)
5. Dallas Mavericks (29-15)
6. Denver Nuggets (27-18)
7. Utah Jazz (27-19)
8. Portland Trail Blazers (25-21)
9. Memphis Grizzlies (22-24)
10. Houston Rockets (22-25)
11. Phoenix Suns (20-24)
12. Golden State Warriors (19-26)
13. Los Angeles Clippers (17-28)
14. Sacramento Kings (10-33)
15. Minnesota Timberwolves (10-35)
Obviously it's still early in the season, and things are going to change before the playoffs begin. In fact, just after I started this post, the Knicks beat the Heat, allowing the Bulls to jump up to the number 2 spot in the Eastern Conference. The thing that I think is pretty clear by looking at the two conferences is just how tough the Western Conference is. Sure, the Eastern Conference has four very good teams (maybe all four of those teams are elite) in the NBA, but overall, the Western Conference is much tougher.
For this post, I decided to go through the list of teams I think could be championship contenders this season, and predict how the rest of their seasons might go. We'll start in the Eastern Conference.
East:
1. Boston Celtics: This has to be the team to beat in the East. Almost everybody, including myself, had given the conference to the Miami Heat, but after watching them play the first half of the season, it's clear that they have issues that aren't going to be solved easily, if at all before the end of the season. The Celtics, however, only have one major issue to deal with, and that is injuries. Garnett, Shaq, Perkins, Jermaine O'Neal, Rondo, and Delonte West have all missed time with injuries this season. They were still able to post the best record in the East over that span, and now that they are all healthy, they will be scary the rest of the way. They have 3 Hall of Famers in their starting line up, the best pure shooter in the game today in Ray Allen, one of the best players in the clutch in Paul Pierce, and the deepest bench in the league by far. The rarely lose at home, and they should be playing at home throughout the Eastern Conference Playoffs. Prediction: 62-20, and a trip back to the NBA Finals.
2. Miami Heat: The Heat have too much talent not to be considered a title contender this year. Wade and James are the obvious go to guys come playoff time, but they do have some other players on their team that can contribute. James Jones has proven to be an asset from behind the three point line, as has Mike Miller. The problem with the Heat is that they are a finesse team. They like to play "pretty" basketball, running the floor off of turnovers, and scoring alot in the fastbreak. Teams in the playoffs won't allow that. Playoff teams don't turn the ball over nearly as much, and they play tough, physical defense. I know the Heat can't play that style, especially not with Chris Bosh as the big man. Bosh is one of the softest players in the league, and he proved as much with his comments following the Heat's loss to the Bulls, in which he injured his ankle. Prediction: 55-27, and a loss in the Conference Semi-Finals.
3. Chicago Bulls: The Bulls are my favorite team, and I love how they have been playing the first half of the season. They have only played 9 full games with a healthy roster (Boozer and Noah have each missed significant time), and not only have they weathered the storm, they've thrived in it. They went 9-6 without Boozer to start the season, and are 15-6 since Noah went out with an injury. Derrick Rose has emerged as a star in the NBA, and that seems to be one of the characteristics for teams to make a deep playoff run. The thing the Bulls lack though is winning playoff experience. I think this team is built for long term success, and may be a solid shooting guard away from actually competing for a championship. Prediction: 54-28, and most likely a loss in the Conference Semi Finals, although I want to say they'll play the Celtics in the Eastern Finals. That would be a great series.
4. Orlando Magic: I don't like the Magic, and I hated the trade they made earlier this season because of Gilbert Arenas. However, the trade has worked out pretty well so far. Dwight Howard is the best center in the NBA, and it's not even close. His offense is much improved, and his defense is just as good as it has been the past 2 seasons, when he has won the defensive player of the year award. The Magic can spread the floor, and they are averaging a league best 11 made three pointers per game since the trade. One player to watch on this team: Ryan Anderson. The Magic traded away Rashard Lewis, and have improved with Ryan Anderson. He can stretch the floor just as well, and plays decent enough defense, a foreign concept to Lewis. Prediction: 58-24, and a loss in the Conference Finals to the Celtics.
None of the other teams in the East really have a chance. The Hawks and the Knicks are the only other teams with winning records, but I can't see them doing much in the playoffs, depending on who they'll play in the first round. The Knicks just want to get in, and they'll take their chances next year when they are likely to sign Carmelo Anthony.
Western Conference:
1. San Antonio Spurs: The Spurs are playing the best team basketball in the league, and that includes the Boston Celtics. The Spurs are just as old as the Celtics, and in much the same way, they depend on evenly spread scoring contributions, and solid team defense. Ginobli, Parker and Duncan are still playing well, although Duncan is on the downhill portion of his career. The window is closing for the Spurs, but I like them in the West this year. Prediction: 65-17, and a trip to the NBA Finals to take on the Celtics.
2. Los Angeles Lakers: L.A. has to be considered a major contender to get back to the Finals this season. They haven't played well, and haven't come close to playing their best basketball, yet they are 20 games over .500, and are second in the conference. Kobe is starting to show his age, but is still one of the best scoring players in the league. It wouldn't shock me to see the Lakers back in the Finals, but I can't stand them, so I won't pick them. Prediction: 60-22, and a loss in the Conference Finals in 7 games.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder: The Thunder will be the team to beat in the West in the next 2 seasons. Durant and Westbrook are the best scoring pair in the league, and the rest of the team fits around them extremely well. They are a young, athletic team, and with some winning experience in the playoffs I can see them taking off in years to come. I like them in the long run, but not for this season. Prediction: 54-28, losing in the Conference Semi Finals to the Lakers. I would love to see them get passed this point, but don't think it happens this year. Watch out for alot of Thunder/Heat or Thunder/Bulls Finals in the next few years though.
I think those are the only realistic contenders this season. I'll admit that the Bulls might be a stretch this season, but they are playing extremely well to this point in the season, and being second in the conference after tonight, you have to throw them in the mix. It should be fun to see how the rest of the season plays out going into the Playoffs.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Let's Make a Deal!
There has been alot of trade speculation surrounding the Chicago Bulls since the beginning of the season. They have been loosely linked to Carmelo Anthony, who seems destined to be playing in a new jersey by the end of February. There have also been a plethora of other shooters that have been mentioned as possible names that could be moved by the trading deadline. The Bulls are an improving team, and should be a lock to at least move passed the first round of the playoffs this season. If they want to actually contend, they need to find somebody who can shoot well from the perimeter. So, with that in mind, I decided to take a look at some of the players they currently have on their roster, and possible players they could add.
Untradeable:
Derrick Rose: Nobody in their right mind would trade Rose to another team this early in his career. He is a legit MVP candidate this season, and will be the starting point guard at the all star game this season. He will only get better, and will be the face of the franchise for many seasons.
Joakim Noah: The Bulls just recently locked Noah up with a 5 year deal. Besides that, he is a top 5 rebounder, the second best defensive center in the conference, and his offense has improved alot (it will continue to get better as well).
Carlos Boozer: The only real scoring option the Bulls have in the post. Boozer is a double-double machine, and a legit 20-10 guy. Those are tough to find, and when you get one, you don't trade him.
Good Trade Candidates:
Luol Deng: Deng would look very good to other teams for a trade if he didn't have such a huge contract. He puts up decent numbers (18 points, 6 rebounds per game), but those stats aren't worth the money he makes, which is right around 11 million dollars per season, for the next 2 seasons.
Kyle Korver: I like Korver, especially in the role he plays for the Bulls. He is a three point specialist, and is the only real sharp shooter the Bulls have on their roster. However, if the Bulls are going to acquire a good perimeter shooter, they will likely have to give up a good shooter in the deal, and Korver would likely be the guy.
Ronnie Brewer: I almost put Brewer on the untradeable list, because Brewer is the type of player winning teams have. He comes off the bench, plays spectacular defense, chips in key buckets, and is a great team player. Championship teams have those kinds of players come off their bench. Other teams know that too, and may want Ronnie Brewer if they are to give up a quality shooter.
Taj Gibson: Taj has played unbelievable basketball lately, especially on the defensive end. He has had at least 5 blocks in 3 of the last 5 games, and continues to improve his mid-range jumpshot, along with his post game. I really like him coming off the Bulls' bench, because he would be starting on alot of teams in the league, which gives the Bulls much better depth in the backcourt when they are healthy. Teams around the league especially like Gibson's talent, and he may be a focal point of any deal the Bulls try to make.
CJ Watson: Watson is the only other player the Bulls have that can run the point, although he is more of a combo guard. He can score pretty well too, which is why some teams might request Watson be part of a trade if the Bulls want a quality shooting guard.
Others:
James Johnson: Some teams may take a flier on Johnson, as he has raw talent, but has not developed like a first round pick should. He doesn't get enough minutes to develop, but he really doesn't deserve the minutes either.
Omer Asik: The Bulls wouldn't trade him anyway, and even though other teams around the league might like this guy, he is also pretty raw. He is a defensive machine, and can rebound very well. He also makes alot of hustle plays, which players like Chris Bosh know nothing about. I think the Bulls want to develop Omer's game over the next couple of seasons, and see if they can hang on to him for a great option to replace Noah off the bench.
Keith Bogans: At this point Bogans continues to start, but he only plays 12-14 minutes per game, and doesn't really contribute much offensively.
Kurt Thomas: Thomas has played extremely well in Noah's absence, and the Bulls should be grateful for the job he has done. I don't think many teams would want him because of his age (38), but he does have an expiring contract, so who knows. Still, I think he stays with the Bulls to finish the season.
Players the Bulls could trade for:
1. Carmelo Anthony: It has been widely reported that Anthony, who is one of the best scorers in the league, only wants to play for the Knicks. If I'm the Bulls' GM, I say let him. Denver is asking way too much in any trade, and earlier this year, when the Bulls asked what it would take to land Anthony, the Nuggets said they would need Joakim Noah, Luol Deng, and 2 first round picks. The Bulls answered by giving Noah a massive contract extension. Sounds like a big middle finger to the Nuggets to me.
2. J.R. Smith: Smith is the starting shooting guard for the Denver Nuggets, and plays alongside Carmelo Anthony. He can shoot the ball lights out from distance, but tends to play out of control. He is also wildly inconsistent. He'll score 25 one night, and only score 6 the next night. The Bulls need a consistent shooting guard who can start for them, and I don't know that J.R. Smith is it. Plus, the Bulls had J.R. Smith on their roster a couple of years ago, and they traded him before he ever played a game. I think they knew back then that they didn't want him. Why would they now?
3. O.J. Mayo: Mayo is a player I wouldn't mind having actually. He comes off the bench for the Memphis Grizzlies, but that is a gross misuse of a talented player. Mayo would be averaging 20 points per game with alot of different teams in the NBA. He can shoot well from the perimeter, and has the ability to create his own shot. I don't know that he would be the best fit in Chicago, but he is a talented player that I am sure the Bulls are looking at.
4. Andre Iguodala: Iguodala is the most athletic player in this group. He is the starting shooting guard for the 76ers, and is probably the best defender out of this group. However, he is more of a slashing guard, who likes to get to the rim. There is nothing wrong with that at all, but the Bulls need a guy who can spot up and shoot from the perimeter with great consistency, and Iguodala just isn't that type of player.
In my opinion, I don't think the Bulls need to make a trade. They have only had their full complement of players for 9 games this season. Boozer has missed 17 games with injuries, and Noah has been out since mid-December, and isn't expected back until late February. When Noah and Boozer were both in the lineup, the Bulls were 7-2, and were winning games by double digits. Derrick Rose is quickly becoming one of the best players in the NBA, and the last thing the Bulls need to do is bring in a player who is going to take the ball out of his hands. The bench is deep now, and the Bulls should do everything they can to maintain the depth they have. They need to do this if they hope to compete with the Celtics in the next couple of seasons. I think the Bulls should look big picture. They have alot of young players on their team right now, and they will need time to learn how to win playoff games. Let this team take their lumps now. Use your draft picks well, grab a couple of good shooters, and sign a decent free agent if one comes available. But don't trade away good pieces of a good, young, improving team that is just starting to build good chemistry.
Untradeable:
Derrick Rose: Nobody in their right mind would trade Rose to another team this early in his career. He is a legit MVP candidate this season, and will be the starting point guard at the all star game this season. He will only get better, and will be the face of the franchise for many seasons.
Joakim Noah: The Bulls just recently locked Noah up with a 5 year deal. Besides that, he is a top 5 rebounder, the second best defensive center in the conference, and his offense has improved alot (it will continue to get better as well).
Carlos Boozer: The only real scoring option the Bulls have in the post. Boozer is a double-double machine, and a legit 20-10 guy. Those are tough to find, and when you get one, you don't trade him.
Good Trade Candidates:
Luol Deng: Deng would look very good to other teams for a trade if he didn't have such a huge contract. He puts up decent numbers (18 points, 6 rebounds per game), but those stats aren't worth the money he makes, which is right around 11 million dollars per season, for the next 2 seasons.
Kyle Korver: I like Korver, especially in the role he plays for the Bulls. He is a three point specialist, and is the only real sharp shooter the Bulls have on their roster. However, if the Bulls are going to acquire a good perimeter shooter, they will likely have to give up a good shooter in the deal, and Korver would likely be the guy.
Ronnie Brewer: I almost put Brewer on the untradeable list, because Brewer is the type of player winning teams have. He comes off the bench, plays spectacular defense, chips in key buckets, and is a great team player. Championship teams have those kinds of players come off their bench. Other teams know that too, and may want Ronnie Brewer if they are to give up a quality shooter.
Taj Gibson: Taj has played unbelievable basketball lately, especially on the defensive end. He has had at least 5 blocks in 3 of the last 5 games, and continues to improve his mid-range jumpshot, along with his post game. I really like him coming off the Bulls' bench, because he would be starting on alot of teams in the league, which gives the Bulls much better depth in the backcourt when they are healthy. Teams around the league especially like Gibson's talent, and he may be a focal point of any deal the Bulls try to make.
CJ Watson: Watson is the only other player the Bulls have that can run the point, although he is more of a combo guard. He can score pretty well too, which is why some teams might request Watson be part of a trade if the Bulls want a quality shooting guard.
Others:
James Johnson: Some teams may take a flier on Johnson, as he has raw talent, but has not developed like a first round pick should. He doesn't get enough minutes to develop, but he really doesn't deserve the minutes either.
Omer Asik: The Bulls wouldn't trade him anyway, and even though other teams around the league might like this guy, he is also pretty raw. He is a defensive machine, and can rebound very well. He also makes alot of hustle plays, which players like Chris Bosh know nothing about. I think the Bulls want to develop Omer's game over the next couple of seasons, and see if they can hang on to him for a great option to replace Noah off the bench.
Keith Bogans: At this point Bogans continues to start, but he only plays 12-14 minutes per game, and doesn't really contribute much offensively.
Kurt Thomas: Thomas has played extremely well in Noah's absence, and the Bulls should be grateful for the job he has done. I don't think many teams would want him because of his age (38), but he does have an expiring contract, so who knows. Still, I think he stays with the Bulls to finish the season.
Players the Bulls could trade for:
1. Carmelo Anthony: It has been widely reported that Anthony, who is one of the best scorers in the league, only wants to play for the Knicks. If I'm the Bulls' GM, I say let him. Denver is asking way too much in any trade, and earlier this year, when the Bulls asked what it would take to land Anthony, the Nuggets said they would need Joakim Noah, Luol Deng, and 2 first round picks. The Bulls answered by giving Noah a massive contract extension. Sounds like a big middle finger to the Nuggets to me.
2. J.R. Smith: Smith is the starting shooting guard for the Denver Nuggets, and plays alongside Carmelo Anthony. He can shoot the ball lights out from distance, but tends to play out of control. He is also wildly inconsistent. He'll score 25 one night, and only score 6 the next night. The Bulls need a consistent shooting guard who can start for them, and I don't know that J.R. Smith is it. Plus, the Bulls had J.R. Smith on their roster a couple of years ago, and they traded him before he ever played a game. I think they knew back then that they didn't want him. Why would they now?
3. O.J. Mayo: Mayo is a player I wouldn't mind having actually. He comes off the bench for the Memphis Grizzlies, but that is a gross misuse of a talented player. Mayo would be averaging 20 points per game with alot of different teams in the NBA. He can shoot well from the perimeter, and has the ability to create his own shot. I don't know that he would be the best fit in Chicago, but he is a talented player that I am sure the Bulls are looking at.
4. Andre Iguodala: Iguodala is the most athletic player in this group. He is the starting shooting guard for the 76ers, and is probably the best defender out of this group. However, he is more of a slashing guard, who likes to get to the rim. There is nothing wrong with that at all, but the Bulls need a guy who can spot up and shoot from the perimeter with great consistency, and Iguodala just isn't that type of player.
In my opinion, I don't think the Bulls need to make a trade. They have only had their full complement of players for 9 games this season. Boozer has missed 17 games with injuries, and Noah has been out since mid-December, and isn't expected back until late February. When Noah and Boozer were both in the lineup, the Bulls were 7-2, and were winning games by double digits. Derrick Rose is quickly becoming one of the best players in the NBA, and the last thing the Bulls need to do is bring in a player who is going to take the ball out of his hands. The bench is deep now, and the Bulls should do everything they can to maintain the depth they have. They need to do this if they hope to compete with the Celtics in the next couple of seasons. I think the Bulls should look big picture. They have alot of young players on their team right now, and they will need time to learn how to win playoff games. Let this team take their lumps now. Use your draft picks well, grab a couple of good shooters, and sign a decent free agent if one comes available. But don't trade away good pieces of a good, young, improving team that is just starting to build good chemistry.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Bull defeat the Heat to win their second straight!
The Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat game tonight was a fantastic game to watch, especially for us Bulls fans. I know alot of people will say that the Bulls got lucky in this game, because the Heat played their second straight game without arguably the league's best player, LeBron James. LeBron was out with a sprained ankle, and the Bulls took advantage, defeating the Heat in a closely contested, 99-96 basketball game.
The fun part about this game, for me, was that it was kind of like games were when I was a kid. I saw so many games where Michael Jordan would go at it with whoever the best player on the other team was (Dominique, Reggie, Ewing, Barkley, Bird, Magic, Drexler). This game was exactly like that with Wade and Rose. Rose would hit a gigantic shot at one end, only to be matched by Wade the next possession. Rose ended the night with 34 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 blocks. Wade ended up with 33 points, 6 rebounds and 5 blocks. Great performances by what should be your starting backcourt for the Eastern Conference All-Stars.
The game was full of big runs by both teams. The Bulls raced out to a 14 pont lead in the second quarter, only to have the Heat go on a 19 point run, and take a 5 point lead at halftime. The Heat were unconscious from the three point line in the second quarter. Miller, Eddie House and Dwyane Wade each hit multiple three pointers in the second quarter, and it looked like the Bulls were going to have their hands full in the second half.
Then Rose joined the three point party, hitting a pair of threes during a huge Bulls' run in the third quarter. Chris Bosh then caught fire, and even he knocked down a three point shot to bring the Heat closer. I think the turning point in the game was probably when Bosh left the game with a sprained ankle. He had 17 points, and had to take 18 shots to get them, but he was playing very well, and carrying the load offensively for Miami in the third quarter when he went out.
Overall, this was a great win for the Bulls. Korver hit a huge three pointer with under 30 seconds left to give the Bulls a 2 point lead, which will hopefully give him some confidence. He has been struggling with his shot for the last couple of weeks, so it would be nice to see him get on a nice roll here. The Bulls improved their record to 27-13, and are now only 2 games back of the Miami Heat for the second seed in the Eastern Conference.
The one thing that I disliked about this game was that LeBron James didn't play. I really wanted to see how the Bulls would have played against a healthy Heat team, especially since the Bulls are playing without their best defensive player and rebounder (Joakim Noah). I personally think that the Bulls match up very well against a healthy Miami team. There is no answer for Wade and James, at least for their offense. However, the Heat are a finesse team. They like to get steals, and run the floor in transition for easy buckets. In the half court they like to isolate, drive and kick out for open three point shots. They have no inside presence, and nobody that can score in the post, not even Chris Bosh, who should be able to play post up basketball, but can't. The Bulls have Boozer, who is a fantastic post up player (at least on the offensive end), and Joakim Noah, who defends the post extremely well, and also plays off the post very well on the offensive end. Plus, the Bulls have somebody who the Heat have no answer for either in Derrick Rose. While having LeBron James definitely would have made a difference in the game tonight, I don't think it necessarily would have guaranteed the Heat a win. I am really looking forward to the next matchup between these teams. Let's hope everybody is healthy by then, and we can see what each of these teams is capable of.
The fun part about this game, for me, was that it was kind of like games were when I was a kid. I saw so many games where Michael Jordan would go at it with whoever the best player on the other team was (Dominique, Reggie, Ewing, Barkley, Bird, Magic, Drexler). This game was exactly like that with Wade and Rose. Rose would hit a gigantic shot at one end, only to be matched by Wade the next possession. Rose ended the night with 34 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 blocks. Wade ended up with 33 points, 6 rebounds and 5 blocks. Great performances by what should be your starting backcourt for the Eastern Conference All-Stars.
The game was full of big runs by both teams. The Bulls raced out to a 14 pont lead in the second quarter, only to have the Heat go on a 19 point run, and take a 5 point lead at halftime. The Heat were unconscious from the three point line in the second quarter. Miller, Eddie House and Dwyane Wade each hit multiple three pointers in the second quarter, and it looked like the Bulls were going to have their hands full in the second half.
Then Rose joined the three point party, hitting a pair of threes during a huge Bulls' run in the third quarter. Chris Bosh then caught fire, and even he knocked down a three point shot to bring the Heat closer. I think the turning point in the game was probably when Bosh left the game with a sprained ankle. He had 17 points, and had to take 18 shots to get them, but he was playing very well, and carrying the load offensively for Miami in the third quarter when he went out.
Overall, this was a great win for the Bulls. Korver hit a huge three pointer with under 30 seconds left to give the Bulls a 2 point lead, which will hopefully give him some confidence. He has been struggling with his shot for the last couple of weeks, so it would be nice to see him get on a nice roll here. The Bulls improved their record to 27-13, and are now only 2 games back of the Miami Heat for the second seed in the Eastern Conference.
The one thing that I disliked about this game was that LeBron James didn't play. I really wanted to see how the Bulls would have played against a healthy Heat team, especially since the Bulls are playing without their best defensive player and rebounder (Joakim Noah). I personally think that the Bulls match up very well against a healthy Miami team. There is no answer for Wade and James, at least for their offense. However, the Heat are a finesse team. They like to get steals, and run the floor in transition for easy buckets. In the half court they like to isolate, drive and kick out for open three point shots. They have no inside presence, and nobody that can score in the post, not even Chris Bosh, who should be able to play post up basketball, but can't. The Bulls have Boozer, who is a fantastic post up player (at least on the offensive end), and Joakim Noah, who defends the post extremely well, and also plays off the post very well on the offensive end. Plus, the Bulls have somebody who the Heat have no answer for either in Derrick Rose. While having LeBron James definitely would have made a difference in the game tonight, I don't think it necessarily would have guaranteed the Heat a win. I am really looking forward to the next matchup between these teams. Let's hope everybody is healthy by then, and we can see what each of these teams is capable of.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Good Bounce Back Game for the Bulls!
The Chicago Bulls had an up and down week. It started out very strong, with a 110-90 win at home over the lowly Toronto Raptors. They got their starters alot of rest in the late stages of that game in preparation for a 2 game roadtrip against two of the weaker teams in the Eastern Conference, the New Jersey Nets and the Philadelphia 76ers.
Those are two teams the Bulls should beat by double digits every time out. However, the Bulls turned in by far their worst performances since Carlos Boozer's return against Orlando early in December. Low energy offense and terrible rotations on defense led the Bulls to consecutive road losses against teams at the bottom of the conference standings. Not only that, the Bulls had a small problem at the end of the Nets game, with Carlos Boozer being upset over sitting on the bench for the final 14 minutes of the game.
Coming off of back-to-back road losses, and playing the second night of a back-to-back at home against the first place Celtics didn't bode well for the Bulls, who were struggling really for the first time this season. I was not really expecting the Bulls to play particularly well against the Celtics, and even worse, I had tickets to the game, so I was ready to witness my favorite NBA team lose for the third consecutive night.
Instead, the Bulls played inspired basketball for almost the entire game. Fueled by the fact that they had already lost twice to Boston this season, the Bulls really got after the Celtics on the defensive end of the court. In fact, three times in the game last night the Bulls forced 24 second shot clock violations in which the Celtics didn't even get the shot off. There was one other time when they forced another such violation when the shot didn't hit the rim. They challenged shots almost every time down the floor, and outrebounded the Celtics by a wide margin.
On the offensive end the Bulls received large contributions from their two star players. Carlos Boozer finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Boozer was hot and cold all night. For instance, he scored 2 points and had a few turnovers in the first quarter, only to score 11 points and have several key rebounds in the second quarter. Then in the third quarter Boozer turned the ball over and missed easy shots. In the fourth quarter, he made 2 critical baskets to keep the Bulls ahead by a safe margin in the middle of the quarter. I wouldn't say this was his best game, but he played outstanding in key stretches, which allowed the Bulls to sustain a good offensive attack.
Derrick Rose had a fantastic game. He finished with 36 points, 5 rebounds. He only had 2 assists, but that was clearly not his fault. He tried to get his teammates involved early in the game, but nobody could hit a shot early on, so he decided to take over the game. It was great to see him get to the foul line. He shot 19 free throws and made 15 in last night's game. Hopefully that is a sign of things to come. He needs to get to the line more often in order to slow the game down, end opposing team scoring runs, and to improve his overall game. I have always enjoyed watching Rose play, but seeing him live was awesome. He took over the game in the first quarter, and in the fourth quarter he made three huge jumpers, including a high arching shot over Shaq that basically sealed the win.
The Bulls ended last night's game with a 90-79 victory over a great Boston team. Both teams were dealing with injuries (Boston was without Garnett, Perkins and Delonte West, while the Bulls were missing Noah). However, when both teams are healthy, their contests should be just as competitive. The Bulls improved to 24-12 with the win, and continue to have the most comfortable division lead in the NBA (a 9 game lead over the Pacers). The Bulls have a tough week coming up. They play tomorrow night at home against the Pistons, who have played the Bulls very tough so far this season. They have road games against the Bobcats and Pacers later in the week before returning home on Saturday to face the Miami Heat. I am really excited to see that game. It'll be interesting to see how the Bulls stack up against Miami's "Big Three".
Those are two teams the Bulls should beat by double digits every time out. However, the Bulls turned in by far their worst performances since Carlos Boozer's return against Orlando early in December. Low energy offense and terrible rotations on defense led the Bulls to consecutive road losses against teams at the bottom of the conference standings. Not only that, the Bulls had a small problem at the end of the Nets game, with Carlos Boozer being upset over sitting on the bench for the final 14 minutes of the game.
Coming off of back-to-back road losses, and playing the second night of a back-to-back at home against the first place Celtics didn't bode well for the Bulls, who were struggling really for the first time this season. I was not really expecting the Bulls to play particularly well against the Celtics, and even worse, I had tickets to the game, so I was ready to witness my favorite NBA team lose for the third consecutive night.
Instead, the Bulls played inspired basketball for almost the entire game. Fueled by the fact that they had already lost twice to Boston this season, the Bulls really got after the Celtics on the defensive end of the court. In fact, three times in the game last night the Bulls forced 24 second shot clock violations in which the Celtics didn't even get the shot off. There was one other time when they forced another such violation when the shot didn't hit the rim. They challenged shots almost every time down the floor, and outrebounded the Celtics by a wide margin.
On the offensive end the Bulls received large contributions from their two star players. Carlos Boozer finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Boozer was hot and cold all night. For instance, he scored 2 points and had a few turnovers in the first quarter, only to score 11 points and have several key rebounds in the second quarter. Then in the third quarter Boozer turned the ball over and missed easy shots. In the fourth quarter, he made 2 critical baskets to keep the Bulls ahead by a safe margin in the middle of the quarter. I wouldn't say this was his best game, but he played outstanding in key stretches, which allowed the Bulls to sustain a good offensive attack.
Derrick Rose had a fantastic game. He finished with 36 points, 5 rebounds. He only had 2 assists, but that was clearly not his fault. He tried to get his teammates involved early in the game, but nobody could hit a shot early on, so he decided to take over the game. It was great to see him get to the foul line. He shot 19 free throws and made 15 in last night's game. Hopefully that is a sign of things to come. He needs to get to the line more often in order to slow the game down, end opposing team scoring runs, and to improve his overall game. I have always enjoyed watching Rose play, but seeing him live was awesome. He took over the game in the first quarter, and in the fourth quarter he made three huge jumpers, including a high arching shot over Shaq that basically sealed the win.
The Bulls ended last night's game with a 90-79 victory over a great Boston team. Both teams were dealing with injuries (Boston was without Garnett, Perkins and Delonte West, while the Bulls were missing Noah). However, when both teams are healthy, their contests should be just as competitive. The Bulls improved to 24-12 with the win, and continue to have the most comfortable division lead in the NBA (a 9 game lead over the Pacers). The Bulls have a tough week coming up. They play tomorrow night at home against the Pistons, who have played the Bulls very tough so far this season. They have road games against the Bobcats and Pacers later in the week before returning home on Saturday to face the Miami Heat. I am really excited to see that game. It'll be interesting to see how the Bulls stack up against Miami's "Big Three".
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