I'm unable to comfortably comment on the current 1 win Bulls season thus far. It is quite simply too disheartening and disgusting, however it is early. Most should be reminded that the Bulls have started horribly the past three seasons, and things have panned out well. Just wait and see how everything progresses.
But as I'm watching the Clippers game, I'm dismayed at the refs. I consider myself pretty easy going as far as refs go. I get that it's one of the toughest jobs, and a human being won't ever get all of the call right. I usually sympathize for them.
Tonight, in the first half, was a complete disaster. Ruben Patterson of the Clips blatantly elbowed Nocioni in the face not once, but twice. When Patterson recieved the ball in the lane from the position he established from concussing the defender, Nocioni recovered and gave Patterson a hard foul across both arms. There was no malicious intent, no hit in the head, but it was called a flagrant foul, and Patterson recieved a technical.
Then moments later, Nocioni recieves the ball on the offensive end, drives, and the Clipper's Tim Thomas responds by shoving Noc--arms fully extended and recieves a flagrant foul as well.
Concerns--where the refs on the baseline watching the two post players (Noc and Patterson)? Two, the only way Nocioni recieves a flagrant is if the refs feel as though it was a retaliation foul, which anyone could clearly see it was not. If they determined it was a retaliation shot, then they must have known what Patterson did and simply didn't call the obvious call, which should have been a technical.
These are absolute easy calls. No duh a backhand to the head is a foul, how do you mess this up? They are professionals. Players shouldn't ever miss lay ups, and refs don't miss violent calls. Simple. With all they heat officals have taken this off season, they certainly shouldn't be messing up their jobs.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Monday, November 5, 2007
Milwaukee Loss
78-72 Bulls lose thrice.
When the best player on the floor was Joe Smith (14 pts), the Bulls stand no chance, that is what common sense would tell you. Then there's the Milwaukee Bucks, who in their own right played horribly.
For those who watched the game, you surely must have either laughed, cried, cringed, or crumpled. 19 turnovers for the Bulls, 15 for the Bucks, and a field goal percentage worse than Bush's approval rating.
The leading scorer for the Bulls was Gordon, but the rest of the starters sucked. MRedd took out 27 pts and the Chinese kid Yi hit 16 pts, mostly from outside 20 feet.
With absolutely no offense, no matter how great of team D the Bulls can play, how can they possibly expect to win? For all that's holy they let the Bucks hold them to 72. Who is their best defensive player--Bobby Simmons?
Here we stand three games in at 0-3, and the whole city is slowly chanting K-O-B-E. I used to be harshly against the trade, but the games are providing sufficient evidence against me.
When the best player on the floor was Joe Smith (14 pts), the Bulls stand no chance, that is what common sense would tell you. Then there's the Milwaukee Bucks, who in their own right played horribly.
For those who watched the game, you surely must have either laughed, cried, cringed, or crumpled. 19 turnovers for the Bulls, 15 for the Bucks, and a field goal percentage worse than Bush's approval rating.
The leading scorer for the Bulls was Gordon, but the rest of the starters sucked. MRedd took out 27 pts and the Chinese kid Yi hit 16 pts, mostly from outside 20 feet.
With absolutely no offense, no matter how great of team D the Bulls can play, how can they possibly expect to win? For all that's holy they let the Bucks hold them to 72. Who is their best defensive player--Bobby Simmons?
Here we stand three games in at 0-3, and the whole city is slowly chanting K-O-B-E. I used to be harshly against the trade, but the games are providing sufficient evidence against me.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Bulls Home Opener--Ugh
Effortless.
Unfocused.
Lack of resilience.
All of the above can describe the Chicago Bulls tonight as they played the visiting Philadelphia 76ers.
Coming back from a loss to New Jersey, the Bulls came to the United Center to kick off their home schedule. The fans were hyped, the journalists were ready with their laptops (including Jay Marrioti and Sam Smith), and the players looked to do their part.
However…
Much to the dismay of all parties involved, the Bulls let the 76ers effectively handle them at home. The Bulls never lead throughout the game and managed only one late fourth quarter rally in the 3rd and 4th minutes.
Kirk Hinrich was benched with four fouls and a technical late in the 3rd quarter. Ben Wallace was held in check on the boards. No real bench help, except spurts from Andres Nocioni. Ben Gordon led the team in scoring but had several key turnovers at the end of the game.
Now Luol Deng. You needed to show up tonight. You’re tired of being harassed by the press about the Kobe trade. Well tonight, you’re the one to blame. If you continue to lay goose eggs the next tens games or so, Chicago will be calling Kobe, and if you’re the piece that needs to leave to make it happen, so be it.
The game was ugly, truly. Tyrus Thomas had a great game today with a double double. He’s the only one of the Bulls that showed any type of enthusiasm or heart. Hopefully the immaturity is gone, and he’s growing into a special type of player.
And there I sat in perhaps the greatest seats I’ll ever have. I had a chance to sit right behind the journalists. I could yell, and the players could hear me, I was that close. And what did I get to see, but the ugliest, and perhaps unraveled performances in better than Hi-Def.
Here’s to getting better.
Unfocused.
Lack of resilience.
All of the above can describe the Chicago Bulls tonight as they played the visiting Philadelphia 76ers.
Coming back from a loss to New Jersey, the Bulls came to the United Center to kick off their home schedule. The fans were hyped, the journalists were ready with their laptops (including Jay Marrioti and Sam Smith), and the players looked to do their part.
However…
Much to the dismay of all parties involved, the Bulls let the 76ers effectively handle them at home. The Bulls never lead throughout the game and managed only one late fourth quarter rally in the 3rd and 4th minutes.
Kirk Hinrich was benched with four fouls and a technical late in the 3rd quarter. Ben Wallace was held in check on the boards. No real bench help, except spurts from Andres Nocioni. Ben Gordon led the team in scoring but had several key turnovers at the end of the game.
Now Luol Deng. You needed to show up tonight. You’re tired of being harassed by the press about the Kobe trade. Well tonight, you’re the one to blame. If you continue to lay goose eggs the next tens games or so, Chicago will be calling Kobe, and if you’re the piece that needs to leave to make it happen, so be it.
The game was ugly, truly. Tyrus Thomas had a great game today with a double double. He’s the only one of the Bulls that showed any type of enthusiasm or heart. Hopefully the immaturity is gone, and he’s growing into a special type of player.
And there I sat in perhaps the greatest seats I’ll ever have. I had a chance to sit right behind the journalists. I could yell, and the players could hear me, I was that close. And what did I get to see, but the ugliest, and perhaps unraveled performances in better than Hi-Def.
Here’s to getting better.
Friday, October 26, 2007
End of Preseason
After the last pre-season game, the Bulls look to the regular season with a number of questions and hopes.
1. Ben Wallace, Joakim Noah, and Tyrus Thomas all suffered injuries against their game with the Bucks. Depending upon the severity, the Bulls will be off to a difficult start to the season with three bigs out. I saw the Wallace injury, and I would say it's a definite sprain. He came down on Dan Gadzuric's foot going for an offensive rebound. This could end up with some serious burn for rookie Aaron Gray.
2. Speaking of Gray--viewers can already see the benefits and deficiencies he'll bring for the rest of his career. Big guy, some fundamentals, can score and pass with skill. I would compare him to a little less athletic Brad Miller. Gray will continually get beat off the dribble by quicker 4's and even some 5's. But he can bring a change of pace of the pine. I would consider him an upgrade over Mike Sweetney for sure.
3. Kirk Hinrich looked refreshed with great legs in his shooting form. I'll go ahead and proclaim that taking the summer off the U.S. National Team was a positive. I believe that Hinrich's numbers and defense will be climb once again this year.
4. Ben Gordon's ankles look A-OK, thank God.
5. Luol Deng=All-Star=Deeper play-off run this year. If he plateau's, Bull's are going to get beat in the 2nd round once again. Betting on his talent and character, we're in for a great season.
6. Sefolosha should come along this year. His defense is already solid, just needs that confidence in his shot. Once that comes into play, he can line up with Kirk, rather than Duhon.
Here's to the new year.
1. Ben Wallace, Joakim Noah, and Tyrus Thomas all suffered injuries against their game with the Bucks. Depending upon the severity, the Bulls will be off to a difficult start to the season with three bigs out. I saw the Wallace injury, and I would say it's a definite sprain. He came down on Dan Gadzuric's foot going for an offensive rebound. This could end up with some serious burn for rookie Aaron Gray.
2. Speaking of Gray--viewers can already see the benefits and deficiencies he'll bring for the rest of his career. Big guy, some fundamentals, can score and pass with skill. I would compare him to a little less athletic Brad Miller. Gray will continually get beat off the dribble by quicker 4's and even some 5's. But he can bring a change of pace of the pine. I would consider him an upgrade over Mike Sweetney for sure.
3. Kirk Hinrich looked refreshed with great legs in his shooting form. I'll go ahead and proclaim that taking the summer off the U.S. National Team was a positive. I believe that Hinrich's numbers and defense will be climb once again this year.
4. Ben Gordon's ankles look A-OK, thank God.
5. Luol Deng=All-Star=Deeper play-off run this year. If he plateau's, Bull's are going to get beat in the 2nd round once again. Betting on his talent and character, we're in for a great season.
6. Sefolosha should come along this year. His defense is already solid, just needs that confidence in his shot. Once that comes into play, he can line up with Kirk, rather than Duhon.
Here's to the new year.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Kobe?
It's been well documented how unhappy Kobe Bryant is. His surrounding cast members doesn't equal a contender, let alone a play-off team in the West.
He has now demanded, or at least that is what we're made to believe, a trade from the team that envisioned him the cornerstone of the franchise.
Well the cornerstone seemingly wants out of the foundation, and frankly it's half his fault. Kobe took Shaq out of the equation, pushed the Zenmaster out for a bit. His attitude was plain--he wanted the spotlight, he wanted to be like Mike. Period.
After the Colorado sex scandal, and gaining years, Kobe understands his time as a prime time player is coming to a close. He wants to play for a winner. Got it.
But, unfortunately, Kobe signed a gigantic contract, making it near impossible for a plethora of trades to even occur. Especially this year.
The Bulls have come up in almost every conversation for the Kobe Trade. He wants to play in a major market, play in the palace MJ built, and the Baby Bulls are now contenders in the weak East.
No way is this happening this year.
The Bulls don't need Kobe. That's right, they don't. The Bulls would have to give up Deng, Gordon, or Hinrich, plus a pick for sure. At least two players and a pick at the least. You could probably throw in Noah or Tyrus Thomas too. By the time the Bulls finished the trade the look would be eerily similar to the current Lakers.
No, what we need is a post scorer, that is it. The Bulls are built for the future, but with a low post threat, title contenders for the better part of five years isn't out of the picture. Kobe couldn't get the Bulls any farther than they would without him, simply the pieces would allow it.
There are definately options out there. You can certainly think of some.
I'd say Pau Gasol.
But I'd love Jermaine O'Neal. Since the KG thing Paxson may have screwed up on. Wait and see for that verdict.
The package that would get most would ideally be--Gordon, a future pick, and Nocioni. Substitute Noc for a couple of other players, maybe including the afore mentioned Thomas and Noah, but the central package would be Gordon, plus one and a pick.
Let's just say the Pacers agree, and the Bulls let go of Gordon, Thomas, and Nocioni. It's win win.
The Pacers get a 20+ scorer in Gordon. A 6th man in Nocioni, maybe even a starter. And Thomas who can come in a play the energizer right away.
So the starting five might look like this--Tinsley, Gordon, Granger, Nocioni, Murphy. With Dunleavy and Thomas first to come off the bench.
For the Bulls--Hinirch, Sefolosha, Deng, O'Neal, and Wallace.
Sefolosha can guard the 2 spot instead of Hinrich constantly being asked to guard the bigger, and usually best player. This will allow Hinrich to focus more on offense as well as using his length to really harass opposing point guards.
There's my thoughts in a nutshell, could change in the coming weeks before the regular season. But what are your suggestions?
He has now demanded, or at least that is what we're made to believe, a trade from the team that envisioned him the cornerstone of the franchise.
Well the cornerstone seemingly wants out of the foundation, and frankly it's half his fault. Kobe took Shaq out of the equation, pushed the Zenmaster out for a bit. His attitude was plain--he wanted the spotlight, he wanted to be like Mike. Period.
After the Colorado sex scandal, and gaining years, Kobe understands his time as a prime time player is coming to a close. He wants to play for a winner. Got it.
But, unfortunately, Kobe signed a gigantic contract, making it near impossible for a plethora of trades to even occur. Especially this year.
The Bulls have come up in almost every conversation for the Kobe Trade. He wants to play in a major market, play in the palace MJ built, and the Baby Bulls are now contenders in the weak East.
No way is this happening this year.
The Bulls don't need Kobe. That's right, they don't. The Bulls would have to give up Deng, Gordon, or Hinrich, plus a pick for sure. At least two players and a pick at the least. You could probably throw in Noah or Tyrus Thomas too. By the time the Bulls finished the trade the look would be eerily similar to the current Lakers.
No, what we need is a post scorer, that is it. The Bulls are built for the future, but with a low post threat, title contenders for the better part of five years isn't out of the picture. Kobe couldn't get the Bulls any farther than they would without him, simply the pieces would allow it.
There are definately options out there. You can certainly think of some.
I'd say Pau Gasol.
But I'd love Jermaine O'Neal. Since the KG thing Paxson may have screwed up on. Wait and see for that verdict.
The package that would get most would ideally be--Gordon, a future pick, and Nocioni. Substitute Noc for a couple of other players, maybe including the afore mentioned Thomas and Noah, but the central package would be Gordon, plus one and a pick.
Let's just say the Pacers agree, and the Bulls let go of Gordon, Thomas, and Nocioni. It's win win.
The Pacers get a 20+ scorer in Gordon. A 6th man in Nocioni, maybe even a starter. And Thomas who can come in a play the energizer right away.
So the starting five might look like this--Tinsley, Gordon, Granger, Nocioni, Murphy. With Dunleavy and Thomas first to come off the bench.
For the Bulls--Hinirch, Sefolosha, Deng, O'Neal, and Wallace.
Sefolosha can guard the 2 spot instead of Hinrich constantly being asked to guard the bigger, and usually best player. This will allow Hinrich to focus more on offense as well as using his length to really harass opposing point guards.
There's my thoughts in a nutshell, could change in the coming weeks before the regular season. But what are your suggestions?
The Rundown
No Bull
This is a blog created to spark conversation and inform fans about the state of the Chicago Bulls. I encourage comments and hopefully we'll come across ideas that conventional news has lost. More people equals more ideas. I hope this is informative, slightly controversial, and entertaining. Thank you. Looking forward to the season.
This is a blog created to spark conversation and inform fans about the state of the Chicago Bulls. I encourage comments and hopefully we'll come across ideas that conventional news has lost. More people equals more ideas. I hope this is informative, slightly controversial, and entertaining. Thank you. Looking forward to the season.
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