What's the Point?

Somebody explain to me how one of the Bulls' deepest positions at the beginning of the year has suddenly become a huge question mark.  Sure, the obvious answer is Derrick Rose's season ended, but who would have thought this team would struggle so much trying to fill in for the former MVP?  From additional injuries to struggling play to turnover at the position, there couldn't be a more jumbled mess there.

Since I last blogged on here (apologies for life getting in the way), Kirk Hinrich has been missing games with injury, Marquis Teague has continued to struggle and D.J. Augustin has been signed, causing the suddenly expendable Mike James to be waived.  All it's done is add to a series of problems for a team that currently sits only half a game out of the final playoff spot in the East.  That's a miracle for a team that's lost 11 of its last 14 games.

If it's not one injury plaguing the Bulls, it's another.  Jimmy Butler returned from his long break, Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah got healthy, but now, Hinrich is missing games due to a bad back.  The result, in conjunction with Rose being out, only further convinces you Gar Forman would have been better off shelling out the dough for Nate Robinson.  You see Teague baring little resemblance to an NBA player with no signs of improving.  Augustin has done better, dishing out eight assists in Monday's loss to the Magic.  Even so, what does that tell you when he's the one trying to save the offense from embarrassment?

Don't get me wrong:  I like what Augustin has done so far during his Bulls tenure.  I just have my doubts of whether he can morph into Robinson 2.0.  He only had scoring averages in double-digits for the Bobcats because he played so often for them.  Since leaving Charlotte, he's had trouble finding minutes, which I suspect is for good reason.  Maybe this blind squirrel will find another nut here, but I don't like how he's one of the players trying to keep the Bulls afloat.  If he and Mike Dunleavy are the best players on the roster now, that doesn't speak well to the rest of the team.

There needs to be some kind of regular production at the one.  If the position that runs the offense isn't getting much together, that has to be one of the bigger reasons the Bulls are struggling to break 80 on a nightly basis.  I know everyone invested heavily in Rose handling that department, but given past events, they shouldn't have counted out the possibility that he might miss yet another season.  There's no excuse for point guards not to be able to run plays in their sleep.  Plus, they should know how to create opportunities for others.

I suppose I should cut Augustin some slack since he's still settling into his new home.  Hinrich also gets a bit of leeway for his health issues.  Maybe Teague just doesn't have what it takes to succeed at the highest level right now.  A trip to the D-League would hopefully do him some good, although his youth and inexperience could mean he hasn't hit his stride yet.

Those are all good reasons for struggles, but there's no reason a roster with as much talent as it has should be struggling to keep their record above .500, with or without Rose.  Somebody needs to raise their hand and say "I'll get this anemic offense rolling again.  Just follow my lead."  Otherwise, the drama that's been building here will reach the point where every relevant part of the organization is overhauled, and not in the smoothest fashion.

Of course, as this is happening, some Bulls fans are snug in their beds while visions of Jabari and Bradley dance in their heads.  Wake up, people.  I don't how many times this needs to be said, but even if the Bulls uncharacteristically decide to tank this season, it's going to be difficult. 

The East is bad enough that they could just back in.  It's also tougher to throw games than to win.  To paraphrase a line from the short-lived Comedy Central series That's My Bush, the Bulls are such losers they can't even lose.  Maybe they can still land Doug McDermott in the draft though.  That's who NBADraft.net has them taking at 15th right now.

The Bulls' next two chances to right the ship come on back-to-back nights as they travel to Houston and Oklahoma City respectively on Wednesday and Thursday.  They might be able to handle the Rockets, but Chesapeake Energy Arena has been a living nightmare for the Bulls ever since the Thunder became a regular contender.  You can look up the gory details yourself for that.  Regardless, pray for the point position to find a rhythm.

Why yes, this is also post number 200 for me.  Just like in my 100th post, let's count down the most viewed of my previous 99 as of this writing.

5) Dunked Out By Hot Clippers  - Dec. 12, 2012 (34 views):  The Bulls lose to the Clippers in a game that featured many dunks from the team that features Lob City.

5) Rose No Distraction - Feb. 27, 2013 (34 views):  As Derrick Rose continues his ACL rehab, people start to get a little stupid among both the media and fan base, even his absence is not why the Bulls are struggling.

4)  Selfish Recovery - July 4, 2013 (36 views):  Rose mentions he had to be selfish during his rehab.

3) Buckled - Nov. 26, 2012 (37 views):  The Bulls blow a 27-point third-quarter lead against the Bucks and lose 93-92.

2) Who You Gonna Call? Streakbusters! - March 27, 2013 (47 views):  Despite having fewer healthy bodies available, the Bulls end Miami's 27-game winning streak.

1) Guess We're Doing This Again - Nov. 24, 2013 (51 views):  Rose suffers a torn meniscus that will require surgery, which could end his season (spoiler alert:  it did).

Thanks for reading and hope you continue to do so.