For much of the second game of the Bulls' home-and-home series against the Boston Celtics, there were so many steals by both teams, it appeared the cops might have needed to be called. It was everything a common thief would have loved with 19 steals between the clubs. Of course, the only numbers that mattered were those in the final score of a 94-80 Bulls victory.
Everyone has known the Celtics are rebuilding from the beginning of the season. It didn't help tonight that Rajon Rondo took a broadcasting role for them tonight instead of his typical point guard spot. They were still smarting from Sunday's loss that shouldn't have been. They apparently didn't consider that D.J. Augustin might score a career-high 33 points and knock down the game-winner. Perhaps things could be made right for them by taking the tilt at the United Center. That wasn't the case.
The teams were neck and neck for three quarters, changing the lead 12 times and tying it five times. It appeared the Bulls would break through in the third quarter and Neil Funk even said Boston was on the verge of collapse on the TV broadcast. Those thoughts looked premature when the frame ended with the Celtics only trailing by one. They finally came into fruition in the fourth when the Bulls outscored their guests 23-10. That came compliments of a simple equation of the Bulls getting hot from the field and the Celtics shooting rocks. Nothing could make more sense.
Four of the Bulls' five starters scored in double figures, led by Mike Dunleavy's 22 points. Although I had my doubts about Dunleavy starting on this team, he's done pretty well for himself. Joakim Noah had another impressive line, this one made up of 19 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. Jimmy Butler had 18 and Carlos Boozer added 16. Off the bench, Taj Gibson made his latest case for Sixth Man of the Year with a double-double of 14 and 11. Augustin didn't get nearly as many points as he did on Sunday, but still led all players with 11 assists. I don't think Boston will miss him for the rest of the season.
This win tied the Bulls with Toronto for third in the East and put them two games ahead of Brooklyn for fifth. Anything to help their chance of having home-court advantage for the first round of the playoffs is welcomed. The good news for them is they don't have many quality teams left to face. Washington is the only one left on the schedule with a record currently above .500, so one has to like their chances of holding onto third or fourth. As long as they keep pressing on the gas pedal like they typically do each game, a high East seed is theirs to lose.
The next step in this quest will come Wednesday as the Bulls visit the Atlanta Hawks. It's common for those games to be sparsely attended, so maybe a large Bulls contingent will buy tickets and give the team a bit of home-court advantage. Yeah, it won't be like visits to Milwaukee, but a loud crowd on your side is beneficial no matter where you are.
Monday, March 31, 2014
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Playoff Bound
Despite a 17-point loss to the Portland Trail Blazers Friday night, a New York loss to Phoenix made the Bulls the fourth team in the East to punch a postseason ticket. The question now is whether they'll earn a seed that would give them home-court advantage in the first round. As of this writing, they sit just one game back of the Raptors for the third seed, but only three games separate them from the Wizards, who currently hold the sixth spot. The players and Tom Thibodeau will do everything in their power to go as high as humanly possible up the ladder.
One of the most unusual seasons we have seen from any team recently is in a place nobody said they should have been in. Derrick Rose was lost for the season before Thanksgiving, leading to Luol Deng being traded shortly after the New Year. People started waiting for the inevitable collapse that would put the Bulls in the draft lottery. Instead, Joakim Noah stepped up his game higher than we thought possible, Taj Gibson became a candidate for Sixth Man of the Year and D.J. Augustin turned into a story every flailing NBA veteran hopes to accomplish. Also helping were the continuations of Jimmy Butler's development and Tom Thibodeau's refusal to let his team wave a white flag.
The offense is nowhere near championship-caliber and no true superstar on this team exists. However, the defense is as good as it has been during Thibodeau's tenure and everyone continues to battle as if they'll never play basketball again when the contest has ended. The naysayers will tell you it's all for naught since conventional NBA wisdom says the makeup should be a message to stop shooting for unattainable goals. As we've learned recently though, none of the players or coaches will give in to that and are looking to write their own chapter. Sure, it won't have the ending we're all hoping for, but at least we have some exciting action to look forward to.
The battle for seeding continues tomorrow when the Bulls begin a home-and-home series in Boston against the Celtics. A win would put the Bulls back at .500 in road games. If improvement starts in any area, it might as well be that. They know it, and you should too.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Fanning the Philly Flames
While the Bulls never led by more than 11 and the 76ers even managed a couple of hopeful runs, the visitors just wouldn't allow that long skid to end. What put the game away was a huge dunk by Carlos Boozer that made it 96-90. That's when everyone in the sparsely-filled Wells Fargo Center realized their team was about to be four off the NBA record of 26 straight losses, set by the 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers.
Six Bulls scored in double figures, led by D.J. Augustin's 20 points off the bench. Taj Gibson achieved a double-double of 19 points and 13 rebounds. Boozer also had his typical double-double, which was 12 and 11. As great as those performances were, they still paled in comparison to Joakim Noah's line of 14 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. His usual energy was there, which surprisingly didn't demoralize the 76ers like you might have expected.
I usually talk about what the game means for the Bulls in this section, but this time, I think I should put the 76ers' struggles in context. They won against Miami to open their season, then beat the Wizards and Bulls to start the season 3-0, but that was their high point. Since ending a four-game winning streak on Jan. 4, the 76ers have lost 32 of 35. Their last home victory came Jan. 15 against Charlotte. The last Philadelphia victory overall? A one-point win in Boston on Jan. 29. Most of their notable players who started with them, including Evan Turner and Spencer Hawes, have been dealt and are probably glad they don't have to be part of this anymore.
I know I've talked about this to death, but it merits bringing up once more. Is this what some of you wanted for the Bulls? My gut tells me they wouldn't have gone on a losing streak of historic proportions, but losing so much no matter the opponent is not fun and gets old real fast. Granted, everyone should be excited about the upcoming draft class. That's part of the reason the 76ers have stripped themselves down. However, I doubt anyone would be interested in getting on board a ship that continues to sink to the current depths of the Titanic. Even though brighter days are likely ahead in the City of Brotherly Love, it stinks for those who want to watch winning basketball all the time. I genuinely feel sorry for those Philadelphia fans who have this mindset.
These teams meet at the United Center Saturday, but not before the Bulls face the Indiana Pacers Friday. This will likely serve as another measuring stick for how far the Bulls need to go to get back to the elite class of the East. Tom Thibodeau will still coach his bunch to play to win. Even if they can't, at least they'll go down swinging.
Monday, March 17, 2014
Bulls Lack Luck of the Irish
Several comments were made on Twitter about the Bulls and their green sleeved jerseys tonight for St. Patrick's Day. The observation was made that maybe the Celtics were playing the Oklahoma City Thunder at the United Center instead. In the end, it didn't matter who was wearing green because the Thunder probably would have won anyway. The only difference is it's likely the final would have been different from 97-85.
The teams played each other closely for most of the game. Then, the Thunder started to break it open late in the third quarter, leading by as much as 10 and ending the frame up seven. Just after the fourth quarter opened, two Reggie Jackson free throws increased the lead to nine. What followed before two minutes had passed in the frame was an 8-0 Bulls run with two of the four field goals made by Taj Gibson. That cut the deficit to one, but that unleashed the Thunder as the league knows them, which is a team that will beat you with efficient offense and talented players. They scored 13 unanswered points to put the game out of reach.
Kevin Durant showed why he's on his way to another scoring title with 35 points. This was the 32nd straight game in which he's scored 25 or more, the longest such streak since Michael Jordan had 40 during the 1986-87 season. He's making a serious case to win this year's MVP award, and you would be a fool to not appreciate what you're watching if you get a chance to. I'll respect him even more if he figures out Miami in the NBA Finals, assuming both teams get there, of course.
Durant was helped by partner-in-crime Russell Westbrook, who scored 17 and had nine assists. That he was able to frequently connect with Durant as he typically does has to make John Stockton and Karl Malone jealous. Serge Ibaka had 15, including a three-pointer right in front of the Bulls' bench late in the game that pretty much sealed the contest. Caron Butler came off the bench to remind us he can still contribute to a team, scoring 11 points, nine on three-pointers, which Durant and Westbrook also achieved. It's tough not to like what this group can do.
Gibson led the Bulls with 16 points and also had seven rebounds. He was always in the vicinity of the ball and undoubtedly created the most havoc for Scott Brooks to deal with. Jimmy Butler, assigned with guarding Durant, finished with 13, but shot just 4-for-12 from the field. Carlos Boozer had his patented double-double 12 and 11. Mike Dunleavy, who's been turning it on lately, added 11 and Joakim Noah finished one point and one assist shy of a triple double (nine points, 12 rebounds, nine assists).
You have to hand it to the Bulls for sticking with the Thunder for as long as they did. In the end though, we saw just how much of a discrepancy exists between the clubs right now. The Bulls don't have a healthy superstar while the Thunder have two stars making them a Finals contender. Derrick Rose might have kept it close for a little longer, but I still think it would have fallen just a little bit short. This will continue to happen with these games until the Bulls can get another scorer. Playing hard every night will win you a few games, but talent almost always wins out. Until further notice, the Bulls won't have enough to a win a championship. Tonight was evidence of what would likely happen if these teams met in the Finals tomorrow.
On Wednesday, the Bulls will go from playing the class of the NBA to the rags of the NBA. They're due to travel to Philadelphia to play the 76ers, who haven't won a game since late January, when Evan Turner was still with the team. That translates into 21 straight losses. Before you chalk this up as an automatic win, remember that the Bulls ended an 18-game skid by the Bobcats last season. Tom Thibodeau will probably remind his team of that so another such instance won't happen. Even if he doesn't, he'll still have them ready.
The teams played each other closely for most of the game. Then, the Thunder started to break it open late in the third quarter, leading by as much as 10 and ending the frame up seven. Just after the fourth quarter opened, two Reggie Jackson free throws increased the lead to nine. What followed before two minutes had passed in the frame was an 8-0 Bulls run with two of the four field goals made by Taj Gibson. That cut the deficit to one, but that unleashed the Thunder as the league knows them, which is a team that will beat you with efficient offense and talented players. They scored 13 unanswered points to put the game out of reach.
Kevin Durant showed why he's on his way to another scoring title with 35 points. This was the 32nd straight game in which he's scored 25 or more, the longest such streak since Michael Jordan had 40 during the 1986-87 season. He's making a serious case to win this year's MVP award, and you would be a fool to not appreciate what you're watching if you get a chance to. I'll respect him even more if he figures out Miami in the NBA Finals, assuming both teams get there, of course.
Durant was helped by partner-in-crime Russell Westbrook, who scored 17 and had nine assists. That he was able to frequently connect with Durant as he typically does has to make John Stockton and Karl Malone jealous. Serge Ibaka had 15, including a three-pointer right in front of the Bulls' bench late in the game that pretty much sealed the contest. Caron Butler came off the bench to remind us he can still contribute to a team, scoring 11 points, nine on three-pointers, which Durant and Westbrook also achieved. It's tough not to like what this group can do.
Gibson led the Bulls with 16 points and also had seven rebounds. He was always in the vicinity of the ball and undoubtedly created the most havoc for Scott Brooks to deal with. Jimmy Butler, assigned with guarding Durant, finished with 13, but shot just 4-for-12 from the field. Carlos Boozer had his patented double-double 12 and 11. Mike Dunleavy, who's been turning it on lately, added 11 and Joakim Noah finished one point and one assist shy of a triple double (nine points, 12 rebounds, nine assists).
You have to hand it to the Bulls for sticking with the Thunder for as long as they did. In the end though, we saw just how much of a discrepancy exists between the clubs right now. The Bulls don't have a healthy superstar while the Thunder have two stars making them a Finals contender. Derrick Rose might have kept it close for a little longer, but I still think it would have fallen just a little bit short. This will continue to happen with these games until the Bulls can get another scorer. Playing hard every night will win you a few games, but talent almost always wins out. Until further notice, the Bulls won't have enough to a win a championship. Tonight was evidence of what would likely happen if these teams met in the Finals tomorrow.
On Wednesday, the Bulls will go from playing the class of the NBA to the rags of the NBA. They're due to travel to Philadelphia to play the 76ers, who haven't won a game since late January, when Evan Turner was still with the team. That translates into 21 straight losses. Before you chalk this up as an automatic win, remember that the Bulls ended an 18-game skid by the Bobcats last season. Tom Thibodeau will probably remind his team of that so another such instance won't happen. Even if he doesn't, he'll still have them ready.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Spurred, But Staying Cool
A game against the San Antonio Spurs is always circled on the schedule of 29 other NBA teams. Everything they do with their building, coaching and overall play makes them a franchise everyone else would love to mimic. Tonight, the Bulls had to face them and got a reminder of why this team has wrecked havoc on the league for years now. Still, they made it enough of a contest to only lose 104-96.
It's much warmer in Texas and it appeared the Spurs brought some of that hotness on the road. They opened the game by making buckets at a rate that would make NBA Jam players jealous. The defense was just as stifling and it gave San Antonio a 38-14 lead after the first quarter. It was a wire-to-wire game for them and the advantage got as big as 32 points. This was their night and they let everyone in the United Center know it.
However, not even a hot night by the defending Western champions could derail the Bulls' plans to play hard until the end. They outscored the Spurs by 20 in the second half, making the final closer than it really was. Although Tom Thibodeau blamed himself for not having his team ready, at least they didn't quit even when conventional wisdom says they should have. Sure, the game might have come off the rails early, but they weren't about to concede any signs that there was no effort given.
Manu Ginobili was the hottest Spur out there, scoring 22 points off the bench and all from the field. He shot 9-of-11, including 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. Tony Parker trailed just behind his former fellow starter with 20, shooting 8-of-15 from the floor. Kawhi Leonard scored 16 and grabbed nine rebounds, the latter being shared by Tim Duncan. Boris Diaw stole the ball three times, showing this team is pretty good at forcing turnovers in addition to everything else.
D.J. Augustin led all scorers with 24, but saw his streak of 27 consecutive free throws made snapped. He made seven field goals, as did Jimmy Butler, who finished with 23 points. Joakim Noah didn't record another triple-double, but 13 points, eight rebounds and seven assists is still a line most players will take on any given night.
There's no denying the Bulls got steamrolled on their home floor. Still, you have to admire that even in their darkest hour, they wouldn't wave the white flag. Everybody knew it was a lost cause, but it's not in this team's DNA to back off. Even when Thibodeau called off the dogs, there was still some fight left. The crowd that was left cheered on the effort, a clear sign that this fan base has gotten behind this bunch and will continue to do so as long as this makeup exists.
The homestand will continue Thursday in a nationally televised tilt against the Houston Rockets. The Bulls haven't been that great against the West recently, but a new winning trend can start at anytime. It would be preferable if it starter sooner rather than later.
It's much warmer in Texas and it appeared the Spurs brought some of that hotness on the road. They opened the game by making buckets at a rate that would make NBA Jam players jealous. The defense was just as stifling and it gave San Antonio a 38-14 lead after the first quarter. It was a wire-to-wire game for them and the advantage got as big as 32 points. This was their night and they let everyone in the United Center know it.
However, not even a hot night by the defending Western champions could derail the Bulls' plans to play hard until the end. They outscored the Spurs by 20 in the second half, making the final closer than it really was. Although Tom Thibodeau blamed himself for not having his team ready, at least they didn't quit even when conventional wisdom says they should have. Sure, the game might have come off the rails early, but they weren't about to concede any signs that there was no effort given.
Manu Ginobili was the hottest Spur out there, scoring 22 points off the bench and all from the field. He shot 9-of-11, including 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. Tony Parker trailed just behind his former fellow starter with 20, shooting 8-of-15 from the floor. Kawhi Leonard scored 16 and grabbed nine rebounds, the latter being shared by Tim Duncan. Boris Diaw stole the ball three times, showing this team is pretty good at forcing turnovers in addition to everything else.
D.J. Augustin led all scorers with 24, but saw his streak of 27 consecutive free throws made snapped. He made seven field goals, as did Jimmy Butler, who finished with 23 points. Joakim Noah didn't record another triple-double, but 13 points, eight rebounds and seven assists is still a line most players will take on any given night.
There's no denying the Bulls got steamrolled on their home floor. Still, you have to admire that even in their darkest hour, they wouldn't wave the white flag. Everybody knew it was a lost cause, but it's not in this team's DNA to back off. Even when Thibodeau called off the dogs, there was still some fight left. The crowd that was left cheered on the effort, a clear sign that this fan base has gotten behind this bunch and will continue to do so as long as this makeup exists.
The homestand will continue Thursday in a nationally televised tilt against the Houston Rockets. The Bulls haven't been that great against the West recently, but a new winning trend can start at anytime. It would be preferable if it starter sooner rather than later.
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Bulls Beat Heat - Pretty Big Deal
After the teams battled back and forth for much of the first half, the Heat got on a roll to take a six-point lead at the break. They went up by as much as 12 late in the third quarter as the Bulls did their best to keep up with an offensive machine combined with smothering defense. The important thing is their heads stayed in the game and just like it's been under Tom Thibodeau, the defense took over at the most important time.
In the fourth quarter, the Bulls scored 13 unanswered to lead by one. Then, the two teams traded clutch baskets and defensive stops to the point where the game was tied at 86 with 20 seconds to play. The game's fate came down to a one-on-one battle with Jimmy Butler and LeBron James. The reigning MVP, who didn't get to the free-throw line for the first time since 2009, chose to drive on the right side and attempt a game-winning layup, but Butler stripped him clean to force overtime. By then, Miami was out of gas as evidenced by the 9-2 advantage for the Bulls in the final five minutes. The Heat have now dropped three straight.
With father Yannick in attendance, Joakim Noah stepped up as team leader yet again. Besides providing his trademark energy in big games, his line was typical of what we've seen from him recently: 20 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and five blocks. Jimmy Butler's late steal from James was one of four for him in this game. He also scored 16 points, grabbed 11 boards and made all six free-throw attempts. D.J. Augustin continued his habit of coming off the bench to lead the Bulls in scoring with 22. The ESPN/ABC broadcast team of Mike Breen and Jeff Van Gundy showered Augustin with praise for the impact he's had on the Bulls' success this season.
I read a tweet late in the game about how the Heat and Pacers are fighting to avoid a second-round matchup with the Bulls in the playoffs. We saw today why that is. The scary thing for the beasts of the East is that they're not sure whether the first or second seed is going to give them that right. The Bulls are just half a game behind the Raptors for the third seed as of this writing, so you could literally flip a coin to determine the top four seeds in the East playoffs.
If you're a Bulls player or fan, you should be happy everybody is treating you with so much respect. It shows they know you won't be a pushover come the postseason. If Indiana and Miami assume the conference finals rematch from last year is going to happen lickity split, they are sadly mistaken. It's just not in the Bulls' DNA to lay down like they should. For the second year in a row, they've taken the league by surprise sans Derrick Rose. It's a reminder that no matter how much turnover the roster goes through, it's still run by the same people who want to win no matter what. As long as they're in place, the Bulls will always be dangerous. Anybody who bleeds red, white and black has to love that.
The homestand continues Tuesday when the Bulls face the Western champion San Antonio Spurs. I was at the United Center when Gregg Popovich's crew last came here, and they put on a clinic even with their best players sitting out. That team is primed to go far in the playoffs again this season, so there's not much time for Thibodeau's crew to enjoy today's win. Then again, I don't think they generally do anyway.
I neglected to mention this last week, but feel it must be acknowledged. Last week, Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf suffered a great personal loss after his son David died at the age of 51. I must confess to not knowing much about David as he didn't get involved with the Bulls or the White Sox and chose to work in real estate, from which his father made most of his fortune. Regardless, it's still a loss for both organizations and as such, at least the Bulls will wear memorial patches as seen above for the rest of the season. Please keep the Reinsdorf family in your thoughts and prayers as they go through this difficult time.
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Getting Anthony in the New NBA?
Now, we have this report that during All-Star Weekend, Noah talked to Carmelo Anthony about joining the Bulls next season. Considering Anthony has been tied to the club in several rumors recently, more people are considering the possibility that this team will be dramatically changed for the better in the near future. But remember, rumors have also been flying that Tom Thibodeau will head to New York after the season and coach Anthony in that location. Also, when we're hearing that Phil Jackson could join the Knicks as general manager soon, it only jumbles these possibilities further.
Anthony would only be able to come to the Bulls if certain things fall into place. For starters, he would have to take less money than he'd be able to earn if he re-signed with the Knicks. Even that is only possible if the Bulls make enough moves to clear the necessary cap space. Carlos Boozer would most definitely be amnestied. Mike Dunleavy, Tony Snell and possibly Taj Gibson would be on the trading block. It's also possible that the team would cut ties with Erik Murphy. Of course, it's ultimately Anthony's decision. You have to consider taking all this salary off the books could all be in vain. It happened in 2010 and now, the Bulls are even further away from a championship than they were after the first season of the current core.
I've often been critical of how the NBA has become a league of players looking to team up. I feel it goes against the competitive nature of what pro basketball is supposed to be about. However, I have to accept that the days of Magic and Larry going at each other's throats are behind and this is now how stars are looking to win championships. Team loyalty has been discarded in favor of players looking to help each other out.
I'm never going to be happy about this practice and it's why I continue to dislike the Miami Heat. However, if Noah is taking on the role of team recruiter that Derrick Rose has refused, I'll be for any effort that gets this team closer to a championship. I'm a Bulls fan first and in the end, all that matters is raising another banner with the Larry O'Brien Trophy imprinted on it.
The Bulls will look to shake off last night's defeat Sunday afternoon against the Heat. Since it's a matinee, I'll be able to blog about a matchup that is always greatly hyped. None of the three meetings they've had so far this season has been that special. However, the fourth time will hopefully be the charm. A Bulls victory would be great too.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Fun at the Palace
Although Noah reinjured his thumb which has caused him problems in the past, he recorded his sixth career triple-double and third in the last month: 10 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. This came on a day in which Bill Simmons declared Noah as his pick for finishing as high as fourth in the MVP voting. Noah obviously won't win the award this year, but there's no way the Bulls would be where they are now without him. Everything that should have gone wrong didn't, and Noah is at the epicenter of that.
D.J. Augustin came off the bench to lead the Bulls with 26 points, knocking down all 10 free-throw attempts, and also had six assists. It was just a typical night in a bounce-back season for him. Taj Gibson has been garnering consideration for the Sixth Man of the Year Award and showed it tonight by scoring 22 points. As long as he continues this level up, he'll continue to prove why he's such a valuable commodity and a piece of the Bulls' future.
Including Noah, four of the five starters scored in double figures. The best out of the remaining group was Jimmy Butler, who accumulated a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds in 46 minutes. He also led all players with three steals, further adding to his everyman role. Carlos Boozer and Kirk Hinrich each scored 10. The starting lineup is great with Noah and Butler, but anytime Boozer and Hinrich can act as key players to the cause, good things are bound to happen. What's more, they both know their time in Chicago isn't likely to last beyond this season, so they have to be admired for continuing to give an all-effort.
While the Bulls didn't run away with this game and even appeared on the cusp of letting Detroit take control, they kept their cool and remembered they truly are the better team both on paper and on the court. It's not always easy in a long regular season, but the result the oddsmakers' pick is usually correct. With tonight's matchup, the Bulls were the favorite and they delivered. It may not be so easy Friday against the Memphis Grizzlies, who are just half a game better than the Bulls. Still, this group will be up to the challenge and they'll play hard to prove it.
Monday, March 3, 2014
Massive Turnover
The Bulls' wire-to-wire win over the Knicks yesterday, which featured only three team turnovers, should have been a warning shot for what would transpire against the Brooklyn Nets tonight. Instead, we figured the club would be just fine having had over 24 hours to recover. We were rudely awakened when the Nets never trailed and won 96-80.
From the opening tip, it was clear the Bulls were hung over from the high yesterday's win brought as it only took a few minutes for them to surpass three turnovers. The Nets had many a double-digit lead, which the Bulls countered with runs of their own. However, the game was never even tied and the Nets slowly, but surely put the contest out of reach. Their leads were too big for the Bulls to catch up to, even when momentum shifted in the other direction. This tends to happen when your opponent scores 30 points off 28 turnovers and steals the ball 16 times.
Four of the five Nets starters scored in double figures, led by Deron Williams' 20. It was a reminder that no matter how many head coaches he runs out of a job, the Illinois product is still one of the best point guards in the league. Joe Johnson scored 19 and shared Paul Pierce's total of three three-pointers. Pierce tied his 14 points with Peoria native Shaun Livingston, who recorded five steals, so Jason Kidd's starters hurt the Bulls in a lot of different areas. Kevin Garnett was injured, but not needed to end a three-game losing streak against their opponents going back to last year's Game 7. All of this was still nearly overshadowed by Jason Collins playing his first home game with his new team.
D.J. Augustin scored 16 off the bench and made all seven free-throw attempts to lead the Bulls. Jimmy Butler, whom I felt hustled the most tonight, added 13. His hustle could have been all him, or a way of picking up Joakim Noah (10 points), who appeared somewhat limited in his abilities thanks to the ankle injury he sustained in yesterday's game. Taj Gibson totaled 12 and Carlos Boozer continued to fatten his numbers with a double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds.
As well as the Bulls have played lately, they should know not to take such a run for granted. I don't think they are, but when you're trying to prove to the rest of the league that you're still up there with the better teams in your conference, you need to be ready to play. All these turnovers they sustained suggest they had trouble sustaining that two days in a row after everything that could go right did in the last game. Bad games are going to happen, but if you're going to lose, do it because you're out of gas from the 82-game grind that is the regular season. An inability to take care of the ball shows lazy play.
Whether they suddenly felt they were playing a real-life version of NBA Jam won't ever be known. Regardless, the offense resembled nothing like the well-oiled machine that beat New York. They looked out of sync and like they were going through the motions. Even a defensive-minded coach like Tom Thibodeau can recognize that basketball is not a one-way sport. Otherwise, he'd be joining Lovie Smith with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Bulls will try again Wednesday in Auburn Hills, Michigan when they play the Detroit Pistons. That matchup is no longer so much about playoff positioning as it is about keeping the Pistons out of the playoffs. It's nothing personal. The team is just trying hard to win every team they face on a given night. That's what personifies the Bulls, even if they don't always seem to show it.
From the opening tip, it was clear the Bulls were hung over from the high yesterday's win brought as it only took a few minutes for them to surpass three turnovers. The Nets had many a double-digit lead, which the Bulls countered with runs of their own. However, the game was never even tied and the Nets slowly, but surely put the contest out of reach. Their leads were too big for the Bulls to catch up to, even when momentum shifted in the other direction. This tends to happen when your opponent scores 30 points off 28 turnovers and steals the ball 16 times.
Four of the five Nets starters scored in double figures, led by Deron Williams' 20. It was a reminder that no matter how many head coaches he runs out of a job, the Illinois product is still one of the best point guards in the league. Joe Johnson scored 19 and shared Paul Pierce's total of three three-pointers. Pierce tied his 14 points with Peoria native Shaun Livingston, who recorded five steals, so Jason Kidd's starters hurt the Bulls in a lot of different areas. Kevin Garnett was injured, but not needed to end a three-game losing streak against their opponents going back to last year's Game 7. All of this was still nearly overshadowed by Jason Collins playing his first home game with his new team.
D.J. Augustin scored 16 off the bench and made all seven free-throw attempts to lead the Bulls. Jimmy Butler, whom I felt hustled the most tonight, added 13. His hustle could have been all him, or a way of picking up Joakim Noah (10 points), who appeared somewhat limited in his abilities thanks to the ankle injury he sustained in yesterday's game. Taj Gibson totaled 12 and Carlos Boozer continued to fatten his numbers with a double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds.
As well as the Bulls have played lately, they should know not to take such a run for granted. I don't think they are, but when you're trying to prove to the rest of the league that you're still up there with the better teams in your conference, you need to be ready to play. All these turnovers they sustained suggest they had trouble sustaining that two days in a row after everything that could go right did in the last game. Bad games are going to happen, but if you're going to lose, do it because you're out of gas from the 82-game grind that is the regular season. An inability to take care of the ball shows lazy play.
Whether they suddenly felt they were playing a real-life version of NBA Jam won't ever be known. Regardless, the offense resembled nothing like the well-oiled machine that beat New York. They looked out of sync and like they were going through the motions. Even a defensive-minded coach like Tom Thibodeau can recognize that basketball is not a one-way sport. Otherwise, he'd be joining Lovie Smith with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Bulls will try again Wednesday in Auburn Hills, Michigan when they play the Detroit Pistons. That matchup is no longer so much about playoff positioning as it is about keeping the Pistons out of the playoffs. It's nothing personal. The team is just trying hard to win every team they face on a given night. That's what personifies the Bulls, even if they don't always seem to show it.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Dishing Out Dimes
By the time Jimmer Fredette made his Bulls debut today against the New York Knicks, the contest was already well out of reach. Still, Fredette knocked down his first shot, sending the United Center crowd into a frenzy previously reserved for Brian Scalabrine. It was all he scored, but that was the cherry on the top of an easy 109-90 victory witnessed by a national TV audience.
The Bulls went on a 16-1 run to start the game and never looked back. A first quarter of 37 points was the team's highest scoring output of any quarter this season. From there, the lead never got smaller than seven the rest of the way. Whenever the Knicks appeared to have some sort of a groove going, the Bulls turned up the heat. Eventually, both teams called off their dogs, making the Fredette sighting possible.
Seven Bulls reached double figures, including the entire starting five. Joakim Noah continued a season for the ages with his fifth career triple-double: 13 points, 12 rebounds and 14 assists. That last number can especially be highlighted when you take his recent similar dimes into account. He's definitely the best passing center in the league right now, so upcoming opponents will have to plan for that.
D.J. Augustin led all scorers with 23 points off the bench, making four three-pointers. Jimmy Butler had 19, nine of which came from free throws. Taj Gibson was on the receiving end of many of the assists (30) as he cut close to the basket several times to score 13. Kirk Hinrich looked like the player of old, knocking down three shots from beyond the arc with ease. The bank even seemed to be in his favor, which can be helpful to a veteran point guard with diminished skills.
I'll admit to not being able to watch as much Bulls basketball as I'd like recently, but what I noticed above everything else today was their ability to find the right passing lanes and create easy buckets. Any NBA team should have this in its arsenal, but considering the Knicks' poor play this season and how the Bulls gel together as one, this shouldn't have been surprising. Do you know how well the Bulls played? They only committed three turnovers, which is a new franchise low for a game.
The Bulls have won 21 of their last 29 games and the Knicks are built of talented players stuck on a team nowhere near its potential. This will obviously mean more to the Bulls going forward as they try to build all the momentum they can as the regular season inches closer to its final push.
Tomorrow, the Bulls face the other New York team, the Brooklyn Nets, on the road. There, they'll find another team that entered the season with high expectations, but has struggled to find its footing. The difference is the Nets are likely to enter the playoffs in the awful East. As for the Knicks? Well, Spike Lee better hope God has a trick or two up His sleeve.
The Bulls went on a 16-1 run to start the game and never looked back. A first quarter of 37 points was the team's highest scoring output of any quarter this season. From there, the lead never got smaller than seven the rest of the way. Whenever the Knicks appeared to have some sort of a groove going, the Bulls turned up the heat. Eventually, both teams called off their dogs, making the Fredette sighting possible.
Seven Bulls reached double figures, including the entire starting five. Joakim Noah continued a season for the ages with his fifth career triple-double: 13 points, 12 rebounds and 14 assists. That last number can especially be highlighted when you take his recent similar dimes into account. He's definitely the best passing center in the league right now, so upcoming opponents will have to plan for that.
D.J. Augustin led all scorers with 23 points off the bench, making four three-pointers. Jimmy Butler had 19, nine of which came from free throws. Taj Gibson was on the receiving end of many of the assists (30) as he cut close to the basket several times to score 13. Kirk Hinrich looked like the player of old, knocking down three shots from beyond the arc with ease. The bank even seemed to be in his favor, which can be helpful to a veteran point guard with diminished skills.
I'll admit to not being able to watch as much Bulls basketball as I'd like recently, but what I noticed above everything else today was their ability to find the right passing lanes and create easy buckets. Any NBA team should have this in its arsenal, but considering the Knicks' poor play this season and how the Bulls gel together as one, this shouldn't have been surprising. Do you know how well the Bulls played? They only committed three turnovers, which is a new franchise low for a game.
The Bulls have won 21 of their last 29 games and the Knicks are built of talented players stuck on a team nowhere near its potential. This will obviously mean more to the Bulls going forward as they try to build all the momentum they can as the regular season inches closer to its final push.
Tomorrow, the Bulls face the other New York team, the Brooklyn Nets, on the road. There, they'll find another team that entered the season with high expectations, but has struggled to find its footing. The difference is the Nets are likely to enter the playoffs in the awful East. As for the Knicks? Well, Spike Lee better hope God has a trick or two up His sleeve.
Saturday, March 1, 2014
It's Jimmer Time
Fredette, the 2011 National Player of the Year at BYU, was just bought out by the Sacramento Kings, nearly three years into his career. This season, he is averaging career lows of 5.9 points and 11.3 minutes, a clear sign he wasn't getting as many opportunities in California's capital as he would have liked. By the time you read this, a deal with the Bulls will likely be finalized.
For his career, Fredette has averaged an even seven points, shot 42 percent from the field, 40 percent from beyond the arc and 86 percent from the free throw line. This season, he has career highs in all three respective areas at 48, 49 and 90. To be fair, those numbers would probably be lower if he had more attempts compared to his other two seasons with the Kings. Still, a smaller sample size might be just what Gar Forman and John Paxson needed to want to pursue this new free agent.
Anything to boost this putrid offense the Bulls possess would be welcome. It also would give the Bulls a new shooting specialist that has been lacking lately. Mike Dunleavy had to abandon that role with the team after taking Luol Deng's starting spot. Even now, I think I would trust Fredette more when a big shot is needed. Dunleavy has always struck as a slightly above average shooter at best and nothing like Kyle Korver or Marco Belinelli, who pretty much get paid to just shoot all the time.
I'm not saying Fredette is in those players' league, but he might be as close to either of those two players the Bulls will get this season. If we're lucky, there will be some great shooting duels in the playoffs between Fredette and whatever pure shooter is opposing the Bulls. Once that gets going, anything goes. The Bulls somehow reached the second round last year with a undermanned group and it's not out of the question for them to do it again. Hey, when you know you're not likely to win a championship this season, you need something to hang onto. Fredette might be just that.
Following Friday's road win over Dallas, the Bulls will play a nationally televised matinee Sunday against the New York Knicks. Since it will be over before I have to go to work, I'll have a postgame post. And quite possibly, we'll get our first look of new Bull Jimmer Fredette.
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