... We were getting too excited about the Bull: Paxson's worst draft picks.
And for the first time in forever, a non-Bull post: The Sock signed Bartolo Colon
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Plenty of good Rose
"Best of all, obviously, was Rose making like Michael. His ball, his quarter, his game, his team."
Too soon for this question?? "After watching my boy Derrick Rose destroy the Craptors down the stretch last night, I gotta ask if you were starting a franchise today would you go with Rose or CP3?
There's no question that CP3 is more established right now and has already had a minor taste of playoff success, but he's also surrounded by better players instead of the pu pu platter that John Paxson has put together in Chicago.
Name me another point guard that has come into the NBA in the past two decades and dominated out of the gates like Rose? I mean he's breaking kids ankles who are playing five feet off of him!!"
"There is little that LeBron James still has to learn on a basketball court. Derrick Rose is following a similar learning curve."
Even Toronto thought D-Rose was wonderful: "Chicago rookie point guard Derrick Rose was primary reason for Toronto's latest missed opportunity. The 2008 first-overall pick was sensational, scoring 17 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter. He added 10 assists to just one turnover."
Blogabull liked the win, but still wasn't happy with VDN's gimmick lineups most of the game: "I decided to still side on wanting the Bulls to win. No matter how embarrassing Vinny is (and each game is an opportunity to top the last), he’s not getting fired this season.
And with a tenuous 4-point lead in the final minute and a half, Vinny did bring Thomas and Noah back into the game. And they got two stops (Toronto got a transition layup when the tiny lineup wasn't able to be subbed out between timeouts, whoops!), a big one of those being Noah blocking Chris Bosh on a potential game-tying final posession for the Raps."
And some exceptional non-Rose Bull news: "It's clear Larry Hughes is out of the rotation as the Bulls continue to shop him in advance of the Feb. 19 trade deadline."
Too soon for this question?? "After watching my boy Derrick Rose destroy the Craptors down the stretch last night, I gotta ask if you were starting a franchise today would you go with Rose or CP3?
There's no question that CP3 is more established right now and has already had a minor taste of playoff success, but he's also surrounded by better players instead of the pu pu platter that John Paxson has put together in Chicago.
Name me another point guard that has come into the NBA in the past two decades and dominated out of the gates like Rose? I mean he's breaking kids ankles who are playing five feet off of him!!"
"There is little that LeBron James still has to learn on a basketball court. Derrick Rose is following a similar learning curve."
Even Toronto thought D-Rose was wonderful: "Chicago rookie point guard Derrick Rose was primary reason for Toronto's latest missed opportunity. The 2008 first-overall pick was sensational, scoring 17 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter. He added 10 assists to just one turnover."
Blogabull liked the win, but still wasn't happy with VDN's gimmick lineups most of the game: "I decided to still side on wanting the Bulls to win. No matter how embarrassing Vinny is (and each game is an opportunity to top the last), he’s not getting fired this season.
And with a tenuous 4-point lead in the final minute and a half, Vinny did bring Thomas and Noah back into the game. And they got two stops (Toronto got a transition layup when the tiny lineup wasn't able to be subbed out between timeouts, whoops!), a big one of those being Noah blocking Chris Bosh on a potential game-tying final posession for the Raps."
And some exceptional non-Rose Bull news: "It's clear Larry Hughes is out of the rotation as the Bulls continue to shop him in advance of the Feb. 19 trade deadline."
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
WW-VDN-D?
Apparently tonight against the Raptors, Vinny did something right. I was very happy to see two things in the fourth quarter: the crunch time lineup (D-Rose, Captain Kirk, Luol, TT and JoaNoah), and D-Rose straight dominating (17 points in the fourth).
Here's a ranking that I don't agree with at all.
Here's a ranking that I don't agree with at all.
Problems with the Bull
"Two Different Speeds: ... While those are legitimate issues that need to be dealt with, another issue is the composition of the team and the skills they posses. There are two sets of players on this team: the ones who are better pushing the tempo and the ones who will never be good playing at high speeds.
The uptempo side is led by rookie point guard Derrick Rose. Watch him play one game, see how fast he gets up the floor with the ball and you'll understand. Guard Ben Gordon is a good fit with him, as is forward Tyrus Thomas.
The better-at-the-halfcourt-game side is led by most of the big men – Drew Gooden and Joakim Noah. Both players can be contributors, but in an uptempo game they tend to get left behind.
In the middle you have players that might lean one way or another, but still are a relatively good fit either way. These players include Luol Deng (leans uptempo), Kirk Hinrich (ditto), Larry Hughes (ditto), Thabo Sefolosha (ditto), Andres Nocioni (leans halfcourt), and Aaron Gray (ditto).
Anyone else see the problem here? With the Chicago Bulls it's not just an issue of whether or not they get post production from their big men, it's the fact the majority of them simply won't be able to keep up with Derrick Rose and the rest of the guards on a consistent basis. True, big men will always lag behind the little guys, but at the same time the gap can't be as wide as it is with the Bulls.
It's a given this is Rose's team, as well it should be. However, General Manager John Paxson has his work cut out for him when it comes to giving any Bulls coach, whether it by Vinny Del Negro or someone else, a team capable of playing a cohesive tempo for long periods of time. He needs to switch out the team's current big men for not only ones with a few more offensive skills, but some who can keep up with the likes of Rose, Deng and Gordon."
"Chicago Bulls lacking leaders ... "I don't think that's one of the team's strengths right now," coach Vinny Del Negro said. "Our younger guys will develop into that, Derrick [Rose] especially.""
The uptempo side is led by rookie point guard Derrick Rose. Watch him play one game, see how fast he gets up the floor with the ball and you'll understand. Guard Ben Gordon is a good fit with him, as is forward Tyrus Thomas.
The better-at-the-halfcourt-game side is led by most of the big men – Drew Gooden and Joakim Noah. Both players can be contributors, but in an uptempo game they tend to get left behind.
In the middle you have players that might lean one way or another, but still are a relatively good fit either way. These players include Luol Deng (leans uptempo), Kirk Hinrich (ditto), Larry Hughes (ditto), Thabo Sefolosha (ditto), Andres Nocioni (leans halfcourt), and Aaron Gray (ditto).
Anyone else see the problem here? With the Chicago Bulls it's not just an issue of whether or not they get post production from their big men, it's the fact the majority of them simply won't be able to keep up with Derrick Rose and the rest of the guards on a consistent basis. True, big men will always lag behind the little guys, but at the same time the gap can't be as wide as it is with the Bulls.
It's a given this is Rose's team, as well it should be. However, General Manager John Paxson has his work cut out for him when it comes to giving any Bulls coach, whether it by Vinny Del Negro or someone else, a team capable of playing a cohesive tempo for long periods of time. He needs to switch out the team's current big men for not only ones with a few more offensive skills, but some who can keep up with the likes of Rose, Deng and Gordon."
"Chicago Bulls lacking leaders ... "I don't think that's one of the team's strengths right now," coach Vinny Del Negro said. "Our younger guys will develop into that, Derrick [Rose] especially.""
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Never be another ...
MJ will always transcend the game.
I "loved" it live last night - but hate might be a better word. The first quarter looked like 2 NBA teams, then Vinny attempted to make each lineup more miserable to watch as the game progressed. We don't have the personnel to win this year, but VDN puts in these miserable, unwatchable lineups to try to squeak out 3-4 more wins this year? Why not play the young guys and see if they can develop some sort of flow with ROse? Keep TT, Luol (b/c we have to after over-paying him last summer), Noah (b/c he might be a decent 5 in a fast-paced lineup someday, and it's a better option than Gray), Captain Kirk, and Rose. Trade the rest of this scrap heap for expiring contracts, draft picks, and young talent.
I cannot believe how irritated and angry D-Rose must be to have to drive to the basket and then pass the ball to this bunch of jackals.
Blogabull also was not impressed: "However it still led to some fun Vinny-ness. The Bulls are beyond bad and approaching fun-bad at this point, no?"
"The question is whether the Bulls have hit their lowest point since that run to the second round of the playoffs in the spring of ’07?"
Everyone was back, but it didn't help: "Kirk Hinrich returned Monday against the Portland Trail Blazers for the first time since surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb. Luol Deng was back after an eight-game absence due to a sprained left ankle. Thabo Sefolosha was back after missing one game because of the flu."
I "loved" it live last night - but hate might be a better word. The first quarter looked like 2 NBA teams, then Vinny attempted to make each lineup more miserable to watch as the game progressed. We don't have the personnel to win this year, but VDN puts in these miserable, unwatchable lineups to try to squeak out 3-4 more wins this year? Why not play the young guys and see if they can develop some sort of flow with ROse? Keep TT, Luol (b/c we have to after over-paying him last summer), Noah (b/c he might be a decent 5 in a fast-paced lineup someday, and it's a better option than Gray), Captain Kirk, and Rose. Trade the rest of this scrap heap for expiring contracts, draft picks, and young talent.
I cannot believe how irritated and angry D-Rose must be to have to drive to the basket and then pass the ball to this bunch of jackals.
Blogabull also was not impressed: "However it still led to some fun Vinny-ness. The Bulls are beyond bad and approaching fun-bad at this point, no?"
"The question is whether the Bulls have hit their lowest point since that run to the second round of the playoffs in the spring of ’07?"
Everyone was back, but it didn't help: "Kirk Hinrich returned Monday against the Portland Trail Blazers for the first time since surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb. Luol Deng was back after an eight-game absence due to a sprained left ankle. Thabo Sefolosha was back after missing one game because of the flu."
Sunday, January 11, 2009
terrible game
Though I'm either hungover or still drunk, I am still mad about the game last night. There were 2 (almost) back-to-back plays in the third quarter that were infuriating.
First, Rose started a 2-on-1 by flipping to Hughes, who was headed up the left side. Rose went out wide right, and was open for a bounce pass/layup or an oop/dunk. Selfish Hughes took it right at the defender, using his right hand from the left side to barely graze the rim with his pathetic layup attempt.
Another fast break, almost immediately after - Gordon and Rose. This time Gordon doesn't even get out wide to the left, so there is poor spacing as he comes down the middle of the lane. Rose came in from the right wing and was open for a bounce pass/layup. Instead, Selfish Gordon faked a chance pass and ran into Russell Westbrook to draw the charge.
postgame recap ...
"It's a miracle the Chicago Bulls didn't lose this game by more than they did. If this wasn't literally the NBA's team worst team, Vinny Del Negro's team gets trounced by 30. The glaring number tonight was that Oklahoma City out-rebounded the Bulls 54 to 36 (and the differential was even worse than that in the first half), including an overwhelming onslaught of offensive boards by the Thunder. There's a while there when I wasn't sure the Bulls could box out anymore, and that something Del Negro really focused on in his post-game news conference."
"The Bulls finally showed life on the boards and on defense in the fourth and rallied for a 90-85 lead with just under six minutes remaining. But the Bulls managed just four points the rest of regulation, sending the game into overtime. The Bulls never led in the extra session.
Oklahoma City put the game away with seven straight points to snap a tie at 96. The Bulls were outscored 15-4 in overtime."
Captain Kirk might play Thursday.
Maybe then Pax will pull the trigger on trading Hughes (or Noc, Thabo, etc.) for a bag of basketballs.
Plus, isn't Gooden tradeable for some useful (young and talented) assets? He is a legit backup at the 4/5 for a contender, plus a $7M expiring contract. We let PJ Brown go without getting anything back for his expiring deal, we will lose Gordon for nothing, so we should get something for Gooden. And this season is already a lost cause, so it doesn't matter if we lose the "most consistent 'post-player.'" Use the minutes to develop TT with Rose, or see if Joah Noah will ever be legit. (Personally, I think Noah and TT would be a great 4/5 combo for a fast-paced offensive team, plus they can anchor the at-the-rim defense).
award watch (MVP)
There shouldn't even be talk about other candidates right now, Bron Bron is a lock for MVP.
First, Rose started a 2-on-1 by flipping to Hughes, who was headed up the left side. Rose went out wide right, and was open for a bounce pass/layup or an oop/dunk. Selfish Hughes took it right at the defender, using his right hand from the left side to barely graze the rim with his pathetic layup attempt.
Another fast break, almost immediately after - Gordon and Rose. This time Gordon doesn't even get out wide to the left, so there is poor spacing as he comes down the middle of the lane. Rose came in from the right wing and was open for a bounce pass/layup. Instead, Selfish Gordon faked a chance pass and ran into Russell Westbrook to draw the charge.
postgame recap ...
"It's a miracle the Chicago Bulls didn't lose this game by more than they did. If this wasn't literally the NBA's team worst team, Vinny Del Negro's team gets trounced by 30. The glaring number tonight was that Oklahoma City out-rebounded the Bulls 54 to 36 (and the differential was even worse than that in the first half), including an overwhelming onslaught of offensive boards by the Thunder. There's a while there when I wasn't sure the Bulls could box out anymore, and that something Del Negro really focused on in his post-game news conference."
"The Bulls finally showed life on the boards and on defense in the fourth and rallied for a 90-85 lead with just under six minutes remaining. But the Bulls managed just four points the rest of regulation, sending the game into overtime. The Bulls never led in the extra session.
Oklahoma City put the game away with seven straight points to snap a tie at 96. The Bulls were outscored 15-4 in overtime."
Captain Kirk might play Thursday.
Maybe then Pax will pull the trigger on trading Hughes (or Noc, Thabo, etc.) for a bag of basketballs.
Plus, isn't Gooden tradeable for some useful (young and talented) assets? He is a legit backup at the 4/5 for a contender, plus a $7M expiring contract. We let PJ Brown go without getting anything back for his expiring deal, we will lose Gordon for nothing, so we should get something for Gooden. And this season is already a lost cause, so it doesn't matter if we lose the "most consistent 'post-player.'" Use the minutes to develop TT with Rose, or see if Joah Noah will ever be legit. (Personally, I think Noah and TT would be a great 4/5 combo for a fast-paced offensive team, plus they can anchor the at-the-rim defense).
award watch (MVP)
There shouldn't even be talk about other candidates right now, Bron Bron is a lock for MVP.
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