Bull and Random

My power was out for the 3rd quarter and cable was out for the 4th last night. Looks like I would have been disappointed.

"The Bulls' bid for a third consecutive victory -- something they haven't accomplished in 1½ seasons and nine tries -- ended with this 92-87 loss Saturday to the San Antonio Spurs (26-13)."

"The loss marked the ninth straight time since April 2007 the Bulls have failed with a chance to post a three-game winning streak, though with a gritty, if sloppy, effort."



From the Weekend Dime on ESPN -
"West scout on why Chicago's Derrick Rose should be leading the Rookie of the Year race:

"Every time I see him, he's unbelievable. He can get anywhere on the floor with the dribble when he turns on the jets. And I think [Kirk] Hinrich coming back really helps. It helps Rose save energy and learn from a very good, disciplined, basic point guard. And then when it's winning time, he's got the ball in his hands and he's making all the plays.

"Just wait until he becomes a consistent jump shooter. It's just a matter of time; his jumper doesn't look broke to me at all. And it'll make his life so much easier. Look how much he's able to get to the rim now when people are playing him to drive.

"I keep saying that I want to see Rose, Chris Paul and Deron Williams play in a one-on-one tournament. It would be awesome. [Rose has] the size, quickness, same type of handle. He's got enough skills to play with those guys and would not be embarrassed at all.""






Amare is frustrated. Maybe he wants to play with D-Rose in 2010?

Superman impersonating the Governator.

"Luol Deng said his is an understated leadership style as one of the Bulls' three captains."

Trade rumors

I've been saying Gooden is tradeable - "While Gordon has an expiring contract and two more years remain on Hughes' contract, one other player may entice some offers: Drew Gooden.

Like Gordon, Gooden's expiring contract – not to mention his trademark toughness – makes him an attractive addition for a handful of teams around the league. It all comes down to the trade value Paxson seeks in return. "



The midway point - "The 41st game seems an opportune time for reflection, given that the Bulls have lost to the league's worst team and beat the league's best in the span of just six days."

Great night of hoops

Two great games tonight, featuring the top 4 MVP candidates -
Cavs v. Hornets
Lakers v. Magic

Personally, I rank them:
4. Kobe
3. CP3
2. Superman


(Those first 3 aren't even close ...)




1. LeBron



And some analysis of playing Kirk and Rose together - "The Bulls finish +7 with Derrick Rose and Kirk Hinrich on the court together. It's no coincidence that the two stretches during which they cooperate most in the halfcourt produce positive results."

More good stuff

" ... Thursday's Bulls national TV 102-93 win over the Cavs was the high point of this thus far somewhat disappointing season and filled with positive signs that this Bulls team isn't quite as dead in the water as it's seemed lately in losing to Minnesota and Oklahoma City.

By the numbers, the Bulls got 22 points, eight rebounds and four steals from Luol Deng, who has returned from a sprained ankle in the body of Luol Deng of 2007, cutting hard, shooting and scrapping. The Bulls got 16 points and six assists from Derrick Rose, who despite a poor shooting game never quit and broke down the Cavs defense throughout the overtime in finding Deng and Kirk Hinrich for wide open threes to win the game. And the Bulls got 12 points, five assists and three three pointers from Hinrich, who returned from his thumb surgery as some sort of cross between Doc Rivers and Richie Guerin, a tough, active and vocal hard playing guard to complement Rose."

Quick Q&A with D-Rose - "Q: Has playing in your hometown of Chicago helped with the adjustment or made it harder?

A: Helped. I can see my family and friends. I don't have to worry about being homesick, so that's good."





And just in case you forgot - before beating the Cavs, the previous high-point of the year ...

Bull

Honoring Johnny Redd Kerr - "Kerr earned NBA Coach of the Year honors in 1966 as the franchise's inaugural coach, and he served as business manager for two seasons and as a broadcaster for more than 30. The Chicago native will be honored by dignitaries including Neil Funk, David Stern, Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen."

Let's hope the comparison's to CP3 never stop - "It's not very often that a 23-year-old player gets handed the keys to a franchise, and it's even rarer for that franchise to be considered a championship contender. That's what's happened in New Orleans, however, where Chris Paul is not only leading the team, but has them among the upper echelon of the tough Western Conference."

Quick reaction from Blogabull - "Injuries took out the rest of the Cavs, but it's still a good win. Now just need to trade Noc (played the whole 4th and OT again) for more Noah time (must've been real unprofessional between saving the game last night and tonight) and the season can be restarted. With Derrick Rose taking over 4th quarters again and everything."



Rose, Kirk and Deng (now if we could get consistent minutes for TT and JoaNoah) - "Deng's defense down the stretch was pivitol. He had two steals in the final 73 seconds of regulation, one which came with 28.1 seconds left. Deng grabbed a pass from Daniel Gibson intended for Mo Williams (26 points). After a Bulls time out, Williams fouled Derrick Rose, who made both free throws with 17.1 seconds left to tie the game at 87.

Rose rebounded from early shooting struggles -- he missed 11 of his first 14 shots -- and drove for a three-point play for the first score in overtime. The Bulls never looked back. Deng's defensive rebound on the ensuing Cavs possession started a fast break which Kirk Hinrich finished with a three-pointer. Deng then buried his two threes."




Rose, Kirk and Deng, again - "Derrick Rose's drive and conventional three-point play with 4 minutes 8 seconds left in overtime wasn't nearly as dramatic.

But it kick-started a 12-1 run followed by three-pointers from Kirk Hinrich and Luol Deng and then Deng again."

Beat the Cavs? ... Beat the Cavs!

Three telling messages I received after the game last night:

"It's nice to see Luol's two annual three pointers come in overtime against the best team in the east." - Goat

"King James can eat D-Rose's nuts." - RSmith

"High water mark for the season." - Kmart

Rookie Ranks

Rose at #2 on this list. Maybe he missed the 17 point domination in the 4th last night.

"2. Derrick Rose, PG, Chicago Bulls

Rose has already become the new "face of the franchise" in Chicago, and his stellar play early in the season raised expectations probably beyond what is reasonable for his rookie year. However, Rose is the real deal who has all the qualities to be an All-Star, championship lead guard. The fact that he is demonstrating those qualities on a team as directionless as the Bulls is even more telling of his talent level. Rose has great command of the ball and can go anywhere he wants with it. He has fabulous acceleration and body control, and can be a ferocious driver into the paint. His passing ability and talent to create for others has been stifled somewhat by the Bulls purposeless offense and poor shooting by his teammates. Expect his jumper to get better with each successive season to make him even more difficult to defend. This guy was the right pick at #1."