I know how Kstat feels, but how about the rest of you?

They are 16-23 right now.

I felt the Bulls would make the playoffs. Kstat disagreed with me and likened their chances to the Knicks' and the toothfairies (or something like that).

I say yes.

First, we need to project a record they must reach to make the playoffs. The Eastern Conference's #8 seed the last two years finished 40-42. The current #8 seed, New Jersey, has a winning percentage of .462, so they're on pace for a final record of about 38-44. We'll take a jump in faith and say one of the borderline teams gets hot toward the end of the year, so we'll work with a record of 40-42.

With a current record of 16-23, they need to go 24-19 from here on out. While their talent certainly warrants it as a possibility, that's a 15% jump in winning percentage the second half compared to the first.

As much as I look at their roster and want to say they should have no problem doing so, I just can't make the leap. They have problems unrelated to Xs and Os, and I think that's tougher to fix than going back to the basics.

Yes.

Detroit Pistons: Playoff team or not?
Fixed. Spayed or neutered, not sure which.

LOL

I say the Pistons barely get in, at about 56-26.

i suspect once the trade deadline passes, the bulls will get better.

yes, playoff team. if only because kstat thinks they wont.

In a conference where a sub-500 record can get you a playoff spot, how can you rule out any given team potentially spinning, sliding and backing their way into the postseason?

Chicago has enough talent to squeak in but really it's a crap shoot right now.

First, we need to project a record they must reach to make the playoffs. The Eastern Conference's #8 seed the last two years finished 40-42. The current #8 seed, New Jersey, has a winning percentage of .462, so they're on pace for a final record of about 38-44. We'll take a jump in faith and say one of the borderline teams gets hot toward the end of the year, so we'll work with a record of 40-42.

With a current record of 16-23, they need to go 24-19 from here on out. While their talent certainly warrants it as a possibility, that's a 15% jump in winning percentage the second half compared to the first.

As much as I look at their roster and want to say they should have no problem doing so, I just can't make the leap. They have problems unrelated to Xs and Os, and I think that's tougher to fix than going back to the basics.

I think an easier way to look at it is, they're 2 games out right now, and 2 games is not that hard to make up.

Hey, I was asked to guess if they're going to be a playoff team, and I'm guessing no.

Didn't mean to infer that you didn't have the right to your opinion, I was just presenting a different, more simple way of looking at the situation, maybe I didn't approach that very well.

Another thing that occurred to me today is that after the draft and offseason, many here (me included) crucified Paxson for not addressing their glaring need for inside scoring.

We have those same needs and look who we drafted, 3 guards.

Joe maybe deserves a bit of a pass because he had Max and Amir presumably ready to take those roles, but then there is Flip Saunders...

joe didnt really have alot of options as far as getting a post scorer. besides, tay and sheed are among the very best in the league.

its flip's fault. hes designed an offense that eliminates all easy shots for us, and purposefully does not score in the paint. this is like an invester who says "i think im gonna try buying high and selling low and see what happens".

admittedly, its an offense chauncy can thrive in, but otherwise horrible.

its funny watching the celtics play the knicks. 17 of their first 19 pts were scored in the paint.

its sad, we have a deep, talented team that should roll over the celtics. but it wont. the team that takes more high % shots SHOULD win the game. and you know the celtics are going to out quality shot us about 2-1.

Did I read that right? Did you just say Tay was one of the best post scorers in the league? Are you freaking kidding me? I'm not saying he's bad, because he can be solid with that little hook and with his length, but he's nowhere near one of the best in the league.

uh, yea, i would call tay one of the best. your memory would have to extend a little beyond a few weeks, though.

I'm not just looking at a few weeks, i'm thinking of since he's been here. He's a great low-post guy. When he gets down in there he does an extremely solid job. But best in the league? What qualifies as best for you, top 5, top 10? I DEFINITELY wouldn't have him top 5, I highly doubt I'd have him top 10. I think he's a great low-post scorer, but not one of the best.

No, they are the worst shooting team I've ever seen. Albiet they have beaten us 3-0, but they don't play us 40 more times...

I say no.

Fuck Jim Boylan, and fuck Andres Nocioni. Stupid Immigrant needs to go back to Argentina...

Speaking of immigrants, I think you need a new username.

Well, this won't help any...


Report: Deng expected to be sidelined for 'weeks'
ESPN.com news services

Updated: January 23, 2008, 3:11 PM ET

Chicago Bulls forward Luol Deng will be "shut down" for "a significant period of time" because of his sore left Achilles tendon, interim coach Jim Boylan said Wednesday, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Deng, the team's second-leading scorer, missed three games with the same injury earlier this month and sat out the Bulls' victory over the Detroit Pistons on Saturday when it flared up again.

Boylan wouldn't guess as to the length of Deng's absence, but said it will be weeks, not days, according to the Tribune.

The Bulls are already without guard Chris Duhon, who is out with a bone bruise in his left knee.

Deng is averaging 17.9 points and 6.6 rebounds per game for the Bulls (16-24). His 47.8 percent field goal shooting percentage is the best among the Bulls' regulars.

"Since he's had the injury it's kind of stayed with him," Boylan said Saturday. "It gets better on occasion and he can play, and then it comes back.

"It's something we have not been able to get a full handle on, so it's a problem. But we have so many games, and not a lot of time to rest him."

So if this is their starting lineup:

PG Hinrich
SG Gordon
SF Nocioni
PF Smith
C Wallace

What guards come off the bench? It looks like last game Sefolosha started and Gordon came off the bench, but I don't think they'd do that without Deng. They'd have a bunch of marginal shooters out there. Look for 35-40 minutes from Hinrich and Gordon, and Sefolosha to take up the remaining 20 minutes. Then what do they do at SF? Nocioni just came back from a hip injury, can he play starter minutes? They have no no other SF's that they use. Thomas might have to play there, or they will have to rely on Griffin and his 1.9 PPG.

If they trade Nocioni to New Jersey for Nachbar, Marcus Williams, Wright and Magloire, that'd probably just hinder their slim playoff chances even more...

Eastern Conference
Team GB
1. * Boston --
2. * Detroit 3.0
3. * Orlando 7.5
4. Cleveland 11.0
5. Toronto 11.5
6. Washington 14.0
7. Atlanta 15.5
8. Chicago 18.5
9. New Jersey 18.5
10. Indiana 19.0
11. Philadelphia 19.0
12. Milwaukee 20.0
13. Charlotte 20.5
14. New York 24.5
15. Miami 29.0

I don't see the Toothfairies in the playoff picture there. Kstat...??

20-29 and the 8 seed in the playoffs in the East...lmao.

bit like memo makingthe asg last year. i stand by my prediction that the bulls put it together after the trade deadline.

Hopefully they put it together just enough to get the #5 seed and face the Cavs. Then Boston can face either a surging Bulls team or the media darling Cavs.

I completely agree. The bulls are notorious for their second half runs and is a team I do not want to see come playoff time.

There's no need to even debate, they will be in the playoffs. I just hope they don't get the #7 seed (which is a distinct possibility) because it could be 1 and done for the pistons.

They matchup extremely well against the pistons (They are a great perimeter defensive team and have the length/depth to give the pistons fits).

It's not a coincidence that they've won 5 of the last 6 games against detroit (including last year's playoffs) and 6 of the last 7 regular season games over the last 2 season.

I'm almost convinced that if they had a healthy nocioni last year they beat detroit in round 2 (he was playing on one leg).

I don't see the 7 seed for them. Washington has lost 5 in a row, and is missing Arenas and Butler (butlet is DTD though). I don't think Atlanta has the experience to hold the Bulls off either. Toronto is packed with jump shooters and no inside presance besides Bosh. They could hit a cold spell at any time.

Chicago would be a tough playoff matchup for us, but I still us winning in 6.

It's a semi dangerous matchup because they play good D and rebound the ball, if you do both you have a chance to win any series, but they simply do not have the guards to pressure, overpower, and harass Chauncey Billups, ye old 'midget guards' criticism - that's the way to grind our offense to a halt, Cleveland has the personell to do it. Boston *might* with the likes of the two Allens and possibly Sam Cassell. The Bulls don't have it.

Hinrich is a very good defender actually. They also have Duhon who is a good defender. Their problem is that they don't have a great post player to get easy baskets from. They have to get dribble penetration for their guards to get easy baskets, and for their big men who aren't great shooters for the most part. Lucky for them, our biggest weakness is dribble penetration.

I actually think they're very dangerous for us (if they are playing well).

In fact, I would put them as the hardest matchup in the east maybe. We have good post and wing defenders, which gives me confidence against the Cavs, Celtics and Magic. Our biggest problem is teams with a good PG that can break us down (like SA). Chicago is not as good as Boston, but Sheed and Dyess play KG well, and RIP plays solid defense on Allen. We got beat last time because Rondo went off. I wouldn't expect that often in a 7 game set.

If Paxson gets off the pot and actually swings a good deal, they could shoot up the standings pretty quickly, I would think.

If Paxson gets off the pot and actually swings a good deal, they could shoot up the standings pretty quickly, I would think.

I kindof think they missed their chance with Gasol. They need an offensive minded big man to pair with Ben/TT. If Brand wasn't hurt he would be a good option. Possibly JO, but that's within the division and likely wouldn't happen.

If they could bring back Artest and not give up much, he could be an interesting rental.

How about bringing Brand back?

When is he going to be ready?

If they could bring back Artest and not give up much, he could be an interesting rental.

I didn't check, but I think Ron Ron has another year left on his deal after this one.

the problem with the bulls is they cant hide gordon against us. i would rather not play them in the playoffs, but i think we'd win (and id get to go to a game or two).

i dont know, even though the east sucks i dont want to playtoo many teams in the playoffs. i hope im wrong, but i just get this sense that this team isnt mentally prepared for another playoff grind. more of a gut feeling than anything.

I didn't check, but I think Ron Ron has another year left on his deal after this one.

He's on the 2008 FA list. I checked that when I explored what Miami could do with their cap space.

How about bringing Brand back?

When is he going to be ready?
What about reading two posts prior to yours. lol

Brand status:


If you read last Friday's Occupational Hazard (http://sports.espn.go.com/fantasy/basketball/fba/story?page=nbainjury0125), you saw Brand was just cleared to begin more strenuous running and jumping exercises, and a late February or early March return looks likely, barring a setback. So what happens then? I expect Brand to be worked back somewhat slowly. Do not look for 38 minutes per game immediately. There are a couple of fairly obvious reasons for this, but let's run through them. The Clippers are not going to be in the playoff hunt; the rejuvenated Kings are in much better position to make a run, and then there's Houston, Utah and Portland to get past. Brand is the Clippers' franchise player, and since they have no shot at the playoffs, I don't see him playing heavy minutes. This will be especially true the first few weeks he is back.

What about reading two posts prior to yours. lol


Yikes, sorry.

I think your post hit as I was typing mine.

Since he's going to be back in a few weeks, I would expect that would be a solid pickup. However, I also expect it to take more to get him. They'd definately have to give up TT, but what else would the Clippers want?

This works salary wise:

Gordon (5 mil) + Thomas (3.5 mil) + Nocioni (8.5 mil) + Smith (5.2 mil) = 22.2 mil
for
Brand (15 mil) + Maggs (7.5 mil) + Aaron Williams (1 mil) = 23.5 mil

That definately makes the Bulls better right now. They'd have to keep Brand and Maggs (both have player options) to be good down the road. The Clippers get two young talents to pair with Kamen, Livingston (hopefully) and Thornton.

PG Hinrich\Duhon
SG Maggs\Duhon
SF Deng\Griffen
PF Brand\Noah
C Ben\Brand\Williams

PG Cassell\Knight (eventually Livingston)
SG Gordon\Mobely\Ross
SF Mobely\Thornton\Nocioni
PF Thomas\Thomas\Nocioni
C Kamen\Smith

everyone making big money on the bulls, except wallace, is a byc player this year. including nocioni.

I think we are going to need a ruling on this thread since the Bulls just dismantled their squad.

Void?

Ben Wallace no longer plays for the Bulls, so people have no reason to love them here anymore.

You sound so scorned.

Thinking that the Bulls were playoff worthy in the horrible East had nothing to do with people here loving Ben Wallace.

I think we are going to need a ruling on this thread since the Bulls just dismantled their squad.

Void?
yep.

*sticks a fork in the Bulls*

Beef: It's Whats for Dinner

Cleveland managed to get rid of Hughes?!?!? I'm still kind of in shock. I figured he'd be a boat anchor for years to come!

Cleveland managed to get rid of Hughes?!?!? I'm still kind of in shock. I figured he'd be a boat anchor for years to come!
Its weird all around, he hated being in cleveland but give him credit for not saying anything about it. The reality is that they need spot up shooters to watch lebron and eat popcorn until he kicks it out.

Cleveland managed to get rid of Hughes?!?!? I'm still kind of in shock. I figured he'd be a boat anchor for years to come!

They have Ben Wallace for that now.

yearS is technically true but its only 2. not exactly crippling. after next year teams will be begging for BW (same goes for LHughs).

It's hard to believe that even after blowing up a big part of their squad, they are only 1/2 game out of the playoffs.


Eastern Conference
Team GB
1. x-Boston --
2. x-Detroit 4.5
3. * Orlando 10.5
4. Cleveland 14.0
5. Toronto 16.5
6. Washington 19.5
7. Philadelphia 21.0
8. Atlanta 24.5
9. Chicago 25.0
10. New Jersey 25.0
11. Indiana 26.0
12. Charlotte 26.5
13. Milwaukee 28.0
14. New York 33.0
15. Miami 39.0

I wouldn't mind playing them in the first round really. They have no interior scoring and an undersized SG to post up on. Actually, none of the 6+ seed teams are very complete anyway. I think Atlanta has the ability to pull an upset though on someone.

not on us thoough, we own the Hawks.

and whats up with the bulls tearing apart the Jazz?

and whats up with the bulls tearing apart the Jazz?

Check out the Jazz' record on the road.

It's hard to believe that even after blowing up a big part of their squad, they are only 1/2 game out of the playoffs.
Welcome to the Eastern Conference.

not on us thoough, we own the Hawks.

and whats up with the bulls tearing apart the Jazz?

Look at Utah's road record against the east.

They've lost to Atlanta, Charlotte, Cleveland, Indiana, New York, Miami and Chicago on the road.

Bet they beat Detroit though.

Bet they beat Detroit though.
:cogent: