Obviously I could be wrong but everytime I watch these guys, I say how in hell could they beat us. I think we've split so far and one of those losses Billups was out.

I don't know if its their dismal road record or that I feel we are stronger than them at every position or what but bring em on.

I'm not an X and O guy so maybe someone could offer some matchups issues that we have with them???

I'm more concerned with the Cavs who have a superstar.

I'm most concerned with Flip Saunders fucking it all up. He's the only man that can stop us.

I think they have better coaching, and possibly better defense (though we've improved on that, holding many teams under 90 recently). in the playoffs, those two things matter quite a bit more than the regular season.

However our offense is superior. Had they gotten Gasol I'd be really worried, now not so much, but I still see a tough 6 game series with em.

I don't know, Chicago scares the hell out of me for these reasons:

1. Depth. They have a lot of guys that can contribute and a coach that doesn't play favorites. He rides the horse that's running best that day. This also means they will be fresh come playoff time. Skiles is brilliantly handling Ben Wallace this year limiting his minutes for a second half/playoff run. Wish we had a coach that realizes the value of this

2. Defense. They are scrappy and play hard for 48 minutes on both sides of the ball. They are a reflection of their coach. Scott Skiles is very underrated. They also defend the basket much better than our team both in terms of not allowing teams to get into the lane and having guys that can defend the basket. We give up an alarmingly high # of layups and second chance points in comparison to the bulls. (because they have a coach that realizes the importance of limiting this)

They are flawed, though, at the 2 position defensively. The guard rotation of Hinrich, Gordon and Duhon means they really don't have a guy that can guard a legit 2. Gordon is a shooting guard in a PG's body leaving Hinrich to play out of position.

They also fall in love with a small ball lineup because they want to play nocioni and deng in the same lineup. The pistons size may give them problems (although I LOVE nocioni and his passion for playing the game HARD)

3. Desire. They are playing like a team with something to prove and sometimes this is enough to get teams over the top. The pistons play with a sense of entitlement (more so last year than this, though). Webber did light a fire under this team's ass but still, the pistons do get lazy during games which hopefully won't carry over into the playoffs.

Conclusion: Yes, they are flawed but so is just about every team in this league. They're hungry and want to prove they are an elite team. They are also a team that historically peaks in the second half of the season.

Mark my words, they will coast past the Cavs and battle the pistons for the central divison crown and may even pass us in the standings. They are done with their west coast runs while we have an alarmingly difficult schedule ahead (west coast trip, the texas trio, etc.).

I watched most of the game last night and they don't worry me either. The Cavs put Lebron on Ben and went with 3 PG's at one point because Ben does nothing on offense. He does even less than he did here. Several times Hinrich found him on cuts and as soon as someone stepped in front of Ben he'd pass it instead of going up strong. Anything he gets is from offensive rebounds basically. His defense is still good, but he's more one dimensional than ever now.

They have no post player at all, and they don't even have a decent pick and roll because Ben has no range and you can sag off him. Pick and roll defense is our biggest weakness (which is why I fear Phoenix/Dallas if we get there, and why the Jazz seem to have our number). The only player that will be a pain is Gordon, and we can put Hunter on him to frustrate him into a 3-14 shooting night.

I'm sorry, but they don't scare me at all. They play good defense, but Ben/PJ cannot stop Sheed in the post, and Webber will create open looks regardless of their good defense.

I'm shocked that the Bulls didn't get a big that can score, just shocked.

Not just Gasol, but they were in on SAR, too.

Hell, with all of the assets that they have at their disposal, I might have grabbed Zach Randolph (Skiles/MSU connection, too).

I think Paxson dropped the ball big time.

I agree. Their guards had to work their butts off to get their own shot because the bigs do nothing but rebound.

Good defense can help you overcome "jump-shoot-itis". it's when you have lazy defense that having a jump shooting offense ruins you (a la Pistons last year). I think their D is good enough to help compensate. I still think we win, but in 6 or 7.

I'm shocked that the Bulls didn't get a big that can score, just shocked.

Not just Gasol, but they were in on SAR, too.

Hell, with all of the assets that they have at their disposal, I might have grabbed Zach Randolph (Skiles/MSU connection, too).

I think Paxson dropped the ball big time.

I'm not surprised at all that Paxson didn't pull the trigger on a potential trade for a legit big. The asking price was much too high. Teams wanted Deng AND Gordon, both of whom will be all-stars some day, AND a first rounder. If they do a deal like they they become a squad with gasol, hinrich and filler, although Nocioni is a nice player.

They were hoping to throw scraps at teams (nocioni, Thomas, Thebo) and the knicks pick for a big but teams didn't think that was good enough.

I don't blame the bulls at all for standing pat. I blame them for replacing Tyson Chandler with Ben Wallace considering both of whom do the exact same thing (help defense, rebounding). It was a waste of money and Tyson may currently be better than Ben. I personally think Jerry Reinsdorf (owner of the bulls) wanted to stick it to the Pistons and Davidson by taking away Big Ben. It's not a secret that Reinsdorf has little to no love (borderline hate) for the pistons organization dating back to the 1980s.

I'm confused.

There weren't any deals made because draft picks (especially high ones) were too valuable, but at the same time nobody was interested in the Bulls pick(s) in a trade?

I know what you are saying, but by no means did they need to deconstruct the current roster to improve (nay, greatly improve) their shot at a ring THIS YEAR.

Teams wanted draft picks, expiring deals and young talent. Three things that the Bulls had to spare, in spades.

I respectfully disagree.

No disrespect..........

I don't understand why they didn't deal either. I guess it would depend on the EXACT deal that was on the table. If they want Gordon and Deng for Gasol, I do it. Period. Not with any other parts (besides salary filler) though.

You can't tell me they can't draft a new Ben Gordon with the knicks pick. Probably one that has SG size too. The late lotto is filled with solid scoring swingmen because people in the middle lotto reach for big men. They'd probably have to get another swingman for this year, but they could have done that with a future protected pick or PJ Brown for Bonzi or Mo Pete.

PG Hinrich/Duhon
SG (Bonzi/Mo Pete)/Duhon
SF Nocioni/Griffen
PF Gasol/Thomas
C Ben/Allen

next year:
PG Hinrich/Duhon
SG NY Pick/(Bonzi/Mo Pete)
SF Nocioni/(Bonzi/Mo Pete)
PF Gasol/Thomas
C Ben/Allen

Instead of a jump shooting team they have a solid post player, a guy they can run pick and rolls with Hinrich, and they can get their scorer next year with the pick, and possibly keep Bonzi/Mo Pete too.

I would prefer to keep Deng and include Thomas (if I'm the Bulls), but I still do the deal. Ben isn't going to be good much longer, so you have to get a star while you can. Now they'll add another scoring wing with the NY pick and still have no post player.

Bulls definitely don't scare me. They're at least a year from being legitimate contenders, even for the east. I thought they'd be a much better squad this year, but they still haven't equalled the sum of their parts. That's the big problem with their Ben signing. With a guy who uses so much athleticism as part of his game, they're in a win-now mode with him, but the rest of their depth is young and inexperienced. I just don't see a cold-blooded player that can carry them at any point, though I think Gordon can for short spurts.

The bulls will not scare me when we actually beat them this season. :yingyang:

I'll take your words for it that the Bulls play great D, but watching Ben play D on that team makes me wonder sometimes. He was up high, over here or over there and the ball was down low a few times.

He would go up high to defend the pic and roll for us, but would get back underneath when the ball dropped below the FT line. It didn't seem like he could sag the way he did with us.

I looked for Points allowed leaders but couldn't find it. Wanted to see where the Bulls stand.

I'll take your words for it that the Bulls play great D, but watching Ben play D on that team makes me wonder sometimes. He was up high, over here or over there and the ball was down low a few times.

He would go up high to defend the pic and roll for us, but would get back underneath when the ball dropped below the FT line. It didn't seem like he could sag the way he did with us.

I looked for Points allowed leaders but couldn't find it. Wanted to see where the Bulls stand.

The Bulls are:

7th in points allowed per game (94.8)
2nd in Opp FG% (43.48)
6th in points per shot (1.2)

all great numbers

But, they are 27th in free throws allowed (27.3) which suggests they foul a lot too.

We are better then them in all categories except the fg% (we are 4th).

Are those adjusted for pace?

The Bulls are:

7th in points allowed per game (94.8)
2nd in Opp FG% (43.48)
6th in points per shot (1.2)

all great numbers

But, they are 27th in free throws allowed (27.3) which suggests they foul a lot too.

We are better then them in all categories except the fg% (we are 4th).

Any idea what our "points allowed per game" is?

I know we have a ridiculously great record when holding opponents to under 90 (something like 22 wins and 1 or 2 losses).

Ours:

92.5 PPG allowed (3rd)
44.15 FG% allowed (4th)
1.19 points per shot allowed (3rd)

thx Chris.

I guess attacking the Bulls D isn't the way to go. We'll see how they stack up when the playoffs start and every team starts playing D.