Gordon Struggling as a Starter Chicago Tribune <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">As far as settling on a lineup for the opening tip of the regular season, Scott Skiles is going through some fits and starts. Like when Ben Gordon starts, Skiles sometimes has fits. "Ultimately I've got to feel good, and so does Ben, about what route we take," the Bulls' coach said after Thursday's workout. "I want him to be comfortable. How long can I bang my head against the wall trying to force him into a position that maybe he's not comfortable in?" Such is the dilemma with Gordon, the reigning sixth man of the year, who once again started Wednesday in Boston ? and once again tested his coach's tolerance for post-concussion syndrome. In 12 minutes, Gordon was 1-for-3 from the floor for two points. This after two straight exhibitions in which the second-year guard produced double-figure scoring from the starting lineup. Gordon conceded Thursday that, after five exhibition games, he still is adjusting to the rhythm of starting. "It is just a completely different flow," Gordon said. "You can't just come out chucking shots and looking for your offense alone in the beginning of the game?but at the same time, you've got to be aggressive. I'm trying to manage those things."</div> Source
is he gonna start when regular season starts?? his minutes are still around 20 something even though he started and had limited shots i hope he starts in regular season and adjust to the starting role well and score 23 ppg for the bulls
Right now as much as I hate to say all Gordon has proved in his NBA career is that he could be a prolific sixth man in the league for the next couple of years. He has been given several opportunities in the starting lineup ( last year in the beginning of the season, in the playoffs, this preseason) yet he has not shown any promise when placed in those situations. We could easily make excuses for him, but in the end of the day the fact remains he has not proven anything. Chris Duhon is currently, and very well should be the starter going into this season. Though he does not have the fan support that Gordon does, because he (Duhon) is not a flashy scorer or big time player. However, he is a solid consistent starter something Gordon has shown he is not. This game against the Bucks we had recently in which we brought Gordon off the bench was a perfect example he scored 14 points and had his best game this preseason . With that said I would say being a starter is overrated we all know Gordon will get his at the end of the day, it’s not about who starts the game it’s about who finishes it.
When the Bulls took him it reminded me of Jordon because he was also the third pick overall and Gordon and Jordon rhyme and only differ in the first letter, but if he is struggling on a team that has a struggling offense as it is then good luck to him.
"It is just a completely different flow," Gordon said. "You can't just come out chucking shots and looking for your offense alone in the beginning of the game?but at the same time, you've got to be aggressive. I'm trying to manage those things." how hard can it be?? come on ben get used to it and lead the bulls to the playoffs this season
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting rookie789:</div><div class="quote_post">"It is just a completely different flow," Gordon said. "You can't just come out chucking shots and looking for your offense alone in the beginning of the game?but at the same time, you've got to be aggressive. I'm trying to manage those things." how hard can it be?? come on ben get used to it and lead the bulls to the playoffs this season</div> It is probably much harder than you think. When you're coming off the bench you know all the starters have already taken their shots and you can come in and shoot as much as you want, which is what Gordon is best at . When you?re in the starting lineup its totally different and you must let everyone else get into their rhythm and limit your shot selection. I'm sure Gordon will be able to get use to a starting role. He just needs to get use to playing as a starter and knowing how many shots to take and when to take shots. For now it looks as if Duhon will start the season, but I think Gordon will earn a starting spot somewhere in the season. BTW TmacGarnett it is spelled Jordan not Jordon, so Gordon and Jordan have more than just a first letter difference
<div align="center">@ Date: Wednsday, October 26, 7:00 Where: Minnesota TV: CSN-Chicago</div> <font color=""Red""> Chicago Bulls</font> " target="_blank">http://espn-att.starwave.com/i/nba/profile...yers/3710.jpg"></a> Lineup: Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon, Luol Deng, Michael Sweetney, Tyson Chandler <font color="DARKBLUE"> Minnesota Timberwolves</font> Lineup: Troy Hudson, Trenton Hassel, Wally Szczerbiak , Kevin Garnett, Michael Olowokandi Bulls Injuries: Break Down For Bulls: Last preseason game before season starts. I need to see something out of Gordon this game, and this game could also be known as Holcomb's last stand as it is his last shot to make the roster. Key to game make sure your ready for home openner, and don't get injured. Prediction: Score really means nothing in this one. All I can say is hope Gordon does well/ Can't wait for regular season to start.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">With Kevin Garnett on the sidelines, the Minnesota Timberwolves were glad to welcome Wally Szczerbiak back to the lineup. Szczerbiak scored 19 points and led four players in double figures to power the Timberwolves to a 100-92 victory over the Chicago Bulls. After spraining his right foot in Minnesota's first preseason contest against Milwaukee on October 12, Szczerbiak sat out five straight games before returning to face the Bulls. He scored eight points in the first quarter and six in the third. Garnett, Minnesota's all-time leader in points, rebounds and blocked shots, did not play because of a sprained left ankle suffered in Monday's practice. The 2004 NBA MVP averaged 22.2 points and 13.5 rebounds last season. First-round pick Rashad McCants scored 15 points and Eddie Griffin and Michael Olowokandi added 13 each for the Timberwolves, who raised their preseason record to 3-4. Chicago lost second-year guard Chris Duhon with three seconds remaining in the opening quarter when he hit his head on the floor after colliding with Griffin while driving to the basket. He was taken off on a stretcher and sent to a hospital for tests. </div> <div align="center"> Recap l Box Score</div> Well like I said earlier the final score meant nothing, but just for the hell of it we lost 92-100. Chris Duhon was taken off on a stretcher after colliding with Griffin this is a huge blow to the team. Hopefully he is alright I will try to get some updates on what happened as soon as that news becomes available. Ben Gordon is my boy and all, but right now I have huge concerns about him going into the season he struggled all preseason, tonight he was 0-7 in 28 minutes finishing with the big zero in the points column. Sweetney capped off an excellent preseason with 18 points off the bench as he was replaced in tonight's starting lineup by Songaila. My guess was that after Songaila’s eighteen point outburst against the Grizzlies Skiles wanted to see what he could do in the starting spot. I still think Sweetney has the starting spot opening day, but I might be wrong. I would not mind having him come off the bench and provide a scoring spark much like Chandler did last season with his defensive game off the bench. I do not know what you guys are thinking, but a second unit of Pargo, Gordon, Nocioni, Sweetney, and Allen/Harrington would be deadly that could very well be a starting lineup on some NBA teams. Now finally this warm up session is over we can look forward to the real deal, the regular season, 82 games of none stop action. Can not wait, outside of football the NBA season is by far the greatest regular season in sports. So many story lines every season. I will be writing an in-depth home opener preview hopefully for the game against the Bobcats. So look forward to that. Man I am hyped for this season, can’t wait for it to start. Another small note about tonight’s game Holcomb, who is expected to be a Bull opening night, did play this game due to coaches decision, nor did Powell who likely will be waived.
The thing you neglect to mention, while Gordon did not score, he did manage 10 assists and only 1 turnover. So, while his scoring wasn't there, he was able to set up others to score. And I'm with you, I think Sweetney has made the starting PF job his to lose come the season. He put up solid numbers, the only thing I would like to see is his rebounding go up from 6 per game come the regular season.
Thank goodness Chris Duhon is doing well. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Bulls received a major scare during their exhibition finale Wednesday night as guard Chris Duhon was taken off the Target Center court on a stretcher following a scary fall during the team's 100-92 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Duhon was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center in downtown Minneapolis and, according to a Bulls spokesman, all preliminary tests performed looking for major problems were negative. He remained in the hospital overnight for observation and likely suffered a concussion. ''I really didn't see him fall,'' Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich said. ''When he threw the ball up, I was watching the ball and I just heard him hit. It sounded bad. Obviously, any time you get taken off the court on a stretcher it's cause for concern. We're all real concerned about him and hope everything's OK.''</div> <div align="center">Source</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The thing you neglect to mention, while Gordon did not score, he did manage 10 assists and only 1 turnover. So, while his scoring wasn't there, he was able to set up others to score.</div> I did neglect to mention that, but at the same time it is not that impressive. It is great he was able to get his teammates involved, but in the roll he will be playing this season, if at all similar to last year, we will be relied upon for scoring, not passing skills. If he can improve his assists numbers while maintaining his scoring average it is great, and a big help. However, if he increases his assists per game and his scoring disappears then that will allow other teams to focus on other players, and will negate the affect of Gordon’s game. Though I expect his scoring pick I still would say this was a poor game despite his assist numbers.
