<div align="center"><font size=""6""> <font color=""DarkRed"">Chicago Bulls</font> @ <font color=""Black"">Portland Blazers</font></font> Where:Portland Date: Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2005 TV: WGN, NBALP <font color="Red">Chicago Bulls</font> <font size=""2""> Lineup: Chris Duhon, Kirk Hinrich, Andres Nocioni, Darius Songaila, Tyson Chandler</font> <font color="Black">Portland Trail Blazers</font> <font size=""2""> Lineup:Sebastian Telfair, Martell Webster, Darius Miles, Theo Ratliff, Zach Randolph</div> </font> <font size=""7""> Match-up Break Down:</font> Point Guards: Sebastian Telfair: PPG 9.2 | APG 3.4 | SPG 0.4 Chris Duhon: PPG 9.6 | APG 6.6 | SPG 1.6 Chris Duhon against Sebastian Telfair both are expected to be the point guards of the future in the NBA. Telfair has had a decent season so far this year, but has yet to really develop passing skills he still averages a hefty number of turnovers, and he still does not mass the ball enough for a point guard. However, he has made huge strides from what he has shown this season he has great speed, and playmaking ability. The Blazers have the youngest team in the league, and in a division with no real power house they have as much a shot as anyone to win the division. Both players will be great in the future, and both are respectable point guards right now in terms of talent. Neither is a superstar yet they are still a few years away from that, but this match-up could be a good look into the future. I give the advantage to the Bulls though these players numbers are similar, but Duhon controls the ball better giving him the advantage in this match-up. Advantage: Chicago Bulls Shooting Guards: Martell Webster: PPG 1.3 | RPG 0.3 | BPG 0 Kirk Hinrich: PPG 16 | APG 6.2 | 3P% .500 One of my favorite rookie from the 2005-06 class Martell Webster has not been averaging a lot of minutes this season for the Blazers, but yahoo’s depth chart has him starting tonight so lets see what happens. I am not sure if this is accurate or not since Monia has been starting most of the season for the Blazers, but I hope it is accurate. Martell is a deadly shooter, and a great young talent. Once he develops I believe he will be a perennial all star. He will go against a player who I have seen nothing, but good things from this year, Kirk Hinrich. Hinrich is having the best start to any season of his young career he is shooting 50% from the arc, and doing everything asked from him by the Bulls. The advantage in this match-up no matter who starts for the Blazers goes to the Bulls. Advantage: Chicago Bulls Small Forwards: Darius Miles: PPG 21.6 | RPG 6.8 | APG 2.8 Andres Nocioni: PPG 10.2 | RPG 3.3 | APG 0.7 Darius Miles is apparently finally ready to live up the his potential after what seems like ages of being labeled a future all star Miles is leading the Blazers in scoring. He is still the same selfish conceded person to me when I see him play, but he has played well, and there is no denying that. Andres although he has picked up his game these last few contests still is not close to having the advantage in this match-up. His defense will hopefully help contain Miles though, and force him into even worse shot selection then he normally attempts. Advantage: Portland Trail Blazers Power Forwards: Zach Randolph : PPG 20.2 | RPG 11.2 | BPG 0.2 Darius Songaila: PPG 4.2 | RPG 3.2 | BPG 0.5 Not going to waste my time with this one advantage goes to the Blazers no explanation needed. Advantage: Portland Trail Blazers Centers: Theo Ratliff: PPG 2 | RPG 7.4 | BPG 1 Tyson Chandler: PPG 6.3 | RPG 10 | BPG 0.7 Two defensive minded players with no offensive game once so ever. Seems like the story line for this center match-up all season for the Bulls excluding the game against the Jazz. Chandler has been a force on the boards, but his offensive game is just painful to watch. He does have the advantage in this match-up though, because though there numbers are similar Chandler is a bit superior on offense, and about equal in blocks. Advantage: Chicago Bulls <font size=""7""> Key Bench Players:</font> Ben Gordon: PPG 14.2 | APG 2.7 | 3P% .367 Luol Deng: PPG 13.2 | RPG 5.2 | APG 1 Michael Sweetney: PPG 9.3 | RPG 6.7 | BPG 0.8 Air Gordon is having another sixth man of the year season so I expect him to continue that tonight against players who have a similar style to his own coming off the Blazers bench. All quick young players who can shoot the ball well, and put up some points. It will be fun to see this match-up tonight. I think Gordon can take advantage of Dixon and others coming off the Blazers bench like Blake. Sweetney has been playing well, but really disappeared against the Warriors in the second quarter only scoring one point during the entire second quarter look for him to pick that up tonight, and perform a lot better. Though Zach is a great offensive force he is not that much bigger than Sweetney in terms of height so that should be pretty even. Finally, Luol Deng why is this guy still not starting? Well Skiles is a bit stubborn, but Deng has been nothing short of impressive he is going to give Gordon a run for his money for sixth man of the year if he comes off the bench all year. He and Gordon are two of the most potent young stars in the league. Fun to watch. <font size=""7""> Bulls Keys To Victory:</font> <ul> Shoot the ball well only 33% from the field, and no one scoring in the second half during the last game against the Warriors. [/list] <ul> [*]Play good defense the Bulls defense has struggled recently even in the Jazz game in which they won the Bulls defense struggled to stop Okur. They need to tighten up in order to win tonight. [/list] <font size=""7""> Prediction: </font> I think the Bulls need this win, and should win this game. I think they are going to be frustrated after the lose to the Warriors they need to play that to their advantage and have it motivate them not knock them down, and make them lose confidence.
My bet....yes. Last year, Memphis started three, with Williams, Gasol, and Miller. Williams has jettisoned to Miami and last I knew, Miller was on the bench. So, yes, as far as I know, we do have the most caucasian players in a starting lineup. As for the game, I think the Bulls should be able to pull this one out. To me, they have a clear cut advantage. The 2nd unit is much stronger than that of Portland. Ben Gordon will give that defense fits when he's on the court. Hinrich could have a rookie in Martell Webster guarding him, so he should be able to take advantage of that. The only real problem I see is the fact that Randolph is a huge matchup problem for the Bulls. Songaila isn't strong enough to handle him in the paint, however, Sweetney won't be quick enough to handle him outside. The only player that could do both is Chandler, but if he goes out to defend him on the perimeter, that leaves the middle open for Telfair or someone else to make a play towards. Aside from him Darius Miles has been playing teriffic, but I think the combination of Nocioni and Deng will give him problems. Deng has great length, so he's going to be hard to drive by, and Nocioni is just an overall aggressive defender and is very scrappy. He'll make Miles work for every point, and usually, work and Miles, are a name and a word that don't work together. Overall, I think Chicago has a big advantage in the game, and should come out victorious.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Moo2K4:</div><div class="quote_post">My bet....yes. Last year, Memphis started three, with Williams, Gasol, and Miller. Williams has jettisoned to Miami and last I knew, Miller was on the bench. So, yes, as far as I know, we do have the most caucasian players in a starting lineup.</div> Gordan Giricek, Andrei Kirilenko, Mehmet Okur, Greg Ostertag the Jazz regular lineup is composed of four caucasian players, and the Kings still have Bibby, Miller, and Peja as well.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Best Kept Secret:</div><div class="quote_post">Gordan Giricek, Andrei Kirilenko, Mehmet Okur, Greg Ostertag the Jazz regular lineup is composed of four caucasian players, and the Kings still have Bibby, Miller, and Peja as well.</div>Good call on both those my friend. Didn't even think of either team when I was making the post.
The Jazz no doubt have the whitest team, outside of Kirk Snyder. Anyway, should be a good game. The Warriors game looked like a West-Coast trip of old, but a little tussle with the Blazers should get us back on track. Both teams are pretty similar in styles, very young, not much raw skill, but both teams have been playing their asses off so far this year, so should be interesting.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting FedEx227:</div><div class="quote_post">The Jazz no doubt have the whitest team, outside of Kirk Snyder.</div> Snyder plays for the Hornets.
so nobody's upset that ben gordon wasnt in the game at the end....he's our go-to guy......even if they double us he can find the open man.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting n-gezzy:</div><div class="quote_post">so nobody's upset that ben gordon wasnt in the game at the end....he's our go-to guy......even if they double us he can find the open man.</div> I think Skiles may be trying to get the other guys to be able to handle the pressure in these situations. This way we may sacrifice a few measly regular season games. But it could come in handy in the playoffs where theres more pressure. I don't know if thats a fact, but its the only logical reason in my mind.
Its more punishment for Ben's bad decision making and stupid turnovers including 2 awful passes in the 4th quarter.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting NaKz:</div><div class="quote_post">I think Skiles may be trying to get the other guys to be able to handle the pressure in these situations. This way we may sacrifice a few measly regular season games. But it could come in handy in the playoffs where theres more pressure. I don't know if thats a fact, but its the only logical reason in my mind.</div> if ben took that last shot it would have a better chance of making it than hinrich's b/c i think ben has more confidence, last year he helped the bulls win a game in the last few seconds how many times? 4 or 5? and i remember he killed the knicks 2x last year with last second shots bad decision of skiles subbing gordon back to the bench whats more important?? win a game or punishing a guy for turning over the ball??
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> whats more important?? win a game or punishing a guy for turning over the ball?? </div> To me, winning the game. To Skiles, winning FUTURE games. Thats what its all about. Skiles isn't punishing Gordon for turnovers more making a point to him, saying that he has to be smarter on the court so he doesn't cost them games. However, on the Circus Trip I think Skiles needs to bite the bullet and play Gordon, this circus trip usually dictates the confidence the team has for the rest of the year, its no surprise to me that the one year they FINALLY won on this trip was the beginning of their great run to the playoffs last year. Whats worse is it seems it takes one bad play for Gordon to fall into Skiles 'doghouse', while I know Gordon is a great player and hes full of confidence, Skiles can get to his head eventually to the point where he thinks he can't make a mistake or else he'll be punished/benched. We'll see what happens, but I totally agree Gordon needs to be in the game at the end of the 4th quarter.
