<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Meanwhile, what appears to be coming clear with this Bulls team of high expectations is that it lacks the best starting lineup, most famous players and biggest stars. The starters, as they have been through much of this exhibition season, were mostly average Tuesday. It was the reserves, this time lead by P.J. Brown, who almost matched the Bulls' starters to give them the seamless look they're counting on. It appears to be a team that will have to rely on depth of talent and extraordinary effort to overcome the usual star power of successful teams. "I feel like already, a couple of games, we've worn teams down," coach Scott Skiles said. "How that translates to the regular season I don't know. But I've never been afraid to go to my bench and I won't be afraid this year. Not because I'm down on our starters but because that's the strength of our team." Defense, of course, is a given for a team that led the league in defensive field goal percentage the last two seasons. And that was without Ben Wallace. That determination slipped a bit Tuesday as the Grizzlies shot 73 percent and tied the Bulls at 27 after one quarter and still were shooting 55 percent at halftime in leading 45-43. It was a departure from the previous five games, in which the Bulls were holding teams to 84.2 points and 41.3 percent shooting, both second in the league. But the starters came back in the third quarter with a more intense effort to hold Memphis to 32 percent shooting before the benches were mostly emptied late with the Grizzlies leading 66-64 to open the fourth quarter. The new look Tuesday was the "small" lineup Skiles used with Nocioni replacing Brown at power forward. It was a lineup, Skiles noted, that could play more to the Bulls transition game, evident in a 27-point first quarter. Skiles said he'd take a look at that starting lineup again Wednesday in Minnesota and go to his regular season starting lineup Friday against Toronto in the final tune-up game. "The last game probably will be who starts opening night," Skiles said. But Skiles also added, "We have to factor into it that size still does matter in this league."</div> Source
There are strength in numbers, its a common storyline throughout sports. No matter what the sport, when you have depth, you often succeed. Look at the Eagles with their eight men rotation on the defensive line. Having depth allows you to keep your stars fresh so that they can excel more against a tired unit of defenders on the other side. Our depth will probably be our biggest asset this season.
I was rethinking about our depth. To be honest I don't think we're as deep as advertised. To count on our rookies to be contributors in the rotation is expecting too much. Thabo is meant to be a lockdown defender, but I don't see him doing that in his first year. Thomas is a project and won't contribute. Also Sweetney is too fat and I suspect Skiles isn't going to give him any love. A nice surprise though is Viktor, I think he has a real good chance to be a contributor. However Skiles is someone who goes deeper in his bench than nearly every other coach, so maybe just ignore me.
<div class="quote_poster">NaKz Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I was rethinking about our depth. To be honest I don't think we're as deep as advertised.</div> I don't think it is being overhyped. If everyone stays healthy we are capable of getting quality minutes from anyone on the roster. During the pre-season the bench has actually been out playing our starting lineup. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">To count on our rookies to be contributors in the rotation is expecting too much. Thabo is meant to be a lockdown defender, but I don't see him doing that in his first year.</div> Although, Thabo is a rookie, he is also 22 years old, he has played severla years in a competitive level of professional basketball overseas. He is as NBA ready as it comes. His offensive game might need some polishing, but he has shown during summer league and pre-season play that he can hold his own offensively. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Thomas is a project and won't contribute.</div> I don't think we can say that for sure until we see him play. Remember Deng was build as a project when we drafted him, but he came in and contributed double digit points his rookie season. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Also Sweetney is too fat and I suspect Skiles isn't going to give him any love.A nice surprise though is Viktor, I think he has a real good chance to be a contributor.</div> Viktor has definitely surprised me. I have to say I was not expecting much from him at all. Sweetney on the other hand has disappointed me with his inability to get into shape. However, he is a hard worker when on the court so I expect him to see minutes.
<div class="quote_poster">NaKz Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I was rethinking about our depth. To be honest I don't think we're as deep as advertised. To count on our rookies to be contributors in the rotation is expecting too much. Thabo is meant to be a lockdown defender, but I don't see him doing that in his first year. Thomas is a project and won't contribute. Also Sweetney is too fat and I suspect Skiles isn't going to give him any love. A nice surprise though is Viktor, I think he has a real good chance to be a contributor. However Skiles is someone who goes deeper in his bench than nearly every other coach, so maybe just ignore me.</div> Off Topic here - But do you have Foxtel? Bulls are on twice next month (Opener against Miami and Live against the Cavs)
