In approximately 50 minutes Chicago will have a chance To go ahead of Cleveland by one game. One thing Chicago will have to do is keep Lebron shooting long and passing. If they allow Lebron to drive, all of the momentum will be in Cleveland's favor, go Chicago.
Won't we be ahead of them by a half a game with a win? We currently trail by half a game. So although, we gain a full game with a win, it will only mean we are half a game ahead. Any how, I hope Tyrus can continue to bring the energy like he has these past few contests.
The Bulls need a solid defensive performance from everyone, most notably Hinrich, Wallace, Deng and Thomas. I assume Lu will be guarding LBJ so that isn't really a mismatch. This game means a lot to both teams so expect a barn burner.
Tyrus is improving a lot, but his stand up shot and free throws need drastic work. I am however, not worried about that considering his talent level and interest in improving his game.
Ty is really developing in front of our eyes, its just incredible. If PJ does retire after this season we should add him to the coaching staff, because what he has done with Tyrus is nothing short of remarkable.
Yeah it is and truthfully I wouldn't be surprised if P.J. does just retire and take up a spot in the coaching staff with this team. He's mentioned lately that he likes this team now and that he enjoys working with the players. I mean can you imagine this team with a developed Tyrus and a healthy Nocioni? Holy crap!
<div class="quote_poster">Blur Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Khyrapa just showed why he gets no playing time.</div> He can't guard LeBron James and he's not a good defender to begin with so I don't understand that. Skiles doesn't know what he's doing.
<div class="quote_poster">M Two One Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">He can't guard LeBron James and he's not a good defender to begin with so I don't understand that. Skiles doesn't know what he's doing.</div> The guy looks completely lost on both ends of the court, on the offensive end he just looked sluggish and clumsy to me. Anyway, Ben Gordon had a big shot to close out the half and get us to within six.
<div class="quote_poster">Blur Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The guy looks completely lost on both ends of the court, on the offensive end he just looked sluggish and clumsy to me. Anyway, Ben Gordon had a big shot to close out the half and get us to within six.</div> Keep in mind Khryapa gets no playing time. He has no confidence with playing dying minutes and anyone would be playing rather poorly with that. Especially considering his strong pre-season form. I don't blame him. You have to realize Skiles is a poor coach when it comes to playing his players in rotation, everyone has agreed with me on that all season long. That is his major con. Ben Gordon has played very inconsistantly lately so I hope for something tonight.
Game is back on, Gordon with a nice opening three. That's what I want to see. Let's hope it continues now .. and two more. Very nice. Let's keep it goin', Ben. Hinrich with three. Big time comeback. Excellent.
<div class="quote_poster">M Two One Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Keep in mind Khryapa gets no playing time. He has no confidence with playing dying minutes and anyone would be playing rather poorly with that. Especially considering his strong pre-season form. I don't blame him. You have to realize Skiles is a poor coach when it comes to playing his players in rotation, everyone has agreed with me on that all season long. That is his major con. Ben Gordon has played very inconsistantly lately so I hope for something tonight.</div> Lack of playing time is no excuse to not be ready to play when your number is called. One big thing that Skiles always preaches to his players is to always be ready because you never know when your number is going to be called. He said it to Othella Harrington when we had him, and he was not getting time, he was always ready, and performed when his number was called. He said it to Malik Allen when Allen first got here. If you don't perform in the little minutes you get, what reason do you give Skiles to increase your playing time? Thabo doesn't get much time, but he plays well when he does get in the game.
<div class="quote_poster">Blur Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Lack of playing time is no excuse to not be ready to play when your number is called. One big thing that Skiles always preaches to his players is to always be ready because you never know when your number is going to be called. He said it to Othella Harrington when we had him, and he was not getting time, he was always ready, and performed when his number was called. He said it to Malik Allen when Allen first got here. If you don't perform in the little minutes you get, what reason do you give Skiles to increase your playing time? Thabo doesn't get much time, but he plays well when he does get in the game.</div> Thabo plays well? I'm not sure if you know who he is when he's on the court then. The man's free throw shooting is absolutely god aweful and he is clumsy with the ball. Whenever he gets a touch he usually doesn't know what to do with it. He often loses control or lets the ball fly out of bounds on easy passes. His only saving grace is that he has length. I'm still hopeful for improvement, but in order to do so he will require playing time. Have you checked the training reports by the Bulls? I don't know if you get those in Phili, but over here that's in the paper often. Thabo is usually put down as failing to gain strength. He's also failing at offensive set plays and it hasn't changed since the beginning of the season. What he needs to do is to keep attacking the basket because at his length and his position he could be unstoppable driving to the paint. If he runs into a trap he can dish it out to an open teammate. I'm sure he'll eventually get that. Every media source over here has been all over Skiles and this franchise for not playing players. Given that our media source is one of the top rated in this country, I'm going to side with them. It is the team's main problem, you cannot expect a guy who has been shunned out of playing time after giving it to him for weeks and then expect him to come out and guard LeBron James after sitting him out for nearly five months and have him score consistantly. That's way too much pressure for a guy that has been taken down a few pegs by poor coaching rotation. Also, you may have missed that Othella was dropped because Pax and Skiles wanted to make room. Skiles even reported to the papers that he was "content with his playing ability," but was "no longer needed." Why else was Othella actually assaigned as one of the team's captains when he was on the team? Oh I don't know, I guess a C is just randomly given then? I don't think so, bro. There's no arguing over it, the man has poor judgment and has an ego issue. He only makes up for it with excellent set plays. Anyway, the Bulls are playing pretty well and this Cavs game has been pretty back and forth. They stopped allowing so many offensive rebounds. They've done that a lot lately and have been playing better. It is amazing that all year long I said that was the problem and then they stop it and what happens? They play much better. Very nice game for Tyrus Thomas. 19 points to highlight his play tonight. Bulls down though.
Bulls haven't been getting much calls today, and haven't been boxing out well enough on defense. Big Z gets every board without jumping. Plus Big Ben never guards a guy that can shoot an outside jumper (Big Z and Marshall).
They need to prevent second chance points. No more offensive rebounds. Gordon having a nice game, he needs to keep this up and the team has to prevent Z from getting into the paint more often. What the hell are they thinking putting Duhon on James?! Duhon is a good defender but come on now Scott, what's wrong with you?
<div class="quote_poster">M Two One Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Thabo plays well? I'm not sure if you know who he is when he's on the court then. The man's free throw shooting is absolutely god aweful and he is clumsy with the ball. Whenever he gets a touch he usually doesn't know what to do with it. He often loses control or lets the ball fly out of bounds on easy passes. His only saving grace is that he has length. I'm still hopeful for improvement, but in order to do so he will require playing time. Have you checked the training reports by the Bulls? I don't know if you get those in Phili, but over here that's in the paper often. Thabo is usually put down as failing to gain strength. He's also failing at offensive set plays and it hasn't changed since the beginning of the season. What he needs to do is to keep attacking the basket because at his length and his position he could be unstoppable driving to the paint. If he runs into a trap he can dish it out to an open teammate. I'm sure he'll eventually get that. Every media source over here has been all over Skiles and this franchise for not playing players. Given that our media source is one of the top rated in this country, I'm going to side with them. It is the team's main problem, you cannot expect a guy who has been shunned out of playing time after giving it to him for weeks and then expect him to come out and guard LeBron James after sitting him out for nearly five months and have him score consistantly. That's way too much pressure for a guy that has been taken down a few pegs by poor coaching rotation. Also, you may have missed that Othella was dropped because Pax and Skiles wanted to make room. Skiles even reported to the papers that he was "content with his playing ability," but was "no longer needed." Why else was Othella actually assaigned as one of the team's captains when he was on the team? Oh I don't know, I guess a C is just randomly given then? I don't think so, bro. There's no arguing over it, the man has poor judgment and has an ego issue. He only makes up for it with excellent set plays. Anyway, the Bulls are playing pretty well and this Cavs game has been pretty back and forth. They stopped allowing so many offensive rebounds. They've done that a lot lately and have been playing better. It is amazing that all year long I said that was the problem and then they stop it and what happens? They play much better.</div> I made no comment as to why Othella was dropped, but their were numerous times during his first couple of years here, where he had several DNP, or games where he played 5-10 minutes. However, both he and Malik were quoted as saying that Skiles told them to always be ready no matter what, and they were. Which is why they ultimately found some point of consistency in the lineup. Now I don't know what these scouting reports say, nor am I really concerned. What I am speaking from is what I see. Thabo although, he may make mistakes when in the game, he looks like he belongs out there and plays all out. Khyrapa just looks completely lost, similar to Luke last year (without the hustle plays). He looked the same way in the beginning of the year to me, expect he was receiving more playing time and thus his numbers looked a little better. He doesn't deserve a consistent spot in the rotation at all IMO. Well the Bulls are starting to make a come back now, they need to stop LeBron though.
