I usually agree that there's more to learn from loses, at least when you're dealing with a young winning team like the Bulls. But what was there to be learned last night? It served me as a good reminder of just how important Boozer is to this team, but that was never really in doubt. We know that we can't rely on Bogans in pressure situations, but again, how does that help you? I thought they got outplayed, like they did in Portland, and there really isn't all that much else to say about it.
Without Boozer, we were outplayed most of the game, badly! We seemed to have had the game back in control early in the 3rd quarter, then Bogans cost us 7 points on 3 straight possessions. We were not the same after that. Rose was amazing in the 4th quarter, but the team had grown so used to him doing it all, when it came to overtime, they kinda wanted him to do it again! Someone needs to help him when Boozer is out. Am I the only one to think Noah is still not 100% from having a virus?
Thibodeau knows the score. As soon as this team starts believing in the hype and enjoying it instead of focusing on the task at hand, things fall apart. We win as a team. If we don't play as a team, we lose. 10 assists says a lot! It's like they weren't expecting Indiana to put special emphasis on this game, because it represents a potential match up for them, and they're fighting for their lives. It's a lesson that can't be repeated too often. It's not a reason to panic. It is evidence of just how extraordinary the bulls 72-10 accomplishment was. It takes so much concentration and discipline to keep that mindset! This team isn't that good. They need to take that lesson all the more to heart.
Hey you called it! So I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. Right now, I'm wondering if the Bulls should have traded Asik for Courtney Lee. Asik will help with the Magic, should the Bulls face them, but Courtney Lee would have given this team a completely different dimension.
Hush your mouth Thunder ! With 2 first round picks and the Charlotte pick + a trade asset like Taj Gibson ( we won't retain Taj and Omer and will have to choose one or the other ....but I've only been calling this all season ) we have an opportunity to upgrade. Peggy Lee for Taj? You bet. For Omer ? No way. There should be some real interesting things shake loose from this new labor agreement where we've got a good chance to get appropriate upgrades without breaking the bank but by being prepared to give up our draft picks and a secondary player . Given this team is built to win now around Rose, Boozer and Deng .....and yes , I consider Boozer and Deng a 2nd and 3rd option in our version of a big 3 , that lies latent in proper recognition because of a structural deficiency at our 2 guard ( JJ Redick being the one that got away in my view ) .......then if we address this structural deficiency appropriately and have Derrick working more effectively with his secondary options ( and they with him ) instead of everyone expecting him to throttle every game .......then the draft picks for us in my opinion are road kill.
Well, after I questioned whether it was a "good" loss, Derrick went to the media with his tired legs and the Bulls signed two (not one) backup point guards. I don't think it's unreasonable to believe that the Indiana game may have been the match under the ass. I think you called it right, Good Hope, it was a good loss that resulted in the team finally signing another backup for Rose.