Very mixed feelings about this game. We won on the road in LA on our opening game, so I guess I shouldn't complain. However, more than anything, we looked like the team from last year (with some rust). That's mostly good, since we were a great team last year, but all opinions now are formed from the perspective of how we're positioned against Miami.
What a terrific finish. I was thinking the Bulls were outplayed, especially on defense, all night (for most of 3 quarters). The Bulls got that clutch steal and could have taken a timeout with 13 seconds left, but didn't. It wouldn't have mattered, the play would have been "Rose, you go 1 on 5 and score to win it." And it worked!
It is hard to judge this one. Gasol can play like the best C/PF in the league much of the time and did. Kobe got 2 quick superstar fouls called on Rip, so we didn't get to see our first team in its entirety for much of the game. Brewer and Deng forced Kobe into 8 turnovers, but Brewer didn't give us much more than Bogans would on offense. He's capable of much higher scoring games than Bogans, though. Just not tonight. I don't know what to make of the Bulls' offense. If it's Rose going 1-on-5, it looks OK because he scores a lot. When that's not going on, there's no consistency or scheme that I can see. Like they get the ball to Boozer in the post and he makes a nice pass to a cutting Noah for a dunk; next 3 plays they give it to Boozer on the wing and run what looks like a clear out for him. Not his strength, and they went away from what was working great. LA's defense was really good, though. Rose was double teamed a lot, and when he did get free of those there was a 3rd guy waiting to pick him up. For much of the game, they forced the ball out of his hands. So we need to learn to play 4 on 3 better (e.g. without Rose involved, him double teamed), and games won't be this close. Deng shouldn't be our #2 option.
Oh yeah. Time to find a new scapegoat now that Bogans is gone. Korver's pretty useless, though he's one of two bench players who are reasonably good at putting together a couple of baskets in a row.
I gave up too quickly! Turned the game off with about 3 minutes left. We couldn't throw it in the ocean! I guess they found the ocean just in time! Our D is outstanding. I was impressed the entire game. Sure, Kobe had a good game, but all greats rise to the occasion when needed.
