That means :20 seconds left in the quarter. Look at the play by play in the box score. Gibson comes off the bench in that game.
Using the NBA.com shot logs. I don't dispute that when Noah is on the court with Gibson or Mirotic, he's guarding the 5.
http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/noah-board-gasols-mindset Pau Gasol, a veteran forward/center, has been playing with the starting five through the first two days of camp and there is an optimism that he and Noah will complement each other extremely well. “It’s his versatility, his ability to play the four and the five,” Thibodeau said of Gasol. “And Jo’s strength is that he has the ability to guard fours and fives. So they actually complement each other quite well. Joakim may have to sacrifice some, but that’s never been an issue with Joakim. He’s always been a team first guy.”
You are reading that wrong. It means 20 seconds left in the quarter and Noah wasn't on the court. Watch the play. http://on.nba.com/1aLMmKk You'll also see Gasol guarding the center since he can't chase around stretch 4s.
http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago-bulls/post/_/id/21296/noah-trying-to-smooth-his-bumpy-ride Coach Tom Thibodeau, not known for mercy when it comes to minutes, has at least been a little bit easier on Noah this season. The center has averaged 30.0 minutes this season, compared to 35.3 last season and 36.8 in 2012-13. It doesn't say Noah guarded him, it says Taj guarded him. I said Noah guards the better of the PF/C. If it's the PF, he guards the PF. So you'll certainly find plays of him guarding a PF. BUT HE GUARDED PFS LAST SEASON, TOO. For the same reasons.
Last year's starting lineup, game 1: Rose Butler Noah Deng Boozer This year's starting lineup, game 1: Rose Butler Noah DunVP Gasol The only differences are DunVP instead of Deng and Gasol instead of Boozer.
http://on.nba.com/1ylIMS7 http://on.nba.com/1ylJ6QK http://on.nba.com/1ylJhLO http://on.nba.com/1ylJnD4 Here's an example of how the Bulls have been having to defend when Gasol and Noah are on the floor at the same time. If Gasol wasn't on the court, Noah would certainly be guarding Asik. He would not be out chasing Ryan Anderson around. ---- One thing is certain. The 82Games data has to be wrong since I can show you dozens of minutes of video where Noah clearly isn't playing center.
Thibodeau's reactions to Mirotic's transition lapses and poor close outs is exactly why I think its time for an immediate coaching change. You're referring to Mirotic's failed close out against the 76ers that resulted in him getting benched, right? Mirotic allowed his man too much room on a transition free trow line extended three pointer when the Sixers were making a run? Mirotic closes out much better on the whole than Gibson, Noah and Gasol. Did you see what happened tonight when Gibson was caught on Jarett Jack in transition? He was nowhere to be found. Transition close outs are tough -- especially when you have bigs matched against smalls. What made the situation different is that Thibs felt the need to yank a player for it. Would he have done that if it was Gibson, Noah or Gasol? The answer has been no all season. It's like Thibs is so blinded by his hatred of the front office that he can't view his roster with the impartiality necessary to set his rotations. I had never heard a coach rip a player's defense during the 1 minute quarter break interview in my life. Thbodeau has done it to Mirotic the last two nationally televised games in a row. He needs to get a grip. The thing that get's me, with the way opposing bigs can shoot these days, you need speed along your front line to run Thibs' defense, even when it comes in exchange for rim protection. I think Mirotic is a prototypical big for Thibs' system circa 2015, in the same way that Gibson was a prototypical big circa 2010. Thibodeau is just not in the headspace where he's able to see it.
If that's true, looks like the same could be said for the front office as they signed Taj Gibson for two more seasons after this one at 8.5 to 9 million a year. A lot of money spent on a guy that should not be playing in today's NBA?
