Are we just not playing as good as we are? It seems as if we have hit a bit of a slump. A few games we coulda won (Seattle and San Antonio) and a few games we been smashed (Rockets and at the moment the Nets) We are far from making the playoffs.
We're missing Deng's ability to defend the athletic wing players, and are missing Kirk's shooting. He has played way too many minutes early in the year. He's playing out of position and has to guard all of the great wing players now that Deng is (temporarily) gone. It's too much for one man to do. He's beat. We need Deng back, and Kirk needs to play the point, he is defended by people who are more athletic and are longer than him. Move Kirk back to point, and his productivity goes up, hopefully with the rest of the team's.
it hard to win wit injuries. they r still too young. they r doin better than expected so maybe they will improve more. plus wit the more games they lose they start to lose confidence again and r in a slump
Indeed they are in a slump.. This is when we can tell if they area for real or not. They will either grow up and win some games or end up playing themselves into 8th or out of the playoffs.
The good thing is, O'Neal is likely done for the Pacers which puts a serious dint in there run. Doesn't Kirk start at Shooting Gaurd? I can't imagine Duhon starting there.
They need Deng back. That's all there is to it. When he went down, we lost depth at the SF position and we lost one of our best scoring options. Nocioni is good and all, but we need Deng. He's a much better offensive player than Nocioni, and when we have both, it takes pressure of each of them cause they don't have to play as many minutes. Beyond that, we've played some tough opponents lately, such as San Antonio, Seattle, New Jersey, so it's gotta be expected to lose some. They're still a young team, and with Cleveland and Indiana slumping, the playoffs are still well within sight for us.
^ New Jersey isn't really that tough, but we always seem to bring the best out of them. It's pitiful watching us play against them.
I agree with ObieCent what we lost when Deng went out was much more than Nocioni can bring. I love the intensity that Andreas brings but he dosent really bring the scoring that Luol does or the longness that he brings. I know Deng is only an inch taller but he has that wingspan that stifles opponents.All that being Nocioni is doing a really good job and I really dont think that is our problem. Kirks inability to effectivly play the 2 guard is what is really hurting us. I dont blame Kirk the guy is 6'3" and a true point guard but they are trying to make him into a combo guard. Now all that being said we still dont have a true 2 guard to put in that spot so what are we to do someone has to play there... Gordon is quicker than Hinrich but there is still the height problem. Piatkowski has the height and can shoot the lights out from the arc but there is a question about his defense he is old and slow. Put Deng or Nocioni there and you thin yourself at the 3. The Bulls are not a complete team yet and while I like the way they are going I think some off season moves or a move or two next season are imminent.
i believe we shud move kirk back to the point, plug in gordon at the 2 spot, remember deng is gonna be back next week, if curry is still out for anohter game, i think we shud plug tyson into the 5 spot(hopefully tyson wont get into foul trouble like he did early in the season as a starter), and maybe we could attempt to give othella harrington a little time at the 3 spot i mean defensive that is gonna be very bad for the bulls, but offensively that could work
LOL, just realized. ye they had to spend one to get luol deng, a good deal cuz deng was the 9th overall pick and if the bulls make the playoffs all phenix gets is a late pick, no lottery for the suns
I agree that we need Deng back. Deng is a good wing defender and a player that can score on occasion. Kirk is in a shooting slump and is playing out of position. One thing that I noticed is that during one of the games mainly the Milwaukee game the announcer kept referring to Kirk guarding Michael Redd and was getting scored on. But we need Deng back.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Umer remU:</div><div class="quote_post">i believe we shud move kirk back to the point, plug in gordon at the 2 spot, remember deng is gonna be back next week, if curry is still out for anohter game, i think we shud plug tyson into the 5 spot(hopefully tyson wont get into foul trouble like he did early in the season as a starter), and maybe we could attempt to give othella harrington a little time at the 3 spot i mean defensive that is gonna be very bad for the bulls, but offensively that could work</div> Look back at the first three games of the year and than look at what he's done coming off the bench and you will soon know why he won't be starting this season. Also, take Gordon off the bench, who's going to be the spark? They won't have one, that's the problem. There's two reasons as to why he will be on the bench the rest of this year.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Moo2K4:</div><div class="quote_post">Look back at the first three games of the year and than look at what he's done coming off the bench and you will soon know why he won't be starting this season. Also, take Gordon off the bench, who's going to be the spark? They won't have one, that's the problem. There's two reasons as to why he will be on the bench the rest of this year.</div> ye i remember what he did in the beginnig of year, but with all these injuries we need to strenghten our lineup, othella harrington can come of the bench on occasions and put up 20 points. Ben Gordons early struggles were not just because he was starting he struggled when he came off the bench early in the season, now that he is over that he can become an effective starter.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting I-Miss-MJ:</div><div class="quote_post">Again i ask, Doesn't Duhon Start at point? even with Deng?</div> Duhon is the starting point guard, even when Deng is playing. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">ye i remember what he did in the beginnig of year, but with all these injuries we need to strenghten our lineup, othella harrington can come of the bench on occasions and put up 20 points. Ben Gordons early struggles were not just because he was starting he struggled when he came off the bench early in the season, now that he is over that he can become an effective starter.</div> Again though, if you take him off the bench, we lose all bench scoring we have. With Deng injured and us having to insert Nocioni in the starting lineup, it takes away depth from the team and we won't get a lot of productivity out of the bench if we end up having to put Gordon in the starting lineup. You also have to look at like this. Right now, Gordon is used to playing small amounts of mintues. If you were to insert him in the starting lineup over Duhon, his minutes could potentially go up, and come the end of the game, we don't want him too tired. Also, what happens to the team chemistry? Right now, the Bulls are used to Duhon running the offense. If you take him out of the lineup, that has the potential to mess everything up. So, I think there is numerous reasons as to why Duhon continues to start instead of Gordon.
