<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">On the day the Bulls leave for their annual two-week November road swing, the main topic of conversation at the Berto Center following practice usually concerns the challenges of going so long without playing a home game and living out of a suitcase. But things were a little different before the Bulls departed on Monday mainly because coach Scott Skiles is hinting at major lineup changes when the trip begins tonight against the Dallas Mavericks (7:30, Comcast SportsNet, 105.9-FM). ''We might change the lineup,'' Skiles said. ''I don't really want to comment on it and give you guys a heads-up on what it is.'' Despite his attempt to keep things quiet, it's not much of a secret that Skiles is considering starting Andres Nocioni and/or Chris Duhon in place of power forward P.J. Brown and guard Ben Gordon. Starting Nocioni for Brown wouldn't be that drastic a change in the role of either player. However, the possible Duhon-Gordon change is a more complicated -- and potentially controversial -- decision. If Gordon returns to the sixth-man role he played as a rookie and the first half of last season, there's little question it would be viewed in most circles as a demotion. The 6-3 guard has been extremely inconsistent so far and is averaging 12.8 points on 38.8 percent shooting. He has gone a combined 2-for-18 in the previous two games after busting out for a season-high 37 points last week against Milwaukee. Bringing Gordon off the bench, no doubt, will trigger a slew of new trade rumors and again spark speculation that he and Skiles don't get along. After all, this was supposed to be a breakout season for the third-year player. Skiles, though, tried to downplay the significance of any moves involving Gordon. ''In Ben's specific situation, he's a very talented guy, and the last step for all young players is consistency -- having it every night or close to every night,'' Skiles said. ''We all have a responsibility to help him get to that stage where he can play [consistently] because he is such a good player.'' The question is whether using him as a starter or a sixth man bests accomplishes that goal.</div> Source
In my experiences involving a lot of things in and out side of sports there are some people who need to go into a situation with a game plan. I think that Gordon is the type of person who needs to see what is actually happening on the court first before going into the situation. Some people need to see what <u>is</u> happening and then decide on a plan of action. There are others who can be told what <u>will</u> happen and they can react to it as it comes. I think Gordon needs to start off the game examing it and then going in and attacking with his and the coach's game plan. Of course I think this may only be temporary and he'll soon be able to return as a starter and if not so what? I'm sure that by now Gordon can realize that it really doesn't matter if he starts or not. The first minute of the game is the same thing as the second minute of the game and I'm sure he understands that by now. Also, if he ends up not starting and plays much better at a bench role than at a starting role (obviously speculating) than he would surely agree that he needs that time on the bench to examine the game. I really feel that Gordon needs to come off the bench and I don't mean to use that as a form of punishment either. He can be a great player and I think this will help him out and if I'm wrong about that than that's fine.
Well I have made it clear where I stand on this. I think demoting Gordon in favor of Deng will only set the team back, as opposed to help us in the long run. Gordon, when on the court, gives us a viable scoring threat who can make something happen whenever a play breaks down. Although, he has struggled as of late, he is still a player who has to be respected offensively. Duhon on the other end has improved his shot, but does not really do much when a play breaks down. We need to let Gordon work through his struggles now The regular season really doesn't mean much, as long as you make the playoffs with home court advantage then you will be ok. We need Gordon to be good going into the stretch run of the year. I don't want to see him on the bench. If we do bench him however, I would rather it be in favor of Seofolosha as opposed to Duhon.
