Ever since Skiles went to Nocioni as a starter, the Bulls have looked a lot better. We have run our offense the past two games with Gordon as the first option, and Nocioni as the 2nd option. This is very reminiscent of the great 1-2 punch that Gordon and Nocioni gave us on our run into the playoffs during the 05-06 season. Nocioni was better than Deng going into last year, played neck and neck with Deng performance wise last year until his injury. It might not be a stretch that Nocioni is still better than Deng overall as a player.</p> Nocioni is definitely a better 2nd option than Deng. He is a better shooter, and he is currently the best penetrator on our team.</p> So now, what do we do with Deng? He isn't going to demand big monery with his current level of play. He might be more valuable in a trade, than he is to us on this team. The LATimes reported that the Bulls are in trade talks with the Grizzlies, and will likely end up with Gasol. Both Deng/Gasol have been struggling, and this could almost end up as a straight up swap (if you get Gasol, you get Navarro I assume).</p> Something like Deng/Duhon/Khryapa/Noah/Thabo for Gasol/Lowry/Navarro</p> Of course thats a topic for another thread.</p> What is everyone more comfortable with, the Gordon/Nocioni duo as the 1-2 punch, or Gordon/Deng? The idea of Deng being the first option that was popular before the season sure has been thrown out the window.</p>
Skiles inserted Andres Nocioni into the starting lineup and he responded with 21 points and eight rebounds in 38 minutes. He was 6-of-12 from the floor, hit two 3-pointers and 7-of-8 from the free-throw line. "We put Nocioni in the starting lineup. I think he spreads the floor a little bit and it gives us another shooter out there," Gordon said. "That may be why we played a lot better out there."</p>
Interesting analysis. I think it's a bit premature to believe that Deng can't be a second option, just like it was premature to annoint him as the second option before the season. One thing about Noc and Gordon both, is that they're not bashful, at all. They shoot because they love to score, and it doesn't matter if they've missed or made their last ten. Every team needs some (but not too much) of that.</p> I think, as the season goes on and the offense gets back in gear, the Bulls will push Noc back into the second lineup and Thomas as a starter. Thomas gives brings an interior presence on defense that Noc is lackinng. But for the next twenty games, I'll be quite happy with Noc as a starter.</p>
Interesting analysis. I think it's a bit premature to believe that Deng can't be a second option, just like it was premature to annoint him as the second option before the season. One thing about Noc and Gordon both, is that they're not bashful, at all. They shoot because they love to score, and it doesn't matter if they've missed or made their last ten. Every team needs some (but not too much) of that.</p> I think, as the season goes on and the offense gets back in gear, the Bulls will push Noc back into the second lineup and Thomas as a starter. Thomas gives brings an interior presence on defense that Noc is lackinng. But for the next twenty games, I'll be quite happy with Noc as a starter.</p>
