Game Thread Playoffs - First Round Game 05 - Bucks @ Bulls

Not a single combination of players worked well. Just the group that built a lead in the first half.

We got zero from the SF position

I almost wished Thibs might try the no PG thing, with Snell, Jimmy, DunVP, Noah,Taj.

 

I have nothing to complain about in this game. I think it was just a bad performance. The Bulls need to bring more energy to beat this team, and they will. I was pleased with Thibodeau's rotations throughout. There seemed to be very little time with Brooks and Gibson playing together which is good (because Brooks has apparently given up trying to feed the post), and a lot of time with Snell and Gibson. I think you're going to see a different team in game six.

 

Could work. Brooks and Rose just don't seem to be able to get the ball to Taj and Gasol as much as they should.

 

I'm really a bit concerned. Bucks getting more and more confidence... Not good.

Will be a tough game Thursday.

 

Another bad game from Derrick Rose.

5-20 from the field.
0-7 from three.
Only 4 trips to the line.
4 assists / 6 turnovers.
Derrick had his shot blocked 6 times.
Average at best defense.

19 million dollars. Very disappointing.

The only real case for the Bulls winning an NBA Championship begins and ends with Derrick Rose playing at a very high level. The last two games he's been a negative on the court. If this continues of course the Bulls are going nowhere.

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Bucks were uncharacteristically perfect from the line.
Bucks outrebounded the Bulls!
Butler with a poor shooting night (5-20) but at least got to the line and converted and hit a couple 3s and played solid defense.
3 point snipers Dunleavy and Snell 0-5.
Mirotic looked pretty brutal out there. Granted, he's not getting anything run for him. 1-4 from three (good shooter?). Still a bit injured?

50/50 balls are going the Bucks way and the Bulls don't seem to be executing well at all on offense.

Very frustrating watching Rose out there. Does he have it anymore on a consistent basis? It being the ability to perform at an all-star level night after night? Anytime he's ready to "flip the switch" and keep it flipped to ON, I'm ready.

 

Yes, Rose had a bad game, Dunleavy, Snell 0-fer. Cant have that and expect to advance.

 

The difference between the Bucks and Bulls is they tanked last season. They also made a bold move/trade at the deadline.

 

So the Bucks hold all the advantages. Bucks in 7?

 

Have they figured us out?

What they have is really young talent compared to our old talent. Except ZaZa and her sister Eva.

Henson looks great, and he's a sub. Frankly, at least as good as Taj.

Your guy Mayo had a better PER than DunVP and Snell.

Our key to victory seems to be shutting down MCW.

 

Now you know that I'm no Mayo fan. Yes, I referred to Mayo as "your boy." Well, every time he made a basket, you posted "Mayo sucks." I didn't do that. You've coveted the guy since he came into the league.

Sorry if I offended.

 

You didn't offend.

I still would rather he started for us at SG and Jimmy at SF. We would have a better team.

I'd rather see him as the backup SG to Jimmy vs. Snell, if we must start the 34 year old DunVP.

 

Seems appropriate.

 

I think the Bulls wrap it up tomorrow. This Milwaukee team has some talent; this Chicago team isn't quite elite . . . it felt like a six game series going in, and it feels like a six game series now. The Bulls have a talent advantage even if they've lost the coaching battle -- talent almost always wins out. It's gong to win out tomorrow.

 

You have support from RealGM posters for your coaching assertion. In a poll they're running, 66% think Thibodeau is getting outcoached by Kidd.

 

If Derrick continues to be a negative on the court, as he has the last 2 games, the outcome of the game is a jump ball. Even worse if Noah can't really go.

If Derrick can have a productive game and the other players perform as they have been, the Bulls win.

Betting on the Bulls is ultimately betting on Derrick Rose, the franchise player and the 19 million dollar man. If he plays well or just decent, the Bulls have a good shot against anyone. If he plays poorly, the Bulls will usually struggle or lose.

 

66% of RealGM posters overrate our talent.

 

Smear campaigns are pretty effective. I've found that this sentiment exists locally more than nationally. Bulls Org really only has strong influence over local media only. Beat writers and sports talkers, sans Cowley. And of course org "reporters" / press conference steerers like Sam Smith.

 

It's not overrating talent nor any smear campaign IMO. It's all about 2 straight playoff losses to the Bucks. Obviously, there's no issue if the Bulls go undefeated. Saturday's loss surprised a lot of folks and the way the game ended didn't play well for Thibodeau. A stir began, but most wrote it off to a token loss on the road. Monday's loss turned the tide.

If the Bulls get to the next round and then beats the Cavs, Thibodeau will be the toast of the town.

NBA head coaches are given way way too much credit and blame. Add that to the indisputable fact that we live in a what have you done for me lately world and you get this kind of rags>riches/riches>rags thing Thibodeau finds himself in the middle of right now.