NBA 2K: Bulls Association

[X-Factor]

So, since everyone else is doing it, I thought i'd try to build the Bulls the right way.

First order of business: A Trade w/ the Pacers
Bulls Trade Away: Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer, Ronnie Brewer, Jimmy Butler
Bulls Receive: Danny Granger, George Hill, Tyler Hansbrough

Starting line-up:
Rose
Rip
Granger
Taj
Noah

Bench:
Korver
Hill
Hansbrough
Asik
Watson
Scal

So far, I'm 1-0. Rose beasted. Would put up stats, but I forgot to change the quarters, so Rose's 17, 4, 1 and 2 steals looks rather unimpressive. Other stats were similar for other players.

I'll probably forget to ever play this again...but if i don't, i'll update periodically.

[nwfisch]

Didn't trade for Hibbert

[X-Factor]

2nd game tonight...9 min quarters...

Rose went 14-28, for 32 points, 8 assists, 4 boards, 4 steals...

Tom Thibodeau post-game:

*raspy voice* We did a lot of good things out there tonight, but we've got to cut down on the turnovers. We let a big lead disappear in the 4th, but we are still trying to figure out our rotation a bit. Rose was phenominal, but we have to get Granger some more shots in transition. Gotta keep passing and rebounding. Always can improve there.

Thibodeau's reference to figuring out the rotation coincides with the "White Hot" line-up the Bulls opened the 4th quarter with, which featured Rose at the Point, then Korver, Scal, Hansbrough and Asik at 2-5. Rebounding was great, but turnovers were also plentiful. Though we're not sure at this point if we'll see the White Hot lineup make another appearance, it was certainly fun.

Bulls Record: 2-0

[clonetrooper264]

at the White Hot lineup

Way to play Scal.

[X-Factor]

The Bulls faced Atlanta in their home-opener tonight, and it got ugly early. The Bulls were up by as many as 18 in the 2nd quarter, making the 2nd half a snoozer.

Rose was the player of the game with 20 points (2 in the 2nd half), 8 assists, 5 rebounds and 4 steals. With Granger on his game, Rose could take a backseat in scoring, and went 7-11 from the floor.

Granger found his groove tonight, going off for 28 on 9-14 shooting. He also chipped in with 4 rebounds.

Coach Thibs post-game:

*raspy voice* You know Gibson was really big in the first half specifically tonight. He got to loose balls and hit shots he was supposed to hit. We need that intensity from every player, 1-12 in the line-up to win. Tonight, we played well. We need to cut down on turnovers and get more rebounds, but it's nice to feel like we're finding a rotation that works early in the season.

There was no White Hot appearance tonight, though there might as well have been in the fourth. With three minutes to go, CJ Watson and John Lucas III saw their first action of the season, and Scalibrini was subbed in as well. On the first possession after the subs, Lucas out-jumped a disgruntled Joe Johnson for a rebound, passed to Watson, and was seen shooting finger guns at Noah. Noah went ballistic on the side-line, laughing and giving high-fives to whoever was close.

With 14 seconds left, Thibs subbed all the starters back in. When asked about it post-game, he responded, "We need to make sure everyone is ready at all times. The guys were too relaxed, and I did not want to see Atlanta score again."

Bulls Record: 3-0

[whitesoxman77]

Interesting stuff, keep it up

[clonetrooper264]

Rofl at putting the starters in with 14 seconds left.

[nwfisch]

No Roy Hibbert yet

[X-Factor]

Press Release:

The Bulls have Traded C Joakim Noah and the 2013 First Round pick to the Thunder for C Serge Ibaka, C Kendrick perkins and a 2012 2nd Round Pick.

Coach Thibs:

*Raspy voice for some reason* We're really going to miss Noah's passion and leadership, but we gained a similar skill set who is younger and cheaper in Ibaka, and Perkins fits into our plans as a back-up.

The Bulls feel that this move makes them tougher in the paint without sacrificing rebounding or scoring.

[nwfisch]

Fire GM X

[Capt. Serious]

Fire GM X

Hush up son & quit rage quitting your chises.

[nwfisch]

Hush up son & quit rage quitting your chises.

Sorry dad I got work and school

[X-Factor]

Bulls Blowout Clippers

One a night where Blake Griffin expected to challenge the Bulls' new front-court, just the opposite happened. The Bulls new-look starting line-up featured Rose, Rip and Granger, but in a surprise move by Coach Thibodeau, newly acquired Kendrick Perkins started at PF, along with Serge Ibaka at Center. Blake Griffin was controlled, despite having a double-double (10 and 12). He shot 3-13 from the field.

Derrick Rose, post-game:

ummm...man, as hard as it was to see Jo leave, Perkins and Ibaka can play, man. They fit right in, and we're excited to see things gel with this. This team is capable of winning a lot of games, and with the defense these two brought tonight...man....if they can do that every night, they can put us over the top.

Rose's game was clearly aided by the two board-hoarding space eaters, as he finished with 28 points on 10-17 shooting, along with 7 assists, 3 rebounds and 3 steals. 10 total players scored for the Bulls, with seven of them shooting 50% or better.

Bulls Record: 4-0

[X-Factor]

Bulls Calm the Thunder

On a court loaded with Superstars, Derrick Rose was the brightest. He finished the night with 20 points on 7-14 shooting, a season high 13 assists, 5 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 blocks to only one turnover. He the Bulls in scoring, though Korver, Granger and Ibaka were all also in Double Digits.

The Bulls reportedly made a call to New Orleans as to the availability of Eric Gordon pre-game, but were told it would cost them more than they were willing to give. They will revisit the matter at a later time.

Kyle Korver post-game:

Man, I just got hot there at the end of the 2nd. The guys were getting me the ball when I had space, and I think I hit 3 three's in about 40 seconds. I was feeling it. It's nice to have a team so unselfish, I tell ya it's a huge help to me as a shooter. I'm just glad I can do what I can to help the team out when I'm called upon.

Korver was 4-5 from 3, and 6-9 overall for 16 points.

Bulls Record: 5-0

[X-Factor]

Bulls Make the Kings look like Jesters

Derrick Rose ended the 1st quarter with only 4 points on 2-3 shooting, but had 7 assist, most with Kendrick Perkins on the receiving end. Rose ended the night with 17, 11, 5 and 3 steals, and the Bulls beat the Kings despite giving up a big lead in the 4th.

Tom Thibodeau, post-game:

*raspy voice* We HAVE to stop turning the ball over. The way we were playing in the 1st, this game should've been over by halftime...but we let them back in it. We have to tune up our defense and let our offense come to us, quit forcing the ball.

Granger struggled mightily, shooting 3-14 from the field, but Perkins and Korver helped even out the scoring for the Bulls, who haven't lost yet this season.

Bulls Record: 6-0

[DePaulfan21]

Nice title

[X-Factor]

Bulls Down the Wizards

Derrick Rose picked up two fouls early and Washington went to the line 9 times in a 1st quarter that saw the Wiz race out to an unlikely 15 point lead.

Then the 2nd quarter happened.

(radio announcer)

Rose steals the ball from Wall! Rose with only one man in front of him! Passes to Gibson who throws up the loOHHHHH SLAMMA JAMMA DING DONG SLAP YOUR MOMMA WHAT A THUNDEROUS ONE HANDED ALLEY OOP DUNK BY ROSE!

Derrick Rose had a good GAME in the 2nd quarter, scoring 18 points, grabbing 5 boards, dolling out 3 assists, blocking 2 shots and coming up with a steal. From then on, the Wizards could never get back in the game.

Rose finished the night with his 2nd double-double of the season with 31 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals. He also held John Wall to 11 points on 4-17 shooting.

Bulls Record: 7-0

[X-Factor]

The Bulls have dropped two of their last three, with bookend losses to Portland and the Clippers, with an easy win over the Suns in between. Some of the weariness is to be expected, as the Bulls are on their annual circus trip, but Coach T isn't satisfied with the level of effort.

*raspy voice* We've got to get better. We've got to rebound better, get in passing lanes better, make smarter decisions with the ball. And I don't care who does it, but someone needs to step up from the 2. We need more production.

Thibs downplayed the need for another trade, but rumor has it the Bulls are looking to trade Asik and force Perkins into a back-up role, and they could be targeting JaVale McGee/Nick Young in a trade, or possibly Martin Gortat/Josh Childress (the latter of whom impressed the Bulls FO in the game in Phx.)

Bulls Record: 8-2

[clonetrooper264]

Gortat > Young

[X-Factor]

Bulls reel off 3 straight

Derrick Rose and Danny Granger are really starting to settle in together, and Perkins as enjoyed more freedom in the offensive low post, as the Bulls are reeled off 3 straight wins. The latest was against the Pacers, now home to former Bulls Luol Deng and Carlos Boozer. Rose had 22 points and 8 assists, and said post game that he really enjoys playing with knock down shooters like Granger, Korver and Hill. His PPG are down, but his assists are up.

Rose after the latest game:

It was really nice to see Boozer and Lu again, and they played well and have a really good team. But, I mean, they not here no more....and as long as i'm here they won't never beat us.

Bulls record: 11-2

[clonetrooper264]

Rose is getting cocky.

[X-Factor]

Rose is getting cocky.

He knows he's got the power of rage quitting if a game's not going right

[X-Factor]

The Bulls made a trade with Milwaukee, trading Tyler Hansbrough and a 2nd round pick for Ersan İlyasova.

Gar Forman:

Well we appreciate what Tyler brought to the team in his short stint here, but we were really lacking a big shooter. With Perkins, Ibaka, Taj, Asik and Tyler we had a similar skill set with all our bigs. With Ersan we can space the floor a little more and even play him at the 3 and Granger at the 2 to impose size without sacrificing shooting. We wish nothing but success to Tyler and his future not only in the NBA, but in life.

[X-Factor]

Immediately following the trade, the Bulls played the same Milwaukee team.

Derrick Rose had 28 and 10, and got to the rim whenever he wanted. Kendrick Perkins won the player of the game honors with 18-8-5-4 steals. And in Ersan İlyasova's first game, he chipped in with 14 points. 7 Bulls scored double-figures, and the Bulls beat Milwaukee 118-86.

Danny Granger, Post-Game:

Well, I played like (expletive) tonight. I tried to force too many shots and probably hurt the team. But man, with this roster, and adding EI today, we've got some shooters and a great defense. One my favorite things about this team compared to other teams I've been on is that a starter or two can have an off-night and the game isn't always a loss or a nail-biting win. This team has talent.

Granger was asked a follow-up question regarding "other teams he's been on", but declined comment.

Tyler Hansbrough was seen crying after the game. No word on whether the tears were from the trade, from the loss, or from seeing Gerald Henderson in the crowd as he walked to the tunnel.

Bulls Record: 12-2