Mid-season thoughts

czman said:

2005-2006 Dallas was 6th. I am sure there have been some teams in the bottom 15. I am not sure there has been one at 20th though. I know the Bulls are not 20th, but they were and could be very soon.

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They could also shoot up to like 10th for all we know :shrug:

I'm pretty sure that there have been teams outside of the top 10 who made it. I just can't think of who at the moment. Of course, it may be something silly like the 76ers or something. Maybe the Nets. You know...teams that weren't really all that great but made it because everyone else sucked.

clonetrooper264 said:

They could also shoot up to like 10th for all we know :shrug:

I'm pretty sure that there have been teams outside of the top 10 who made it. I just can't think of who at the moment. Of course, it may be something silly like the 76ers or something. Maybe the Nets. You know...teams that weren't really all that great but made it because everyone else sucked.

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I wonder if getting back our two best shooters will help us move up or down, not to mention our starting C? :dunno:

Bear Pride said:

I wonder if getting back our two best shooters will help us move up or down, not to mention our starting C? :dunno:

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According to some posters, we're screwed because they're on the team in the first place :elephant:

Bear Pride said:

I wonder if getting back our two best shooters will help us move up or down, not to mention our starting C? :dunno:

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two best shooters? Mcdermott? That comment kind of makes you sound like someone who has not paid attention to the Bulls at all. 23% from 3 and 42% from the field.

czman said:

two best shooters? Mcdermott? That comment kind of makes you sound like someone who has not paid attention to the Bulls at all. 23% from 3 and 42% from the field.

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Well yes, but I think we all know he's not THAT bad

clonetrooper264 said:

Well yes, but I think we all know he's not THAT bad

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Long term I don't think he will be that bad. In the OP I stated that Dunleavy is missed.

"Mike Dunleavy: Has proven to be very important. His floor spacing is critical to this team. Right now the Bulls have few players who can space the floor and we see what happens when he misses time."

Mike Dunleavy should not be so important to a team that they cannot win regular season games.

McDermott has done nothing this season, so no one should be looking at his injury an excuse for anything.

czman said:

two best shooters? Mcdermott? That comment kind of makes you sound like someone who has not paid attention to the Bulls at all. 23% from 3 and 42% from the field.

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Yes, and a sample size of 17 games at 11 min/game for a rookie is a great way to conclude something.

czman said:

Long term I don't think he will be that bad. In the OP I stated that Dunleavy is missed.

"Mike Dunleavy: Has proven to be very important. His floor spacing is critical to this team. Right now the Bulls have few players who can space the floor and we see what happens when he misses time."

Mike Dunleavy should not be so important to a team that they cannot win regular season games.

McDermott has done nothing this season, so no one should be looking at his injury an excuse for anything.

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Except the fact that McD is Dunn's backup, and could be picking up SOME of the shooting slak right now. It's the combo of both our SF's being out that magnifies the situation.

clonetrooper264 said:

T

For those curious, I disagreed that Gerald Green puts us over the top for a championship. I brought up Afflalo as a guy who I thought could put us over the top instead while admitting that Gerald Green was definitely the easier player to acquire because of salaries.

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I think the Bulls are really close. I am not saying Green guarantees a championship, but I could see him or someone like him being the missing piece. The Bulls need that other shooter who is 6'5" or taller. The thing is that you need multiple shooters. In any given game someone might be cold. Therefore, you need options that can come in and pick you up. The Bulls have 2 guys. Mirotic and Brooks. If they add a starting caliber 3 that pushes Dunleavy to the bench and gives them one more shooter off the bench.

I don't think they need a huge upgrade. It is hard for the Bulls though because they don't have a lot of assets they can trade. Honestly, Noah for Gay would have been great, but Gay signed an extension and cannot be traded to mid next season.

Affalo would be great too. I just don't know how you make that deal. Gibson????? I am not sure that brings the Bulls any closer.

Bear Pride said:

Except the fact that McD is Dunn's backup, and could be picking up SOME of the shooting slak right now. It's the combo of both our SF's being out that magnifies the situation.

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You do realize that when Dunleavy was healthy Mcdermott was not playing and the Bulls were not a good shooting team. They the same problems 3 weeks ago. They will have the same problems in the playoffs. Just because you don't see the problems when they are winning more games does not mean they do not exist. When the Bulls were 9-1 over that 10 game stretch they had the same problems.

czman said:

I think the Bulls are really close. I am not saying Green guarantees a championship, but I could see him or someone like him being the missing piece. The Bulls need that other shooter who is 6'5" or taller. The thing is that you need multiple shooters. In any given game someone might be cold. Therefore, you need options that can come in and pick you up. The Bulls have 2 guys. Mirotic and Brooks. If they add a starting caliber 3 that pushes Dunleavy to the bench and gives them one more shooter off the bench.

I don't think they need a huge upgrade. It is hard for the Bulls though because they don't have a lot of assets they can trade. Honestly, Noah for Gay would have been great, but Gay signed an extension and cannot be traded to mid next season.

Affalo would be great too. I just don't know how you make that deal. Gibson????? I am not sure that brings the Bulls any closer.

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Which is why I won't give up on Ray Allen. He would do exactly as you say here for the Bulls, without trading anything.

Bear Pride said:

Which is why I won't give up on Ray Allen. He would do exactly as you say here for the Bulls, without trading anything.

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That has nothing to do with the gaps the Bulls have now or your goofy comment about Mcdermott being a top 2 shooter on the Bulls.

czman said:

That has nothing to do with the gaps the Bulls have now or your goofy comment about Mcdermott being a top 2 shooter on the Bulls.

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You don't think adding Dunn, McD, and Allen would spread the floor from what it is now? We haven't even talked about Rose lighting it up the last few games. Personally, I'll wait until the Bulls get their whole team going before I jump off a cliff. We'll know a lot more in a few weeks. I don't care to go back and forth with you on this anymore.

Bear Pride said:

Yes, and a sample size of 17 games at 11 min/game for a rookie is a great way to conclude something.

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The coclusion is he's done nothing yet. And his 3-pt shooting was brick city.


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Bear Pride said:

You don't think adding Dunn, McD, and Allen would spread the floor from what it is now?

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I already stated they Bulls miss Dunleavy. McDermott has done nothing. Allen is not on the Bulls and I am 99% sure he will not be.

Bear Pride said:

We haven't even talked about Rose lighting it up the last few games. Personally, I'll wait until the Bulls get their whole team going before I jump off a cliff. We'll know a lot more in a few weeks.

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Who is jumping off the cliff? Saying the Bulls need another wing is not jumping off a cliff.

Bear Pride said:

I don't care to go back and forth with you on this anymore.

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Probably a good thing. You don't really know what you are talking about.

czman said:

I already stated they Bulls miss Dunleavy. McDermott has done nothing. Allen is not on the Bulls and I am 99% sure he will not be.



Who is jumping off the cliff? Saying the Bulls need another wing is not jumping off a cliff.




Probably a good thing. You don't really know what you are talking about.

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Says the guy that suggested we should bring Butler off the bench. Now there's some foresight! ............ :lmao:

czman said:

The one thing that the Spurs beating the Heat really drove home for me was that teams in the modern NBA cannot have defensive specialists who cannot shoot the ball. Wing players have to be able to shoot the ball.

Jimmy Butler has shot 31% from 3 for his career. The Wizards didn't even guard him on the perimeter. He was a huge liability when the Bulls had the ball in the playoffs.

From where I sit the Bulls have to bring in someone who can shoot the ball and push Butler. Even if the Bulls get Melo, they are not going to beat any of the good teams if they have a starting SG who cannot hit an open jumper. I don't think they can just hand him the starting job this season. I hope he develops 3 point range, but I don't think the Bulls should bet the season on it.

Right now the Bulls probably need both of their 1st round picks so they have a chance to bring in 2 shooters who can help open up the half court offense. Especially when you consider that Dunleavy is up after this season and DJ might not be back.

Thoughts?

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... waiting for the barrage of Jimmy is wearing down and his % is down ......

1. Rose has been solid for a guy out of the league for two years. He will have ups and downs but at the end of the day he difference between being a contender or being out in the first round.

2. Jimmy has been great, but he can't be elite on both ends of the floor at the same time. If the Bulls don't get another wing defender not named Tony Snell to give him some help, he will hit a wall by the playoffs come around.

3. MDJ has had a solid season and his length and experience has been very useful. I like what he brings to the offense and he isn't a huge liability on defense but the Bulls could still use a defensive upgrade.

4. Trying to blame Thibs for Noah's poor play is just lazy. Noah's hurt and has always had nagging lower body injuries so playing big minutes in previous seasons has nothing to do with it. The Bulls need to be smart and rest him as much as possible since he's obviously not 100%.

5. I've been Pro-Mirotic all season and its funny how I got flamed for saying he could play SF for this team early in the season. I like what he brings but I won't say I trust him to make the right decisions or when the playoffs come. If he can take another step before the season ends, he could be the teams X-Factor.

6. Gasol has been amazing and I don't mind eating crow about what he could be because no one knew he would be this good. He was obviously just collecting a check for the Lakers and had lost interest. Its important for Thibs to remember to get him more rest at his age and if Jo' isn't going to get healthy, its up to GarPax to bring in another body.

7. Taj is Taj. He's up and down every season. Brooks has filled the "microwave" offensive player position very well. E'twan Moore needs more time. Hinrich is starting to slow down even more but is still useful. Snell and McDermott have looked lost and useless.

The Bench as a whole is still among the best in the league and the team is legit contender. Its up to management to find a way to fill the holes on the team that might prevent this team from winning it all.

Xplosive said:

5. I've been Pro-Mirotic all season and its funny how I got flamed for saying he could play SF for this team early in the season. I like what he brings but I won't say I trust him to make the right decisions or when the playoffs come. If he can take another step before the season ends, he could be the teams X-Factor.

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I don't remember anyone but me saying Niko should play the 3, but I agree, I don't know why Thib's doesn't give more of a shot to do this, imo. I realize the matchups play a part, but I like this better than Kirk, Moore, or Snell playing the 2. However, maybe the injuries to Dunn and McD don't allow the rotation. :dunno:

Bear Pride said:

I don't remember anyone but me saying Niko should play the 3, but I agree, I don't know why Thib's doesn't give more of a shot to do this, imo. I realize the matchups play a part, but I like this better than Kirk, Moore, or Snell playing the 2. However, maybe the injuries to Dunn and McD don't allow the rotation. :dunno:

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[11-06-2014]
4. Mirotic is the X-Factor. If he can develop a midrange game and learn to grab some offensive rebounds he could be rookie of the year. Thibs is starting to show more confidence in Niko' by giving him more minutes than Dough-Mac, and by midseason he could overtake MDJ for starting SF.
Noah, Pau, Niko, Jimmy, and Rose = Not 1, Not 2, Not 3....Championships???

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[8-14-2014]
You guys really think Mirotic will only play 5-7 minutes per game? That's terrible for a guy they are paying $5M a year. I don't think Dunleavy is worthy of playing 20m per game at SF when you have McDermott, Mirotic, and Snell all capable of playing good minutes.

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I've always thought Niko should get more time at SF.