Before tonight’s game, Derrick Rose said he was ‘sick and tired’ of the the trade rumors regarding Orlando’s Dwight Howard joining the Bulls. Well, he better get used to hearing them for at least another week.
It’s nights like tonight that we see why Chicago constantly comes up in conversations discussing possible destinations for the All-NBA center.
Orlando, behind 29 points and 18 rebounds from Howard were able to snap the Bulls’ 8-game win streak with a 99-94 victory at the United Center.
The Bulls fought back from an 18-point deficit, but struggled to knock down open shots in the fourth quarter. Yes, we’re looking at you, Kyle Korver.
D-Rose scored 17 points but shot just 6 of 22 from the field. Luol Deng was even worse, scoring just 5 points, while going 1 for 9 from the field, his worst shooting performance of the season. And the aforementioned Korver missed six…yes, six 3-pointers in the fourth.
When Rose’s shot isn’t falling, the Bulls need someone there to pick up the slack. Carlos Boozer tried to be that guy tonight, leading the team with 26 points, and keeping Chicago in the game in the fourth quarter, scoring 8 points in a row during one stretch.
But, let’s face it. Boozer will probably never be the second option on a championship team. And while Luol Deng is a great complementary player, and a deserving All-Star, he is most effective without the ball in his hands.
If the Bulls struggle to create shots against a defense like Orlando’s, what’s going to happen when Lebron and co. come to town. As we already know, Miami is the measuring stick with which we will ultimately determine this team’s success.
There’s no doubt Bulls’ General Manager Gar Forman will be looking for a way to improve this team before next Thursday’s trade deadline.
Dealing for Dwight Howard may be a bit extreme, but he sure did look comfortable playing at the UC tonight.