2011 Chicago Bulls Playoff Thread (5/26 7:30pm CST - TNT)

[wolf stansson]

I'm a little nervous that the Bulls were 3-0 in the regular season v the Heat. I don't know why that makes me nervous, but it does.

 

Derrick keeping up the 21-5 a-TO ration he's on the last two games would help.

[DivineBovine]

I'm a little nervous that the Bulls were 3-0 in the regular season v the Heat. I don't know why that makes me nervous, but it does.

 

 

Nah. Doesn't make me nervous at all. It might make me nervous if the Bulls were overconfident, or expectations were too high. But if anything, Miami is going to have that problem. The Bulls are the underdog for sure.

[SpongeWorthy]

The team with the best player in the series usually wins.

 

Therefore Bulls in 7

[SpongeWorthy]

Rose is Luke Skywalker

[Derwood]

Rose is Luke Skywalker

 

and Bosh is Jar-Jar Binks

[Prizefight]

Did anyone hear Lisa Salters question to Rose after the game?

 

Hey Derrick, if you're from Chicago who do you root for, the kid from Chicago Dwyane Wade or the MVP from Chicago?

 

I mean, there's been some really dumb sideline reporter questions, but that one is an all timer

[Banedon]

Did anyone hear Lisa Salters question to Rose after the game?

 

Hey Derrick, if you're from Chicago who do you root for, the kid from Chicago Dwyane Wade or the MVP from Chicago?

 

I mean, there's been some really dumb sideline reporter questions, but that one is an all timer

 

Yeah that was completely ridiculous. I think it took Derrick a second to come up with a neutral-ish answer...

[Banedon]

Whitlock: Heat no match for the Bulls

[BigSlick]

Whitlock: Heat no match for the Bulls

It doesnt matter what the subject is, you can count on Whitlock writing an overly contrarian, bad article about it.

[Formerly Snayke]

I hope he's right.

[Banedon]

Whitlock: Heat no match for the Bulls

It doesnt matter what the subject is, you can count on Whitlock writing an overly contrarian, bad article about it.

 

Is there something specific in the article you have an issue with? I'm not as confident about the series as he apparently is, but he did make me feel somewhat better about it.

[Old Style]

Did anyone hear Lisa Salters question to Rose after the game?

 

Hey Derrick, if you're from Chicago who do you root for, the kid from Chicago Dwyane Wade or the MVP from Chicago?

 

I mean, there's been some really dumb sideline reporter questions, but that one is an all timer

:lol:

 

What a dumb female dog.

[Old Style]

Whitlock: Heat no match for the Bulls

It doesnt matter what the subject is, you can count on Whitlock writing an overly contrarian, bad article about it.

 

Is there something specific in the article you have an issue with? I'm not as confident about the series as he apparently is, but he did make me feel somewhat better about it.

 

This stood out to me, even though it isn't a major point. Eight man rotation? Shouldn't that be ten?

 

The Big 2.5 cannot beat a cohesive, healthy eight-man rotation led by Derrick Rose. No way.

[Tyrant]

The team with the best player in the series usually wins.

 

Then the Bulls are in trouble.

[Banedon]

http://instntrply.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/boshflop.gif

[Prizefight]

The team with the best player in the series usually wins.

 

Then the Bulls are in trouble.

 

 

Correct.

 

Lebron James is the best player in the NBA.

[UMFan83]

Went to ticketmaster to try to get seats. Cheapest 300 level seats were $150. Went to stubhub and people were selling 300 level seats for $140 so I bought 2 tickets to game 1 there. I shudder to think what Finals tickets will cost if we win.

[bukie]

A few morning Bulls-Heat thoughts:

 

- I'm curious how the Bulls will try to defend the Heat. I expect Noah to handle Bosh, and I expect Deng to constantly shadow James, but do the Bulls try Rose on Wade to get more Korver use (which the Heat could potentially counter with James on Rose and Wade following Korver...leaving Deng with a mismatch), or will they go primarily with Brewer/Bogans with Rose roaming around to help off guard-du-jour and offense be damned? I expect them to let Noah neutralize Bosh, and focus on shutting down one of James/Wade as much as possible, banking on one superstar alone not being enough to win.

 

- The Bulls probably have a bigger front court advantage against the Heat than they did against either of the two first-round opponents, if only because Bosh is the only "big" that is even above replacement level. Granted, James and Wade get plenty of time at the rim, too, and I expect a lot of fouls being called on drives by either of them. Of course, that's another advantage to a deep front court.

 

- Offensively, the Bulls are going to need to continue to get contributions from more than just Rose. If Boozer can somehow match or surpass Bosh's production, I'd love the Bulls' chances.

 

- Offensively, the Heat do most of their effective scoring two ways: isolation sets and transition. The Bulls defense is designed to limit isolation, but is probably weakest in transition (most notably transition 3's). The more the Bulls force the Heat into a half-court game, the better their chances. That means limiting TOs, which have been an issue the first two rounds.

 

- Aside from James, Wade, and Bosh, the players that generally get minutes are (in descending order of avg minutes) Joel Anthony, Mario Chalmers, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Mike Bibby, James Jones and Juwan Howard (all other players average below 5 min per game). Going by APER (adjusted for assisted baskets), the Heat have the best two players (James 28.97 and Wade 27.13) and three of the best four (Rose 26.26, Bosh 18.95, Noah 18.88). However, the entire Bulls rotation follows before the next Heat player (Ilgauskas).

[SouthSideRyan]

Rose's brother arrested

 

Nice of him to take the rap for his brother.

[UMFan83]

Rose's brother arrested

 

Nice of him to take the rap for his brother.

 

I don't think he's taking the rap for Reggie...he seems cleean overall.

[SouthSideRyan]

Rose's brother arrested

 

Nice of him to take the rap for his brother.

 

I don't think he's taking the rap for Reggie...he seems cleean overall.

 

Oh, I was talking about Derrick.

 

I apologize, I should've specified.

[apete6]

A few morning Bulls-Heat thoughts:

 

- I'm curious how the Bulls will try to defend the Heat. I expect Noah to handle Bosh, and I expect Deng to constantly shadow James, but do the Bulls try Rose on Wade to get more Korver use (which the Heat could potentially counter with James on Rose and Wade following Korver...leaving Deng with a mismatch), or will they go primarily with Brewer/Bogans with Rose roaming around to help off guard-du-jour and offense be damned? I expect them to let Noah neutralize Bosh, and focus on shutting down one of James/Wade as much as possible, banking on one superstar alone not being enough to win.

 

- The Bulls probably have a bigger front court advantage against the Heat than they did against either of the two first-round opponents, if only because Bosh is the only "big" that is even above replacement level. Granted, James and Wade get plenty of time at the rim, too, and I expect a lot of fouls being called on drives by either of them. Of course, that's another advantage to a deep front court.

 

- Offensively, the Bulls are going to need to continue to get contributions from more than just Rose. If Boozer can somehow match or surpass Bosh's production, I'd love the Bulls' chances.

 

- Offensively, the Heat do most of their effective scoring two ways: isolation sets and transition. The Bulls defense is designed to limit isolation, but is probably weakest in transition (most notably transition 3's). The more the Bulls force the Heat into a half-court game, the better their chances. That means limiting TOs, which have been an issue the first two rounds.

 

- Aside from James, Wade, and Bosh, the players that generally get minutes are (in descending order of avg minutes) Joel Anthony, Mario Chalmers, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Mike Bibby, James Jones and Juwan Howard (all other players average below 5 min per game). Going by APER (adjusted for assisted baskets), the Heat have the best two players (James 28.97 and Wade 27.13) and three of the best four (Rose 26.26, Bosh 18.95, Noah 18.88). However, the entire Bulls rotation follows before the next Heat player (Ilgauskas).

 

Because of that, the Bulls are probably the worst matchup for the Heat in the entire league. Our 3 best defensive spots (1 post guy and 2 wings) are their only 3 players worth a damn. Also, we can "rest" Rose when he's on defense and our worst defender (Boozer) can guard a bunch of guys that should be 12th men.

 

Offensively, there is no one to "scare" Boozer. He knows he can take Chris Bosh or whatever other clown they put on him. Having Booz get a nice game going into the series is HUGE as I think he has the chance to have an outstanding series. Rose isn't going to do as well as usual with Wade guarding him, but still should be fine.

 

If the Bulls win 2 of the first 3 games, they will win the series. They are too deep to lose to Miami in a long series. If Miami wins 2 of the first 3, I could see them finishing us in 5.

[DivineBovine]

I doubt its Rose on Wade. Why wear Rose out on their best 1 on 1 player. It'll be Bogans and company.

[KingCubsFan]

I doubt its Rose on Wade. Why wear Rose out on their best 1 on 1 player. It'll be Bogans and company.

Exactly. Let Rose "guard" Bibby and focus on wearing out Wade on offense. I hope Deng plays Lebron better than he did in last year's playoffs, because Lebron completely abused him in that series.

[bukie]

I doubt its Rose on Wade. Why wear Rose out on their best 1 on 1 player. It'll be Bogans and company.

Well it certainly won't be Korver. Korver becomes an interesting option because he can spread Miami's D and the Bulls can potentially hide him defensively on the Heat PG (especially Bibby, who Korver may actually match athletically).