Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to announce that the Chicago Bulls are 2-1 at the beginning stages of the NBA season!Why am I so excited? Call me crazy, but I have this strange feeling that the Chicago Bulls (yes the same Bulls who are always rebuilding) have a chance to become a contender in the Eastern Conference. Now hold on for a second, I know what your thinking! I haven't fallen down and bumped my head nor been released from a mental institution. First year NBA coach Vinny Del Negro might have something up his sleeve after all.
In the season opener which took place at the United Center, the Bulls faced a decent Milwaukee Bucks team that can contend for an 8th seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. Chicago looked poised to win the game, Derrick Rose dominated the point guard play with 11 points, 9 assists and 3 steals. Though at times Rose showed his immaturity with four turnovers, he got his teammates involved by distributing them the ball in positions where they could score.
Luol Deng finished the game with 21 points on 8 of 13 shooting from the floor, while Ben Gordon poured in 18 points. Both players made keys plays to secure 108 to 95 win for the Bulls. Tyrus Thomas, who at times can make viewers want to jump off the Sears Tower building, finished with a double-double (15 points, 10 rebounds). Thomas once again provided a look into what he can do for this Bulls franchise if he plays smart and under control.
The Bulls as a team shot the basketball well (50.7 %) and they won the rebound battle 40 to 32. It wasn't a bad showing from a team that is flooded with guards and finished the preseason with a 4-4 record.
The second game was a measuring stick for the Bulls. They would face the Boston Celtics, who are the defending NBA champions. Chicago got a defensive clinic put on them as Boston held the Bulls to a frightening 29.8% shooting from the field. The only bright spot for Chicago was Derrick Rose. The young general gutted out an 18 point effort, but lacked any support from first game stars Luol Deng, Ben Gordon and Tyrus Thomas. Deng, Gordon and Thomas shot a combined 7 of 37 from the field.
The Celtics cruised to a 96 to 80 win, exposing Chicago's poor shooting and defensive. You have to pat the Bulls on their backs though. They went into a hostile Boston environment and didn't back down from the NBA champs. Coach Del Negro is still tweaking the line-ups inorder to find one that will stick. Veteran guard Larry Hughes, who played well in the preseason, was out with a dislocated shoulder he suffered in a preseason win against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
This past Saturday night back at the United Center, the Bulls needed to re-group. Awaiting Chicago was an athletic Memphis Grizzlies ball club that featured Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo.
Still riding his offensive high, Derrick Rose showed why he is considered to be a great point guard. The Southside phenom electrified the home crowd with 26 points and 6 rebounds. Rose took charge scoring 4 points during a 9-1 run midway through the fourth quarter. Chicago never looked back, beating the Grizzlies 96 to 86 and shooting 42.1% for the game from three.
Through three games the Bulls have shown improvements with their offensive attack (Derrick Rose). If injured guard Larry Hughes can come back and play the same way he did in preseason, the Bulls will have no problem scoring the ball from the perimeter. The achilles heel for Chicago is lack of post scoring. Drew Gooden is a decent post player, but he needs more contribution from teammate Tyrus Thomas.
Athletically Thomas is off the charts, but he has to make better decisions when he is out on the floor. In the preseason Thomas averaged a double-double in points and rebounds. If that player can show up night in and night out, the Bulls well be better off as a team.
Balanced perimeter and post play can turn Bulls fan's dreams into reality. Even though its still very early in the NBA season, Chicago has a chance to make a strong run for the playoffs and surprise some Eastern Conference teams. I hope that dream isn't too far fetched Chicago.
Be Peaceful
- Keep an eye out for Terry Porter. Porter who played 17 years in the NBA, became the new head coach of the Phoenix Suns this past June. The Suns are in second place in the Pacific Divison and Porter has slowed down the fast paced Phoenix offense to toughen up their defense. It's a new look out there in the dessert!
- Watching Greg Oden on NBA's opening night was great!..even though it only last one quarter. Oden injured his foot in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers. He will be sidelined for 2-4 weeks
