Blog Archives

Alright, I must apologize to the Paxson, Gar, Reinsdorf trio.  Merely moments after I ridiculed Bulls management for their inaction and ineptitude, the three musketeers started making moves.  Not only were the Bulls active in the 24-hours leading up to the trade deadline, they were undoubtedly the most lively and arguably most effective squad in the whole damn league!  Stayed tuned for a trade deadline recap podcast in the very near future . . .

I must admit, the recent bombardment of Chicago Bulls trade rumors is beginning to overwhelm me.  Tyrus, Joakim, Gooden, Hughes, Thabo, Luol, Noch, virtually the entire team—minus Derrick Rose of course—seems to be on the market.  I’ve been refreshing ESPN like a maniac searching for Bulls updates.  Moments ago I learned from super-sleuth John Hollinger and his team of spies that the Bulls might be considering the possibility of pursuing a trade sending Captain Kirk Hinrich for unknown players on an unknown team.  Hollinger writes: 

“I’m hearing for the first time discussion of the Bulls moving Kirk Hinrich, though the destination is still unknown – ‘not Portland,’ my spy says.  Such a deal makes great sense for the Bulls but it’s hard to know who would find his contract palatable in these times.”

What is he talking about?  What “deal” makes great sense?  I wonder if this ever so vague little tidbit of “inside information” is enough to make Kirk-worshipper Nick form a few beads of sweat.

My guess, absolutely nothing will happen.  I know, it’s devastatingly unfortunate.  I believe Pax, the Great Gar Forman, and JR foolishly put all of their eggs in the Amar’e basket (the deal was so utterly illogical from the Suns perspective that it was never realistically going to go down—see: Kobe for Luol Deng).  Now, with less than 24-hours before the deadline, the Bulls brass is in panic mode aimlessly searching for another deal . . . hence, Kirk for (fill in the blank) on (fill in the blank) is newsworthy.

Andres Nocioni guarding Yao Ming?  I know, it was only for one possession, but still.  What were you thinking Vinny?

The folks over at Dime Magazine recapped last night’s loss to the Blazers on their blog. In one sole paragraph, they take shots at Stacey King’s worthless “Mitsubishi Keys to the Game,” Kirk’s facial hair, the Bulls front court (or the lack thereof), and Tyrus’ immature indifference.  My hatred for Tyrus is reinforced when mainstream publications rip on that idiot.

WAXING OF THE BULLS

At the beginning of Bulls/Blazers we got a look at the home team’s intro video — a CGI “Running of the Bulls” through downtown Chicago that ends with them smashing through a Blazers-logo’d bus in front of the Jordan statue — before the player intros, backed by a remixed version of the Alan Parsons Project joint that MJ made famous. Along with fireworks and a high-profile opponent on the schedule, everyone in the building seemed pretty pumped; until the camera cut to Tyrus Thomas looking like he was waiting in line at the post office. He really couldn’t have been more disinterested … Before tip, the Bulls announcers said the game plan was to shut down Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge. Chicago did that — holding B-Roy to 11 points and LA to eight — but they didn’t have an answer for Travis Outlaw (33 pts) or Greg Oden (17 pts, 13 rebs). Outlaw brought out his awkward leaners and weird running hook/layups, while Oden just beasted Drew Gooden and Joakim Noah … Kirk Hinrich made his return to action, about a month earlier than expected. He looked like he hadn’t shaved in a month … Sign in the crowd: “Tucson Sucks.” Was that directed at Jerryd Bayless?

The Thunder? Really?

The always-insightful dude over at Blog-A-Bull (considered by many to be the blog of Bulls blogs) does a great job summing up Vinny’s many deficiencies . . .

Blazers 109, Bulls 95: Well, that’s one we can’t blame on Larry Hughes

When you have only two above-average offensive players who were more like average (or in Gordon’s case: bad), and a team defense that’s consistently abysmal (with the help of some deft substitution patterns)…the result is little surprise.

However it still led to some fun Vinny-ness. The Bulls are beyond bad and approaching fun-bad at this point, no?

The first quarter was actually competitive, but Vinny made two odd choices: one was to double-team Aldridge 15 feet away from the basket (and the man doubling, Thabo, was more like 20 feet away). This happened quite a bit. Aldridge is a ninny, he’s just going to shoot fadeaways. Can’t you let Thomas handle that alone?

And then while McMillan switched Batum on Gordon (with pretty bad results actually) to spare Roy, Vinny keeps Gordon on Roy (with Sefolosha…I guess designated to double team for no reason) so Gordon gets two fouls in the first 5+ minutes.

But Vinny did do one thing relatively right: he kept Larry Hughes’ minutes to a minimum and instead had Hinrich return as the backup point. So I’m glad Hinrich’s back for that reason alone. (though playing 20 minutes when he was supposed to get half that…can’t even keep that straight?)

But while the backcourt was somewhat situated, Vinny cannot resist pairing Gooden/Noc as the frontcourt. This is because he’s not a good coach. There was a long stretch in the 2nd half with Rose/Gordon/Deng/Noc/Gooden. Deng’s the only good defender in that group, and this was his first game back from an ankle sprain. So if Steve Blake and Brandon Roy abused Rose (happened quite a bit) and Gordon to get past the perimiter, rest assured there was at least nobody guarding the basket. And with Deng and Thabo available, why is Noc ever guarding Travis Outlaw?

I dunno, same old garbage I guess. Tyrus Thomas didn’t do much statistically but he wasn’t hurting, so just leave him out there. And Noah (who was booed pretty heavily tonight, way more than I’ve ever heard) made some mistakes (though that 3-second violation was partly on Hinrich for passing up a shot) but he is, um, tall.

Likely a losing result no matter how you pair this frontcourt, but when Noc and Gooden (and Gooden/Gray, though at least they can board) are out there you’re basically waving a white flag defensively. Why watch that? Lets face it: Tyrus and Noah only play regularly if there’s injuries. It’s not who’s playing well, or ‘matchups’, or disciplinary actions…it’s Vinny thinking Gooden and Noc (and Gray for that bizarre stretch of games started) are his best options, both now and developmentally.

It’s getting so bad I’m not even sure Brad Miller can save them. But lets try it (a trade, not necessarily Brad Miller…more like ridding the team of Noc and Hughes) anyway. End of this week, alright Pax? Might want to get started on the coaching search too, judging by the last one (and its result) you may need 6 months instead of 6 weeks of interviews.

Bulls fans, watch this YouTube clip [link below] and stop complaining about the foul calls in Detroit.

Dirk received a one-game suspension.  Really?  Criminal. 

Abysmal Officiating . . . 

Alright, I must admit, I have yet to purchase a single Christmas gift.  Only 6 more days?!  Really?  Wow, the Holidays really crept up on me this year!  So in the interest of further procrastination, I’ve decided to dedicate my quickly dwindling “gift shopping time” to compiling a few gift ideas for your everyday Bulls fan.

It’s a tough call.  Do you go the authentic Jersey route (replicas are wack and entirely out of the question)?  Maybe, but they’re expensive, and often suffer from a short lifespan.  For example, my Tyson Chandler jersey is buried deep in my closet next to my Jalen Rose (if only Derrick Rose had opted for #5).  Any day now, my Hinrich jersey will be packed into a box for storage, and that Deng jersey might not be too far behind.  Derrick Rose seems like a pretty solid bet, but how many of you own never-to-be-worn again Jay[son]Williams jerseys (knock on wood a million times)?

Throwbacks are an option: the MJ and the Pip are obvious classics, but it might be even cooler to rock Grant’s #54 or Van Lier’s #2!  But I’ll admit, these retro J’s often cost a fortune, and many shoppers are required to stay within the confines of the Secret Santa Salary Cap. 

So, I suggest acquiring some player-neutral gear.  However, be wary of any neutral garments sold by the official NBA Store . . . you don’t want the recipient of your gift to be mistaken for Bulls strength coach (or, even worse, Jim Boylan)! 

Very Bad

I’ve linked to a few solid options from MooseShirts.com.  Check out the following Tee’s: Upper Playground’s “Pit Bulls”, Playing for Keeps’ “Skull”, Upper Playground’s “We Fly High” and  New Era’s “We Fly High” Hat.  Please, don’t hesitate  to email Nick or myself for our respective shipping addresses!  I own a couple of these, so gift receipts are encouraged.  Happy Holidays.

Recommended Reading:

That quote makes me oh so happy!  The crew over at DraftExpress has begun a series of “Rookie Retrospectives”, in which they revisit there initial draft-day scouting reports based on the player’s first twenty-ish games in the Association.  Read their review of Derrick Rose.  Pretty comprehensive and inspiring stuff.  I’m almost certain to jack a few insights and pawn them off as my own on the podcast.

Recommended Listening:

Annoyed that Nick and I aren’t banging out podcasts with the frequency you desire?  Listen or watch The Basketball Jones everyday!  It’s dope!  Two guys from Toronto who are both very funny.  Plus, unlike Bullscast, it’s short, snappy, and well-produced (wink)!

Wow. If there was any question to how devoted to Chicago sports Derrick Rose is, the question has been answered. In all caps. And with misspellings. D-Rose put Kerry Wood’s hot tub injury to shame in one fell slice on Monday. It’s a shame that we can’t hear the trash talk that the lauded Bulls guard will hear starting later tonight.

Here are a few guesses at some of the on-court banter:

How bout’ dem apples!?! — opposing guard, after making a 3-point play after a weak foul by Aaron Gray

Hey Martha Stewart…(trails off) — Charles Barkley, en route to making a point about turnovers

Welcome to the Jungle of Fun. Please remove your shoes. — Judd Buechler

A knife! In the bed! What were you thinking! — Reggie Miller

‘Now it cuts like a knife…but it feels so right’ — jukebox at bowling alley

Can I get a witnesssss! — Rev. Jeremiah Wright

Can I get a witnesssss! — Larry Hughes

Who will I pretend to want to pass the ball to after dribbling 20 seconds off the shot clock? Heal up, son. In the meantime, did I say you guys could stop counting my money? Count it! Count it up! — Ben Gordon

Go Bulls, and Go Bizarre Injuries!

Check out this hilarious (and equally depressing) article from the guys over at “Empty the Bench” (great site) ripping apart the Bulls frontcourt. It eloquently encapsulates my frustration with Tyrus:

“Bulls Frontcourt is Offensive for all the Wrong Reasons”

Rooftop Golf: Yo Pax, cut Tyrus and sign the dude on the left!