Yes, it is too early to start worrying about the Bulls. This is not your little brother's 2010 or 2008 Bulls. This Bulls team has a taskmaster at the helm named tom Thibideau. No more playing that crappy Vinnie Del Negro style of play, that's been taken to the Clippers organization where it belongs. Thibideau is all about discipline, defense, taking responcibility for your play, playing the right way. Now you're probably a little worried about the decision to leave Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah on the bench for most of the 4th quarter in the game versus the Knicks, but there's a genuinely good explanantion for that too.
You see, the Knicks are a god-awful basketball team with no discipline nor true gameplan. They are just out there throwing the ball up and recreate. So the Bulls went out there and played at the leve lof the Knicks, which is great if youre the Knicks. Playing down to your opponents level happens toooften in the NBA,its what seperates thelakersw from the mavericks. It didnt help that the Knicks were hitting every shot put up, going 16 for 24 from 3 point range. They were down by 21 points at one point. And sure, DRose was having a great game, but its a team effort, and team-wise they were bad.The bench was doing what it could, even got the lead down a few times, but they were never really back in it, and sometimes the lesson is more important. What's the lesson? You don't lose to the damn New York Knicks at home...you just don't. Hopefully lesson learned.
You see, the Knicks are a god-awful basketball team with no discipline nor true gameplan. They are just out there throwing the ball up and recreate. So the Bulls went out there and played at the leve lof the Knicks, which is great if youre the Knicks. Playing down to your opponents level happens toooften in the NBA,its what seperates thelakersw from the mavericks. It didnt help that the Knicks were hitting every shot put up, going 16 for 24 from 3 point range. They were down by 21 points at one point. And sure, DRose was having a great game, but its a team effort, and team-wise they were bad.The bench was doing what it could, even got the lead down a few times, but they were never really back in it, and sometimes the lesson is more important. What's the lesson? You don't lose to the damn New York Knicks at home...you just don't. Hopefully lesson learned.
The Bulls' record is pretty average right now, which is also no case for worry. Its early, but you see the potential there. Hanging and beating teams like Denver and Boston, you see glimpses. DRose has been playing like he wants a spot on the 2012 Olympic Basketball Dream Team, led by Coach K. So has Joakim Noah, who won't be available to play for team USA since he's french, but whatever...he's playing damn good. Ronnie Brewer hasnt gotten off to a good start so far, which hurts the offense. Because Brewer isn't there yet, the Bulls have to rely on Keith Bogans at the 2, who while very capable, isn't very fast anymore since injuring his knee years ago. He's replacement hip slow. This forces Kyle Korver into the more time at the 2, which isn't his spot...not for an entire game. Just so you understand what I'm saying, Korver shouldnt be guarding guys like Kobe Byrant, Dwayne Wade, or even Gilbert Arenas on a full time basis. Sporatically, yes. And while he's had some great nites so far, Luo Deng has been unexplainably brain dead on more than one occassion, inexcusablefor a veteran.
While Carlos Boozer is still out due to injury, the impact of his addition changes the whole dynamic of the Bulls. In close games you'll see better options than just DRose having to score. The Bulls have been forced to give the ball to 3 point chucker Korver, and since everyone in a 30 mile radius knows he's getting the ball, he's had to chuck it up there in the weirdest positions from the wildest spots. Its pretty easy to doubleteam a shooter when you'renot worried about anyone scoring down low. Boozer changes that immediately. Plus the Bulls have gotten solid play from their bench so far, and havent missed a beat with Taj Gibson back at the 4spot. They have even gotten good play last season's draft pick James Johnson, and Michael Rapaport look-a-like (and human victory cigar) Brian Scalabrine. Andnotice they dont miss a beat playing Omar Asik and Noah together?
So let them tread water for a while. Let them battle night after night, injury free, and if they manage to stay at .500 or better after the infamous circus road trip then even better, but everything changes once Boozer gets back, and that may be sooner than you think.
While Carlos Boozer is still out due to injury, the impact of his addition changes the whole dynamic of the Bulls. In close games you'll see better options than just DRose having to score. The Bulls have been forced to give the ball to 3 point chucker Korver, and since everyone in a 30 mile radius knows he's getting the ball, he's had to chuck it up there in the weirdest positions from the wildest spots. Its pretty easy to doubleteam a shooter when you'renot worried about anyone scoring down low. Boozer changes that immediately. Plus the Bulls have gotten solid play from their bench so far, and havent missed a beat with Taj Gibson back at the 4spot. They have even gotten good play last season's draft pick James Johnson, and Michael Rapaport look-a-like (and human victory cigar) Brian Scalabrine. Andnotice they dont miss a beat playing Omar Asik and Noah together?
So let them tread water for a while. Let them battle night after night, injury free, and if they manage to stay at .500 or better after the infamous circus road trip then even better, but everything changes once Boozer gets back, and that may be sooner than you think.
