DERRICK ROSE: Running of the Bulls

Johnny J

Derrick Rose has not worn a game jersey all
season long.

Chicago Bulls star guard Derrick Rose is watching his team get outplayed by the Miami Heat. With the Bulls on the brink of elimination, Rose continues to say he isn't ready from his torn ACL injury. The same injury that has kept him on the sidelines for the past year. But that isn't true, Rose has been practicing for the past two months. From what I can tell, he can do everything from run, jump, and clap his hands on the bench, while his teammates continue to play through various injuries and ailments. I wonder what goes through his head when he sees his teammates out on the court giving their all?

Rose is one of my favorite players in the NBA. He is the only Bulls' player whose jersey I actually bought. He is a hometown kid who has won over the city of Chicago with his unique style of play. His quick cuts and his hard play has led to the 24 year-old winning the MVP two years ago. The same player who had been drafted number one overall by the Bulls in 2008. The one who led the Memphis Tigers to the NCAA Championship Game. Named Mr. Illinois Basketball in 2007 and won multiple championships at Simeon High School. So its safe to say that Rose has been a winner all his life. Why would his attitude or credibility be an issue now?

He tore his ACL a year ago. The same-day New York Knicks' guard Iman Shumphert tore his ACL in the first round of the playoffs against the Miami Heat (never wear Adidas and hoop!).  He came back in the middle of the season, in the month of January to be exact and has been better than ever.  This guy is a key player for the Knicks.  He moves pretty well for someone who suffered a serious knee injury 9 months ago or so.  He struggled at first, but he gained confidence over the past couple of months.  He now averages 8.8 PPG, and 6.3 RBP in the playoffs. Rose's confidence may not be there, but he has to play to regain it, to recover it. To once again be at the head of the pack in the "Running of the Bulls."

(I have been saying that he should have done that during the regular season, like his doctors suggested of him as part of his rehab regiment.  Columnist Dan Bernstein shared his sentiments about a month ago--Ed)

The season may end for the Bulls tonight, as they have already stated that Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich will not play in Game 5.  It would be nice for Rose to intimidate the Heat by suiting up.  Shock the country and play. Boost your team up.  Be the hype man as Flavor Flav was to Public Enemy. Do something people won't expect. Let your fans know why they cheer for you and what they mean to you as an athlete. Lead the team out of the tunnel.  Make a public service announcement.  Tell us your credibility is about to take off. The Bulls are still in it, but for how long?  Is it just going to be another trip to South Beach or a round trip back to Chicago?  You maybe the one who makes this playoff series hard for LeBron.

The city needs you; the fans need you.  Your team needs you. Show them that you never lost that first step. Show them your confidence is tilted up. I haven't worn my D-Rose jersey all year long. Give me a reason to pull it out!  Run with the Bulls!  Spain isn't the only country who does that. Defend the United Center, defend the line-up introduction video with the Bulls running through the opponent. Play your game and your skills will slowly get back in form. Get mentally strong in the game.  You have the heart of a champion. Prove it!

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Photo courtesy of Johnny J.

AN IDIOT'S GUIDE TO THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS' SEASON: Part II

Dan Plotsky

(Plotsky continues his assessment of the Los Angeles Lakers by offering more advise in terms of philosophical changes on offense, defense, and possible future trades. It is worth reiterating that Plotsky is not a Lakers' fan).

“Kirk Hinrich!” These were the only words Marv Albert and Steve Kerr could manage to spew out last night, as Captain Kirk effectively destroyed Steve Nash's ankles on every pick and roll situation.  It would be a disservice if I didn't touch on defense when talking about the L.A. Lakers.  Remember, the Lakers were supposed to be the better team; whereas, we found out, the Chicago Bulls were the better team.  

The chain reaction is simple: Nash jumps the pick over the top and as Hinrich drives the lane, Dwight Howard steps up to defend.  If Hinrich does his job right, he looks to the weak side under the hoop first behind Howard and then to the weak side wing as he penetrates.  The Bulls dominated the Lakers on this simple, offensive strategy using a combination of superior speed and floor spacing by taking Howard out of the play and scoring on the slow, Lakers’ defensive rotations.  

Next time, watch the Bulls frontcourt rotate under the basket.  Someone is always helping the helper and forces the opposing offense to take a bad shot or kick the ball back to the top of the key.  It's no mere coincidence the Lakers’ defense has taken a huge hit this year as Nash has been ineffective at stopping the ball around the three point line and it only gets worse when the Lakers play more athletic point guards like—oh, I don’t know--Russell Westbrook or Chris Paul.  

To combat this predicament, the Lakers have stuck Kobe on Nash's man when the match up is too one-sided for Nash to handle.  This defensive modification results in Kobe exerting more energy than normal and leaving less for the offensive side of the ball, which has led to his recent offensive struggles despite his most efficient season ever.  Throw in a coach who seldom plays a bench and this team is wearing down against athletic teams on a nightly basis.  

I offer three solutions:

·     Mike D'Antoni ditches his offense and commits to Pau Gasol and Howard both playing down low with both players passing out of the post and Nash running less penetration offense and spotting up to shoot more.  This is the most unlikely solution to happen as the Lakers would have to play Nash/Chris Duhon/Kobe/Gasol/Howard lineup.  They would need Steve Blake to come back from injury in order to do this.
·     They trade Gasol for a combination of athleticism and shooting which was the first rumored deal of Gasol for Josh Smith/Kyle Korver.  This would have been perfect if D'Antoni didn't crush Gasol's trade value (also, don’t take away the fact that Howard is from Georgia and the Hawks, albeit, would be hesitant to give up J-Smoove, have shown interest in bringing back Howard to his home state—Ed).  
·         They keep Gasol, move him back to center and deal Howard. This is the most intriguing idea because I know teams would very much love to roll the dice on Howard and leave the Lakers with good salary cap space when Gasol comes off the books next year.  The rumor would be Howard to the Brooklyn Nets, Brook Lopez to the Minnesota T’Wolves, and Kevin Love to the Lakers.  This gives the Lakers a younger rebounder who can also stretch the floor with 3-point range, while allowing Gasol to operate down low.  

 

I love it!  That is to say, if I were actually a Lakers’ fan.  

To read Part I of the Lakers' saga, click here.

Kings @ Bulls Oct. 31, 2012 Preview

Felipe M


It's opening week in the NBA and I am excited for the new season.  As a Bulls' fan, however, I can't say the same.  Regardless, we march forward and anxiously await the return of super-sensation, Derrick Rose (who might not return until NEXT SEASON!) and preview GAME 1 of the 2012-13 NBA season.

1. What to Watch for:

• Sacramento Kings:
• They are simply the Noah's Ark (no, not Joakim Noah!) of the NBA; they have two of every player at every position, therefore, lack versatility on their roster.  
• They have the quick and speedy Isaiah Thomas and he will be backed up by the quick and speedy Aaron Brooks.  Marcus Thornton is a poor man's Tyreke Evans. Backing up their spots are the three-headed-monster of Francisco Garcia, Travis Outlaw, and John Salmons, who all have similar skill sets and are not very good except for standing outside the perimeter, waiting to shoot a wide-open three-point shot. And let's not forget the glut of big men led by DeMarcus Cousins, Jason Thompson, rookie Thomas Robinson, James Johnson, and Chuck Hayes. 
• It will be very interesting to see if Cousins and Robinson play together during tonight's game.  Both have similar games, but Cousins is clearly light years ahead of Robinson. But what Cousins has in talent, he lacks in personality as he's quickly becoming one of the biggest jerks in the NBA.  Conversely, Robinson comes with a reputation of being a motivated, hungry, hard worker and holding a good head on his shoulders.  
• Chicago Bulls: 
• As mentioned, the Kings have a very quick backcourt and will certainly want to run all game long.  So can the Bulls' backcourt, led by Kirk Hinrich and Rip Hamilton, with Nate Robinson coming off the bench, slow them down? 
• The entire city of Chicago made a big deal about Carlos Boozer sitting on the bench in the 4th quarter of games last season as Taj Gibson was on the floor for those critical minutes. If Noah gets into early foul trouble, should be interesting to see if Gibson comes in AND is able to play well alongside Boozer. 
• Rookie Marquis Teague is the long-term solution for the Bulls while Derrick Rose is out, but clearly is not ready to see heavy minutes.  Nevertheless, seeing him play some minutes would give Bulls' fans a small taste of what this kid can do.  
• A dream scenario would be if he comes into the game as the Bulls' backcourt struggles on the court, especially on the defensive side and Coach Tom Thibodeau is forced to put him in the game for defensive purposes. But this is only a dream.
• Finally, while their primary scorer is out for a long period of time, who on this Bulls' roster will step up and fill in his absence?  Which player will be the one to take those last minute, game-tying/winning shots?  Who will be the playmaker?  

All these questions about both teams won't be answered in one game, but it's safe to say that the answers will begin to unravel.  

So I have yet to get a straight answer about Tyreke Evans and his decline in productivity. Anybody else want to take a crack at this puzzle?