Things look bleak for Ben Gordon: The clutch-shooting Bulls guard said this morning it will be a game-time decision whether his strained left hamstring will allow him to play tonight in Game 5 of the best-of-seven series against the Boston Celtics.
Gordon sat out the team's shoot-around in Boston and said he will continue receiving treatment that includes ice, electric stimulation, pills and salves throughout the day.
"It's not good," Gordon told reporters about his hamstring, which he injured during the second quarter of Game 4 on Sunday. Gordon was able to finish that game, but needed a painkilling shot at halftime. "It didn't get worse, but it doesn't feel any better."
Gordon said the team was trying everything to reduce the swelling, and that it would be his call as to whether he thought he could go. He raised the possibility of sitting this one out and trying instead to be ready for Game 6 on Thursday.
"Hopefully, I can play tonight," he said. "If not, we have Game 6 at home. I'm just going to try to make the best decision possible."
Do the Bulls have any chance of winning without Gordon, whose dramatic three-pointer in the final seconds of overtime set up the Bulls to win Game 4 in the second OT? Would it be wiser for him to skip this game and try to be 100 percent for Game 6?
Considering that the free-agent-to-be could be in his final days with the Bulls, it will be fascinating to see how his potential absence impacts the team in this series. Say what you will about Gordon and his aversion to playing defense, but pure scorers of his caliber are a precious NBA commodity, and the Bulls might want to think about just where his point production will come from if he departs.
Stu Courtney wrote:
"Say what you will about Gordon and his aversion to playing defense, but pure scorers of his caliber are a precious NBA commodity, and the Bulls might want to think about just where his point production will come from if he departs."
This game could conceivably be what governs BG's big payday.
If the Bulls lose (especially by a large margin) and BG doesn't play, then it will prove that Gordon's scoring is something that the Bulls can't be successful without having.
If the Bulls win, and they prove that a Rose/Hinrich/Salmons has enough scoring to go with their defensive improvements, then it's pretty much a done deal that Gordon will be looking for a new team in the off season.
At the least it should help govern the never ending battle of the Pro-Hinrich/Anti-Gordon supporters vrs. the Pro-Gordon/Anti-Hinrich movement.
Bulls will be fine. Who needs Gordon.
This game will be less about difference in Hinrich vs. Gordon for 1 game...will be much more about the lack of depth at guard. If Rose or Hinrich go out with 3 quick fouls early in 2Q...game/set/match.
If they can stay out of foul trouble by playing a little more zone, and the celtics don't hit their shots, they may be able to keep it close.
STU - thank you for an honest evaluation of Gordon.
RPK - EXCELLENT Post!
Gordon is going to another team because the money is simply not there. Once again - the odd man out. If I was Paxson I would not let him get away, but no one is going to take Hinrich off our hands. And we need all the other expiring contracts. I think Gordon has done enough already to warrant his payday. He has gone toe to toe with some of the best guns in the game. Some contender is going to pick him up. Wouldn't surprise me at all to see him land in a place like Phoenix, Orlando or Houston. If its Gordon's choice he is going to choose to be with a big man.
Bulls are not the Black Hawks and don't have what it takes to win it all like another star and a seasoned coach. All of this is fun, but it ends soon. It would actually be good to see what the Bulls would look like without Gordon. Its time for the mantle to fall to Rose anyway. My guess is that it would take the Bulls awhile to get used to closing games, but its time for Tyrus, Salmons and Noah to take the reins. And they will struggle for a while, but they can meet the challenge.
Now now, Keith. Now you're beginning to sound like a spoiled little child with that post. Keep the passion, but also keep an open mind on things, that's all I ever ask. Fair or unfair about BG, it doesn't matter anymore. Stu said that scorers are a precious commodity indeed, but so are impact big men like Bosh or Amare. Like I said, pick your poison, but you can't have both unless the Bulls can dump the other more wasted big salaries on the team (Hinrich, Deng and Tim Thomas).
Regarding tonight, if BG doensn't play, it's not impossible to win, but obviously highly unlikely not only because of just BG, but also because Deng is out and Salmons has been playing hurt. All factors come into play, not just this one man on this up and down Bulls team. Let's be real here, we already know that BG is not LeBron, Kobe or Wade. And lastly, in case people were wondering, the Bulls' record in the regular season when Ben Gordon scored less than 15 pts in a game: 9 wins-11 losses.
So again, impossible to win this game tonight? Nope. Overwhelming odds? Nope, not overwhelming. Need a miracle to win? Nope. Will I be surprised if they win? Yes, but they can do it.
No, I don't think they win this game without Gordon.
Even when Gordon is not hitting his shots teams have to worry about him because he can get hot at any minute. He spreads the defense whenever he is in the game.
If he is not there then the Celtics can keep their guys closer to the basket and that hurts Rose. They have to have that outside threat and Gordon is the guy.
Not a knock on Hinrich or Salmons but the Celtics are not going to worry about them as much as they do with Gordon.
He changes the whole look of this team on offense and lets be honest.... they win because they score a lot of points and not because of their erratic defense.
I say resign him if you can because if there is a guard coming out in the draft that can score like Gordon and maybe even play a little defense he will be long gone before the Bulls pick.
No Gordon, No Weiner....If you ask Phil, he'll insist I'm pretty hurt by that butt
If the Celtics jump all over the Bulls, I'm confident they'll beat em off
The bulls aren't the complete package and they're grasping at straws...sorry Ben...but maybe Lindsey Hunter, Hinrich, or Salmons busts one off tonight...
There you go Keith, you can rest easy now. The blog Jefe echoes your words. We need every available body to beat Boston. It's bad enough Tim T. gets no court time, but a seven man rotation takes you only so far. If he can't go, I wouldn't mind seeing a dose of Hunter and Roberson as opposed to wearing out the others. We can do it; we can do it all night long!
Go Bullies!!!
Just watched the heartbreaking game...Bulls have done themselves proud and should be marketable to any prospective free agent.
Any kind of interior "you can't be here" presence on defense and the Bulls take this series. How does Rajon Rondo do whatever the heck he wants time after time when the chips are down without paying for it? (By the way, how does Paul Pierce shoot time after time when the chips are down without a hand in his face?)
Brad Miller appeared "woozy" on that huge free throw miss at the end. Do the rules state that he must shoot the free throws?
Oh well, the Bulls may still win in Chicago and winning a Game 7 is no longer impossible for them. They've convinced me of that.
Wow...this is what happens when Doogie Howser is coaching a pro team...
Gutsy game! Gordon is just a beast. Rose sold this game out down the stretch. Hinrich should have guarded Rondo the entire game. Kirk is a specialist off the bench and that should be his role in the next two games. Vinny STILL does not get it. The league wanted 7 and that is why the Bulls lost. The games have been the best the NBA has to offer and they refused to let it end.
I agree with GIG, Bulls KNOW they can win in Boston. Its going to be a battle Royal from here on out. And all the free agents can look at Chicago and know they can help out. Because the Bulls will definitely have to improve. KG is going to be back next year. Agent Zero and Elton Brand. Its going to be tougher in the East.
Here is my Latest FaceBook Entry...
Top Five People I Want To Punch In The Face by Culzie
Rajon Rondo, Kevin Garnett, Boston Sports Fans, REFS ON THE TAKE and Paul Pierce.
Tommie I just saw that Doogie Howser!!! Crackin UPP!!! You are absolutely correct. More like Dookie Howser.
I just agreed with Culzie...
This slit-my-wrist moment brought to by Stu and the full court press blog