UPDATED: How many wins for Bulls?

Ofcourse alot depends on players, especially Rose, staying healthy but I'm going on record with a 45-37 finish and a second round departure in the play-offs. Boston most certainly looks to be the front runner in the east. Cleveland is still vulnerable any time LeBron is on the bench. The Cavs jumped out to an early 14 point lead only to see it dwindle when James sat and Boston took control in the 3rd period and never looked back.
The first 15 games of the schedule will tell alot as usual. If the Bulls can return from the annual November road trip at 6-9 (I believe that is realistic) it will bode well for the rest of the season.

51 and out in the second round, as long as they don't draw Cleveland in the first round.

Bulls are better than last year at every position. That will translate to about 5 extra wins. 46-36. Out in the first round. Playoffs will be tougher this year in the East.

October
Thu 29 vs San Antonio L
Fri 30 @ Boston L

November Opponent
Sun 01 @ Miami L
Tue 03 vs Milwaukee W
Thu 05 @ Cleveland L
Sat 07 vs Charlotte W
Tue 10 vs Denver L
Wed 11 @ Toronto L
Sat 14 vs Philadelphia W
Tue 17 @ Sacramento W
Thu 19 @ LA Lakers L
Sat 21 @ Denver L
Mon 23 @ Portland L
Thu 26 @ Utah L
Mon 30 @ Milwaukee W

December Opponent
Wed 02 vs Detroit W
Fri 04 @ Cleveland L
Sat 05 vs Toronto W
Tue 08 vs New Jersey W
Wed 09 @ Atlanta L
Fri 11 vs Golden State W
Sat 12 vs Boston L
Tue 15 vs LA Lakers L
Thu 17 vs New York W
Sat 19 vs Atlanta W
Mon 21 vs Sacramento W
Tue 22 @ New York W
Sat 26 vs New Orleans W
Tue 29 vs Indiana W
Thu 31 @ Detroit L

January Opponent
Sat 02 vs Orlando L
Mon 04 vs Oklahoma City W
Tue 05 @ Charlotte W
Fri 08 @ Milwaukee W
Sat 09 vs Minnesota W
Mon 11 vs Detroit W
Thu 14 @ Boston L
Fri 15 vs Washington W
Mon 18 @ Golden State W
Wed 20 @ LA Clippers L
Fri 22 @ Phoenix W
Sat 23 @ Houston W
Mon 25 @ San Antonio L
Wed 27 @ Oklahoma City W
Fri 29 @ New Orleans L

February Opponent
Tue 02 vs LA Clippers W
Wed 03 @ Philadelphia W
Fri 05 @ Atlanta L
Sat 06 vs Miami L
Tue 09 @ Indiana W
Wed 10 vs Orlando L
Tue 16 vs New York W
Wed 17 @ New York W
Fri 19 @ Minnesota W
Sat 20 vs Philadelphia W
Mon 22 @ Washington L
Wed 24 vs Indiana W
Fri 26 vs Portland L
Sat 27 @ Indiana L

March Opponent
Mon 01 vs Atlanta L
Thu 04 vs Memphis W
Sat 06 vs Dallas W
Tue 09 vs Utah W
Thu 11 @ Orlando L
Fri 12 @ Miami L
Tue 16 @ Memphis W
Wed 17 @ Dallas L
Fri 19 vs Cleveland L
Sat 20 @ Philadelphia W
Mon 22 vs Houston W
Thu 25 vs Miami L
Sat 27 vs New Jersey W
Sun 28 @ Detroit W
Tue 30 vs Phoenix W

April Opponent
Fri 02 @ Washington L
Sat 03 vs Charlotte W
Tue 06 vs Milwaukee W
Thu 08 vs Cleveland L
Fri 09 @ New Jersey W
Sun 11 @ Toronto L
Tue 13 vs Boston L
Wed 14 @ Charlotte W
Stu responds: Wow, a game-by-game breakdown ... impressive, Keith! It will be interesting to look back in April and see how many games you nailed.

I'm going one up on Stu here and predict 43-39 for the Bulls and barely squeaking in the playoffs again. I think the tide has turned back to the Eastern Conference as the better conference. And Keith, after all the comments defending Ben Gordon, you're now saying that the Bulls are better in ALL starting positions this season than last, including BG's old starting SG slot? Did you just contradict yourself from the comments made this past Summer? Please elaborate.

I still think the Bulls are going to have trouble on TEAM defense even though they have upgraded on the player personnel in that area. Our best defenders are not even starters (yet), go figure. Jury is still out on Vinny, but we basically have no choice but hope he improves. In fact, he better improve if we're going to lure any of the elite 2010 free agents next year. Plus, this fragile team can't afford another coaching change philosophy. Too many coaching changes are not good for this team at all. If Vinny doesn't work out, it'll likely be Bickerstaff taking over.

And lastly, I found it interesting that Stu didn't mention John Salmons and/or Luol Deng as the key players offsetting the departure of Ben Gordon. Hmm, don't believe in those two too much, huh Stu? :)

Wow Keith, somebody do a little SPEEEEEED!?!?!?

and Stu,

The Answer to the Ultimate Question of life, the universe, and everything...is

Forty-Two

Keith you have the Bulls winless against Cleveland, Boston, Miami and Orlando. I don't believe this will be the case especially against Cleveland. The Cav's IMHO still lack bench depth and stall when LeBron is not on the floor which will be their undoing and if anything happens to Shaq they're in even worse shape. Boston on the other hand with the return of Garnette and the addition of "Sheed" are poised to dethrone Kobe and company. I believe the Bulls can split the series with the Cav's and take 1 game from Miami and Orlando bbut will let down against a lesser opponenant after big wins over a league elite.
Villano I think 51 wins is being a little agressive but may be in the realm of possibilties and I'd rather draw Cleveland in the first round than Boston or Orlando. In a 7 game series i think the Bulls come out on top 4-3 Providing everyone is healthy.

I had them with 32 wins last year (but forgot how many truly inept teams there are in the NBA). Given that several more teams are experiencing financial problems which will weaken an already weak league, the Bulls should improve by at least 7 games. 48-34*.

*If Rose fully recovers. If he doesn't and misses 20-25 games, Bulls will fall to 35-47.

i think the bulls will finish this season with a 54-28 record. they will get great help from there rookies and Noah, Rose and Thomas will be better. the Bulls have the right mind set, which is play D- fence. rebounding and D- fence, win games.

As far as my prediction goes, it doesn't differ much from yours, Stu. I see them having a slight improvement over last year, and a short run in the playoffs.

My guess is for a 43-39 record, and with them finishing somewhere in the 6-8 seed for the playoffs. I'm questioning if it'll be a short series (I can't see them having enough energy to last for another long 7-game series in the first round) or if they'll have enough muster to get into the second round.

Watch Gordon hang a "Benson" on the Bulls in their first match-up.

We'll have to take Keith's keyboard away from him, and hide it.

So Keith, after a predicted 4-10 start on your end, you are basically saying that the Bulls will finish 42-26 after 14 games? HOLY CRAP! haha You, my friend, are sipping up way too much kool-aid lately.

Hey Tim, I agree with you about the Cavs, but it's not out of the realm of possibility that the Bulls go winless against the Cavs this year. LeBron is a matchup nightmare for them and he usually eats up Luol Deng all the time (not that he doesn't do that to everyone else, but you know what I mean - Deng is the 80 million dollar non-allstar stud!), hurt or healthy. The Cavs may have started off slow last night, but they'll get better as the season goes on and hey, they'll probably make a significant move at the trade deadline to help their depth issues while the Bulls stand pat with luxury tax excuses and wait for next year's free agent bonanza class.

Cut and Paste gentleman. Cut and Paste. I can type too. All I had to type was the "W and Ls".

Stu - I am transparent. Gave it my best read on the fly. I hope I am wrong if it means Bulls wins.

Edgar my compadre - Gordon was pretty much the ONLY option at 2 guard last year. Thabo couldn't score, Salmons was filling in for a goldbricker at the 3 spot, and Kirk needed to back up the rook. That is why Gordon insisted on starting and why I took exception to folks who didn't like it. Bulls simply had no choice and he only - led the team in scoring. Sadly, there was no-one to fill Gordon's role as 6th man.

Tim - I don't pick against stars in the NBA. Almost 90% of the time they make the difference in a game. If Ben was on the team, I would pick the Bulls to take one game from each of them. THAT's how much I think of his game as a 6th man and a 4th Quarter phenomenon.

do the bulls have cap space to get LeBron? I would get em. Oh yeah, Lakers world champs and going for #16. peace from the west.

The Bulls go into the 09-10 season with high hopes despite some drastic changes from the starting lineup in comparison to last season’s team.

Out is a lot of the dead weight, but some very large shoes will need to be filled. No more Larry Hughes, no more Drew Gooden, no more Thabo Sefolosha, and of course no more Ben Gordon. Ben Gordon’s scoring will be missed, but the rest of that garbage won’t be.

This year we will have a full season from the mid-season newcomers John Salmons and Brad Miller who lit a giant spark and really made last season more bearable. Also added to the mix are the two rookies James Johnson and Taj Gibson who are starting to turn some heads with their surprising readiness and ability. Just ask Tyrus Thomas who was briefly pushed from the starting rotation by Taj Gibson.

Of course a major question is our favorite “Man from Sudan” Luol Deng. The lingering injuries that kept Deng out of last season seem to be gone, but judging by the preaseason, the athleticism is not back to 100 %. The Bull will rely heavily on Deng to provide veteran leadership.

How good will Derrick Rose be this year? ESPN’s Ric Bucher predicted an MVP season from Rose! I don’t know if I can go that far, but I definitely see an All Star season from Rose. Unfortunately Rose has been hit with the injury bug early in the preseason, but I for see Rose being able to bounce back quickly and have a terrific year.

How good will the Bulls be this year?

Last year, the Bulls finished with a 41-41 record and first round loss to the Celtics in what some billed as one of the greatest playoff series of all time.

This year, I believe they will lose to the Celtics again, but at least it will not be in the first round.

Bulls end the year 53-29, second round loss to the Celtics. It would be an improvement and it lays the ground work for a strong run for a 2010 free agent.

You can also hit up bullsallday for more on tonights' Spurs game

You've inspired me to do a game-by-game breakdown of the White Sox season next year--yeah, all 162 games! I think that would just about set any record for post-length. I might even through in my post-season predictions.

Who stole my Kool-Aid? Was that you RPK?

I personally believe the bulls will win at least 50 games this year and be a top 5 seed in the east. The bulls will benefit from having john salmons and brad miller the entire season rather than just the second half like last year. And... BEN GORDON HURT THE TEAM MORE THAN HE HELPED IT! I do not care how many points he had or how many clutch shots he hit. No one player on the team can single handedly make up the points he scored, but an improved Noah, Thomas, Salmons, Rose, and Hinrich combined can easily make up those points. And no one knows if there is anyone else who can hit clutch shots because no one ever got a chance when gordon played for the team. Ben Gordon was a ball hog, he played no defense, had no ball handling ability, and had TERRIBLE shot selection. Kirk Hinrich is a much better guard than Gordon could dream of being and the Bulls are better off with out him. 55 wins for the Bulls this year. And the Eastern Conference finals is not out of sight. The Bulls ARE a legitimate title contender if everyone steps up.

Edgar you're correct it is not out of the realm of posssibilties the Bulls could go winless against the Cav's BUT the opposite is also true. Also unles the cav's aquire someone to add depth to their bench I don't see them finishing higher than 4th in the conference.

Pedro the California sun is getting to you out there. The Celtics are going to dethrone Kobe and company.

Tim first of all I hope you didn't just light a fire under Keith again we just got him settled down, secondly although I would love to see a 55 win season and I agree BG's scoring will be made up through a combined improvement of players across the board (I'd love to see 7 players averaging double figures)but I still think 55 is a bit agressive to expect.

This is how i see the Eastern Conference line-up for the play-offs:
Boston
Orlando
Miami
Cleveland
Chicago
Toronto
Detroit
Philly or Jersey

That's "throw in" Gig, not "through in." Why don't you proofread Teacher?!

According to Tim - 11:27pm, the Bulls don't need a free agent next year. Looks like we have an MVP coming off our BENCH!!!! Sarcasm Alert.....Sarcasm Alert.....

EDGAR - you thought I was drinking Koolaide!!!! RPK was bad enough with the "MAN FROM SUDAN" moniker! I guess its better than: "The Seal who Steals" or "The Fluke from Duke" or "Loot in a Suit". But Tim took it to another level. TOP 5 SEED. FINALS. Its hard to type.

Deng and Kirk are what's wrong with the Bulls - PERIOD. Both did not start for us last year and don't deserve to start this year. Together they don't even give us the production of 1 star (in minutes or ability) but their salaries combined will blow you away. I am going to put it in perspective. I JUST CHECKED and for what the Bulls are paying Kirk and Deng (20 million - roughly 10 each) you can get almost ANY player in the league - you can get KG AND RASHEED WALLACE. http://hoopshype.com/salaries.htm Check it for yourselves!!! Look at DETROIT. Now that's Chinese Boxing. (Bruce Lee style)

Man Keith, I wish I had your patience!

First order of business; we will beat Cleveland at least twice! Shaq does nothing for the Cavs but take up valuable space and runs.

Toronto, Miami and Boston will be tough for us to beat, but everyone else in our conference can be had on any given night or location.

Free throw shooting and assist/turnover ratio will be the two KEYS to this team; 79% and 1.65, respectively, and this team should have no trouble making the playoffs.

Overall defense, the rooks, Salmons, and the Vinny/Rose connection being one year older should offset any offensive loss, but team chemistry may be the difference at the end of the year on how far we take this season.

My hope for this year is we get a few breaks in the schedule versus team runs and injuries. It sucks to be one of those teams to constantly catch clubs at near or full strength, or during a hot streak.

West coast trips have longer effects than people may realize, but 45-37 sounds like a good season.

Playoffs!?!? Don't talk about playoffs! Are you kiddin' me? Playoffs!?!?

Let's just grow together first!!!

41-41 and a quick exit from the playoffs.
As exciting as the series with Boston was they were without K.G.and would have been lucky to win one game in that series if he were in the line up.
The guy who was lighting it up in the 4th quarter and overtime in that series is gone while the soft and injury prone Deng is back.
Big deal.

The East has gotten a lot better and the Bulls have not kept pace so why would they suddenly win 50 + games?
For all the talk about Tyrus Thomas taking the next step the truth is that he looks like he is about to lose his starting spot to a rookie and it is not because that rookie is the next Karl Malone either.

Stu, you forgot my prediction record in your update. Guess my "demand" for this blog topic erased me from any further acknowledgement? ;) I'm going with 43 wins, same as Qumar.
Stu responds: Edgar, I can't believe I left you out -- mea culpa. I don't think the Bulls' season would even be allowed to tip off until you've made your forecast. Thanks for the heads-up.

Can someone tell me why Lindsay Hunter is taking up a roster spot? He could b on the coaches bench if thats what they're looking at. A second spot being used by Jerome James, Our second real center is done 4 the year and he's a big stiff anyway. Deng may never live up 2 his potencial. Paxon should have had the n_ts to get rid of him and gordon 4 Bryant. He got nut'n 4 Gordon and doesn't know what he has in Deng. What do we have, 2 rookies,2nd,3rd,4th,5th and 6th year players and a few Vets, no Allsters yet. Who r u kindin, there are enough bad teams 4 the bulls 2 play 500 or a lil better and that's it..... "NO PLAYOFFS"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'd say 42 or 43 sounds about right assuming they get something out of Deng and Thomas. They still have one of the worst coaches in the league, and seem to be living off a 1st round loss against a team without their best player.

Best case...fighting for the #6 spot with detroit. Which will get you a 1st round out.

45. It's just entertainment. Bulls aren't a championship contender. The goal in the NBA is to have three star players. We've had zero for a long time. Luck of lottery draw gave us D Rose, who should be a star soon Cap space next summer, may sign a second star. Closer, maybe. Thing to watch during all this is whether Gar is a top-shelf GM. Pax was far worse than most Bulls' fans thought Meantime, just enjoy a fun, pretty good team. That's all this is for now.

43-39, 6th seed and that's if no one important gets hurt more than a few games. If Rose goes down, 36 wins.

Another first round playoff loss unless we draw Philly or Miami.

The key to a winning season is the overall team D....which I don't think will improve. Subtracting Gordon doesn't make the team D better. I remember the Bulls being #1 with Gordon on the team before. It's the strategy. Vinny has the team switch on ever pick and roll which causes one of our guards having to check a big man which leads to easy points for our opponent. Our D sucks cause of the strategy not the personnel.

I think both Tyrus and JNoah will both improve. Noah will do 11/11 this year...Tyrus at 14/8.

The keys are the defense and whether Deng can do 18/8 again(doubtful) and whether Kirk can pitch in 14-16 off the bench(possible)

First let me say although I listed the Bulls as the fifth seed it was the other Tim that fired keith up once again about Kirk.
Keith you're correct about Toronto going to be a tough opponent but i did slot them sixth just behind the Bulls and I have no delusions of granduer about the Bulls getting past a second round in the Play-offs. I don't believe Detroit is as good as you think they are however and if you've read any of the articles about Cleveland today you see what I've said earlier about their vulnerablity and truthfully if Shaq goes down at any time in the season they could possibly drop out of the top eight. Although I picked Boston to win the East and the Title, that is based on staying healthy BUT if orlando should take the East again the end result will be different this time.
BTW Keith The Fluke from Duke cannot be pinned exclusively on Deng.

0-82

Rose is definitely and Allstar - THIS YEAR. I know that San Antonio is old, out of sync and that they haven't gelled with the new players yet, but that was very impressive for Noah and Thomas in the post. Its good to get the good teams EARLY on the schedule like this. Edgar, I expected the Bulls to gell further down the line and be a better team. They look like they have already gelled.

Now before I folks start talking big, remember - this team is better in EVERY way from last year's team. From experience, to health, to depth and confidence. Last year's team didn't start playing well until AFTER the trade and into the playoffs. And for a little extra money - they could have been 20 clutch points better. But they are going in the right direction. You have to credit Vinny and Gar.

Ok there is one in the "W" column most people did not expect and stuck gets bumped out of the prediction pool on opening night. Tonights game will be even more interesting since I'm sure Boston will be wanting to send a message letting the Bulls know this is not the same team that was stretched to seven games last April. It will also be interesting to see how the Bulls react to their first back to back of the season.
Back to last nights game: all five starters and Kirk were in double figures and Miller had nine, if this becomes a pattern through out the season it's definitely going to be an exciting one.
Tyrus put Jefferson on his poster of the the season with a two handed dunk while Jefferson was draped over his left arm. Rose didn't show any ill-effects of his ankle sprain and at one point made a spin move in the paint that looked to break Tony Parkers ankles. Deng looked like he is serious about proving his critics wrong and if he can keep that up for the entire season just might do that. What was also impressive was none of the Bulls had more than 3 fouls and only allowed Duncan and Ginobili to reach double figures and when Duncan has that 12 foot bank shot from the elbow on automatic it doesn't matter who has a hand in his face.
All in all it was an impressive start to the season. Now let's go let Boston know this is a much better balanced team than last years edition.

Gentlemen - last night a star was born. Derrick Rose will be an allstar. Jokim Noah and Tyrus took steps towards being his Scottie and Horace. If they can maintain this momentum, all they will need is Wade or Labron and the circle will be complete.

Gentlemen..."We're Back", Mortimer and Randolph Duke 1998.

I didn't see the game last night, but the final score tells me that either the Bulls played a decent defensive game, or the Spurs just aren't their old selves. Holding any NBA team to 85 points is a good thing.

And be it baseball, hockey, basketball or football, I am no longer of the opinion that losses early in the season aren't that critical. I've been seeing too many playoff spots in all professional sports decided in the final week or even on the final day of the season. If any of those teams involved had taken better care of their business early on, they would not have had to go down to the wire. (see: Detroit Tigers)

I'll take every win we can get in October and November. The only wins that don't matter are those that come after you've already been eliminated, or have already clinched.

Wind Sock Keith sez: "this team is better in EVERY way from last year's team."

Make up your mind Keith.

I don't see how you can honestly state that you think this is a better team after spending the last four months bemoaning the loss of Gordon. You've said on numerous occasions that they would regret not signing him, and that they'd regress as a result. How could they possibly compete without Little Ben's trillion points per game?

Which one is it?

I'm sure that when they lose six or eight in a row, you'll be banging your BG drum again. (betting that Keith has every Kool-Aid flavor ever made in his pantry)

Villano - What's up? If I am a Ben Gordon fan, does that mean its impossible to like the Bulls? You find one POST where I said anything you accuse me of. Some people hear - a negative comment against Kirk and they automatically assume I don't like the entire Bulls squad. He and Deng are getting paid too much ok.

Now one last time: Bulls are better in EVERY WAY.

COACHING: Because Vinny is in his second year.

TEAM: Better starters and stronger bench and PLAYOFF EXPERIENCE.

ROSE - better because he is in his 2nd year with playoff experience. Even though his foot is hurting. He played with a hurt hand last year too.

KIRK - better because he is healthier - and ONLY has to back up the point guard. Still STEALING. 10 million is too much Villy.

NOAH - Will anyone disagree that he is better??

TYRUS - Better shooter and scorer this year. Contract year.

SALMONS - Better because his GROIN is healed and he doesn't have to play the 3 spot.

DENG - Better because he gave us almost 0 points last year. Or will you argue with that Villy?

MILLER - In better shape. Will have a full year.

PARGO - addition to the bench we didnt have last year.

GIBSON - addition to the bench we didnt have last year.

JOHNSON - addition to the bench we didn't have last year.

At the two-guard the Bulls Started Gordon last year. But Salmons fills his role and makes up almost all of his points and plays the defense the Bulls so richly desires.

See - Villy - the team will not be better because Gordon is GONE, which people want to say. But they will be better because they are healthier and added what - Deng, Gibson, Johnson AND PARGO to the roster. The only way to properly guage the loss of Gordon is to take all of his points away from last year's season and then ask yourself if they make the playoffs at all. See the reality is - as good as the Bulls will be this year - THEY WILL STILL BE 20 points worse because they CHOSE NOT to resign Gordon who would have come off the bench as a 6th man - on this team. Not last year's team Villy - THIS TEAM.

Now let me put this in your ear. The Bulls can move Kirk in a trade tonight and not miss a beat. 10 million down-the-drain. Say what you want. Ben Gordon hasn't missed a beat in Detroit. It wasn't HIM. I know that's hard to admit, but it simply wasn't him. Baby Seal is at least contributing as a STARTER.

I have to cut KLSS some slack this time - he didn't mention (I don't think) Gordon's nice outing against a crappy memphis team the other night, and also didn't bring up our "shooting guards" combined 3 for 18 shooting performance last night.

hinrich showed why he's one of the better 3rd guards in league - can play with either rose or salmons for 20 min a night. not worth the $ they're paying him but it's not my $

SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, nobody tell Keith that Kirk and Luol played very well yesterday, the team was well balanced, they played exceptional defense and they look better than last year. Twelve months ago they may have blown a double digit lead to start the fourth quarter. I know it's only one game, and the energy level may come and go, but the defense was solid and the rebounding phenominal. S.A.s deliberate style may have kept the turnovers down, but 9 is still impressive. I thought they played under control for most of the night and the balance, along with Deng back, should be a nice springboard. I wasn't shocked they beat the Spurs, but they never let them back in the game throughout the second half. That was a good sign.

It's only one W, but a sharp one, at that.

Villano, windsock Keith?? That's a classic! And it goes with the saying that if you don't like which way the wind is blowing in Chicago wait ten minutes it will change LMAO.
But in Keith's defense this Bulls team is better than last years and is still in the process of learning to play with each other. It just took Keith actually seeing them play for him to see it. All the pundits seem to agree however that there is a question of who is going to be that late game go-to guy for the Bulls. Personally I believe they have several options depending on who they are playing and that makes them a little more dangerous than a team that has only one predictable weapon. Sure the ball will go into Rose's hands BUT doubling up on him could leave someone else wide open and if they don't double him he can go to the rim and finish. So in retrospect losing Bg may be a blessing.

Well, now that most of the predictions are in.... great game last night for the Bulls. It's really rather simple for this team. They have to just play with consistent high energy like this in at least 43 out of the 82 games in the season so that I will share the bragging honors with Qumar and Swagger in the FCP prediction pool. Seriously though, the offense was sharp, especially on ball movement and offensive rebounding, but I didn't think they shot the 3-ball that well overall. Salmons, 1 for 9 at the trey ain't gonna cut it, my man. The Bulls could use a true gunner in this offense a la a Jason Kapono. I know we have Jannero Pargo, but.... Well, let me just leave it at that. Anyway, defense was great overall. Again, I liked the high energy and the rotation on the help D. I
still think they have to do a much better job at double teaming in the post (not sure sending Rose to double up on a big man is a great idea), but the traps were very slow in developing. All a work-in-progress I’m sure, but overall, it looks like they're trying and it does look like Vinny and the boys appear to be somewhat committed to the defensive side of the ball, something
I didn't see in preseason. Of course it’s all only 1 game for us to get carried away with, but it’s a good sign nevertheless. Derrick Rose didn't show any effects of an ankle injury, but even though he had a number of glimpses with the quick cuts and dribble penetration, you could tell that he was holding back half the time and being careful, rightfully so. I know people are going to quickly point out how the offense moved the ball well without you
know who on the team, but eventually losing that ice cold shooting touch is going to haunt them not only at end of close games, but at the end of shot clock possessions and the fact that there's really no one on the Bulls who can command a double team from the opposition. I saw several times last night when the offense scrambled to get a shot off at the end of a shot clock possession and put up bricks. Well, Ben Gordon is no longer there to bail
the team out on the possession clock. Remember, this is the NBA and that kind of stuff will catch up to the team eventually. You still need proven star players. That's why despite last night's game, I will be SHOCKED if the team reaches 50 wins this season. IMHO, that 50-win plateau marks most teams as legitimate Championship contenders. Sure hope I'm proven wrong though. Another good litmus test comes tonight against the Celtics. Go Bulls!

Oh, for the record, one last thing about Vinny last night… I wasn’t a big fan about the substitutions, especially in the 4th Quarter. I know why he did it and I understand that guys like Brad Miller and Hinrich will give you the better chance to win the game down the stretch, but I still believe that you’re slowing the development process of the younger guys like Noah and Tyrus by letting them gain that experience at the end of games. I’m a firm believer in that those who start the games should finish the games unless that player is just having a terrible game. Well, I didn’t think Noah and Tyrus played poorly enough to get taken out in the 4th quarter. Memo to Vinny… learn to TRUST your players! Go Bulls!

It will be interesting to see, as the season progresses, how the team will react at the end of close games. I'm going to bet four or five different characters get multiple chances to win it for us in closely contested games, but one aspect that is being overlooked is the overall balance this years team is possible of maintaining may shave off 5-7 close games. Last years squad may easily have squandered that second half lead, which may have come down to last minute play. We'll never know this, but the possibility looks strong.

I wouldn't put too much emphasis on shot clock forces during the game. Every team has a few. It's the overall play, and not putting yourself in that position in the first place, that overides. If you have five professional players out there at the end of a game, you would expect each and every one of them to be in their proper prospective positions to win a game. The open SHOOTER is never a bad option, and a power drive to the basket by a big always worked for me.

I have an inkling we'll be a formidable close game 'squad'. It helps the level of concentration when you know there's a chance you'll get the ball in any situation, at any time, and at any position.

In shooters we TRUST, in the open man we MUST, in one-on-one we BUST, and in five players involved, we leave them in the DUST!!!

"THEY WILL STILL BE 20 points worse because they CHOSE NOT to resign Gordon who would have come off the bench as a 6th man - on this team. Not last year's team Villy - THIS TEAM.because they CHOSE NOT to resign Gordon who would have come off the bench as a 6th man - on this team. Not last year's team Villy - THIS TEAM."

Now think very carefully about what you just now wrote. (Unless of course you would also like to claim that this too is a figment of my imagination)

After pondering this for awhile, please explain how they can win so much as a single game if, as you have stated, "THEY WILL STILL BE 20 points worse" per game this year than they were last year.

Are you confused yet Keith, because I sure am.

Simply subtract 20 PPG from just about every game they played last season, and VOILA, (that's French for, "Behold") ... they hardly win a game!

Using this convoluted math of yours, they shouldn't win many games this year either.

Wow, was that Boston game ugly!

John Salmons is having just an awful start to the season.

Navarro great last line on your post.
Well as I mentioned earlier Boston let the Bulls know they weren't the Garnettless team they played last April. The Bulls looked sluggish from the opening tip. Forget any excuses about gettin into Boston in the wee hours of the morning or a fire alarm at the hotel disturbing sleep, they let down after beating the Spurs period and the Celtics lit them up from beyond the arc. Hopefully they come out against Miami like they did with the Spurs and steal a road game to boost their confidence on the road.

I have a few friends in vegas who actually make nice living betting on the NBA...it is the most predictable league going.
The 2nd of back to back games, when the 2nd game is on the road, is nearly a slam dunk. Case in point - Bulls' opener, and last night both road teams were playing back2back and they looked like it.

You can't read too much into this team until they start winning those. You REALLY can't read too much into them based on the Celtics series when they played without their best player.

While last night's game might have looked like a blow-out, in reality the Bulls only lost by eight points.

Using Keith's theory of Phantom Gordon Points, I was able to extrapolate, postulate, and homogenize yesterdays result, coming to the conclusion that all of the scores need to be adjusted to compensate for Mr. Gordon, who is no longer with us.

Since "The Angle of the Dangle" X "The Heat of the Meat" = "The
Mass of the A$$", Mr. Gordon's relative absence cannot be left unaccounted for ... relatively speaking.

This leads to the obvious. If we had two Ben Gordons, we would have won by 12 points. Three Ben Gordons, and we win by 32.

And so on, and so on to infinity.

Figures never lie.

VILLY - last year Gordon was pivotal on that team. He was the starting 2 guard. Remove his points and the Bulls don't make the playoffs - plain and simple. See it works this year if you remove the points from John Salmons and Deng. You are making rocket science of it. As good as this team is - ITS 20 points BETTER WITH GORDON. Especially in his ROLE as a 6th man. Like it or lump it.

NOW Gordon is GONE!!! And who was guarding Pierce, Ray Allen and Eddie House last night??? Gordon is not here anymore to turn the ball over remember??? I have tried to tell yall it was not his fault, but he would have came in pretty handy yesterday - when we needed INSTANT OFFENSE TO COUNTER THE STARS. Bulls let him walk for peanuts. Like it or not, we are going to have to pay a shooter that kind of money if we ever get a franchise player. And even the best of shooters will not be CLUTCH shooters. You will pay the Peja's and Turgolus of the NBA good money.

Now lets do the math like people do it for Gordon:
Deng 4pts, Pierce 22pts. NOT DENG OMG, He's hurt again right?
Salmons 8pts, Allen 20. REPLACED GORDON - A GREAT DEFENDER HUH?
Kirk 10pts, House 22pts Kirk is our 6th man and lock down defender

Gordon is long gone. I haven't seen any of his games. I didnt even watch the Bulls last night. I just do not like unfairness. People blamed that man for stuff he did not do. People held the wrong players to the light of scrutiny. By salary alone - all eyes should have been on Kirk and Deng - and the starters. All Gordon did was show up every game and especially in the 4th and overtime, and acted like a complete professional. Did all of his interviews and led the team in scoring not once, but EVERY YEAR he was here including last year with Derrick Rose on the court. Kirk and Deng went free from scrutiny and that is wrong. And management sold us a pipe dream about next year - and that is really wrong.

Silly Vanilli - you win. You and Kirk just go get a room man!! I cannot believe you are that much in love with that man that you are willing to blindly HATE a player that has given MORE to the Bulls. The big picture is the TEAM, not your boy. You claim to like the team, but you start whining about phantom points. I am talking about the ACTUAL POINTS on last year's squad. See unlike your boy and baby seal, Gordon scored his AVERAGE every year in the league. So most folks can translate that to this year, but for you its phantom points. I will tell you who had phantom points last year and that's that baby seal!!! And he might as well had put on his Loot-Suit last night! They got HOUSED - figuratively and literally.

And SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, its quiet today. Got nothing clever to tell Keith about the captains today aka the 3 stooges! Fatty, Girly and Dough!

"As good as this team is - ITS 20 points BETTER WITH GORDON"

listen to what you're saying...that's completely insane.

Please...and I mean PLEASE...nobody respond to that ignorance and stupidity.

...but let me just yearn for that 120 point Bulls team we'd have with Gordon.

The Bulls just got schooled by a superior, and hot shooting, team yesterday. When you shoot 58% from the field AND you have 33 assists on 43 FGs you're moving the rock very well.

The Bulls guards need to do a better job of running through picks and the bigs are terrible at ushering the guards away from the play after those picks are set. Pierce got unconscious and House was just gunning away after the game was already settled. Sht happens! Again, it's only one game, but a true barometer of how far away this team is to the elite.

Boston is tall, long, experienced and stacked with all-stars. We don't match up well with them this year and our early hope was to speed the game up much like last years play-off success, but Rose, as did everyone else, looked like they just got off the bus.

Kick it to the curb and move on. We'll see how they react to this game. Miami is going to be tough too. GatorWade and Q love it when they play the Windy City. I hope our bigs come ready. We can beat these guys on the boards, but it's gonna be a tough game.

Start the season 2-1 against that schedule and all will be forgotten. Well, at least until the Circus swing.

Anonymous...maybe this will appease both side of the gordon debate...

Last night Gordon hits for 26....and the pistons are -13 while he's on the court. just like hinrich - they're decent but just not worth the money for a 3rd guard.

btw - it's just too easy win these back to back games vs. the line...NBA is the ultimate ATM

Ok fellas tell me what the sense is in argueing about what this team would or would not be with BG still in Chicago? I find nothing wrong with Keith being a BG fan as well as being a Bulls fan as long as when the Bulls play the Pistons he's pulling for the Bulls to shut BG down for the night. I happen to be a big Dwayne Wade fan except on nights Miami plays the Bulls then I'm hoping he has flu like symptoms and can't play lol.
So the Bulls are now 1-1 heading into tonight's game with Miami. Hopefully the can bounce back from the thumping they took in Boston pull out a "W".

Hey "Anon" or "Anonymous," if you truly want to be taken seriously on this blog, get yourself a name. What if all of us chose to be anonymous? This blog would suffer considerably.

I'm still trying to figure out where and when I've ever stated that I'm in love with Hinrich.

I mean, he's ok ... but he's really not my type.

Keith sez:

"They got HOUSED - figuratively and literally."

No Keith; The Wicked Witch of the East got, "Housed".

We're not in Kansas anymore.

Keith, my SHHHHHHHHHHHH comment was in reference to your constant bickering about Luol and Kirk getting overpaid. Dude, it's spilt milk already! Get over it. So they join the 50 or so NBA players getting overpaid. You should be blaming management and just back your teams players.

Don't worry, I won't mention that your boy, Gordon, got torched by a rookie yesterday and was -13 while he was on the floor.

Now, where were we?

We are about to enter the 3rd 82th of our season ... and we'll go from there.

Tim Little - I'm done with it. And I appreciate your post. I just don't get all that hate.

Tommy - I am truly appreciate the fairness of your posts. We don't always agree, but your posts have INTEGRITY.

Anthony - I truly do blame management. But so should you. You tried to take a swipe at me about Kirk and Deng and then they shewed you their worth. Not ONE of those jokers played this DEFENSE that you guys SWORE the team had now that Gordon is gone. Old man Allen and journeyman House put it ON KIRK and Salmons. Deng got PEARCED! And I for ONE want to hear you ALL be fair about it. You guys were MERCILESS ON Gordon - and he at least gave it back to those guys. The Celtics took the Bulls seriously and not vice-versa.

Thanks for your patronage Keith. When we play Chicago I'm gonna make you proud. I'll hang 30 on 'em easy.

I won't get many rebounds, and I'll give up 40 on my end, but WTF ... it's all about MY points, isn't it?

I mean, if we lose by 20 but I score 30, we actually win by 10, right?

I love this new math.

What's up Gordon? Hope everything works out in Detroit. If you were still in Chicago, I might have considered coming. Why would I come there when those guys are no better than the team I am on? We just got through serving those fools. This time it was much easier for some reason. Less drama I guess. I didn't have to score as many points this time. Man I was scared Kirk was going to put it on us like he did last year. Difference a year makes huh? Maybe Kirk just had an off night.

I don't know, weather is pretty nice here. And all those murders I have been reading about in Chicago is terrible. Bad enough they stuck up Antione Walker and Eddy Curry. It will be really hard to leave. I will just use that hometown lure to drive up my contract and then I am going to chill under a palm tree.

Hope we can create some NBA magic the next time I see you! Peace!

Well I'd put this loss in the "coaches decisions" column with an assist going to GarPax. Tyrus or Gibson or both should be on the floor down the stretch to crash the boards if nothing else and picking up Pargo instead of Arroyo, who they could have gotten bit them in the butt. Arroyo made Pargo look like a broken down statue on more than one occasion and Tyrus or Gibson would have at lest had a hand in Haslem's face instead of him getting the wide open shots he got. This was one they could have won.

Tim Little - I am right there with you. That game was there for the taking. Bad coaching. Bad Defense. No clutch play at the end when it counted. Bad Coaching in these last two games. I don't want to hear about no Back To Back - against Boston after that playoff series - ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? Boston and their city and fans took that serious and the Bulls were too busy stroking themselves about beating the Spurs. They were not ready and did not deserve an OUNCE of the respect the Celtics and the League gave them!!! ONLY NOAH!! And the camera was on his face last night and he was completed disgusted! Florida is also his home town. Bulls used to be counted on for a bloody scrap to the finish, but Vinny doesn't seem to have them battle ready! They should be 3-0 right now. "Punks with No Heart - Must Meditate in the Dark", Dragon Fly Jones - played by Martin Lawrence.

Hey Mr. Wade, while you're chilling under that palm tree you might wanna review that spelling bee I sent you. You spelled your name wrong, Dwyane!

Ok, I saved commenting on the Boston game because I figured that was an easy loss for the Bulls to a vastly superior team. I don’t care if the Bulls were clicking on all cylinders offensively and defensively, they just don’t have the star power to hang with that team now that Rasheed is there and a healthy Garnett returned to the starting lineup.

Now onto the Miami game… Tim, I brought this up in the very first game against the Spurs. I didn’t like Vinny’s substitution patterns then and I don’t like it now. Once again, they played old school and small ball again down the stretch in a game. This better not be the trend for most of the season. On more than one occasion in prior posts, I saw the bench games looming ahead with Tyrus and predicted an ongoing soap opera between him and Vinny. Now it’s coming to fruition and this is going to become a distraction soon. I just don’t understand the benching. What mistakes did Tyrus do in the Miami game? He only played 20 mins and had 3 blocks and 6 rebs already, well on his way to an easy double-double with 5+ blocks. I said it before and even Kendall Gill brought it up in the pregame and post-game analysis, you can’t play bench games with this guy on every single mistake made on floor. He has to play through the mistakes ON THE FLOOR. He’s too moody and emotional of a player to play the motivational mind games with. If they don’t want to play him, then why don’t they just get rid of him and cut their losses on another top 5 overall draft pick while he still has some value? Instead, the longer they keep this up, the more they drive his overall trade value down. I mean really, Vinny is even doing the same thing to Noah early on as he’s not getting the opportunities to finish the games even though he should have already proved himself from the playoffs last season! You see, this is what happens when the Bulls don’t want to admit they’re rebuilding with a younger core. Aargh… alright, enough venting. Derrick Rose, heal up already or shut yourself down for an extended period of time and return only when COMPLETELY 100% healthy. He’s clearly not healed up yet.

Yes Edgar you did bring that up earlier but I felt it necessary to point it out once again. I am a firm believer that Tyrus can be a force inside and needs to be on the floor. I don't know what Vinny's problem with him is but he's hurting the team with some kind of petty personal thing. And wtf was Pargo doing on the floor near the end of the game instead of Hinrich or Salmons? No way in a close game should he be on the floor in the last five minutes. IMHO in that situation it should be Rose, Salmons or Hinrich, Tyrus, Deng or Gibson and Noah or Tyrus, Noah and Miller depending on match ups. Infact if it were not for Pargo's guaranteed contract i would rather have seen Byars make the squad. Thank You GarPax.
Keith i do believe they should be 2-1 right now but 3-0 I think is a stretch. I have already said that if Boston stays healthy i believe they will unseat the Lakers and as entertaining as the Bulls Should be this season they are still a long way from that.

Edgar and Tim Little:

Boston is too much for the Bulls on paper, but I still expected them to show up and push them back. I think the Bulls could have beaten them with the team they have now. Until I saw it last year, I would never have said that. But sometimes you have games and teams where you throw out the players and stats and measure hearts. Not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog. And as you both know - I appreciate a dog with heart! And with them being so long in the tooth, and us so young and healthy, I thought the Bulls had an excellent chance - especially after beating San Antonio who is just as formidable. But Vinny didn't have them ready.

Boston made a huge statement and so did the Bulls with their non-play. I don't think it came down to - they are just bigger and better than us. NOAH certainly didn't play like that. In professional sports you go as far as your collective will/hearts propels you. MJ looked at the Cleveland team and said "Down they will GO!" Casius Clay looked at Sonny Liston and said "I'm going to shake up the world"! See, what I saw with Boston fans setting off the alarm in the hotel at 3am was RESPECT. I also saw the urgency with which the Celtics responded. NBA made that a SHOWCASE game. They prepared for Gotti vs Ward, Leonard vs Duran, instead they got Mike Tyson at age 20 vs. a bum off the street calling themselves the Chicago Bulls. I have seen the Bulls lose before, but I don't remember the last time I saw them lay down like a mangy dog.

Edgar and Tim Little:

Boston is too much for the Bulls on paper, but I still expected them to show up and push them back. I think the Bulls could have beaten them with the team they have now. Until I saw it last year, I would never have said that. But sometimes you have games and teams where you throw out the players and stats and measure hearts. Not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog. And as you both know - I appreciate a dog with heart! And with them being so long in the tooth, and us so young and healthy, I thought the Bulls had an excellent chance - especially after beating San Antonio who is just as formidable. But Vinny didn't have them ready.

Boston made a huge statement and so did the Bulls with their non-play. I don't think it came down to - they are just bigger and better than us. NOAH certainly didn't play like that. In professional sports you go as far as your collective will/hearts propels you. MJ looked at the Cleveland team and said "Down they will GO!" Casius Clay looked at Sonny Liston and said "I'm going to shake up the world"! See, what I saw with Boston fans setting off the alarm in the hotel at 3am was RESPECT. I also saw the urgency with which the Celtics responded. NBA made that a SHOWCASE game. They prepared for Gotti vs Ward, Leonard vs Duran, instead they got Mike Tyson at age 20 vs. a bum off the street calling themselves the Chicago Bulls. I have seen the Bulls lose before, but I don't remember the last time I saw them lay down like a mangy dog.

Keith:

What you saw last year was a team missing one or their top players in KG, and a team that had not yet acquired 'Sheed.

Why you think that makes no difference in how they now match up with the Bulls baffles me.

What you saw "last year" was the Bulls playing a Celtics team that was running on three cylinders.

Different ballgame

First of all, Tim, that NBA League Pass is pretty sweet on DirecTV. I get it on trial for free for a week so I’ve been abusing it all week long as much as I can. After that, it’s just all Bulls and TNT/NBA TV when I can until College ball starts pretty soon. Anyway, I’m with you on Pargo. What the heck was he doing in there during crunch time when he barely played in the game at all? Just stuff like that about Vinny so far early on. On one hand, I feel sorry for him that he has such a short term contract to prove himself as a future quality head coach, but on the other hand, he should have already known what he got himself into. All I know is that if these Bulls are going to establish a new young core, then stick with it. It makes no sense at all to deprive these guys the opportunities and experience to finish the game. If it came down to certain matchups at the final minute of regulation time in a very close game, I can understand subbing in Brad Miller for a play or two, otherwise, Noah and Thomas should be playing most of the 4th quarter. You know what it is, Tim… it’s because of Luol Deng’s stinkin lack of 3 point shooting range and the overall average 3 point shooting ability of the entire team that kills any sort of a momentum comeback or pulling away from the opposition. Vinny has no one reliable to turn to and is still experimenting out there. So much for doing that in preseason.

Keith, I gotta disagree with you on that Bulls game against Boston. I thought there was some effort out there. It’s not like the team played totally effortless like the Bears did against Cincinnati last week. Boston is simply playing like they want to shatter that Bulls 72 win record season. Believe me, I know about heart over skill (I’m a huge boxing fan also, by the way- more like Ali/Frazier in the Thrilla in Manila or Ali/Foreman in the Rumble in the Jungle), but the skill level and experience of that Boston team is an easy shoe in for at least 60 victories this season. Not only do they have the talent, but they play together unselfishly and they play hard on almost every possession. I’ll be very surprised if this all-starless Bulls team beats Boston at full strength once this season. Yes, that’s right, ONCE. Thank goodness for Milwaukee tomorrow night. If they can’t win this game, then there’s a problem for sure, early in the season or not.

Keith I agree with Edgar, what I saw in Boston was a Bulls team that came out flat and out of sync not a team that laid down. There is now way the series last year goes 7 games if Garnett was playing and now add Sheed to the mix and you have a team that can rain 3's on you all night long like they did with the Bulls.

Edgar I've had Dish Network for 16 years and been paying for the NBA League Pass for the 6 years since I moved out of the Chicago viewing area and it is sweet because I can see more of what other teams are doing. The only games i don't get to see are the Bobcats home games because they never sell out so they are blacked out. As a result of that I only see 80 Bulls games unless I go to the games in Charlotte. On the flip side of that I have no problem getting great seats for those games even at the gate on game night.

Villy - I understand, but if San Antonio took down Boston, noone would think anything of it. Bulls can beat San Antonio, they can beat Boston and anyone else in the league they decide to step to. Bulls philosophy has always been - outhustle and scrap. I didn't see a lot of that - except by the other team.

Boston added KG and Wallace. Pearce is in better shape too. But that is still no excuse. Bulls added Deng, Pargo, Gibson, Johnson and have a healthy Salmons and Hinrich. Lock, load, scrap. I am not saying its not probable that the Bulls lose to them at their home. I am saying its the kind of loss and I just think that Boston showed them a lot of respect for a reason.

Well, based on several local news articles that I have read today, the Tyrus Thomas soap opera has begun... Is Tyrus really sick? Did he get in trouble during practice on defensive assignments (gee, last I saw, he plays a lot better D than Rose, Salmons and Deng)? Is this all about not getting a contract extension? etc. etc.... ah, which story to believe now. Let the speculation begin. I saw this coming way before the season started and pleaded to get this out in the open and resolved asap, but nooooo... here we are again today. It took only 3 games into the regular season for distractions. Unbullievable.

Tyrus = Stromile Swift

Not worth the trouble or time...you would think he'd get the message after they used BOTH 1st rounders on PF's !!!

"Bulls can beat San Antonio, they can beat Boston and anyone else in the league they decide to step to. Bulls philosophy has always been - outhustle and scrap."

So you're saying that talent doesn't matter and that it makes no difference if the other team has an entire roster full of All Stars. The Bulls should win anyway, Huh?

Okie doke.

The Bulls sure dodged a bullett tonight. Major props to Luol Deng.. best game I've seen from him in 7 years as a Bull, but more importantly, 2 good games in a row. Glad to see he's taking the criticism as a motivational tool to prove people wrong. Sure hope he keeps it up because 2 games won't make me convinced. And Derrick Rose... outplayed by a skinny rookie PG overall, but good block in the end.

Talk about winning ugly, last night's Bulls win was about as ugly as it gets. had they been playing someone other than the Bucks the game would have been over in the first quarter. Like it or not Tyrus' energy was missed and in the second half Pargo did what he's getting paid for. The biggest surprise was Deng's 24pt & 20 rebound night. But as they say a win is a win.
Edgar apparently Tyrus is legitimately down with the flu but you may be right about the head games begining. As much as I like Tyrus I have to agree, if you have no intention of keeping him or playing him at crunch time trade him and stop all the distracting drama. If Tyrus is unable to play tomorrow night against Cleveland expect another blow out without his interior defense and rebounding.

20-20 for Luol? Do I need to go to the eye doctor again?

Career turning point?

Which 5-letter F answer shall apply?

1. Force 2. Fluke

VILLY - winning is an attitude/philosophy. And on ONE night the TEAM is supposed to beat the stars. Bulls were always in a scrap with the teams with stars. Bulls would WILL their way into the games. Truth be told, the Celtics had 3 stars shining last year and the Bulls beat them 3 times out of 7. It can be done - KG or No KG. I am not saying the Bulls should go into that game expecting to win. I am simply saying they should be in those games. ALL of them, through their philosophy. See my pick above, I didn't believe the Bulls would win that game. But I hoped they would and thought that they would muster the will to compete.

Baby Seal came with it last night. I still do not like his game. All sneaky stuff. He was pretty much the only bright spot in that entire game though. Skiles and Vinny ought to be ashamed. Was a win win for me. Two jokers exposed. Anyone who thought the Bears won ugly need to be hurling expletives at Vinny and the Bulls. But noone is going to say a word because it was Vinny and not Lovie. Bulls were terrible. Milwaukee was worse. And if it wasn't for Redd being hurt, um um um. Kirk is just terrible, but people still continue to jock him and put the scoring load on Rose. Salmons is smelling pretty fishy. Better work on that shot!

I gave Vinny all the credit I could before the season started for reaching Tyrus Thomas, and then he lets all of this foolishness in. The team does not need it. Its not just on Tyrus, its on Vinny too and I wish the media would grow a pair and come after this guy. AS MUCH AS VILLY THINK LOVIE SHOULD be under fire, I feel the same about Vinny. Lovie doesn't talk because he's got nothing to talk about. His players are sucking lemons. Vinny on the other hand is playing games and NOBODY is holding him to task.

Yall miss those 20 points yet??? Keep watching.

this blog is getting tired...can u imagine when we hit Feb during the dog days of hockey and the bulls sucking big time...

"But noone is going to say a word because it was Vinny and not Lovie."

Wait Keith...who in their right mind thinks Vinnie is a good coach??? I'm not a huge Lovie fan but he's paid like one of the better coaches in the league - he's not even close. Vinnie is paid just slightly more than the ball-boys and coaches like one.

Keith:

Let's put the Koolaide back in the fridge for a moment, and deal with reality. As someone previously pointed out, there are no Cinderellas in the NBA. It's too hard playing with glass slippers on your feet, and they usually end up riding home in their pumpkins.

Invariablly, the cream almost always rises to the top, and the Bulls are a warm glass of stale skim milk when compared to the likes of the Lakers, and the Celtics. Teams like this win almost 70 games a year for a reason, and the Bulls will be fortunate if they can crack 50.

They might get hot and beat them on any given night, but you're delusional if you believe that Bulls, as they are currently comprised, stack up well against the elite teams in this league on a regular basis. Anybody with a lick of sense will tell you that if the Bulls played L.A. or Boston ten games apiece, they'd be lucky to win two or three of them, and this won't get you a championship.

Tommy - all I am saying is be fair. Bulls should beat ALL of the bottom feeders because of our philosophy. If its an ugly win, its an ugly win. Bears should have hung 50 on Cleveland. Bulls should have hung 20 on Milwaukee. No rocket science.

Villy - After last night, you should want a drink. Its early in the season, and if you play hard you can beat anyone.