By and large, I don’t particularly enjoy preseason games. Ultimately, they’re meaningless, especially when they come against a lottery team that last season ranked 19th in Defensive Rating (109.2) and 26th in PPG Allowed (106.2). Of course, the Bulls ranked 18th in Defensive Rating (108.7) and 20th in PPG Allowed (102.5), so maybe I shouldn’t point fingers.
Anyway, Bulls versus Pacers ended with the Windy City Steers on top 104-95. And wins, even meaningless ones over bad teams, are better than losses, so that’s something. Here are the notables:
Guys who looked good:
Let’s hear it for the starting backcourt! Derrick Rose (17 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 turnovers) and John Salmons (15 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover) combined to shoot 14-for-21 (66 percent) from the field (although they were 0-for-2 from downtown and Rose went 1-for-3 from the line).
Chicago’s player of the game was Taj Gibson, who submitted the following mighty fine rookie line: 19 points, 6-for-12 from the field, 7-for-8 from the line, 5 offensive rebounds, 9 total rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, 1 turnover, 5 fouls. Take special notice of the eight foul shots he earned. The dude brought some serious intensity…which I seriously loved. So did Vinny Del Negro: “Taj is like the Energizer Bunny, just keeps on coming at ya. He shoots it better than you think, he’s picking and popping, he’s long. Just a great effort for a first game for a rookie. It’s a good sign for him.” And a good sign for the Bulls.
And I like the kid’s attitude. Said Gibson: “I’m just an athletic, extremely high-energy guy. If I have to go out and get a couple rebounds, take a charge, I’m willing to do anything to help the team win. That’s my whole mind-frame right now.” Of course, the cynic in me realizes a lot of rookies make statements like that until they stop getting minutes and/or fall out of the regular rotation. But if Taj genuinely means what he says, and if he gives “first preseason game” effort all season, I don’t see him falling out of Vinny’s rotation.
Guys who looked both good and bad:
In 24 minutes, Joakim Noah notched game-highs in defensive rebounds (7) and total rebounds (10). He also had a team-high 3 blocked shots. BUT…his offense (4 points on 1-for-6 shooting) looked as awkward and clunky as ever. Noah also committed 4 fouls in limited PT. For Joakim’s positive development to continue, he has to stay out of foul trouble this season. Not that I want to read too much into his fouls. After all, it’s the preseason. (But still…)
Tyrus Thomas had 9 points, 3 boards and 3 steals before literally getting knocked out of the game with a concussion after he took a charge from Danny Granger in the third quarter. But his shooting was, well, pretty much on par for him (3-for-8) and he committed a couple turnovers. It might have been a bad sign for Ty’s future in Chicago that his potential replacement (Gibson) played so well. Oh, and the following comment from Mike McGraw of the Daily Herald is worth noting: “This would be the second concussion in less than a year for Thomas, who missed two games last December after taking an elbow to the head.”
Luol Deng gave a nice all-around contribution (15 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and a perfect 9-for-9 from the line), but his shooting left a lot to be desired (3-for-10). And his man, Granger, went off for 27 points (7-for-13 from the field, 11-for-12 from the line) in 26 minutes.
Guys who looked bad:
While one rookie was catching fire, another was frosting over. James Johnson finished with more fouls (6) than points (4), shot only 1-for-6, and had no rebounds in 20 minutes. The fouls (he’s a rookie) and shooting I can forgive. But frontcourt players have to crash the boards. Zero rebounds in 20 minutes? That’s not even remotely acceptable in my book.
Guys who didn’t play:
Brad Miller (“rest”), Kirk Hinrich (hamstring), Jannero Pargo (sore right wrist), Aaron Gray (left fibula stress fracture).
Possible reason for concern:
The Bulls went 3-for-12 from beyond the arc. One of those three conversions came from Lindsey Hunter (who won’t be a regular) and two of them came from Derrick Byars (who probably won’t make the team). Of course, Hinrich and Pargo were out, so that’s some cosolation. That said, without Ben Gordon Chicago’s long-distance shooting will be a concern until they start hitting some.
Matt, Y U Hatin??? My man Ty was just about to erupt with a monster 4th quarter. That’s why Granger had to take him out! He’s just playing the game, ya knoe? Ballin the only way he knoe how! Rebounds and defense are overrated anyhow. We all knoe that a playa gets paid by throwin down the rock!!!
I went to USC and watched Taj Gibson play. During some of their tournament runs, the team looked really good – until Taj left the game. I haven’t looked it up, nor do I know if it can be found, but his +/- and PER at USC (especially in both the pac 10 and ncaa tournaments) must have been absolutely ridiculous. In games they weren’t supposed to win, it came down to big play after big play, all of which came from Taj. I’m a huge fan of this guy on the bulls. I’d take his word… for now at least.
Yah Matt, stop drinking that hatorade! Remember this is just a pre-season game. Wait until the season start and see how much the Bulls have improved this season. GO BULLS!!!
Contrary to what you pointed out, Derrick Byars had a good game. He scored 12 points and 5 rebounds in 24mins., which was nearly equal to Luol Deng’s and Brandon Rush’s (his counter-parts) numbers. He could have very easily had 17 points, but a 3-pt. shot just rimmed out and another shot was taken away do to a shot-clock violation.
My advice is…WATCH THE GAME before you comment on it.
These D-LEAGUE players, like Derrick Byars, are working hard to live out their dream and make the NBA, so let’s give them some support instead of unwarranted criticism!!! I’m rooting for him to make the team and I think he has a VERY GOOD chance of doing just that.
Haha!!!! “Hatorade”? I love it, Felipe.
ctw724 — Chill out, dude. Your accusations are groundless, since I did watch the game. And yeah, Byars played well, but if you look at the Bulls’ roster and their payroll, it will become pretty obvious that there isn’t going to be room for The Other Derrick in Chicago this season. That’s no knock against him, it’s just the way things work. NBA teams always keep a few guys like Byars on their roster during the preseason, and those guys are usually gone by the time the regular season rolls around. Now, if somebody gets injured during the course of the season, well, maybe Byars will have shown Vinny and the boys enough to bring him back for a 10-day contract or something. But that’s probably the best he can hope for at this point. In Chicago, anyway.
Yeah, Matt. Now you’re hating on Byars??? What is it with you lately? I mean, in addition to the 2 shots that that ctw724 thinks we should count, he shot 36.5% for the game. Obviously, this guy could have easily put up 32 points (…if we count the other misses). That’s an all-star player anyway you cut it!
(For those of you keeping track at home, this will the last post in a string that I have entitled: The “Hater Chronicles”. I would especially like to thank By The Horns readers JJN and ctw724. They started the fires in my belly that provided me with the motivation to write those posts. Did I ever tell you about the time I was frozen out of the All Star Game…)