The Bulls’ Summer League schedule ended with a 93-85 victoryover the Minnesota Timberwolves. That gave them three straight wins and a 3-2 record overall. Rookie James Johnson led the team with 18 points and 7 rebounds. In five summer games, Johnson compiled some nice all-around averages: 16.6 PPG, 7.0 RPG and 3.6 APG. His 40 percent shooting was a little low for a big man, but the Bulls are used to that.
Fellow rookie Taj Gibson missed the team’s final three games with a sore foot. In the two games he did play, Gibson averaged a double-double (13 PPG, 10 RPG) while shooting 55 percent. One concern, other than the injury, is that he swatted only one shot…and this is a guy who finished his college career as USC’s all-time leader in blocked shots— third Pac-10 history. He also racked up 19 fouls in those two contests.
The Summer League pretty much confirmed my suspicions about the two rooks. They have talent and potential, but they’re pretty raw. Fortunately, they won’t be expected to do much heavy lifting this season, barring an injury to Tyrus Thomas, Joakim Noah or Brad Miller. Still, it’s nice to have the added depth in the front court, especially since the back court depth is wafer thin.
Summer League Info
Chicago Bulls: Summer League Central
I just can’t wait for the new season to start all over again! I am looking forward of seeing the two rookies play some minutes. Hopefully the bulls will be a much better improve defensive team then last year with BG. I am pretty sure that Rose, Salmon, Kirk & Pargo will step up their game at the guard shot and put up big numbers that BG put for us last year. Hopefully Deng will be healthy this year and put up big number like he did in 07. As for Thomas & Noah I know they will improve their game this year and have a better season. If not someone has to go during the deadline for the Bulls to pick-up Chris Bosh or another All-Star PF player.
Bulls fans are absolutely out of their minds if you think not having Ben Gordon makes you a better defensive team. Mind you they are still small with Kirk who still gets cooked by most average 2 guards and you will have a hard time getting somebody to give you 20 on offense consistantly and an occasional big game of 40. We will see plenty of 40 point guard offerings this year from other teams. I got BG giving Kirk 50 or better.
I don’t know about that Robert Tillery, I agree more with Felipe Garcia comment, he is right about the Bulls they going to be a way better defensive team then last year without BG. As good as he was scoring points, he also gives up a lot of point like he did in the playoffs guarding Ray Allen. Kirk on the other hand made big plays, by slowing down Paul Piece and Ray Allen. (playing the 1,2 & 3 spot) Plus lets not forget, now they have John Salmon taking over BG shot and he is not a small guard he is 6-6 feet tall that can hit big baskets and play way better defensive then BG being a 6-2 guard. Sure during the season you will see BG scoring a lot of points vs the Bulls, but who ever is guarding him will also score a lot points with a Bulls victory over Detroit.
This robert tillery dudehas no clue what he is talking about at all!! what d-bag… first off, kirk is one of our best defensive players on the entire bulls team.. for being a shooting guard, dude can play defense against the 1,2, and 3 spots… not many guards can play solid D that! i think you need to watch a few more games this year buddy… i got kirk putting it on ben gordon and showing him what a lil defense is all about son! with a lil johnny salmons lighting his ass up….. as for a our big men, our first move would be to get rid of brad miller asap! that dude is played out and cannot run with this younger bulls team.. tho he has experience, he pretty much through away the bulls chances of winning atleast 2-3 of those playoff games against the celtics. if we had a solid presense downlow there is no reason why would shouldnt make it past the first freaking round of the playoffs…. we definately have the talent and have no excuses why would shouldnt be lightin fools up this year starting at the beginning of the season and half-way through….. as for BG and the pistons, we’ll see how bad the bulls smoke them this year. Gordon will get his shots in becuz he always does, but their is no way the pistons are going to beat the bulls at all this season!!! go bulls!