Bulls Starters:
Luol Deng (+13)
Carlos Boozer (+12)
Joakim Noah (+12)
Derrick Rose (+11)
Keith Bogans (+8)
Bulls bench:
Kyle Korver (+5)
C.J. Watson (-3)
Omer Asik (-3)
Taj Gibson (-4)
Kurt Thomas (-7)
Ronnie Brewer (-14)
Pacers starters:
Darren Collison (+6)
Tyler Hansbrough (-6)
Paul George (-11)
Danny Granger (-12)
Roy Hibbert (-16)
Pacers bench:
Jeff Foster (+12)
Mike Dunleavy Jr. (+9)
T.J. Ford (+7)
Brandon Rush (0)
Josh McRoberts (-2)
A.J. Price (-17)
As you can see, the Bulls outscored the Pacers by double digits when their top four players were in the game. Conversly, Indy was outscored by double digits with three of their starters on the floor (George, Granger, Hibbert).
What jumps out at me is that the Pacers got good plus-minus production from some of their reserves (Dunleavy, Ford, Foster) while the Bulls bench underperformed by their standards (especially Brewer).
I don’t mean to oversimplify things. However, one of the defining characteristics of this year’s squad was that the Bench Mob was typically able to come in a really put the squeeze (particularly defensively) on the other team.
That didn’t happen last night.
Brewer clearly hasn’t fully recovered from the wrist injury, and it is hampering him. Which is interesting, as some players seem to have the ability to play through minor injuries without losing a step, while others show only hints of their true ability. Brewer, unfortunately, appears to fall into the latter category, as there was a also major difference between his play early in the season, when he hadn’t fully recovered from his hamstring issues.
We saw towards the end of the season how dynamic he could be when fully healthy. Let’s hope that he reaches that level of health – and play – again soon.
I wonder if the playoff rotations aren’t throwing the team off a bit too…
I remember when they were starting Kurt Thomas in place of Asik so as to not create chaos in the rotation, and you could set your watch to when Brewer and Taj would come in and when Rose would sit. Now, the bench mob has had their minutes reduced. Seems to me that they may be pressing a bit more when they come in too.
danny granger and skip bayless have always been in total denial, especially because of their idiotic arrogance regarding these DAMN GOOD OLD HATED BOYS from the SECOND CITY, but they won’t ever stop these Bulls from taking a 7th NBA title no matter how much they underestimate D’Rose and Co. GO BULLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The major difference between the regular season and the playoff seems to me is the bench involvement. The Bulls wear down the opposition with the best defensive bench that involves a hell of a lot more Asik/Taj Gibson minutes and finish off with a well-rested Rose.
You see the complete opposite of that in the playoffs, with Rose playing 44 minutes and Asik barely seeing 2. The Bulls play much better when Boozer’s minutes are limited and the frontcourt terror of Asik/Gibson sees more time. That’s what I was afraid of, that the Bulls kill our only true advantage ourselves.
Even more fear, I really hope Thibs remember Asik was a big reason why we won against the Magic well and not use Kurt Thomas instead. If I don’t see Asik have 10+ minutes in the Magic series, there’s no way the Bulls win without more 40+ point Rose games.
Tae –
Your argument would carry more weight if the Pacers were scoring in the paint, and getting lots of rebounds. They’re not, so Asik’s presence isn’t very important in this series.
Against the Magic, Asik is far more important, for obvious reasons.
I hate to say it, but I wonder if Danny Granger’s “bulletin board material” is actually screwing with us as well. His comment basically called out our bench, and now our bench is pressing instead of letting the game come to them. As they struggle, they press even more because they have Danny’s words in the back of their minds. Hope they snap out of it soon, don’t want this series to stretch too many games.
i think it’s wise to keep Asik’s minutes at a minimum for now….being a rookie, he should absorb and observe that playoff intensity from the bench instead of playing and making a rookie playoff mistake.
It’s a great thing GM Gar Forman never made a trade at the February deadline, especially when Asik or Gibon–or even both would have been involved–not to mention those two are going to be way too valuble for years and years down the road for this upcoming Chicago dynasty.
The reason why our bench was so great defensively is that it generally played against other bench units. It is a fantastic defensive bench, but since our opponents in the playoffs will be giving their starters more minutes, we have to also. Our bench can be decent against the Pacers starters, but that can’t perform as well as our starters, especially Watson v. Rose. If Rose played his normal rotation we prob lose both games.
people starting to panic a bit too much. we’re playing pretty bad, and we are still up 2-0 on a pretty talented team giving all its got.
the bulls are blowing air out the nostrils and just starting to scratch the ground and push up dust, the full fledged stampede hasnt even begun yet. stay kool Chicago
Just Win Baby …. GO BULLS !!!
It’s not at all even fellow Bulls fans panicking at all, it’s no one but totally idiotic BULL-haters making a humongous deal regarding Chicago’s totally close wins, now this is a reason to panic, especially and we are already up 2 games in this series.I can’t wait till the Bulls sweep these Pacers that way all of this anti-BULL BS will be totally silenced and be put to sleep when Chicago sweeps this series. GO BULLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Bulls are playing pretty bad, but fortunately for us the Pacers can’t close tight games and the Pacers also match up really well against the Bulls. With that being said I would like to see a pretty convincing victory over the Pacers for the Bulls psyche only! The Bulls will match up better against the Hawks/Magic in the next round.
Go Bulls!!!
1 The pacers are shooting a high % on the field that will not hold up most likely when they cool down the score will open up in favor of the Bulls.
2 D rose is just being who he is a superstar if he has to score 24 or 44 that is who he is and he does what it takes as the whole team does to win the game not the point being to blow teams out although would be nice I am sure the point and the prize is to win either by one or by twenty.
3 The bulls may want to try to get some more outside shooters in the game early to loosen the lanes up more not only for rose but also for deng and brewer this can only help the Bulls in the cause to win.
4 Coach T said he would not change the rotation well in my eyes he has, mins down for the bench not a good thing, do the things that got you where you are if it is not broke then it does not need to be fixed.
If the Bulls plan to win against the best teams then they may not want to give the lesser teams a chance, and watch there turnovers they have been a big part why the games our so close . This team has the ability to win it all only one thing will stop them and that is them.I hope the ship can be righted also make sure they all do there jobs well and efficiently, the rest will fall into place the outcome will be a NBA title.
I’m so disgusted today as a long time Bulls fan to see tonight’s gave broadcast on NBATV! Why during the playoffs doesn’t any playoff game shoved off to a network most people don’t have and don’t want! Way to knock down a dedicated fan base and shove it to them, NBA! This is a pathetic way to treat Bulls fans!
I agree with your post Donneebear we have the most fans in the NBA attendance yet no games will be shopwn on regular T.v. now that is a shame should be a crime The organization owes the fans better
Bulls will be on Comcast with King and Funk!
“If your scared, go buy a dog!”