Keith Bogans: The Bulls’ newest starter

While reveiwing the Bulls’ preseason stats, I said:

“Going into training camp, everybody figured it was a two-man race for the starting shooting guard spot. Those two men being Ronnie Brewer (the presumed starter) and Kyle Korver (the challenger). Only Bogans started all eight games. And although it may only have been because Brewer was injured, Bogans delivered by shooting 51.7 percent from the field and 50 percent from three-point range. Bogans didn’t do a lot of scoring (5.5 PPG) or log a lot of time (16.8 MPG), but he was more consistent than Korver (43 percent from the field, 33 on threes) or Brewer (28 percent from the field, 0-for-1 on threes). Maybe I was wrong to sleep on Bogans.”

As if on cue, coachTom Thibodeau confirmedthat Bogans will start in the team’s season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday.

Said coach Tom Thibodeau: “He’s just been solid. He’s done all the things we expected of him. He’s a very good defensive player, spreads the floor so he can shoot the 3. He’s a tough competitor. He’s earned it.”

It makes sense. Korver is the better shooter, but his defense was limited even before his mobility was affected by an ankle cyst. As for Brewer, he’s younger and more athletic, but he could probably lob a rock into the ocean and miss.

Bogans can defend. His shooting was strong in the preseason. He played for Thibodeau in Houston and he has experience in a great system in San Antonio. The Bulls can count on him to make good decisions and few mistakes.

Of course, his shooting will likely be the determining factor as the season progresses. Remember: he’s a career 39 percent shooter…35 percent on threes. And he’s started only 226 of 504 career games for a reason. Still, he earned the starting job, and now it’s his to lose.

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9 Responses to Keith Bogans: The Bulls’ newest starter

  1. bahrani@uchicago.edu'
    Mahmoud October 26, 2010 at 3:11 pm #

    Hey Matt, is there a way I could like contact you via email? I was looking for an address around the site and couldn’t find one.

  2. Brian October 26, 2010 at 6:29 pm #

    Does everyone else see this as a temporary move? Mainly until Brewer has gotten enough healthy reps to be reconsidered? Can’t wait for Wednesday night!

  3. thetallented1@yahoo.com'
    Brooklyn Bulls October 26, 2010 at 8:05 pm #

    Considering i against his acquisition, i can live with Bogans as our starting 2. When Boozer returns we’ll have three scorers looking for their shot. All we needed were a 3pt shooter and a defender for Wade, Johnson, etc.. Theres nothing great about him but he’s solid, and thats important component of a team’s structure

  4. thetallented1@yahoo.com'
    Brooklyn Bulls October 26, 2010 at 8:07 pm #

    Considering i was against his acquisition, i can live with Bogans as our starting 2. When Boozer returns we’ll have three scorers looking for their shot. All we needed were a 3pt shooter and a defender for Wade, Johnson, etc.. Theres nothing great about him but he’s solid, and thats important component of a team’s structure

  5. thetallented1@yahoo.com'
    Brooklyn Bulls October 26, 2010 at 8:08 pm #

    Sorry about the double-post

  6. Bill Z October 27, 2010 at 2:15 am #

    I was also against his signing, but he has played quite well. I was at 3 or the 4 pre-season games and was rather impressed with him. I think with Rose’s ability to break down the defense, Deng’s expanded range, and the team’s new offensive schemes Bogans will have atleast a few open looks per game. If he knocks down 1 of 3 or 2 for 5 and plays solid D, he will be doing all that is asked of him.

  7. Bill Z October 27, 2010 at 2:16 am #

    I also will be unable to attend 3 games this month if anyone is interested in tickets. I have to work a few too many evenings so will be getting rid of a few games cheap. [email protected]

  8. bob.edwards47@yahoo.com'
    BoppinBob October 27, 2010 at 7:11 pm #

    While I like the move of Bogans as the starter, I am concerned about the performance of Korver and Brewer so far. SG is our weakness, maybe we should offer a 1st and 2nd round pick to Portland for Fernandez, I would not offer a player unless it was one of our SG’s, which could not happen until mid-December. But I like Bogans as the starter right now.

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. The Point Forward » Posts Court Vision « - October 26, 2010

    […] Keith Bogans opens the season as Chicago’s starting 2-guard. Few Chicago fans envisioned this when the Bulls signed Bogans, Ronnie Brewer and Kyle Korver, but […]

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