Beating Atlanta without Joakim Noah is going to be…difficult. The Hawks are one of the best teams in the league, and they’re 20-5 at home this season. To pull off the upset, the Bulls will need every edge they can get. Here’s one, courtesy of ESPN Stats and Information:
The key to beating the Hawks is not allowing them easy baskets on the fastbreak. The Hawks are 4th in the NBA with 16.6 fastbreak points per game, but in their losses they have been held to just 11.5.
Most Fastbreak Points per Game
Golden State Warriors: 22.9
Philadelphia 76ers: 18.4
Memphis Grizzlies: 17.6
Atlanta Hawks: 16.6*
Phoenix Suns: 15.4
*19.4 in wins, 11.5 in losses
Let’s hope the Bulls can get back in transition tonight. And protect the rim. And slow down Joe Johnson (26 PPG versus the Bulls this season). And execute on offense. And, and, and…
Also on offense, Hinrich has to realize he is the second best jumper shooter on the team (yes better then Rose as of right now) and just shoot the ball when he gets it and has a look (especially when Deng is on the bench). When Deng is on the bench he is THE best jump shooter on the team. He struggled in the beginning of the season but in the last month or so he has shot well (especially in that 5 game win streak). Pull the trigger. It’s not like the Bulls have many options. He doesn’t seem to realize that he is the second reliable jump shooter and that he is starting for a reason. Pre-Rose era Hinrich was averaging 16 points a game. Note to Hinrich, the Bulls kind of need you to continue doing that, you are starting now and BG is gone. You are allowed to shoot as if you are one of the best scorers on your team, because you are (not sure if that fact is good or bad).
The key will be Chris Richard baby! Just signed with the absence of Noah. I watched the preseason games, and I liked his activity. Don’t expect this guy to put up 15/10, but he is a big body that can defend and pull down some necessary boards. I hope to see Tyrus have a good 2 or 3 games so we can ship him off for something besides pocket lint and buttons.
PTFC,
I liked your point, but Hinrich’s confidence has seemed down lately too. I think he truly is a great shooter and has shown this tons of times, but is still feeling his way with Rose taking over and going through the different injuries with the team. I think when ‘health’ comes around for a second or third time this season, we will see the Bulls team we have been waiting for – including Hinrich and Salmons (hopefully) stepping up.
I agree with PTFC, Hinrich needs to start shooting when the shot is there. It will make Rose more effective and the Bulls better balanced on offense. Just as important is his defense. This coming stretch without Noah will be very difficult if Capt. Kirk does not step up offensively and Tyrus Thomas does not step up period. It will be interesting to see how much time Tyrus will get at center.
4 rebounds, 1 wild shot and 1 turnover and to the bench
In order to protect the rim without Noah, Tyrus, once again, is our “x” factor. He is the only one who can affect the game defensively like Joakim. Yes, he’s going to make his obligatory boneheaded mistakes. But without significant and timely minutes, he won’t have the opportunity. And neither will this team. When other teams see Brad Miller as the only big to protect the paint, their eyes light up and they attack the rim. What would you do? VDN’s mismanagement of Tyrus, to me, is his biggest failure as a coach.
dolo you are right on again, bulls lost cause atlanta got 14 offensive rebounds. tyrus coulda stopped josh smith, they are the same type of player. stop shooting jump shots when every time we go to the basket good things happen. bulls too afraid to go to the basket and draw fouls. tyrus was trying to do too much early cause he really wanted to take advantage of his rare opportunity to play, but atleast he was trying to make an impact. but he was kind of rusty and made a bad pass, so he got benched. so in the 2nd half he was afraid to try to be aggressive again and stood around some on offense and couldnt help them very much.