If there is one thing Tom Thibodeau knows, it’s defense. He’s very good at coaching it, and the Chicago Bulls are very good at executing his system. But I think it’s time someone went over the fine points of his preferred pick and roll defense, in an effort to clear up some misconceptions. To be […]
The Bulls were embarrassed and humbled by their blowout loss in Game 1 of this first round playoff series against the Brooklyn Nets. But under coach Tom Thibodeau, this has never been a group to hang its head and meekly accept defeat. Despite the ongoing absence of Derrick Rose and a variety of guys playing […]
“We don’t know what’s going on. I think it’s defense. Defense usually gets us going, gets us fastbreak points, and it just hasn’t been there.” That’s what Derrick Rose said about the ongoing mystery of why the Bulls haven’t yet transformed the Pacers into a smoldering pile of playoff ashes. It’s not that I don’t […]
You know what I took from this game against the Hawks? People better start listening to what Derrick Rose has to say. And beware. Rose is a both humble and quite, which borders on amazing when you stop and consider his current stature among the NBA greats. His “aw schucks” attitude and respectful demeanor aren’t acts. In a […]
In yesterday’s post, I presented various arguments about whether or not Derrick Rose should be given (or should at least be considered) for the MVP award. Mind you, this kind of discussion, while irresistible, is both futile and meaningless. The MVP is awarded in June, not January. We haven’t even reached the All-Star Break yet. And, last time I […]
So that’s what it feels like to win on the road. In my game preview post, I said the Bulls were going to need Derrick Rose to play like an All-Star to beat the Pacers. Maybe I was right. Maybe I was wrong. That said… …Rose did play like an All-Star. And the Bulls won. […]
Sebastian Pruiti of NBA Playbook has provided a rather extensive description of how new Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau will improve Chicago’s pick-and-roll defense. It’s a great read. Check it out.
The AP game notes pretty much said it all: Utah’s 132 points, 34 assists and 3-point percentage (.600) were season-highs for a Bulls opponent. Except for one dunk — more on that below — the Jazz didn’t do anything spectacular. They simply fought, hustled and executed the Bulls to death. Ouch. And just like that, […]
Defense… …the Bulls aren’t playing any. Okay, maybe that statement is a bit on the harsh side, but it’s not too far off the mark. The Bulls have now given up 100 or more points in 10 of their last 13 games. In fact, here’s a rundown of the points they’ve allowed during that stretch: 101, 107, 85, […]
I guess you could say this game was a little up and down. The Bulls won the first quarter 37-18 and appeared to be on their way to a comfy-cozy win. Then the Pacers won the second quarter 36-21 to make it a game again. Chicago came out of halftime and won the third quarter […]
