The race for the east

[dougthonus]

Toronto doesn't really surprise me. They are just always a team that is solid and Barnes was a good pick obviously. Siakim, FVV, OG and Barnes are guys any team would want and they have good culture. Both our losses to the Knicks and Philly are fine too as they both are winning teams.

We're 2-2 in toss up games (beating the Pistons and Raptors and losing to the Knicks and 76ers). These were games where within 1 minute to play both teams had chances to take the lead / tie the game. Effectively down to the final minute the game was contested.

We're 4-0 in other games.

That's about as good as you can be right now.
- No losses to bad / average teams
- No losses where we weren't contesting the game in the final minute

This next 10 games or so will test whether we can continue that, but right now, you can't ask for more.

[kodo]

After that last game, Bulls are now 30th in 3 point makes and 30th in 3 point attempts.

We are 6th in 3 point accuracy, so the guys who are shooting are generally making them, assuming Vuc gets back to form. But our limited # of attempts points to our roster just not having enough shooters, which is clear from having filled the roster with hustle defensive guys.

Ultimately I think the 3 point shooting is going to be the real limiter on our ceiling. There's only so far you can go being dead last in 3P shooting, and it's not very far even with top 10 defense. And I don't think you want Zach or Lonzo shooting more, they both take a high number per game already.

[dice]

offensive rating up to 8th, defensive down to 9th. things are starting to shake out

[GoBlue72391]

After that last game, Bulls are now 30th in 3 point makes and 30th in 3 point attempts.

We are 6th in 3 point accuracy, so the guys who are shooting are generally making them, assuming Vuc gets back to form. But our limited # of attempts points to our roster just not having enough shooters, which is clear from having filled the roster with hustle defensive guys.

Ultimately I think the 3 point shooting is going to be the real limiter on our ceiling. There's only so far you can go being dead last in 3P shooting, and it's not very far even with top 10 defense. And I don't think you want Zach or Lonzo shooting more, they both take a high number per game already.

This makes me think we should have hung onto Lauri for a bit longer, at least through this season. Or if not Lauri, then one of Thad/Theis. There's a glaring Lauri-sized hole at PF/3-point shooter that he would fill, especially if his improved defense isn't just a short-lasting mirage.

I know he was a disappointment and has holes in his game, but it was always odd to me how we moved on from all of our starting-caliber PFs (Lauri, Thad, Theis) and didn't address that spot other than to hand the spot to a young, raw, second-year player who didn't show much in terms of production or potential as a rookie, backed up by undersized wings playing PF.

[dice]

There are by my count twelve East fanbases who believe their team has the ability to be a top 6 team. Injury will likely ruin someone's run - that cruelest mistress in sports. Assuming complete health, I still wouldn't dare put money on predicting spots 3 through 10.

It's been a wild first two weeks. Tell you what, this is going to be a wild playoff chase come April and May.

the bulls are obviously more health and conditioning dependent than pretty much any team in the league. w/ derrick jones, who doesn't even play much, there are only 6 proven nba-caliber rotation players on the roster (7 if coby gets there). 4 of those are averaging 35 minutes a night

it'll be interesting to see how donovan handles re-integrating coby. i anticipate a good amount of smallball, which could be detrimental if coby doesn't really make strides

[Butler4thewin]

Derozan legit outdueled durant last night what a game ......still in position to take the 1 seed