Bulls @ Raptors 6:30pm CT Dec. 16th 2024

[kodo]

Coby's last 12 games: 15.5 ppg 36% FG 31% 3P. Rather poor shooting for our offensive specialist, for a long time.

Patrick's problem isn't just the extra weight from the injury. When he tried to show off and grab a one handed rebound and Gradey Dick just took it away from him has nothing to do with added weight. It was just a dumb as rocks play that would get you benched in a HS game.

Giddey was looking excellent before the ankle roll, he was almost at a triple double in the 3rd Q, along with 2 steals & a block. He's been playing much better D / hustle lately by my eye test. His 3P% is under constant scrutiny, but he's shooting better than Ayo who nobody has a problem with. I think he's taking too many as well, that's not his game. On the good 3P shots like the corners he's shooting a respectable 37%. There's no need for the dribble pull-up above the arc 3s, especially with Lavine & Vuc on the team to take those. This might be just Billy's generic offense encouraging everyone to pull up for 3s regardless of their strengths.

Matas' minutes are disappointing, but can't say I'm surprised with PWill coming back. We play too many guards like THT & Lonzo at the F spots, neither of whom are part of our future or need to be showcased for trade.

[Red8911]

What happened to Giddey?

Rolled his ankle on a closeout.

I hope he's alright but I must say I'm impressed that he managed to roll his ankle without jumping and basically completely stopped.

Best part is the refs were reviewing the play to see if Giddey deserved a flagrant foul for falling on the shooter.

Those refs were terrible all game long, idk how the NBA pays them.

[DuckIII]

It’s interesting to note that historically, Pat’s response to any individual challenge like contract years or now losing his place on the depth chart to Buzelis, is simply to roll over, shrink in effort, and fatten as a person.

Hes coming off injiry

And outside of the fat part, as he is clearly carrying some extra weight, the rest of it is false. The problem with Pat is not that he doesn’t respond when challenged. He has repeatedly responded when challenged. The problem is that he needs to be challenged at all and that when not challenged some of those things described above have been true.

[GoBlue72391]

It’s interesting to note that historically, Pat’s response to any individual challenge like contract years or now losing his place on the depth chart to Buzelis, is simply to roll over, shrink in effort, and fatten as a person.

Hes coming off injiry

Continuously.

[drosestruts]

Man Giddey going down sucks - he was playing really well not only yesterday but in recent games.

Not sure how Pat is keeping his minutes over Phillips and Buzelis

Lonzo missed a few games with that wrist injury and his shot still looks off. He brings it in every other area though and is a joy to watch.

Vuc could have had 40 points if we could make an entry pass

There wasn't much good in this game - we even almost gave it away

THT shooting 2-8 for the free throw line is incredible. This guy will hit the most absurd shots but can't make a free throw.

[HomoSapien]

I don't really agree with the characterization that he's responded to challenges but last December, Pat was at his absolute best. During that stretch, he averaged 14ppg on phenomenal shooting. He and Coby also showed a lot of chemistry between each other. He needs to get back to that version of himself. If he can do that on a consistent basis it really improves our long-term prospects and kind of eliminates all the debate around his contract and on-court worth.

14 points with consistent shooting and good defensive effort is really valuable. But 9 points on shakey shooting and inconsistent availability just doesn't cut it.

[Indomitable]

Another win over a depleted opponent that tells us little.

The Bulls were missing Lavine and lost Giddey whoo was the best Bulls player

Vuc played well.

He lost it once Giddey got hurt. He was very frustrated and it effected his play.

Coby frustrates me. His handle is better, but he lacks to speed or craftiness to create separation off the dribble. Defensively the effort is there but he lacks the length to be effective

He is playing like a broke Step Curry. He needs to drive in try to get to the rim.

Ayo had a low confidence night and shrunk away.

Yeah that pass where he got the ball and got rid of it to THT as fast as he could was worrisome.

THT was more effective than usual, and he's a bit of a black hole on offense.

He is a vet minimum. Anything you get from him is gravy

Pat is still way out of shape.

Hey he is trying heal by in creasing his caloric intake

Ball was great. Good to see his minutes creeping up. Would be good to get to 26-28 if Giddey misses time. His 3pt range is still off.

Ball is rushing his shot especially in the first half. He does not trust his ability at finishing in traffic

Matas getting 13 minutes is kinda nuts.

Yeah Billy is choosing between him or Julian and Julian outplayed him

Pat is to comfortable and plays like it.
IMO both are slowly going to overtake Patrick Williams

[Indomitable]

Another win over a depleted opponent that tells us little.

Vuc played well.

Coby frustrates me. His handle is better, but he lacks to speed or craftiness to create separation off the dribble. Defensively the effort is there but he lacks the length to be effective.

Ayo had a low confidence night and shrunk away.

THT was more effective than usual, and he's a bit of a black hole on offense.

Pat is still way out of shape.

Ball was great. Good to see his minutes creeping up. Would be good to get to 26-28 if Giddey misses time. His 3pt range is still off.

Matas getting 13 minutes is kinda nuts.

Coming into the league, I thought Coby is a speedster. After I see Ayo, I realize I'm wrong. As weird as it may sound, Coby is actually closer to a power guard. Coby somehow creates this illusion that he's small, but when you see him standing next to another team's point guard, he's actually noticeably bigger. Almost like when we used to see Derrick Rose standing next to other team's Point Guard. But Coby is closer to 6'5" than 6'3". It's Coby's Gator arms that make him look smaller than he actually is.

I personally feel Coby have reached his ceiling. I really don't see another gear in his development. He's still a solid player though. His improvement should come from improving his efficiency. He's still way too streaky. Also maybe leverage his size and strength to get to the line more. He has the body to be able to absorb contact like DeMar, the difference is DeMar has more length. But still I think Coby can get to the line more.

Yeah, I agree. I think he, like too many Bulls, added too much bulk. They seem to have a Philosophical disconnect with playing with pace. If Coby were to develop a complementary style, it would need to be more CP3 or Brunson and learn better footwork and craftiness.

In the first halve Julian was better. Julian played very well in the first half. Matas was struggling in traffic.