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Philly just shot great. They clearly gained a ton of confidence from Rose going down, believing that they can win.

So now it’s gut check time. Bulls can play much better than they did and certainly beat Philly. But they have to believe and not hang their heads like they sort of did late in the 3rd.

I don’t really care for Thibs rotations of running the starters the whole first quarter then the subs the whole second practically. Really kills flow in the game. Rip was hot in the first quarter, but stunk after he came back. His old legs probably sat too long.

One unnoticed disruption of losing Rose is that the second unit is now led by Lucas not Watson, and JL3 really plays a different style than Watson, much more shot first, this could derail their chemistry for a while.

A bigger question is really if Boozer and Deng and his injured wrist can provide the offensive punch we need going forward. Lucas and Watson can’t become Derrick Rose.

Another thing I noticed, Philly was getting away with a ton of hacking and pushing defensively. We did not get any benefit of the doubt calls despite contact. This was a fear without Rose. Bulls are not an exciting team anymore and I think few care if they advance. It’s going to be an uphill battle officiating wise.

Fastbreak points, 25 to 8. Like I mentioned in another thread, you can’t rely on great defense if you are missing tons of shots leading to transition run outs.

Lastly, Derrick had to feel awful watching this one. We can relate.

I hope we fix these problems and are prepared for Game 3.

This is more depressing than the ending of Saturday's game. I think we might actually go out in the first round. Wow...

I know the loss hurts, but Thibodeau won't let the defensive woes continue, Philly isn't going to score 109 points again this series and Jrue Holiday won't look like Kobe out there

-nobody to get to the line, stop the clock, stop the bleeding, slow things down. Nobody to LEAN on.

-Sixers keep on rolling, nobody gets physical with them. Sometimes they make layups, nobody cracks them across the shoulderblades. Turner should have been spitting teeth instead of making little and 1 layups after a love tap by Boozer. What happened to the tough talk? Saving it for Miami?

-No coldblooded Rose to take the pressure off and stop Philly runs. The team knows it. They lose faith and stop playing defense.

-The Bulls have been outrebounded or fought to a draw on the boards more often than not lately

Thibs why didn't you make adjustments when the 76ers went on a 19 to 4 run in the third?

Give Philly credit, though. They came out and punched the bulls in the mouth in the 2nd half..they completely took Boozer/Korver/Rip out of the game and converted on the offensive end

Turner is the real deal..i want to see Jimmy Butler get an opportunity to check him, Ronnie Brewer literally cripples this team when he plays

Really not much to break down, honestly. While I don't think we are as bad as the game showed, we're simply not that good of a team. Everyone can try to toss blame around, but the reality is just that it will be a dog fight to get out of this series.

Just for giggles tho...

drivewayball wrote:I am excited to see how the team does without Rose. Sorry to see him or any player hurt, but, unlike most others, I don't think his absence compromises the Bulls' chances. As long as Watson and Lucas are willing to pass the ball instead of putting up the 20-some shots that Rose was prone to do, the team has a shot to win it all. With Watson at the point, the team displays better ball movement than when Rose plays. Go Bulls.

Our defense isn't good because Watson and Lucas SUCK ON DEFENSE. Why can't people understand this. Rose is one of the best defensive PG's in the league. You can't replace that.

Holiday couldn't miss a shot if he were blindfolded. Turner abused Rip. Atrocious Boozer came out in the 3rd quarter. Bad transition defense.

Onto the next. If we fail to adjust then I can only blame that the Bulls are simply not mentally focused anymore and we aren't going to win this series.

LobosJordan wrote:Thibs why didn't you make adjustments when the 76ers went on a 19 to 4 run in the third?

same thing happened in the 1st game in the 4th. they were losing 16-6 in about 4 minute stretch from 5:48 in that game. he made one sub. bring in boozer at 3 minute mark.

MVP Rose wrote:Give Philly credit, though. They came out and punched the bulls in the mouth in the 2nd half..they completely took Boozer/Korver/Rip out of the game and converted on the offensive end

Turner is the real deal..i want to see Jimmy Butler get an opportunity to check him, Ronnie Brewer literally cripples this team when he plays

literally?

The Bulls will be alright. Sometimes you have to get slapped in the face to be waken up.

NBAwesome wrote:

MVP Rose wrote:Give Philly credit, though. They came out and punched the bulls in the mouth in the 2nd half..they completely took Boozer/Korver/Rip out of the game and converted on the offensive end

Turner is the real deal..i want to see Jimmy Butler get an opportunity to check him, Ronnie Brewer literally cripples this team when he plays

literally?

well, not "literally", you know what i mean

Rerisen wrote:Philly just shot great. They clearly gained a ton of confidence from Rose going down, believing that they can win.

Yup

LobosJordan wrote:Our defense isn't good because Watson and Lucas SUCK ON DEFENSE. Why can't people understand this. Rose is one of the best defensive PG's in the league. You can't replace that.

I think you're right on here. A unit with CJ/Lucas AND Boozer is not gonna get many stops. Puts way too much pressure on Noah to do everything.

boogydown wrote:Onto the next. If we fail to adjust then I can only blame that the Bulls are simply not mentally focused anymore and we aren't going to win this series.

Exactly

Did Thibs at least pull the starters at the 4 minute mark?

MVP Rose wrote:I know the loss hurts, but Thibodeau won't let the defensive woes continue, Philly isn't going to score 109 points again this series and Jrue Holiday won't look like Kobe out there

Good post.

I'm not worried honestly.