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Energy is the buzz word of the season, low energy especially in losses. Not much propels momentum and energy more in basketball than made 3's. It makes the crowd cheer and it makes the team feel good. Remember how the UC would explode every time Nate Robinson hit a 3?

People wonder what this team is missing, they don't look like they have any energy at times and they don't look like they have much fun playing together. Maybe they just have to work too hard for their offense? Teams like the Hawks and the Warriors don't have to work so hard for their offense because they have really talented shooters, not coincidentally these are the two teams that are the best in the NBA according to record.

Is there something to be said for our lack of shooting causing our team to go into the doldrums? They're missing that guy, like a Nate or a Joakim, that pumps the team up with their hustle plays. They're missing that swag guy that coaxes his team mates into playing like they give a damn.

is this just crazy talk or is there something to this?

12th in makes, 8th in percentage. We're an above-average three-point shooting team. So, I don't think it's a problem. If anything, we should be a lot better if McDermott didn't get hurt.

We're 8th in % but the Hawks and Warriors are 1 and 2 respectively

Warriors are also first in FG% and Hawks are 4th. We're 19th.

Even though our offense is better this year, it's still not elite, and those teams have a much easier time scoring.

We come back to this concept of 'energy', what gives a team energy?

imo its high impact plays like 3pters, dunks, lobs, big time blocks at key moments.

RememberLu wrote:We're 8th in % but the Hawks and Warriors are 1 and 2 respectively

Warriors are also first in FG% and Hawks are 4th. We're 19th.

Even though our offense is better this year, it's still not elite, and those teams have a much easier time scoring.

Valid, we aren't as good a three-point shooting team as they are, but we are a very solid one. The pace we're at right now wouldn't prevent us from winning a championship.

I'm also skeptical about using the Hawks and Warriors as models. They haven't won anything and we've been in the same position as them with a gaudy regular season record.

Could the Bulls use an emotional spark? Sure, it's what Noah and Gibson typically provide, though it just hasn't been there so far. I'm not really concerned about that though since the players have shown they're capable of it when it matters most.

I kind of agree with the OP and I think this highlights the value of Dunleavy... someone posted that the book is out on the Bulls and the answer is to pack the paint. To me, it's pretty obvious that we lost yesterday because we shot like **** but I'm not worried once we get Dunleavy back because our offense will pick up again.

The Bulls need 2 of Niko, Snell, McDermott, Derrick, Jimmy to hit their 3s. We can hate Rose's 3s all we want but when he has made them, it has provided a huge momentum shift.

Energy is huge for any team and 3 pointers provide a good balance to inside game. I would think Whiteside would not be ready like he was yesterday to block shots even if a few of those 3s went in.

With a little energy, you get a few extra rebounds and the defense is compromised to get open shots.
Most games have 8-10 pt margin and timely shots make a big difference in multiple things like rest, bench minutes, running right plays etc...

Our lack of energy is a direct result of Derrick Rose. The nights where Rose comes out aggressive and making plays, the Bulls get off to good starts and typically play well. The nights where Rose comes out, looking like he's disinterested and hoping the other guys pick up the slack, we get off to lazy & low energy starts which we have been unable to overcome.

Rose is still the star of this team and the only guy capable of creative offense for the entire team. Brooks can create offense, but he's much more of a creator for himself and his size limits his ability to see the floor when attacking the basket.

It's up to Rose, folks - the Bulls play well when he is attacking & engaged and they struggle when he's trying to 'take it easy' for the night.

Also, the Bulls need a spark - the roster is a bit stagnant and we're relying on guys like Hinrich, Snell, and Dunleavy when healthy, to produce at the wing position. This is why it's critical to make a move for a true starter who can play 35mpg, because it would naturally reduce the minutes and production needed from our marginal role players.