Is Chicago's Main Issue Health?

[3ballbomber]

The Chicago Bulls have only played 16 games with all of their starters (Rose, Butler, Dunleavy, Noah, Gasol) and are 13-3 when they have all played.

As a Heat fan i am also a big Rose fan. I also have had you guys taking the East. It seems you guys play better when you're at full strength & hope you can continue to be healthy the rest of the way.

[InsaneBanana]

The main issue is our aging PF who doesn't play defense, our Center who lost a step, our aging SG, our weak bench and our coach who doesn't know anything about adjustments.

[Axl Rose]

no spacing
no effort
kirk hinrich

[DRoseCantStop]

^

[coldfish]

Derrick rose
Defense

Everything else is just something else to talk about because it gets boring just beating two topics to death.

[CalilLove89]

The Chicago Bulls have only played 16 games with all of their starters (Rose, Butler, Dunleavy, Noah, Gasol) and are 13-3 when they have all played.

As a Heat fan i am also a big Rose fan. I also have had you guys taking the East. It seems you guys play better when you're at full strength & hope you can continue to be healthy the rest of the way.

I am sad to hear about Bosh, you guys had a starting five that on paper would have been one of the best in the NBA. Pat Riley is a pleasure to follow as a bulls fan, he takes risks and seems to fall into great deals, I don't think it is possible to do better with a team that unexpectedly loses the best player on the planet.

That being said, I think you now understand what it feels like to be bitten by bad luck and season ending injuries, our team is as healthy as it has ever been, which says a lot, and they decide they can't play defense anymore. The front office will not come out and give Thibs a vote of confidence to shut the media up, Thibs raved about the talent and depth of the team and insists on giving kirk 30 minutes a game. It has been a perfect storm this season, pretty much shadowing the chicago bears, it is brutal to be a chicago sports fan right now.

While your fans often complain about the organization like our fans do, at least you have a great FO, and a head coach that is well rounded even if he is not elite, at least he does not seem to have fatal flaws, and can relate to the people who play for him. We have a basketball savant, who by all accounts could be one of the strangest people of all time, and not a very good in game coach. He invented the modern NBA defense, and is underrated offensively, he can draw up some really great plays on dead balls. The players avoid the facilities though, because he lives there. Double edged sword.

[kingkirk]

Derrick rose
Defense

Everything else is just something else to talk about because it gets boring just beating two topics to death.

Beat me to it.

They're the main concerns. Everything is a byproduct of the above.

[kodo]

Technically we play best when we're almost at full health and Thibs can't play Kirk Hinrich.

I kid.

[Rerisen]

Bulls aren't elite at anything, so pick your complaint pretty much.

9th offense
13th defense
7th rebound rate.

Rebounding the closest but even there we have back slid vs some past years. Then factor in we stink at generating turnovers and teams are getting more possessions than us which means our defense ends up even worse than it already looks.

Overall SRS, 11th. The Bulls just can't get over the hump, they look like a very good team, fringe contender, but not a very serious one.

[clancyphile]

Bulls aren't elite at anything, so pick your complaint pretty much.

9th offense
13th defense
7th rebound rate.

Rebounding the closest but even there we have back slid vs some past years. Then factor in we stink at generating turnovers and teams are getting more possessions than us which means our defense ends up even worse than it already looks.

Overall SRS, 11th. The Bulls just can't get over the hump, they look like a very good team, fringe contender, but not a very serious one.

D-Rose coming back after missing two seasons... Noah losing a step with injury... serious playing time missed by Dunleavy (although I think Snell is a better option as starting SF)...

All in all, I think this team is coming together. Mirotic, Snell, and Doug McBuckets have all shown some flashes of potential. Brooks has been a great spark off the bench, and Taj is also an asset. Hinrich's even had a couple of moments, but he's clearly at the point where he should retire and become a coach.

I think this team is better than the stats indicate.

[Jax Teller]

We have played our best when one or two main guys are out. The pieces for some reason don't fit on this roster so far. There is no logical reason for our defense to go from outstanding to lousy in one season. It's chemistry issues in my opinion.

[jc23]

health has been our biggest rival the last 4 years.

[Axl Rose]

We have played our best when one or two main guys are out. The pieces for some reason don't fit on this roster so far. There is no logical reason for our defense to go from outstanding to lousy in one season. It's chemistry issues in my opinion.

Gasol defending the rim
Noah out of position/looking like he lost a step
Taj not looking the same
Butler focusing more on offense

[3ballbomber]

The Chicago Bulls have only played 16 games with all of their starters (Rose, Butler, Dunleavy, Noah, Gasol) and are 13-3 when they have all played.

As a Heat fan i am also a big Rose fan. I also have had you guys taking the East. It seems you guys play better when you're at full strength & hope you can continue to be healthy the rest of the way.

I am sad to hear about Bosh, you guys had a starting five that on paper would have been one of the best in the NBA. Pat Riley is a pleasure to follow as a bulls fan, he takes risks and seems to fall into great deals, I don't think it is possible to do better with a team that unexpectedly loses the best player on the planet.

That being said, I think you now understand what it feels like to be bitten by bad luck and season ending injuries, our team is as healthy as it has ever been, which says a lot, and they decide they can't play defense anymore. The front office will not come out and give Thibs a vote of confidence to shut the media up, Thibs raved about the talent and depth of the team and insists on giving kirk 30 minutes a game. It has been a perfect storm this season, pretty much shadowing the chicago bears, it is brutal to be a chicago sports fan right now.

While your fans often complain about the organization like our fans do, at least you have a great FO, and a head coach that is well rounded even if he is not elite, at least he does not seem to have fatal flaws, and can relate to the people who play for him. We have a basketball savant, who by all accounts could be one of the strangest people of all time, and not a very good in game coach. He invented the modern NBA defense, and is underrated offensively, he can draw up some really great plays on dead balls. The players avoid the facilities though, because he lives there. Double edged sword.

i still don't know how we happened to address two of our longest & main issues (1 & 5) all in one season. I'm still confused how we miraculously landed Dragic - we thought we'd have to at least send Deng to acquire him & some, if not many, were ready to say bye to Luol.

i did not realize any of what you just stated about Thibs. I always thought he was a good coach and one that can take the Bulls to the finals w/ Rose back and if all are healthy. I guess every franchise complains about their coaches, god knows i've been on 3 forums & on all of them are many Heat fans highly criticizing Coach Spoelstra. It's no different here i guess.

I think it's safe to say that if you had any other coach they too would have their faults. I think the both of us have coaches who is capable of winning championships seeing as they are both defensive minded and that to me is the most important and vital quality they both hold and the reason why we both have been successful.

[3ballbomber]

Interesting replies.

It seems, to me, that Bulls are highly dependent on a few things that have made them tough in the past and that's:

1. Defense
2. Rebounding
3. Derrick Rose

This is Rose very first season back & there's been alot of pressure placed on him to be that elite player he once was prior to the injuries. Many have criticized him, unfairly.......I give him props for just being out there and being able to play the way he is considering everything that has happened. He's been gone for so long and all of a sudden he has this pressure of people wanting to see the old Rose. I do not think it's the easy. Rose is the sort of player who goes balls to the wall every game & currently i do not see that, not because he has lost heart & hunger but because he's only gotten back from all his surgeries & it'll take some time for him to get back into true form. I also see some tentativeness, i see him slowly and easing his way back in and see him playing more to his comfort in consideration for his knees.

So while you have more of a tentative Rose who is still easing his way back into old form you have an aging and ailing Noah who is the heart of your defense, grit & hustle. I mean how old is he now 30+? You guys pretty much have been in the playoffs for many years and the way that this guy bangs day in and day out that's gotta be alot of wear & tear. If he's not his old self your team loses that identity that comes w/ this cat. He has an i don't give a f(*)ck attitude that works well for your team.

You also have new acquisitions - you almost have a totally new team. But you have a hell of a team, you have good depth also. To me you guys have everything that you need to go all the way. But above factors and all of the things you replied w/ is hindering your greatness. I love your team, personally. Very envious of it. You guys built it the right way that's why i would love for you to take the East, especially over a team like Lebron and his cavs.

Blessings & continued good health to your squad gentlemen. I'm pulling for ya'll. Miami won't be contending for a while as we build but you guys are set & ready - just gotta get everything to click right. I still have faith you make it all work in time. I also see Rose giving his all come playoffs time like we're used to.

[dougthonus]

Derrick rose
Defense

Everything else is just something else to talk about because it gets boring just beating two topics to death.

I'd say the same but instead of saying defense you could say:

Derrick Rose
Joakim Noah

Though there haven't been so many threads on Noah or as passionate discussion because people don't seem so emotionally wrapped up in his play as with Rose.

However, the Bulls have an offensive player who was the MVP who's now playing like an average player and a defensive player who was DMVP and is now playing like an average player on defense. Both have also regressed considerably on the other end of the court too.

If those guys played like their last good season, the Bulls would be dominating the league right now and the favorite to win the title. However, both guys look like they never recovered from their various knee surgeries and likely both permanently lost a step.

[blumeany]

These days, it's more MENTAL health than anything else. Most noticeably with Rose.

[molepharmer]

These days, it's more MENTAL health than anything else. Most noticeably with Rose.

Tend to agree. The team simply doesn't hate to lose enough; main culprit being D Rose.

[3ballbomber]

So sorry to hear gentlemen! Of all players why Rose. One of the most humble players in the league!

Prayers to him him & wish you all health the rest of the way.

Peace