Pacers @ Bulls Postgame Thread: No Gordon & Deng = Kirk

[kulaz3000]

First half.

I was really impressed with the first half of the game. Without Deng and Gordon, the other players stepped up and played very well. We started off well, and actually used Wallace in the post to create an inside/outside game. But the impressive thing was that, Boylan subbed in Noah early in the first quarter and then thats when his energy lifted the entire team which resulted in a big lead. He also subbed in Tyrus and played him a fair amount as well. In the first half, Wallace played 12 mins and Joe played 10 mins, whilst Noah played 14 mins and Tyrus played 9 mins, this needs to happen more frequently, espically when it looks like the old mens legs arn't in it.

Thabo was slashing and attacking the basket and also continued to play great defense. The entire team played great defense in the first half, we rebounded really well and didn't give up an offensive rebound the entire first quarter. We used our good defense to create baskets, and Kirk, Noc, Thabo and Noah carried us offensively. But the key was our defense and strong rebounding effort, and we havn't played as sloppy on offense as we have in the past. Great first half to watch, espically seeing our favourite player Griff running up and down doing his thing.

Second half.

We started the second half really sloppy on both ends. Stagnent on the offensive end, gave up open 3 point shots, didn't rebound as well. We sub in Noah mid way through the quarter and Kirk took over on the offensive end to take back control. Noc and his shot selection is a real worry. Its beyond a concern at this point, i wonder if he can ever correct it now. The third quarter was bad, but not as bad as we've seen in past games. The Pacers battled back into the game, and on a positive note, we didn't totally flip and break down though they pulled the game back to a 6 point game going into the fourth.

Sloopy fourth quarter also, with Granger keeping the Pacers in the game. But our defense remained consistent throughout the whole game, and it ultimately resulted in the win. Kirk really carried us with timely shots when we needed them, and he played great defense tonight also which opened up offensive opportunites. He also passed the ball quite well as well, still not fantastically but above his usual standards. But lets not forget Noah, he was huge on the boards, and he made a good portion of his shots also.

Co-players of the game.

Kirk. 38 points(14-21 shooting, 4-5 3 point shooting), 10 assists, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals.

Noah. 14 points, 15 rebounds(6 offensive), and 3 steals.

[waffle]

why is gordon not out there?

[kulaz3000]

why is gordon not out there?

Sore wrist.

[Polynice4Pippen]

Can we just start the Joakim Noah as our starting center era already, jeez? It's time. It really is.

[Magilla_Gorilla]

What the hell?



Where was TT in the second half?



Whose daughter did he plough to get this type of treatment?

[305bullsfan]

man i thought we were gonna blow this one again.

good

hinrich - where have u been, this it what we needed all season

noah - no explanation needed

noc

thabo

we scored 100+ despite missing our 2 leading scorers

I think its pretty clear Noah > Wallace

Wish there was more tyrus less griff

[whonka]

why griff over thomas?

[SportsWorld]

Not sure if this has been discussed before but we should deal Deng and Gordon to the Lakers for Kobe.

[Magilla_Gorilla]

Noah - 33 minutes 14points 15rebs 3stls 1ast

[SWEVO24]

That is the Kirk Hinrich I remember.

Major props to Noah, Noch, and Thabo.

If (I mean when) Ben Wallace starts next game I think I'll cry (even more).

[Red Larrivee]

Final Stats

[C3]

Bigmac's Baby....... At least the United Center crowd is happy tonight.

[kulaz3000]

Not sure if this has been discussed before but we should deal Deng and Gordon to the Lakers for Kobe.

Wallace, Gordon and Deng should do it. Now that Kobe can see that Noah can ball..

[Magilla_Gorilla]

Adrian Griffin - 22 minutes?



Seriously Boylan?



Seriously?



Are you for real?

[derf]

Let's not trade Noc for cap space.

[tyrususi007]

why griff over thomas?

because Tyrus doesnt get to vote?

[Rerisen]

Great
Noah
Kirk

Good
Thabo
Noc

Petrified
Wallace
Griffiin

Sorry?
Tyrus

Stupid
Boylan

[coldfish]

The good:
Hello Kirk, where ya been? Great game by Hinrich.

Noah played very well.

Tyrus played PF and, not surprisingly, he played well in like no minutes. +13 in 11 minutes.

Thabo played good defense and was fine on offense early, but tailed off late. I got to watch him a good bit tonight. IMO, he needs to work on his footwork. He shoots a lot a jumpers without his feet under him.

The bad:
Ben Wallace: Wow. Believe it or not, I don't want to harp on it, but dam. With Wallace on the floor = -10. With him on the bench = +23. 3 points and 5 boards in 24 minutes with some pretty crappy defense and stupid offense. Why don't you hold onto the ball a little longer, Ben?

[Susan]

Nocioni just shot another 3! And a miss. And now a transition bucket for Granger.

[BigUps]

We won tonight, despite awful coaching. Boylan is clueless and has no in game recognition.

Aside from Kirk, Noah was amazing tonight. I'm not kidding when I say that he's our leader. He's vocal, plays hard and is always there to encourage teammates. Heck, he led the pre-game huddle hoopla tonight. I think the kid isn't just coming into his how in the NBA, but is ready to be a serious contributor. I see him along the lines of Chandler with an offensive game.