GT #38: Bulls @ Wizards - Jan 17th @ 7 pm

[80sballboy]

I watched this game back on DVR and once again, another bad start in the third quarter. Not sure what the deal is but I was worried about this game due to the letdown factor. Normally, a good team would take a team off a triple overtime game where they played Jimmy Butler 60 minutes and others well over 40, to the woodshed. But we are still an immature team.

Yet defensively I thought our starting bigs plays well. Gortat had 3 blocks but just six boards and Nene had 2 blocks and seven boards. Noah did have 12 boards, but just 9 points and Boozer had a tired-looking 12 points. This is what we should expect out of Gortat defensively. Would like a few more boards but he isn't going to outhustle Noah. I also think he has a finger injury he was complaining about and that must hinder him whenever he grabs the ball. I know his hands aren't that bad. He just needs to be smarter and should never shoot outside of 12 feet and stop the stupid fadeaways. Nene just had no lift and that's why I wonder about the 8-man rotation. Why he couldn't play Seraphin a few more minutes because he is a different player on both ends in brief minutes.

Hinrich and Augustin combined for 34 points. How in the hell did you expect that kind of production from their backup point guards? Didn't do a great job against their screens and of course, they never get called for moving screens.

But I'll take it. Defense can win games for you late when you don't look smooth. Thibideau has his detractors for overusing his players, but damn, his teams defend and they play hard. I wouldn't be surprised if they still make the playoffs.

[fishercob]

winning is infinitely more fun than losing

[RustyMagoo]

Wiz again demonstrate a clear superiority over a lesser Eastern playoff team….

[dlts20]

only thing scary about the Pistons game is they got beat so bad that alot of there main guys didnt play much. Still they have to be down on themselves after that and have to travel. Beal didnt play much so hopefully he can carry things a lil or atleast in the 2nd half. Wall & Jennings always get up to play against eachother. Drummond is a beast but still not great on D so attack all game. You know Monroe isnt going to stop things down there either.

The other scary thing is getting over the .500 mark itself. Its almost like a baseball player when he's one hr away from 300 or 400 or 500 or some other record. Alot of times it takes them forever to get over that hump. Hopefully we wont get tight and choke again. Once we get over it, I dont think we will go back under

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Wittman haters have to reconcile away and home wins vs Thibodeau. Also, yet another victory over Spoelstra and the Heat.

The top seven or eight players and the coaching are solid when Wall and Nene are playing and reasonably healthy. The coaching IMO is solid.

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[Jimmy Recard]

Hinrich and Augustin combined for 34 points. How in the hell did you expect that kind of production from their backup point guards? Didn't do a great job against their screens and of course, they never get called for moving screens.

Yep. Only criticism for tonight, really poor ball pressure by our perimeter on their ball handlers. Having said that, guys like Noah, Bogut and KG, it's like the moving pick rule doesn't apply to them. I see them get away with it all the time.

[dckingsfan]

Wittman haters have to reconcile away and home wins vs Thibodeau. Also, yet another victory over Spoelstra and the Heat.

The top seven or eight players and the coaching are solid when Wall and Nene are playing and reasonably healthy. The coaching IMO is solid.

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Witt Pros: Players are playing hard, defense scheme is pretty good and the players for the most part are committed to the defensive end and he now has a nice defined rotation which seems to be working.

Witt Cons: Offense scheme (although improving) still isn't being executed that well, worried that Nene is playing too many minutes, timeouts and plays out of timeouts - meh.

[dckingsfan]

Hinrich and Augustin combined for 34 points. How in the hell did you expect that kind of production from their backup point guards? Didn't do a great job against their screens and of course, they never get called for moving screens.

Yep. Only criticism for tonight, really poor ball pressure by our perimeter on their ball handlers. Having said that, guys like Noah, Bogut and KG, it's like the moving pick rule doesn't apply to them. I see them get away with it all the time.

You saw that too... really egregious... but still the guards (Beal especially) were going under the screens and allowing wide open 3s

[montestewart]

winning is infinitely more fun than losing

And this seems like just the kind of game they would lose, at home, against a shorthanded and fairly middling team, following a great and unexpected victory. And the Wizards just couldn't put them away. Yet still, they won. Very satisfying in its own way. Beat the Heat (Thunder, Spurs, etc) once in a while, but beat all the teams you should beat on top of that, and maybe there's something to this team.

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

Bulls will make the playoffs unless they fire sale. They are a bit undermanned, but dang Tibbs has them playing hard.

I like Tony Snell. Looks like he belongs. Sucks that a guy they drafted at 20 is significantly better than who we drafted at 3.

Not gonna harp too much though. Nice to see some ball from the home side absent suckage.

[FAH1223]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/mrmichaellee/status/424398089764339712[/tweet]

[Kanyewest]

Bulls will make the playoffs unless they fire sale. They are a bit undermanned, but dang Tibbs has them playing hard.

I like Tony Snell. Looks like he belongs. Sucks that a guy they drafted at 20 is significantly better than who we drafted at 3.

Not gonna harp too much though. Nice to see some ball from the home side absent suckage.

I'm not sure, injuries could play a role especially since the Bulls aren't deep plus they are now playing heavy minutes. I'm still glad the Wizards got a win- this is the kind of game they would lose especially after a big win against a team like Miami.

[Illmatic21]

When healthy the Bulls are definitely better than Charlotte, Detroit, etc. But Noah staying healthy is a big IF.. as we know all too well, big men with foot problems = not good

[GhostsOfGil]

Wittman haters have to reconcile away and home wins vs Thibodeau. Also, yet another victory over Spoelstra and the Heat.

The top seven or eight players and the coaching are solid when Wall and Nene are playing and reasonably healthy. The coaching IMO is solid.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using RealGM Forums mobile app

Witt Pros: Players are playing hard, defense scheme is pretty good and the players for the most part are committed to the defensive end and he now has a nice defined rotation which seems to be working.

Witt Cons: Offense scheme (although improving) still isn't being executed that well, worried that Nene is playing too many minutes, timeouts and plays out of timeouts - meh.

I think this is a solid assessment. I tend to reserve judgment about the coaching staff because there are so many aspects of it that the fans are unaware of. I much prefer posts like this over typical "WIT SUCKS" chants.

On another note, how about that booker guy? He's averaging 12.4 ppg, 12 rpg (4 orpg) per 36 on 60% shooting in the month of January.

[jeffsays]

Just got back from the game. Lots of great energy. Obviously would have liked it if the wizards closed it out sooner but I'll take a win any day of the week.

[relinquishy]

Bulls will make the playoffs unless they fire sale. They are a bit undermanned, but dang Tibbs has them playing hard.

I like Tony Snell. Looks like he belongs. Sucks that a guy they drafted at 20 is significantly better than who we drafted at 3.

Not gonna harp too much though. Nice to see some ball from the home side absent suckage.

Snell also played in all his summer league games and has been given far more burn and touches. Give Porter a shot. I think he will actually be a stud.

[stevemcqueen1]

It's not that surprising when Wall does crazy stuff like that And 1 in the third.

Maybe it's a contested 30 footer off the glass as the shot clock expires.

Maybe it's an unbelievable chase down block.

Maybe it's a cold blooded step back three as the clock runs down like last night.

He's got a flare for the incredible play. He's amazing.

[stevemcqueen1]

[fishercob]

winning is infinitely more fun than losing

And this seems like just the kind of game they would lose, at home, against a shorthanded and fairly middling team, following a great and unexpected victory. And the Wizards just couldn't put them away. Yet still, they won. Very satisfying in its own way. Beat the Heat (Thunder, Spurs, etc) once in a while, but beat all the teams you should beat on top of that, and maybe there's something to this team.

Don't you go sounding hopeful, monte.

Can't put my finger on the what or why, but I don't see last year's team beating the Bulls -- with as hard as they play -- twice in a week (even without rose and deng). I applaud thibedeau and the bulls for the amount of effort and intensity they play with every night.

[Hypnotizer]

verbal has great game-threads streak and I really, really hope our best player: John 'Roadrunner' Wall will finally reach for the 1st time in his NBA career winning percentage of the team.

Can't wait for this, let's go Zards - no excuses tonight.