Preseason opener 10/8: 6pm EDT Bulls @ Cavs

[FriedRise]

Another thing I noticed: it's gonna be hard to find spacing when Giddey isn't controlling the ball.







They dealt with this with DeMar so this isn't anything new, but the other team's defensive plan is simply to stick with Zach and Coby at the 3pt line and collapse on everybody else.

[GoBlue72391]

How does Matas already looks better than Williams ever did? This question is for all Williams supporters. If world was fair place, Matas would be earning 20M and this one would play in 2nd Greek league.

This is way too extreme. Neither one has done anything to warrant a $20M contract. And as bad as Pat has been, he's good enough to stick in the NBA for a long time.

[Red8911]

Few things that stood out in this meaningless preseason game. Matas looked awesome, all that G league talk is bs he’s ready to be part of the rotation from day 1.

THT may look like an overweight 45 year old( crazy that he’s only 23) but the guy can play. Can score and even showed some defense as well. I think he makes the team, he ll be useful from off the bench.

Smith looked solid as expected. He’s the type of back up center the bulls needed for the last couple of years. Will help defend the paint better and could fill in when Vuc can’t handle an opponent.

Duarte is a similar type of player to Terry and Philips. He obviously has more experience than them though. Wonder who Billy ends up choosing to play and bench.

[Red8911]

Another thing I noticed: it's gonna be hard to find spacing when Giddey isn't controlling the ball.







They dealt with this with DeMar so this isn't anything new, but the other team's defensive plan is simply to stick with Zach and Coby at the 3pt line and collapse on everybody else.

Giddey got to improve his shot. That shooting coach better be working with him even while he sleeps. It will always be an issue if Giddey can’t consistently hit 3 pt shots.

[drosestruts]

For the 3rd year in a row, we have an unwatchable and unplayable starting 5. You can’t get away with multiple defensive liabilities, let alone 5. I include Pat cause he’s kind of sleepy. Teams like Orlando are gonna put on a clinic.

The bench is way more interesting. I wonder if they win in scrimmages. I also wonder if Billy dares playing them against each other.

Teams like Orlando will have good regular season records then get bounced in the 1st round every year.

They play hard, no doubt about it. But no one on that team can score the ball efficiently and that rears its head much more in the playoffs.

A couple first-round exists, some nice new big contracts for players, and we'll see if that night-in/night-out defensive effort and energy is still there.

For me they're reminiscent of the Skiles Bulls.

Ok? I think you’re underestimating the Magic- Skiles never had as talented a single offensive player as Paolo. I’m not crazy about them, but I also meant to insult the Bulls.

This starting 5 is gonna hang out with the Wizards and Nets- if even.

We obviously view Banchero differently. A 6'10" forward posting a 54.6% TS% is bad, like Vucevic levels bad.

You think I'm underestimating them, I think you're overestimating them - especially Banchero.

Again - I think they win regular season games because they play very hard night in and night out. I don't see them as a team having a next level, and I think their two best player - Banchero and Wagner - have pretty bad scoring efficiency

[madvillian]

Another thing I noticed: it's gonna be hard to find spacing when Giddey isn't controlling the ball.







They dealt with this with DeMar so this isn't anything new, but the other team's defensive plan is simply to stick with Zach and Coby at the 3pt line and collapse on everybody else.

Noticed that and Pat just has to hit open shots. If he can't even do that the starting lineup is going to be awful. They weren't bothering to guard pat or giddey at the line. Gotta make them pay.

[kodo]

Was bummed there was no Lofton sighting at all. I get that Vuc / Smith are locked in at center for real games, but it's preseason.

[FriedRise]

What even is this preseason schedule? There are teams like the Warriors who would’ve completed 3 games before we even play our second. And starting Saturday, we get to play 4 games in 7 nights??

[Chi town]

What even is this preseason schedule? There are teams like the Warriors who would’ve completed 3 games before we even play our second. And starting Saturday, we get to play 4 games in 7 nights??

Blazers haven’t even played yet

[Guru]

Just got around to watching game 1 because League pass has a 3 day hiatus

1-I want to see Vuc play in the paint more, that seems to have happened
2-Didn't want to believe what you all said about Williams, but man he's just so lax out there. Hopeful it's just rust from his injury.
3-I think Giddey and Zac are going to play very well together...I hate this phrase but Zac will eventually take on the "Alpha" role on the team.
4-Williams end to end score was very nice
5-Coby White is pressing...
6-Vuc with a great pass to Lavine
7-It should not be underestimated how helpful it is that Vuc is a very good instant facilitator....I don't just mean that he's a good assister I mean that the ball is in his hands for very short amounts of time and he passes it on....he keeps the offense going very well.
8-This D is bad but the Cavs were taking and making contested shots early.
9-Important to note that Julian Phillips was the second player off the bench
10-Giddey's rebounding is excellent
11-Giddeys three is ugly. He takes forever to collect himself and then like snaps his elbow.
12-Smiths first two threes off the front of the rim, but his stroke is nice
13-Giddey not boxing out, looks tired
14-This is a team that is going to win a bunch of games they shouldn't and lose a bunch they shouldn't
15-Torrey Craig and Carter didn't play in this game.....no injury designation for Saturdays game but maybe they had one for game one.? If they aren't playing now maybe they are being shopped?
16-I really like in the paint Vuc
17-Many have talked about Buz needing to add weight and I didnt notice it as much in Summer league, very evident now with the veterans.
18-Cavs are a really good team with 4 very good players
19-My dream world we get there with Giddey-White-Lavine-Buz.....not sure contracts could really align (and obviously lots of variables about any/all of them becoming stars) but that would be cool.
20-White was pressing early but he's playing great now
21-I'd love a Craig for Jaxson Hayes trade
22-Patrick Williams looks thick
23-Really like Jalen Smith as a rotation piece
24-Looks like the rotation for now is starting 5 then Ayo-Phillips-Matas-Smith
HALF TIME

[Guru]

2nd half
1-We never seem to have a second rebounder around
2-Our team d si bad.
3-What are we doing not playing Terry in Summer League? I am a big Terry supporter but it's clear he needs a lot of basketball to grow and he's just going to be stuck in limbo here as the 9-12 guy in the rotation. Needs every minute he can get.
4-We win this game and shot 20% from 3.
5-Talen Horton Tucker looks like a 43 year old 23 year old....Game and hair and belly
6-The Praying Mantis...lol
7-Is Horton-Tucker going to make this team? 11th guy in the rotation in this game.
8-Jiminiy Xmas, were playing 5-4 with a guy with no shoe on and still couldn't get a rebound
9. Horton Tucker is nuts man...love him....

So if this is the rotation, and I am not necessarily saying it is or isn't....it should be fun
1 Giddey-(Ball)
2 White-Ayo
3 Lavine-Phillips-Terry
4 Williams-Buz
5 Vuc-Smith-(Sanoga)

Craig is very tradeable
Carter not as much but maybe ean get something.