PG: 9-10 Good players

[NecessaryEvil]

I liked what I saw from Phillips too-not many minutes but he was active. Are we the deepest team in the league?

Crazy idea, but trade for Lauri or Zion, once their seasons tank. Move Matas to the 3

I think Okoro will be fine-just a weak start but he's playing hard

The ship has probably sailed on acquiring Zion. We should have bought low. Now he’s slim again, bouncier and playing with a chip (no lays)

[Indomitable]

I am starting to believe Pat have a chance and it is not his play.

It was his reaction when Duran tried to bully him and his reaction. I thought it was Daylen for a second.

Daylen for all his short comings is always energized and hardworking.

If Pat can keep his energetic play, he is a player with possibilities. He never lacked the physical part. It was always about his lack of focus and inability to play with passion.

Probably not but it would be nice.

[kodo]

Matas fouls:
1. deflected a pass and Bane got to the loose ball, Matas was chasing the loose ball and crashed into Bane. Inadvertest contact when chasing loose balls should be let go, bad call.
2. Wagner was going to use a screen, Matas jumped in front of the screen and Wagner cut the other way, both had their arms entangled. This will go to the offensive player, it's simply illegal to prevent an offensive player from moving where they intend to move. Also no need for this 40' from the basket, Wagner can't even shoot normal 3s and he's being played like Steph on a hot night.
3. Defending Banchero in the post, Banchero spun and got his arms under Matas arms and took the shot. Matas hopped closer to Banchero, if Matas just stands there and doesn't move his feet or arms I think this is usually a no-call. The extra movement and hop got him a foul.
4. Similar with Wagner. Wagner drives, Matas had his left arm extended horizontally, Wagner just scooped his arms under Matas' extended arm and threw up a garbage. Shooting foul every time. Derozan did the same thing to defenders thousands of times for us.
5. Bitadze sealed him under the basket. Again Matas had his arm extended horizontally not straight up. Bitadze powered a layup attempt into Matas' body, Matas did a little hop jump into Bitadze. Easy shooting foul call. If Matas just stands his ground it might be a no call.
6. Da Silva on a drive, Matas stays with him decently but has his arm extended horizontally, not straight up. Da Silva shoots a bad attempt, I think after replays this probably isn't a foul but Matas all night has been extending his arm into the shooters space and the refs see that again, and just blow the whistle anyway.

80% of the fouls were on Buzelis, not the refs. What's unfortunate is that it was the same problem 4 times in a row and Matas kept doing it, despite the refs being clear this action (extending his arm into the shooter's space) was going to get him a foul call. The lazy 2" hops were also bad, they weren't real block attempts and all they do is communicate to the refs you aren't set.

Still more of a rookie, has some learning to do.

[DASMACKDOWN]

Orlando made their big move - four 1st round picks for Desmond Bane. Still a lot of time for the team to gel, but he was primarily brought in to improve their spacing and effeciency and so far is shooting 26% from 3 with a TS of 53%

This is why its so important to absolutely crush it on an acquisition like that.

You might get moderate improvements, but the price is extremely steep. The Hawks did exactly that when they traded for Dejuante Murray in a similar deal. Found out quickly that it wasn't going to make the splash that they wanted, They got extremely lucky to flip him to New Orleans and luckily salvaged it on their return.

Orlando is literally all in right now. To me, they are a lesser floor version of the Knicks in my opinion. I think their floor is a consistent playoff team but I don't think they will ever be the favorites in the conference over the Cavs or Knicks.

[Red8911]

I am starting to believe Pat have a chance and it is not his play.

It was his reaction when Duran tried to bully him and his reaction. I thought it was Daylen for a second.

Daylen for all his short comings is always energized and hardworking.

If Pat can keep his energetic play, he is a player with possibilities. He never lacked the physical part. It was always about his lack of focus and inability to play with passion.

Probably not but it would be nice.

It’s more than just passion, he lacks the most important part which is basketball IQ.

Can he get better? Sure, he seems to have slightly improved but I doubt he reaches the potential we thought he had.

Also his body is usually fragile, I don’t expect him to last throughout the season without getting hurt.

[Red8911]

Meh, it isn't that he was outmuscled. I think he was outsmarted. Wagner and Paulo went at him and he got lazy on defense and kept defending with his hands and hacking.

They pushed him around like a pawn on a chess board. He had zero ability to hold his ground so he hacked. The good news is he won’t normally be guarding huge strong wings like that. Orlando is not a typical matchup at those spots.

The strength difference effected his game. Matas never got his rhythm. Plus he played Wagner like he did not read the scouting report. Matas needed to make him shoot. Instead he ran out there and Wagner ran by him.

Matas still has a lot of work to do to take that next step. Even Billy kind of called him out after the first game against Detroit where he was actually very good.

Billy mentioned how all the dunks and athletic plays are great and all but that is also things he was already doing when he first came into the league. Wants to make him a better overall player.

[sco]

I read that Giddey sprained his finger and is questionable Monday.

[madvillian]

Was watching UM football only caught part of the first quarter. Franz is a tough matchup for Buz.

I'd be careful to read too much into this game Orlando was already playing a back to back and 3 of 5 stretch and the Bulls were arguably the best rested team (week 1 I know) coming in of anybody with the light schedule. Much easier to run out 8-9 effective guys when the opponent is a step slow and you're rested.

[Dez]

I liked what I saw from Phillips too-not many minutes but he was active. Are we the deepest team in the league?

Crazy idea, but trade for Lauri or Zion, once their seasons tank. Move Matas to the 3

I think Okoro will be fine-just a weak start but he's playing hard

Yeah Zion isn't happening now he's in shape and Lauri doesn't move the needle.

You really need to give up on this Lauri fascination, he's going to rot in Utah putting up his empty stats.

[WindyCityBorn]

Ayo isn’t looking like an all-star (far from it with the dribble), but he’s looking like a really polished vet…he’d help any contender’s bench. Instant offense; pace-setting, do-it-all 3-position player. He’s been swinging every game in Chicago’s favor since pre-season.

Not advising to trade him, but just acknowledging he’s become a high-value rotation player.

He’s young. We’re young. Let him help us.

[kodo]

I read that Giddey sprained his finger and is questionable Monday.

Yeah saw him holding his finger at the FT line and he didn't play to close the game.
I suspect he'll be out.

Game 3 and we're already falling apart.

[KC Johnson] Bulls list Josh Giddey questionable vs. Hawks with "4th MCP sprain" of right finger.

[DuckIII]

I read that Giddey sprained his finger and is questionable Monday.

Yeah saw him holding his finger at the FT line and he didn't play to close the game.
I suspect he'll be out.

Game 3 and we're already falling apart.

[KC Johnson] Bulls list Josh Giddey questionable vs. Hawks with "4th MCP sprain" of right finger.

Time to put him down like a wounded stallion.