Start Thabo over Duhon - Read before you react

chrisbshenk · Post #1 » by **chrisbshenk** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 5:23 pm

The Bulls have had a habit of getting off to slow starts with Duhon-Hinrich in the backcourt.

One of the problems we have is that our backcourt lacks size to defend the bigger guards, so Kirk or Duhon have to guard guys 5 inches taller at times. We moved Gordon to the bench to provide that spark offensively late in the first quarter----fine. But by moving Duhon into the lineup, we aren;t gaining a whole lot.

Thabo will probably never be Reggie Miller or Ray Allen from the outside, but Duhon is a below 40% shooter himself and is 6 feet tall. Thabo has size and athletic ability that will keep more defenders honest because he could finish where Duhon cannot. Also, Thabo's size will keep us from being overmatched early on by a Kobe/Lebron/Allen/Redd with Kirk picking up 2 cheap fouls. I am not ready to christen King Sefolosha or anything, I think the ide when we drafted him was to have him play that big guard role we needed. When he has gotten actual PT the past few games, he has looked comfortable.

Early in the season in 2-4 minute clips, he looked like a bozo. I can think of a lot of player that look like that in only limited spurts. It takes a special player like Adrian Griffin that can just be ready and consistent anytime his ass gets off the pine. Thabo could be on of those players who plays well when he gets consistent minutes and he has a chance to develop. He is a solid rebounder, good defender (plays passing lanes and gets steals), average slasher, and mediocre shooter (like Duhon), but is 6-7 with long arms.

Move Thabo into the lineup and we have no size issues other than Big Ben, but he was DPOY at 6-8 plaging center 4 times. Joe Smith has been a great pickup and until we make a deal for someone better in the post, honestly he is just fine. Teams must respect his high and low post play, pick and pop ability, and passing. We just need to remember to throw it into the post more.

Guys like Thabo getting on the floor more means more likely to get energy on defense. We have lacked that same hunger and intensity we had in past years. Maybe the hunger and youth of Thabo coupled with the crazy fiery Red Bull Andres can pick us back up. (Or we could petition the league to play only the Pistons and Heat all season, as we only seem to get up for them)

There, isn't that easier to read?

Duck

Wingy · Post #2 » by **Wingy** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 5:27 pm

Why the warning when everyone's going to agree with you?

chrisbshenk · Post #3 » by **chrisbshenk** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 5:28 pm

I thought the peeps would jump on me for drinking Thabo Kool aid so fast. lol

SherronShabazz · Post #4 » by **SherronShabazz** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 5:31 pm

chrisbshenk wrote:I thought the peeps would jump on me for drinking Thabo Kool aid so fast. lol

no. we all agree.

all these duhon posts should be merged.

TOMSPY77 · Post #5 » by **TOMSPY77** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 5:32 pm

I agree as well. I like CD, as a backup point guard, and he was serviceable as a starter when our team was younger and more driven by Skiles' whip, but now i think its time to give someone else a chance, as Gordon clearly is better as a sixth man.

PS: Thanks for making it into paragraphs, it made it easier to read the second time around...

Post #6 » by **Rerisen** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 5:35 pm

You had me at the post title. I don't need convincing.

blumeany · Post #7 » by **blumeany** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 5:36 pm

What we need to do is have Kirk practice with a live grenade over and over again. Practice NOT holding onto something for very long, and getting rid of it quickly. If he doesn't blow himself up, then we can play him next to Thabo.

chrisbshenk · Post #8 » by **chrisbshenk** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 5:37 pm

Thanks for the paragraphs. Can you believe I was an English Professor? I just realized that as an avid reader and member for 4 years, I have only 20 posts. wow

girlygirl · Post #9 » by **girlygirl** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 5:38 pm

I definitely agree. Start Thabo and Kirk, bring BG off the bench and limit Duhon's minutes to about 10-15 per game.

The Bulls definitely need to see what a 3-man rotation of Hinrich-Gordon-Sefolosha can do on a regular basis before the trade deadline hits.

Bullsville · Post #10 » by **Bullsville** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 5:38 pm

Wingy wrote:Why the warning when everyone's going to agree with you?

That was my immediate reaction- hell, you could have put absolutely any name in there and people would want that player starting over Duhon.

"Start Benny the Bull over Duhon"

"Start Red Kerr over Duhon"

"Start the MJ statue over Duhon"

Anyone disagree?

Ralphb07 · Post #11 » by **Ralphb07** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 5:40 pm

Yeah you have me too. lol. I want to see what Boylan does friday if Hinrich comes back. Does he make the move with Sef? Is Paxson voicing his opinion on it now. Sef proved that he can help this team given the minutes.

Like everyone has said, he won't light it up with pts, but he does so much more. I would love to see Hinrich/Sef with Gordon off the bench

SherronShabazz · Post #12 » by **SherronShabazz** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 5:41 pm

Bullsville wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

That was my immediate reaction- hell, you could have put absolutely any name in there and people would want that player starting over Duhon.

"Start Benny the Bull over Duhon"

"Start Red Kerr over Duhon"

"Start the MJ statue over Duhon"

Anyone disagree?

i do. i dont think red kerr can play anymore. he may be past his prime. its hard to direct your team when you have candy in your mouth.

Bullsville · Post #13 » by **Bullsville** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 5:59 pm

SherronShabazz wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

i do. i dont think red kerr can play anymore. he may be past his prime. its hard to direct your team when you have candy in your mouth.

Yeah, Red was a stretch... but Stacey King at PG over Duhon? Definitely.

Sonny_D1 · Post #14 » by **Sonny_D1** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 6:08 pm

chrisbshenk wrote:Thanks for the paragraphs. Can you believe I was an English Professor?

For what, a day?

BTW......J/K :lol:

tyrususi007 · Post #15 » by **tyrususi007** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 6:45 pm

I would have to think that Red Kerr with a sugar high from eating all that candy is better then Duhon. :lol:

Now to Thabo. I was very happy with the way he played last night. Key word "Played" He got some serious minutes, of course because Kirk was out, but I think that is the root of the problem here.

Tyrus, Thabo, Noah and Gray should be playing more then, let the starters or second unit guys catch their breath for a minute and then you are coming out minutes. Or get into the game, when you screw up, I'm pulling you out.

I didnt see too many mistakes by Thabo last night, but I am not calling his performance last night a perfect game either. But he had the chance to play through his mistakes or low points on the floor last night. I think that was key (along with confidence from playing the last game too I'm sure).

I think if the kids can get steady playing time no matter if it as them as a unit on the floor or being subbed in here and there, it will help them get into a rhythm playing game after game, even if it is for 10-15 mins a game. When Tyrus doesnt play for two games in a row, what are we hoping to expect? he's what 20? He still has alot to learn, If no one is there to teach the kids on this team, then they will never learn and we will have a bunch of Tyson Chandlers. Which I dont want to happen to and of the four I named above. I dont want Thabo, Tyrus, Noah or Gray to blossom on another team like Chandler has in N.O.

I hope Kirk sits out tomorrow night and Thabo starts again.

Trade Duhon to Toronto for a bench player.

Post #16 » by **dougthonus** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 6:46 pm

I've been on the "play Thabo over Duhon" bandwagon, and I think Thabo is a SF and not a guard, but would try it just to find out. I doubt it will take much convincing to get the typical poster who already sees more in Thabo than I do to agree.

Dieselbound&Down · Post #17 » by **Dieselbound&Down** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 6:53 pm

It would take Duhon and Kirk collectively about 2 seasons of playing 82 games against the Heat before they could get 2 fouls called against Shaq. Thabo did it in less than 30 minutes of action. That is a dimension no one else on the team other than Noc seems to have.

Post #18 » by **DuckIII** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 7:03 pm

Dieselbound&Down wrote:It would take Duhon and Kirk collectively about 2 seasons of playing 82 games against the Heat before they could get 2 fouls called against Shaq. Thabo did it in less than 30 minutes of action. That is a dimension no one else on the team other than Noc seems to have.

Thats an excellent point.

DanTown8587 · Post #19 » by **DanTown8587** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 7:09 pm

I want Thabo in that lineup getting consistent minutes that Chris Duhon does not need. Toronto must be thanking their lucky stars the Bulls matched that offer sheet three years ago because if they did, they definitely would not have Calderon running things now like he is.

musiqsoulchild · Post #20 » by **musiqsoulchild** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 7:31 pm

Dieselbound&Down wrote:It would take Duhon and Kirk collectively about 2 seasons of playing 82 games against the Heat before they could get 2 fouls called against Shaq. Thabo did it in less than 30 minutes of action. That is a dimension no one else on the team other than Noc seems to have.

And its outta the park.

:clap:

Thabo is one of our best guys at taking it to the basket. I just wish he would dunk it (higher percentage) than those wacky (but pretty) hook/board shots he takes.

Hinrich does go into the D with the ball, but he almost always makes a bad decision once he goes in there. Plus he doesnt look to score when inside...e looks to come back out from inside. :roll:

Duhon gets a free pass into the lane almost always because the D slacks off of him....but then he doesnt shoot..nor does he attempt a damn layup even. :evil:

Gordon used to have the teardrop. I dont know what happened to him. I think the contract situation is keeping him outside the lane. Its not like he's spectacularly stable with his dribble anyway, when he's going towards the basket.

That leaves us with Thabo. Once he gets more playing opportunities, I think he will learn enough to be able to use his height in converting his ventures into the lane.

Or atleast get fouled in the process.